A 1990 Brunello di Montalcino Tasting Dinner

A couple of weeks ago I arranged a 1990 Brunello di Montalcino tasting dinner. Notes of the opening Champagne´s are here and of the two sweet bottles that ended the evening are here.

Flight I

1990 Brunello di Montalcino, Carpineto

A soft, round, mature nose with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, hot gravel and a dried up vanilla pod. Very nice.

The taste is medium bodied and mature with velvety cherry fruit, some dry tannins and a long, warm finish. Mature but still packing a punch. Very, very good.

89p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino, Casale del Bosco

A  deep, dense nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, fir wood, mushrooms and a whiff of stale Coca-Cola! A tad foursquare.

The taste is dry and warm with notes of dried cherries, mushrooms, earth and wood. Medium long. Lively but a tad dry.

85p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino, Castello di Camigliano

A large, structured nose with notes of ripe cherries, violets, rosemary and chocolate wafers. Very, very good. Lots of life.

The taste is big and steady with notes of chocolate covered cherries, warm tiles, violets and tobacco. A very fine warmth. Long and lingering. Bottles like this will go on for 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

Flight II

1990 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo, Marchesi di Frescobaldi

A deep, refined nose with notes of black cherries, rosemary, Tuscan gravel and violets. Very fine. Some maturity but not overly so.

The taste is tigth and fine with notes of cherry pips, tobacco, violets and bay leaves. Very long with some still chewy tannins. Very fine. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino, San Filippo

A lovely, complex nose with notes of ripe cherries, cold coffee, fried rosemary and mahogany. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is taut and focused with notes of violets, moist earth, bay leaves and chocolate covered cherries. A very, very long finish with a silky finish. Really fine. 3+ years.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio Antico

%&¤#"#¤%&!! Corked! But luckily, the only bottle.

Not rated   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna del Fiore, Colombini

A deep, round nose with notes of black cherries, road dust, clay and tobacco. A fine warmth. Fully mature.

The taste is long, tight and dry with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, asphalt and dry chocolate. Very, very good in a ascetic way.

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

Flight III

1990 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso, Ciacci Piccolomini d´Aragona

A very finely tuned, refined nose with some maturity and notes of ripe black cherries, Christmas spices, violets, leather and forest floor. Very fine.

The taste is seedy and concentrated with notes of sweet violets, dried cherries, tobacco and iron. A taut finish with fine silky tannins. 5+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino, Livio Sassetti

A deep, dark, beautiful nose with notes of an autumn forest, chestnuts, ripe cherries and herbs. Finely perfumed. Lovely.

The taste is elegant and complex with notes of black cherries, fried rosemary, licorice and sealing wax. The finish is long, balanced and perfectly mature. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Costanti

A spicy, mature nose with notes of dried cherries, Christmas spices, old leather and dried herbs. A fine warmth. Very deep.

The taste is tight and dry with notes of dried cherries, iron/blood, gravel, cold coffee and earth. Very long. A fine intensity. Fully mature. Very, very good.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiana d´Asino, Mastrojanni

Idiosyncratic and odd, there were differences of opions around the table about this wine. I thought it was brilliant. The nose soars up from the glass with notes of smoke, ripe (overripe) cherries, tar, dry licorice, earth and some balsamic notes. High, intense and utterly gorgeous.

The taste is vivid and high-pitched with notes of candle grease, dried cherries, fried rosemary, blue skiwax, tobacco and iron. The finish is long, long and complex. Not for the faint hearted. Stunning.

97p   (tasted 2021/09)

Two Sweet Ones

Finishing the 1990 Brunello di Montalcino dinner (notes soon to be posted), I opened these two 90´s.

1990 Coteaux du Layon, Domaine des Baumard

A very deep, balanced and just lovely nose with notes of hay, orange blossom honey, tangerines, moist earth and some dissolvent. Very complex and fine.

The taste is racy and elegant with notes of dried up orange and lemon jam, almond paste, candle grease and hay. A very fine acidity. Long and lovely. The leftovers kept fresh as a daisy for two weeks in the fridge.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Chàteau Guiraud

From a half bottle. A very deep, intense nose with notes of papaya, apricots, wet rocks, blue ski wax and the distinct scent of a hockey puck! Very, very good.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of apricots, sweet almonds, smoke and some rubbery notes. Very long and lingering.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

Tasting 2019 Jadot - The Reds

Part two with notes of the red wines from Jadot and the 2019 vintage. Wineaffair invited. Part one with the whites here.

