Sunday 31 March 2019

Some Pictures From Langhe

Here again, in Paradise! Two days of fantastic visits and two more to go! Tasting notes will come shortly.




Elisa Scavino


Francesca Cappello
Nicola Oberto


Elio Sandri

Wednesday 27 March 2019

2014 Château La Tour De By


2014 Château La Tour de By
This reliable Medoc ausually offers up nice value for money (9 Euro for a half bottle). As so with this 2014. The nose is low keyed but fine with notes of chorintians, touch of tobacco, ripening black currants and earth. A hint of red bell peppers. Very good.
The taste is tight and fine-limbed with notes of red and black currants, cold coffee, earth and some flowery notes. Dry and fine. Could need a couple of years in the cellar.
86p   (tasted 2019/03)

1983 & 2007 La Tour de By with info

Monday 25 March 2019

1982 - 2007 Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva, Bodegas Franco-Espanõlas


G arranged out last monthly tasting in our tasting group and it turned out to be a interesting Rioja line up. Tasted double blind.
Some previously tasted bottles from this estate below.

1982 Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva, Bodegas Franco-Españolas
1982 is a great vintage in Rioja and this bottle shows a spicy, mushroomy nose with notes of dried red berries, dried flowers, tobacco and undergrowth. Very, very good. A fine maturity.
The taste is mature, round and dry with notes of rowan berries, allspice, old leather and forest floor. A fine dried up sweetness. Drink soon if you have any.
88p   (tasted 2019/03)


1989 Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva, Bodegas Franco-Españolas
Corked #"(/&%¤)"¤%&/!!!
50p   (tasted 2019/03)

1994 Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva, Bodegas Franco-Españolas
A cool, mature, refined nose with notes of dry licorice, raspberries, iron and rowan berries. High, fine and interesting.
The taste is dry, mature and structured with notes of earth, iron, dried raspberries and moist forest floor. Not a charmer but a very fine character. Really, really good.
92p   (tasted 2019/03)


1995 Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva, Bodegas Franco-Españolas
The 95 displays a compact, multi layered nose with notes of sweet lingonberries, old chocolate, earth and a hint of dill (the only one that showed that classic old school Rioja element).
The taste is tight and dry with notes of dried raspberries, asphalt, old leather and tobacco. A very fine dried up warmth. Should be drunk sooner than later. Displays a very fine warmth.
90p   (tasted 2019/03)

2007 Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva, Bodegas Franco-Españolas
An earthy, fine nose with notes of dried flowers, undergrowth, leather and hints of tobacco. A tad angular. Very good.
The taste is maturing with notes of red fruits, tobacco, black olives and earth. Needs some time still. A good length. Very, very good.
87p   (tasted 2019/03)


2015 La Poza de Ballesteros, Artadi
The odd bottle out. And it showed, both in age and character. The nose is bold and outgoing with notes of ink, rubber, ripe blueberries and saw dust. Deep and concentrated.
The taste is seedy and strong with notes of ink, bakelite, ripe blueberries, bay leaves and cold coffee. Very long. Needs time.
90p   (tasted 2019/03)


Other vintages tasted:
1979 Rioja Bordón Reserva

1976 Rioja Bordón

1970 Rioja Royal Reserva

1964 Rioja Royal Reserva

Saturday 23 March 2019

Long Overdue Notes - The Barolo Boys In Piedmont April 2018 - Part Five - Lunch With Fabio Alessandria

One of the most enjoyable times to be had when visiting Piedmont is to meet the winemakers and have time to talk with them properly. Even better when they offer up lunch and bring the wines! :-)

We had such luck and an amazing lunch last year when Fabio brought six different vintages of his Sauvignon Blanc, in the shape of Viridis (first vintage 2001) and Dives (first vintage 1991).

50% of the The Barolo Boys with Fabio on the way to the restaurant


2012 Abtserde, Keller
Fabio loves Riesling (who doesn`t!) and this was brought as a start of the lunch. The nose is high, pure and intense with notes of rhubarb, grass, lots of chushed slate and a hint of rubber. Very, very fine.
The taste is refined and racy with notes of crystalline lemons, slate, grass and a hint of band aid. Very concentrated. Very, very long. Stunning wine.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)


2017 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
Bottled just 20 days before, this baby shows of a juicy nose with notes of elderberries, white currants, cucucmber and hints of white pepper. Very, very good.
The taste is stony and fresh with notes of steel, grass and cucumber. Sappy and fine. One more sip is needed, and another, and...
90p   (tasted 2018/04)



