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)

2012 Grand Cru Cuvee Rive Gauche/Rive Droite, Marc Hebrart

2012 Grand Cru Cuvee Rive Gauche/Rive Droite, Marc Hebrart

A deep, open and complex nose with notes of orange peel, dry caramel, fennel, red apples and gravel on a warm summer night. Full of finesse. Just lovely. 

The taste is pure as a mountain river, tight and concentrated with notes of grilled lemons, red apples, candied orange peels and wet rocks. A very fine acidity. Long and lingering. Great wine. 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Chardonnay.

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

2006 Barolo Vigneto Rocche, Andrea Oberto

2006 Barolo Vigneto Rocche, Andrea Oberto

An open, beautiful, perfumed nose with notes of roses, polished mahogany, dried strawberries, forest floor and tarred boats in a distance. Very complex. Just lovely.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried strawberries, asphalt, tobacco and earth. Very structured. Perky tannins. Very, very long. A lovely balance. Drinking great now and will stay on this level for another 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2021/09)

Two Baroli From Tenuta Cucco

Tasted at the same time as the bottles from Chionetti. The Barolo Boys visited Tenuta Cucco almost 

three years ago.

2016 Barolo del Commune di Serralunga, Tenuta Cucco

A very fine, open nose with notes of roses, red cherries, dried strawberries, licorice and earth. A lovely young Nebbiolo nose.

The taste is young, stony and finely structured with notes of red currants, licorice, dried flowers and a hint of iron. Polished tannins. Very fine. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2021/08)

2016 Barolo Cerrati, Tenuta Cucco

When opened somewhat marked with new oak. I got to take a sample with me home and the day after it showed a very fine nose with notes of ripe cherries, forest floor, tobacco and rosehips. Very deep.

The taste is stern and steady with taut tannins and ripe cherry fruit with notes of licorice, tobacco and asphalt thrown in the mix. Very, very long. 10+ years.

93p   (tasted 2021/08)

Sortiment Tasting At Brixwine

A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to taste through a range of the Brixwine portfolio. Here are the wines that caught my attention.

I tasted two bottles from Peter Jakob Kühn. The 2018 Hallgartener Hendelberg Riesling Trocken is young, crisp and stony with refinement and a fine acidity (90p). The 2018 Spätburgunder Trocken is open, spicy and damn right yummy with gorgeous raspberry fruit, a good body and supporting acidity (91p).

Four wines from Elena Casadei impressed me. All brought up in amphoras, hence the series name "Le Anfore". The 2020 Migiu is made from Semidano grapes and displays a fine notes of oranges, concrete and hay and a medium bodied, grassy taste with a dry finish (88p). I really liked the 2020 Ansonaco (which also is the name of the grape that is used to make this wine) with its deep, willful nose with notes of orange blossom water, dry caramel and hay. The taste is distinct and refined with a great mouthfeel (91p).

The first of the two reds was the 2020 Syrah and if someone needs a posterchild Syrah to show how this grape should behave on the nose and in the mouth, seek no further. Pepper, meat, blueberries, low key power, intensity and a dangerous gulpable character (92p). Lastly, the 2020 Cannonau is tight creature with a mix of dark berries, herbs, undergrowth and firm tannins (88p).

I love Rossese and I have very found memories from my visit to Ka*Mancine, so it was fun to be able to taste these two bottles. 2019 Beragna is a fine wine with a nice, open nose with notes of red currants, mixed herbs and a cool, balanced taste (87p). The 2019 Galeae shows more depth and intensity with fine notes of ripe raspberries, licorice, herbs and some peppery notes. Lovely (91p).

I love Nebbiolo even more than Rossese :-), so these two was fun to taste. The 2018 Barbaresco, La Ca Növa shows a earthy, gravelly nose with notes of dried strawberries, dry licorice and rosehips. The taste is young and tight with notes of red berries, violets, gravel and some dry tobacco (90p).

The 2018 Barbaresco Montestefano, La Ca Növa is a stunner that will need 8+ years in the cellar. The nose is tight and focused with notes of rosehips, mushrooms, dried strawberries and forest floor. The taste is taut and refined with polished tannins, gorgeous fruit and structure for ages to come (93p).

The 2018 Château Cap de Fargues displays a cool, classic nose with notes of black currants, granite, tobacco and a fine floral note. Fine, silky tannins and a mix of red and black currants on the palate (88p).

With spices, hot earth and some meaty aromas, 2013 Gabaxo, Oliver Riviere offers up a upfront nose and a full bodied, peppery palate with lots of charm (90p).

The 2015 Chianti Rufina Riserva Lastricato, Castello del Trebbio is a winner. Stefano, father of Elena (see above) runs this estate with his wife Anna. This is a gorgeous wine with a high, open, slightly mature nose with notes of dried cherries, black olives, fresh herbs and a hint of fresh stables. The taste is velvety and fine with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, rosemary and gravel (93p). For 26 Euro this is bargain. I really hope that the 2016 (the 15 is sold out) will be released at the monopoly.

2019 Oxymore is a new venture from Thomas Farge and Stephane Usseglio which is a blend of grapes from the northern and southern Rhone. The nose is young and complex with notes of mixed black fruits, undergrowth, meat stock, fir wood and banana peel. Deep and fine. The taste is ripe and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, iron, violets and fresh herbs. Very, very good (90p).

The two bottles from Heller is, well... interesting. No sulphites and eye catching bottles. The 2020 Gamay is somewhat compressed on the nose (this bottle was opened the day before) but delivers a tight, high taste with an array of red fruits, gravel and herbs (88p). The 2020 Syrah is a Syrah posterchild, as the Le Anfore above, with notes of meat, bay leaves, pepper and a ever so slight hint of fresh stables. On the palate is shows a tiny spritzy feeling, long and very, very good (90p).