2019 Moulin-à-Vent Champs de Cou, Louis Jadot Château des Jacques

An open, fresh nose with notes of mixed red berries, herbs and gravel. Very, very good.

The taste is light and spicy with notes of dried raspberries, sun warm rocks and bay leaves. Medium bodied. A very fine finish. 

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Beaune 1er Cru Clos de Couchereaux, Domaine de Héritieres Louis Jadot

A fine, somewhat restrained nose with notes of earth, a mix of blueberries and raspberries and fried herbs. For me, the only wine that had a whiff of the heat of the vintage.

The taste is broad and warm with notes of dried up raspberry jam, fried herbs and undergrowth. A good structure and and a fine acidity. Ends on a dry note.

87p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Corton-Pougets, Domaine de Héritieres Louis Jadot

A deep, tight, old school Pinot nose with rich, sweet red fruit, perfumed, large scaled without being heavy. There is very much to like here.

The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of ripe strawberries, red beets, decaying flowers and assorted spices. Long and focused. Very fine. Will be released on the 21th of Oct.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées, Domaine Louis Jadot

A finely structured, light yet intense nose with notes of ripe red currants, smoke and autumn leaves, Very, very good.

The taste is young and seedy with notes of red currants, fresh herbs, candle grease and gravel. A very fine acidity. Elegant. Will be released on the 21th of Oct.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques, Domaine Louis Jadot

A deep, more darker nose with brilliant fruit in the shape of red cherries and wild strawberries alongside notes of violets, earth and root vegetables. Lovely.

The taste is brilliant with fruit, tannins and acidity in perfect balance. Very, very, very long. But oooh so young, wait at least 8+ years before opening one of these bottles. Will be released on the 21th of Oct.

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Bonnes Mares, Domaine Louis Jadot

Oooh boy, what a wine! There is a dark, almost "meaty" Pinot nose that soars from the glass with notes of ripe raspberries, warm tiles, cigarr smoke and red beets. Very, very deep. Stunning.

The taste is just brilliant with purity, class and concentration in spades. There is a lot going on here and it is all good! But you have to wait 10 years for it to really unfold, but then... Will be released on the 21th of Oct.

97p   (tasted 2021/09) 

2019 Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Domaine Louis Jadot

A very tight, structured, impressive nose with notes of dark raspberries, smoke, ripe flowers, moist earth and parsnips. Bottomless deep. Very promising.

The taste is taut and tight with boatloads of ripe raspberries and wild strawberries with additional notes of violets, earth, tobacco and dried herbs. The finish goes on and on and on. I would wait 10+ years before opening a bottle. Great stuff! Will be released on the 21th of Oct.

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

Barolo Boys In Session - The Non Baroli

M invited to the first Barolo Boys gathering in 1,5 years.

21 bottles tasted and drunk. Only 13 Baroli! A yellow card was immediately handed out! :-)

These were the non Baroli. All tasted double blind.

2018 Riesling RR Reserve Goldcapsel (Kirchspiel), Keller

First ever vintage of the Reserve. A young, handsome, smoky nose with notes of grass, ripe pears and lots of chrushed rocks. Very fine.

The taste is high and intense with notes of lemon peel, grass, minerals and smoke. Silky. Very fresh. Lovely.

92p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Scheurebe Kabinett (Morstein), Keller

A very stony, tight nose with notes of lome, dry passionfruit and the tell tale sign of Scheurebe - grapefruit en masse! Very, very good.

The taste is young and crisp with a fine acidity and notes of white pears, chalk and grapefruit. Very pure.

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2014 Scheurebe Kabinett (Morstein), Keller

A pure, intense nose with notes of petrol, sage, white peach and grapefruit. A saline touch. Very fine.

The taste is cool and seedy with notes of tangerines, grapefruit, chalk and smoke. Very energetic. Really fine.