2016 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
The 16 Dives is a beauty with notes of spruce shoots, birch leaves, dried up honey and white pepper. Very deep and fine.
The taste is spicy and refined with notes of white flowers, white peppers, a salt stone and earth. Very long and lingering.
92p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
A cool nose with notes of goose berries, gravel, spices and dry grass. Somewhat withdrawn.
The taste is fresh and high spirited with more character and flair than the nose. Notes of yellow plums, spices, white currants and grass. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2018/04)




2013 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
The 13 Dives is a beauty. The Acacia wood has brought subtle oaky notes alongside fresh spices, dried up vanilla ice cream, white pepper and hay. Very fine.
The taste is tight and handsome with notes of white pepper, red currants, dried up passion fruit and gravel. Long. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2010 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
A gravelly, cool nose with notes of herbs, minerals, some goose berry scents and grass. Fresh and fine.
The taste is cool and elegant with notes of mineral, almonds, herbs and gravel. A fine dryness at the end of the finish. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2018/04)


2010 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
Too bad - corked! #¤"&%¤/&!
Not rated   (tasted 2018/04)

2009 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
A deep, crisp nose woth notes of dry grass, white pepper and candle grease. Refined. Very, very good.
The taste is fine and fresh with notes of minerals, white currants and yellow apples. A fine acidity. 
88p   (tasted 2018/04)



2008 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
This ten year old Sauvignon Blanc displays some Riesling like aromas on the nose, in the shape of smoke, rubber and peach. Some grass also. Very fine.
The taste is cool, dry and expressive with notes of lemons, white pepper, mineral and spices. Very long and delicate. Lovely.
91p   (tasted 2018/04)

Friday 22 March 2019

Drinking Tonight - 2016 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Ste Michelle


2016 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Ste Michelle
Not all Cabernet but also 9% Syrah, and you could sense some violet and rubber aromas behind the dominant scents of sun warm black currant leaves, blueberry pie, lots of graphite and chrushed rocks. A cool character. Very, very good.
The taste is upfront and fine with notes of ripe red and black currants, pencil shavings, chrushed rocks and violets. Classic Cabernet flavours. Maybe a tad thin in the midrange, but for 20 Euro you get a fine drinking Cabernet for drinking now and the coming 6+ years. A tasting sample from VinUnic.
88p   (tasted 2019/03)

Saturday 16 March 2019

Snow & Ice - 2010 Barolo Broglio, Schiavenza


2010 Barolo Broglio, Schiavenza

A lovely, semi mature nose with notes of cherry licorice, dries ceps, herbs, rosehips, furniture polish and fir wood. Very deep. A fine old school nose.
The taste is cool, tight and somewhat mature with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, mushrooms, dried flowers and a hint of tobacco. Very long and refined. Could use 6+ more years in the cellar.
92p   (tasted 2019/03)

Friday 15 March 2019

Snow & Ice - 2016 Chardonnay By Farr Côte Vineyard, Farr

2016 Chardonnay By Farr Côte Vineyard, Farr
A lovely crystalline, tight nose with notes of lime butter, mature star fruit, cereal, warm grass and caramel. Very complex, racy and fine.
The taste is just brilliant, clean as a whistle and refined with notes of green pears, lime, minerals and grass. The acidity is perky and perfectly palate cleansing. Really, really fine.
95p   (tasted 2019/03)

Thursday 14 March 2019

Snow & Ice - 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Selection, Raymond

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Selection, Raymond
I loved the 2013 (and still do, have some bottles left) and the 2015 vintage follows suit, even though it doesn´t reach the heights of the 13.
The nose is upfront, juicy and rich with notes of violets, ripe black currants, graphite, expensive leather and bonfire smoke. Deep, inky and fine. Displays power and restraint.
The taste is taut yet silky and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, asphalt, cocoa, violets and dark rubber. Very, very long with a laid back warmth. Broader than the 2013 but will surely become even better with 6+ years in the cellar. 680 barrels produced.
93p   (tasted 2019/03)

Wednesday 13 March 2019

Snow & Ice - 2016 Chardonnay Watson Ranch, Arnot-Roberts



2016 Chardonnay Watson Ranch, Arnot-Roberts
After a whole day outside in the snow I needed something nice to go along a nice dish of cod.
49 barrels made. The nose is stony and refined with notes of lemon peel, red basil, lemon licorice and spruce needles. Some fine grassy notes after a while. Handsome. Lots of minerals.
The taste is cool and spicy with notes of dried lemons, a hint of apricots, dry fudge and sweet minerals. Crystalline. A very fine acidity. Long. Very fine.
93p   (tasted 2019/03)



Tuesday 12 March 2019

1992 - 2016 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc, Peter Dipoli


I was invited by Brix Wine to a fabolous tasting of Sauvignon Blanc´s from Alto Adige at La Vecchia Signora (great food as always!).
Producer - Peter Dipoli. Presenter extraordinary - Fabio Zanzucci. The wines - stunning!