94p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Barbera d´Alba Superiore, Luigi Pira

A young, fine nose with notes of raspberries, black pepper, concrete and gravel. Very good.

More racy and perky on the palate with seedy red and black fruits, a fine tannin structure and a good grip. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Barbera d´Alba Vigna Pugnane, Marengo

An earthy nose with dark flowers, ripe raspberries, bay leaves and forest floor. Opens up very fine in the glass.

The taste is cool, tight ans expressive with lots of energy and gorgeous raspberry fruit. Long and very fine. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2021/09)

2020 Dolcetto d´Alba, Luigi Pira

A young, upfront nose with notes of ripe blueberries, fir wood, gravel and rosemary. Very lively.

The taste is bright and nicely concentrated with notes of damsons, blueberries, gravel and fresh herbs. Crisp and fine. 4+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore, Marengo

A very deep, flirty nose with notes of dried cherries, roses, rosehips, some tobacco and asphalt. Very fine.

The taste is taut and focused with notes of ripe red cherries, asphalt, dried flowers and violets. Silky tannins. Long. I had it pegged as a fine Barolo Normale.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Langhe Nebbiolo, Luigi Pira

This is fine! Violets en masse! And additional great notes of rosehips, forest floor, iron and ripening red cherries. Lovely.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, dark flowers, iron and sun warm asphalt. Very long and fine. Again, had it as a Barolo. This is a must buy!

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

Three Bottles of Bubbly

These were tasted a couple of weeks ago when I arranged a tasting dinner with 1990 Brunello as the main focus, but we also drank some other bottles from that vintage.

1990 Millésime Resérvé, Henri Abelé

A round and very mature nose with notes of autumn apples, almond paste, linoleum and warm tiles. Good.

The taste is nice and soft with no bubbles and notes of old wrinkled apples, almonds and damp earth. Drinking fine but some years behind its zenit.

86p   (tasted 2021/09)

1990 Cuvée Dom Perignon

A mature, smoky nose with notes of dry caramel, coffee powder, cream and autumn apples. Deep and fine but now and again there is a funky cellar note, not corked but an impression that it isn´t a perfect bottle.

The taste confirms the nose, a very fine mature character, even elegant, but there is a hint of something that shouldn´t be there. But we had no problems finishing the bottle.

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2008 Millésimé 1er Cru, Gaidoz Forget

After the dinner was finished we yearned for something fresh and bubbly. This 2008 sports a high, seedy nose with notes of red currants, orange blossom, red apples and smoke. Very, very good.

The taste is intense and refreshing with notes of white flowers, red apples, earth, minerals and smoke. A very fine acidity. 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Pinot Meunier.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

Tasting 2019 Jadot - The Whites

Wineaffair invited to a lunch to taste the 2019 range from Jadot. David Stephan from the domaine presented the wines.

2019 Meursault Narvaux, Domaine Louis Jadot

Very open and spicy on the nose with fine notes of warm grass, butter cookies and yellow apples. Very fine.

The taste is fresh and forward with notes of caramel, lemon cream, grass and gravel. Generous. 4+ years. Will be released Oct 12th.

92p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes, Domaine Louis Jadot

More restrained than the Narvaux with a deep, structured nose with notes of warm sand, almond paste, yellow apples and roasted nuts. Very fine. Needs time.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of lemon cream, sand, apricots and minerals. Long and fine. A very good acidity. Not as charming as the Narvaux today but will become better with age. 7+ years. Will be released Oct 21th.

92p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts, Domaine Louis Jadot

A very fine, intense nose with notes of matchbox, grey pears, clay and lemon cream. Great balance.

The taste is steely and tight with notes of lemon peel, grey pears, minerals and dry biscuits. Very long with a stunning acidity. Great wine. 6+ years. Will be released Oct 21th. 

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Monopole Clos de la Chapelle, Maison Louis Jadot/Domaine de du Magenta

A rather large scaled nose with notes of almond paste, wet earth, lemon pie and assorted nuts. Lovely.

The taste is cool and concentrated with notes of candied lemons, wet rocks, vanilla bread and a hint of iron. Very long. Rich and fine. 6+ years. Will be released Oct 21th.