2016 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
A young, crisp, racy nose with notes of white currants, birch leaves and chrushed flint. Very fine. An high altitude nose.
The taste is cool and refined with notes of lemon peel, yellow plums and chrushed rocks. Sappy and fine. Judging from the older vintages, this will need 10 years to blossom. Lots of potential. Will be released on the state monopoly in the end of April, I will need some bottles of this gem.
91p   (tasted 2019/03)




2014 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
Interesting enough, the 2014 is the only wine in the lineup that showcases the "normal" aromas of a Sauvignon Blanc, in the shape of gooseberries, grass and cat pee. But it also has a fine smoky note. Very, very good from a difficult year.
The taste is tight and linear with notes of grass, elderberries and minerals. Long and fine, although it doesn´t have the vitality of the others.
88p   (tasted 2019/03)

2012 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
A stony, handsome nose with notes of dried up vanilla and lemon ice cream, minerals and birch sap. Resilient. Very fine.
The taste is lively and spicy with notes of yellow plums, birch sap and sweet minerals. Fresh and vital. This is really fine.
92p   (tasted 2019/03)

2010 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
The 2010 Voglar is a beauty. The nose is pure and crisp with notes of white roses, sand stone, steel, earth and ripe tomatoe leaves. Very complex and fine.
The taste is very refined and intense with notes of lemon peel, white currants, dried flowers and earth. A hint of maturity. Very, very fine. Just gorgeous.
94p   (tasted 2019/03)

2008 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
The 08 is even better than the 10! The nose is deep and complex with notes of banana peel, sweet minerals, dried up cream, spices and ripe flowers. Cool and intense. This is simply marvellous.
The taste follows the nose with notes of yellow pears, sweet minerals, cap gun smoke, spices and green lemons. The finish goes of and on. Brilliant.
95p   (tasted 2019/03)





2006 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
The 06 is marked by a warm vintage, with a nose of dried apricots, dried lemons, rubber and moist earth. A bit loose around the edges.
The taste is structured and linear with notes of dried root vegetables, dried apricots, earth and rubber. Very good but a tad foursquare. More structure than sheer enjoyment.
87p   (tasted 2019/03)

2004 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
A very deep, refined nose with notes of candle grease, dried flowers, chrushed rocks and cap gun smoke. Very, very fine.
The taste is tight and racy with notes of dry lemon grass, minerals, sand and dried flowers. Very fine. A very fine salty touch. Very long. Lovely.
92p   (tasted 2019/03)
1992 Voglar Sauvignon Blanc
The 92 is a miracle. Nowaday these wines are brought up in Acacia wood, but back in 92 it was all stainless steel. Given this blind I would have guessed a 10 year old wine, not a 27 year old one...
The nose is cool and restrained with notes of dried spices, geranium, grilled lemon and sand. Low keyed and very fine.
The taste is perky and fine with notes of dried lemons, dried up vanilla ice cream (just as in the 2012!), minerals and green tea. Very long and mineral driven. Balanced. Bottles like this will go on for 10+ years. Stunning.
93p   (tasted 2019/03)

Monday 11 March 2019

Snow & Ice - 2013 Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras, Louis Jadot

We are on a week´s vacation in Åre, the ski metropolis of Sweden. Today - 8 degrees minus, a clear blue sky and perfect tracks (I only race cross country as many of us born in this part of Sweden does...).
Back home, its time to open a nice bottle to go along a pasta and mushroom dish.

2013 Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras, Louis Jadot
A very fine, open nose with notes of spices, raspberry licorice, forest floor and a touch of cap gun smoke. A fine depth and a hint of maturity.
The tastes is polished and finely tuned with notes of dried raspberries, minerals, bonfire notes and dry beetroots. A long, structured finish with a fine acidity and backbone. Drinking well today and surely the coming 8+ years. Went perfect with the pasta dish.
91p   (tasted 2019/03)

Friday 8 March 2019

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series, Leeuwin Estate


2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series, Leeuwin Estate
The nose is big, warm and open with notes of ripe black currants, pipe tobacco, warm tiles, graphite and scorched earth. A warm expression of Cabernet. Very deep.
The taste is concentrated, warm and expressive with notes of warm sand, ripe black currants, warm spices and damsons. Very long and intense. A hint of mint in the finish. Very, very good but I think it has a tad too much warmth to be a great wine.
90p   (tasted 2019/02)

Wednesday 6 March 2019

Long Overdue Notes - The Barolo Boys In Piedmont April 2018 - Part Four - Visits To Paitin, Giuseppe Mascarello, Bartolo Mascarello & Luigi Pira


Another day in Paradise, more people to meet and wines to taste!