94p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Corton-Charlemagne, Domaine de Héritieres Louis Jadot

A tight, restrained nose that needs lots of air to reval notes of white peach, freshly washed clothes drying the wind, smoke and orange peel. Very, very deep.

The taste is tight and focused with a excellent grip and beautiful notes of dried peach, oranges, flint and dried up butter cookies. The finish goes on and on. Needs time, 8+ years. Very promising. Will be released Oct 21th.

96p   (tasted 2021/09)

2017 Dolcetto d`Alba Le Liste, Erbaluna

2017 Dolcetto d`Alba Le Liste, Erbaluna

When opened a bit funky and barnyardy on the nose but it blew away within a couple of hours. Deep and fine with notes of red beets, fir wood, red currants and some smoke. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and dry with notes of red currants, ripening blueberries, violets and gravel. Some fine polished tannins. Medium bodied. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.

In training for the next weekend when Dolcetto Boys & Girls get together and taste 17 Dolcetto’s!

88p   (tasted 2021/10)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Cuvee Prestige, Regis Fliniaux

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Cuvee Prestige, Regis Fliniaux

A creamy, full, lovely nose with notes of ripe oranges, dry mango, matchbox and yellow flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is young, tight and dry with notes of lemon cream, oranges, smoke and gravel. A fine acidity. For drinking now and the coming 8+ years.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

2016 Barolo Massara, Gian Carlo Burlotto

2016 Barolo Massara, Gian Carlo Burlotto

Needed some time in the glass but opened up with fine notes of red currants, Christmas spices, shoe polish, warm rocks and hints of tar. Very, very good. High, almost ethereal.

The taste is tighter with a fine structure and notes of spices, assorted red fruits, rosehips and linseed oil. The finish is like chewing on a cherry pip. Long. Drink now or in 8+years.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

Château Montus Lunch Tasting

Vinunic invited to a tasting with wines from Château Montus & Château Bouscassé. Marie Pinceloup presented the wines with charm and humour.

2017 Les Jardins Philosophiques, Château Bouscassé

A light, fine, floral nose with notes of grass, ripe peach and spices. Very good.

The taste is cool and fresh with nice fruit, acidity and balance. A very good every day wine.

87p   (tasted 2021/09)

2014 Blanc, Château Montus

Almost as great as the 2012. The nose soars up from the glass with notes of apricots, matchbox, wet cement and lemon cream. A Burgundy feeling to it. Very fine.

The taste is broad and tight with notes of yellow plums, apricots, dry caramel and minerals. Very long and fine.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

2017 Château Bouscassé

The 17 Bouscassé has an elegant, finely tuned nose with notes of black currants, damsons, road dust and tiles. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and balanced with notes of plums, black currants and gravel. A fine length. Lovely to drink now but culd be cellared for 8+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2017 Château Montus

A deep, laid back nose with notes of dried black fruits, earth, violets and sweet minerals. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of black currants, smoke, Christmas spices and gravel. Long and fine. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2017 Château Bouscassé Vieilles Vignes

The 2017 VV is a must buy. The nose is beautiful with notes of spices, ripe black currants, plums,sun warm rocks and earth. Very fine.

The taste is tight and focused with power and elegande. Boatloads of black currants, asphalt, herbs and some tobacco. Very long. 6+ years, From 50 - 100 year old vines.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

2016 Château Montus

Tasted recently - Barolista: Then & Now - 1993 & 2016 Chàteau Montus - with almost identical notes on this occasion.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

2010 Le Tyre

The 2010 Le Tyre is a single vineyard wine. The vineyard is 10 ha but only about 2 ha is used for the wine. The nose explodes from the glass with stunning notes of plums, scorched earth, black currants, tar and iron. Very deep and complex.

The taste is taut and concentrated with great black fruit, still firm tannins and a finish that goes on for minutes. Great wine. 5+ years. Served from magnum.

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

2012 Brumaire November

A very deep and rich nose with notes of apricots, ripe oranges, detergents and warm grass. Ver, very good.

The taste is creamy and sweet with a cleansing acidity and notes of apricots, quince, orange peel and sweet mineral. Very, very long. Lovely. 