Paitin
My first visit to this Barbaresco producer but hopefully not my last, for they produce some really fine Nebbiolo´s. We were greated by Luca and he showed us the cellars before we took place in the tasting room and really enjoyed ourselves.


The Paitin estate was founded in 1796!

2013 Barbera d´Alba Campolive
The nose is open and fine with notes of fried nuts, raspberry licorice and assorted spices.
The taste is fresh and fine with a very good acidity and a notes of dried raspberries, red beets and dry licorice. For drinking now and the coming 5+ years.
88p   (tasted 2018/04)



2015 Nebbiolo d´Alba Ca Veja
The 15 Ca Veja sports a herbal, warm nose with notes of red cherries, undergrowth, dried flowers and a hit of chili! Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine-limbed with notes of rosehips, red cherries, gravel and dry licorice. Long and fine. 3+ years.
90p   (tasted 2018/04)



2014 Barbaresco Serraboella
The nose is low keyes and elegant with notes of hard cherry candy, toasted almonds, herbs and a hint of tobacco. Very, very good.
The taste is handsome and refined with notes of roses, mushrooms, red cherries and tobacco. Polished tannins in the long finish. 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2018/04)

2014 Barbaresco Sori` Paitin
This is a beauty with depth and intensity. Fine notes of ripe red cherries, warm sand, sandelwood and rosehips. Crisp. Just lovely.
The taste is silky and persistent with notes of hard cherry candy, chalk, undergrowth and a hint of tar. Very long and lingering. Great wine. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)


2004 Barbaresco Sori` Paitin
The vines in Sori`Paitin is 43 years old. The 04 has a deep, somewhat mature nose with gorgeous notes of dried up cherry jam, iron, Finnish licorice and old leather. Very fine.
The taste is mature and balanced with a fine driep up sweetness and notes of dried cherries, tobacco, asphalt and iron. Very long. Just lovely to drink now and the coming 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)


Father & son

2004 Barbaresco Sori` Paitin Vecche Vigne

65 year old vines! This is a marvellous wine. The nose is deep and focused with notes of old leather, hard cherry candy, furniture polish, dried rose petals and ceps. A hint of maturity but this will go on for ages.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried flowers, red cherries, sandelwood, Finnish licorice, forest floor and even a hint of mint. Very, very long and energetic. Still needs 6+ years in the cellar. Brilliant.
95p   (tasted 2018/04)


Produced since 1893! We tried to persuade Luca to take the Coravin to this bottle.....:-)

Giuseppe Mascarello

Only my second visit to this revered estate and the first time I had the pleasure to meet Elena, daughter of Mauro and Maria Teresa Mascarello.



2016 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigna Santo Stefano di Perno
A delicate, open nose with notes of blueberries, smoke, chrushed rocks and licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is fresh and tight with notes of blueberries, bay leaves, gravel and a hint of tobacco. Juicy tannins. Very fine. According to Elena this Dolcetto grows on soil perfect for Barolo, but they make Dolcetto!
90p   (tasted 2018/04)



2015 Langhe Freisa Toetto
A linear, dry nose with notes of ripening lingonberries, bakelite and earth. A tad hollow.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of lingonberries, gravel and moist earth. Noticable tannins. Long. Very good but me and Freisa can´t seem to work things out...
86p   (tasted 2018/04)

2010 Barolo Riserva Ca d`Morissio
This bottle had been open for two days and Elena didn´t think it was really up to par. But I liked it! The nose is a bit subdued but very deep and displays fine notes of ripe cherries, fir wood, rosehips and forest floor. Refined and with lots of character.
The taste is concentrated and almost inky with notes of ripe cherries, dried up raspberry jam, licorice, paint and dry tobacco. A very fine finish, although a bit short. I guess a freshly opened bottle would have rocked my world.
90p   (tasted 2018/04)




2013 Barolo Monprivato
A low keyed yet intense nose with notes of fresh cherry fruit, forest floor, spice, incense and rosehips. Some balsamic aromas. Very fine.
The taste is high, tight and fine with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor, spices, dried flowers and sand. Very, very long. Needs 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)


Bartolo Mascarello
Back with Maria Teresa, a must when visiting Piedmont! Always a treat!