92p   (tasted 2021/09)

Earlier Tasting of Château Montus etc:

Barolista: 22 Vintages of Wines From Alain Brumont - Part I

Barolista: 22 Vintages of Wines From Alain Brumont - Part II

Barolista: Alain Brumont At Tegelbacken

Digital Tasting Of The Rare & Fine Wines Of Yalumba

These notes comes from a digital tasting with Louisa Rose, chief winemaker and Jessica Hill-Smith, sixth generation of the owners of Yalumba. Vinunic arranged and send the lovely 10 cl bottles for the tasting.

2018 The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 

A deep, restrained nose with notes of dry passionfruit, lemon cream, a hint of smoke and grass. Very, very good.

The taste is deep and velvety with notes of yellow apples, almonds and smoke. A fine acidity. Drinking great today. Several Viognier´s in the last couple of weeks, what´s happening?!

90p   (tasted 2021/09)

2017 The Tri-Centenary Grenache

Planted in 1889, the grapes comes from 820 old bush vines. The nose soars from the glass with gorgeous notes of raspberries, herbs, smoke and Christmas spices. A lovely low keyed sweetness.

The taste is warm and concentrated with notes of rhubarb licorice, raspberries, fried herbs and bonfire smoke. Very long with a fine intensity. Great.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

2016 The Signature

A big, open, yummy nose with notes of asphalt, ripe black fruits, mint and iron. Very deep and complex.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe plums, leather, asphalt and fir wood. More structured on the palate. Very, very long. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon & 47% Shiraz.

93p   (tasted 2021/09)

2016 The Menzies

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep, tight, focused nose with notes of ripe black currants, charcoal, dark chocolate and a hint of mint. A interesting note of fried basil (!) after a while. Very fine.

The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of dried up black currant jam, iron, leather and earth. Very, very long. Intense. Finely polished tannins. Very fine. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2021/09)

2016 The Octavius

From vines with an average age of 80 years, the oldest parcel planted in 1854. The nose is rich, dense and focused with notes of iron, violets, dark flowers, grilled meat and blood. Very complex. Brilliant.

The taste is intense and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, iron, damsons, earth and rubber. Very, very long. Power and elegance. Great wine, 8+ years.

96p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling GG Alte Reben, Dr Loosen

 
2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling GG Alte Reben, Dr Loosen

A crisp, stony, finely tuned nose with notes of chalk, gravel, dry passion fruit, grass and concrete. Very young, taut and fine.

The taste is dry, seedy and fine with notes of lemon peel, dry passion fruit, chrushed rock and a hint of rubber. Complex and fine. Very long. Very, very good. A tasting sample from Vinunic.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Cuvée Vive Grand Cru, Claude Cazals

NV Cuvée Vive Grand Cru, Claude Cazals

A high, fine nose with notes of freshly baked bread, flint, tangerines, dry fudge and gravel on a warm summer day. A finely tuned elegance.

The taste is young, tight and refined with notes of grilled lemons, tangerines, flint and dry grass. A very fine acidity. Needs 6+ years in the cellar.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

Three Wines From Chateau Pesquié

Today I had the opportunity to attend a Zoom tasting with Frédéric Chaudière, owner of Château Pesquié in Ventoux. Vinunic arranged and provided tasting samples. I cheated and opened the bottles yesterday, so the notes below are from two days.

2020 Terrasses Blanc, Château Pesquié

Young, fresh and floral on the nose with notes of yellow plums, grilled lemons, grass and gravel. A salivating nose. The same on day two.

The taste is cool and fine with notes of grilled lemons, dried flowers and grass. A fine saline touch in the finish. Very, very good. Better on day two. 40% Viognier and 20% each of white Grenache, Roussanne and Clairette. Available at the monopoly.

88p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Terrasses Rouge, Château Pesquié

This Grenache dominated wine displays a young, strappy nose with notes of herbs from Provence, blueberries, bakelite and warn gravel.  A tad better, more harmonious on day two.

The taste is seedy and structured with notes of black pepper sprinkled blueberries, fried herbs and earth. Some juicy tannins. Again, better on day two. 4+ years. Available at the monopoly.

88p   (tasted 2021/09)

2019 Quintessence Rouge, Château Pesquié

A deep, peppery, structured nose with notes of violets, blackberries, herbs and scorched earth. Very fine. Also here, better on day two. These wines needs time.

The taste is tight and finely focused with notes of blue- and blackberries, earth, black pepper and violets en masse. A very fine laid back warmth. 8+ years. Will be released on the monopoly on the 14th of September. For 20 Euro, a bargain with a fine aging potential.

91p   (tasted 2021/09)

Vingruppens Sortiment Tasting

A couple of days ago I had the chance to taste through the sortiment of Vingruppen. Due to other commitments I didn´t had much time so I had to focus on what to taste from several hundreds of bottles. These is the ones that caugth my taste buds attention.

From USA, these Chardonnay´s I really liked - the 2015 Seven Springs, Evening Land shows a tad maturity with lovely notes of ripe apples, melon and lots of refinement (93p). The 2019 Sonoma Coast, Kutch is young, vibrant and spicy with a long lingering fnish (92p).

Patz & Hall has bottled a buttery, vibrant 2016 Dutton Ranch with a fine acidity and a firm body (91p). The 2018 Santa Rita Hills, Sandhi is very stony, tight and restrained; needs to flesh out with bottle age (89p). The 2018 Sonoma Coast, Failla is stony, smoky and elegant with a medium, finely tuned body (90p).

Lastly, the 2016 Maycamas is all about structure, finesse and gorgeous upfront fruit. Built to last (93p).

Moving on to the reds and from Italy I found these gems. The 2016 Barolo Brunate and the 2018 Barbaresco Gallina, Ceretto are equally great with the haunting perfumes from Langhe and the firm tannins that will keep them going for 10+ years (93p).

From Arnaldo Rivera, the 2015 Barolo Undicicomuni is a fine Barolo blend from all comunes in Langhe (90p) while the 2018 Barolo Monvigliero shows a high, light yet focused Verduno character (92p).

From Vietti I tasted the 2018 Barbera d´Alba Tre Vigne which is a fruity, open, lovely Barbera with a fine acidity and really nice grip (91p). The 2017 Barolo Castiglione offers up a handsome nose with roses, cherries and asphalt followed by a young, focused taste with a fine future (92p).

From Tuscany, the 2016 Castello di Brolio, Ricasoli displayed everything that is great with a young Sangiovese (92p) while the 2014 Brunello di Montalcino, Mastrojanni showed the same but with a beginning maturity (92p). 

The 2018 Saffredi, Fattoria Le Pupille is a stunner with brilliant cherry fruit, a structure for ages and every knot and bolt in the right places (96p).

Just one Burgundy and what a wine! The 2015 Bonnes Mares from Lucien le Moine is a three digit score wine in due course. A deep, hedonistic, utterly gorgeous nose and palate with everything in place. A treat to taste and just imagining a whole bottle for yours truly... (97p).

I then tasted some goodies from USA. The 2016 Estate Pinot Noir, Walter Hansel is such a goodie, with lovely raspberry fruit, a fresh acidity and a long finish (93p). More Pinot followed - the 2016 Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir, Failla has a deep, smoky, finely tuned body and a high, uplifting nose (92p). The 2017 Bloom´s Field Pinot Noir from Domaine de la Côte is a finely tuned creature with ripe raspberries, licorice, smoke and herbs. Complex and very fine (93p).

One of the best wines that I tasted was the 2015 Fay Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag´s Leap with a gorgeous black currant fruit, a taut structure, silky tannins and just class (96p). The Maycamas Cabernet Sauvignon from the same vintage display a tight, charcoal, tobacco character with lenght and finesse (94p).

Lastly, two bottles from down under and from Giaconda. The 2018 Estate Shiraz has a deep, inky nose and a tight, intense palate with lots going on (93p). The 2018 Estate Pinot Noir is a killer, with perfect ripe strawberries, moist earth, fresh herbs and bay leaves. Just great (96p).

2001 Desiderio, Avignonesi

2001 Desiderio, Avignonesi

A deep, warm, somewhat mature and yummy nose with notes of ripe plums, licorice, fried herbs and dark chocolate. A very fine warmth. Very, very good.

The taste is round, velvety and lip smacking good with lots of plums, tobacco, hot gravel and nougat. A long finish with silky tannins. A great drinking Merlot for now and the coming 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2021/09)