2015 Freisa
Maria Teresas Freisa is earthy and pure with notes of red currants, red apples, dusty earth and stables.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of red currants, cranberries, earth and bakelite. As I said regarding Giuseppe Mascarellos version above, me and Freisa haven´t (yet?) connected.
87p   (tasted 2018/04)


All mine.... :-)

2014 Barolo
The last vintage with the ordinary blend of vineyards. San Lorenzo is having the vines replanted so a part in Bussia will replace it from 2015 onwards.
The 14 Barolo sports a high, low keyed intense nose with notes of minerals, red cherries, paint, incense and chrushed rocks. Very handsome.
The taste is racy and elegant with notes of red currants, minerals, dried rose petals and incense. Finely balanced. Just lovely. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Barolo 
Tasted with Maria Teresa six months ago and it is as great as then. Maybe it has closed up just a tad, but oooh boy, this is a stunning Barolo. 8+ years.
96p   (tasted 2018/04)




2015 Langhe Nebbiolo
It says Langhe Nebbiolo on the label but lots and lots of producers would be proud if this could be their Barolo. Sucked up on the market on release, almost impossible to find (only 3.500 - 4.000 bt/year), but if you find it, buy it!
The nose is deep, warm and spicy with notes of raspberries, bay leaves, forest floor, hand cream and a hint of dog fur (in a positive sense!). Very fine.
The taste is delicious and harmonious with notes of ripe red cherries, balsa wood, earth and fresh herbs. Long and luscious. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2018/04)


Luigi Pira
It is always a treat to visit Gianpaolo and taste these great Serralunga wines!

Disclaimer - the importer of Marengo and Luigi Pira to Sweden (Origo Wines) are friends of mine and co founders of The illustrious Barolo Boys. I, however, have no financial interests in these wines, I just call them as I see them.

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba
The 17 Dolcetto brims with life in the shape of a luscious nose with notes of ripe blueberries, spices, iron and gravel. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and inky with notes of blood & iron, blueberries, violets and gravel. Very structured. A real Serralunga Dolcetto, maybe the best ever from Gianpaolo.
90p   (tasted 2018/04)


2016 Barbera d´Alba Superiore
A cool, spicy nose with notes of raspberries and blackberries with licorice, chrushes rocks and fir wood. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and warm with notes of spicy raspberries, licorice and a hint of dark chocolate. A very fine acidity. Long.
90p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Langhe Nebbiolo
As fine as when tasted six months ago. 2016 is going to turn out greeeeaaaat!
92p   (tasted 2018/04)



2014 Barolo Serralunga
Also tasted six months ago, this blend of all the cru´s is a really great wine and it will be fun following this over the coming 8+ years.
91p   (tasted 2018/04)


The 2015 Baroli 
I had the exact same scores for the 15 cru´s as in November 2016. The only exception was the 15 Serralunga which I found even better than the last time.

2016 Barolo Serralunga
On to the the 16´s! The Serralunga is young, perky and polished with notes of ripe cherries, gravel, dry licorice and hand cream. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and primary with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice, veal stock and forest floor. This is really fine.
~92p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Barolo Margheria
Just wooow! The 16 Margheria is a stunner, with gorgeous notes red licorice, ripe flowers, mushrooms and chrushed rocks. Very deep and impressive.
The taste is deep, flowery and multi layered with notes of cherry youghurt, chrushed rocks, licorice, dried flowers and mushrooms. Oooh, so complex and fine. The best Margheria ever.
~95p   (tasted 2018/04)




2016 Barolo Marenca
The 16 Marenca is deep, dark and almost dangerous....with notes of undegrowth, asphalt, very ripe red cherries and furniture polish. Very deep and fine.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of dark cherries, asphalt, rosehips and tar. The finish goes of for minutes. Stunning, but needs 6+ years in the cellar.
~93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Barolo Vigna Rionda
What about the Vigna Rionda then? A marvel (as asual)! The nose is deep and aristocratic with tight notes of cherry licorice, tar, ripe flowers, smoke and expensive tobaco. Very, very fine.
The taste is brilliant and complex with notes of hard cherry candy, tonacco, bakelite, paint and fir wood. The finish goes on and on and on. This is a real stunner. 10+ years.
~97p   (tasted 2018/04)