Monday 30 August 2021

Two Baroli From Tenuta Cucco

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

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)

Friday 27 August 2021

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).


Tuesday 24 August 2021

Five Fine Bottles From Chionetti


I had the opportunity to taste these bottles last week and they confirmed my view of Chionetti´s wines - that they are world class wines. I visited the estate two years ago and left really impressed. With Anna Maria Abbona this is the the top producer of Dolcetto.

2019 Dogliani San Luigi, Chionetti
A tight, concentrated nose with notes of ripe blueberries, concrete, fir wood and dried raspberries. A fine floral note. Very fine. On day two more firm with asphalt and undergrowth.
The taste is young and focused with notes of blueberries, bakelite, fresh herbs and asphalt. Handsome tannins. Very long. Really, really good. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2021/08)

2019 Dogliani Briccolero, Chionetti
The most backward of the three Dolcetto´s today. The nose is refined and focused with blueberries, earth and dry licorice. Very deep and restrained.
The taste is tight and dense with lots of tannins, dark fruit and a taut structure. Will need 6+ years. Very promising.
91p   (tasted 2021/08)


2018 Dogliani La Costa, Chionetti
One of the best Dolcetto´s I have ever tasted. Very deep, open and forward with stunning notes of dried raspberries, iron, dark flowers, moist earth and fir wood. Layers upon layers. Lovely.
The taste is concentrated and seamless with polished tannins, perfectly ripe fruit and a one minute length. I need to get as many bottles of this as I can. 8+ years.
94p   (tasted 2021/08)

2018 Barbera d´Alba Vigna San Sebastiano, Chionetti
A big, open, juicy nose with notes of dried up raspberry jam, asphalt, dried flowers and tobacco. Deep and fine.
The taste is forward and earthy with notes of dried raspberries, herbs, raspberry chocolate and gravel. A very fine acidity. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2021/08)


2018 Langhe Nebbiolo La Chiusa, Chionetti
Wide open and delicious, this Langhe Nebbiolo offers up a strawberry filled nose with some herbs and licorice thrown in. A lovely lightness of being. 
The taste is juicy and cool with notes of red cherries, strawberries, licorice and dried flowers. A fine dry finish. Very, very good. 4+ years.
91p   (tasted 2021/08)

Sunday 22 August 2021

A Bottle Of Bubbly - Collection 242, Louis Roederer


Collection 242, Louis Roederer
A tasting sample from Vinunic. There is always a treat to drink a Champagne from Roederer, and this cuvée is no different. This multi vintage is a blend of 34% Perpetual Reserve (started in 2012), 10% oak aged reserve wines from the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages, complemented by 56% from the 2017 vintage. 8 gr dosage. It replaces the Brut Premier (created in 1986) in the Roederer line up.
The nose is deep and complex with notes of grapefruit, smoke, flint, red apples and dry fudge. Racy and fine.
The taste is focused and floral (white flowers) with notes of red apples, wet sand, cap gun smoke and butter cookies. A very fine acidity. A creamy texture. Drunk over three days and best on day two. Very fine.
93p   (tasted 2021/08)

Thursday 19 August 2021

Five Superb Tuscan Bottles

Grazie S for a great tasting with the bottles below, an array of Puligny-Montrachet´s and a stunning Comtes de Champagne.


2004 Percarlo, San Giusto a Rentennano
A deep, refined nose with notes of ripe black cherries, violets, asphalt, licorice and fir wood. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of plums, violets, hot earth, iron and rosemary. Long and distinct. Still young, 5+ years. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2021/08)

2006 Percarlo, San Giusto a Rentennano
The 06 is even better! The nose soars up from the glass with notes of dried raspberries, black olives, blood pudding, violets and iron. Just lovely.
The taste is ripe and focused with notes of ripe blueberries, plums, freeze dried coffee and hot earth. The finish goes on and on and on. 6+ years. Stunning.
96p   (tasted 2021/08)

2007 Percarlo, San Giusto a Rentennano
A large scaled, earthy nose with notes of gravel, dried cherries, licorice and fir wood. Very, very good.
The taste is rich and broad with notes of asphalt, ripe blueberries, licorice and dried herbs. A hint of warmth in the finish. Very, very good. Drink now.
91p   (tasted 2021/08)


2000 Vigna d´Alceo, Castello dei Rampolla
Corked! #&%¤#&)&%¤#!!
vvp   (tasted 2021/08)

2001 Vigna d´Alceo, Castello dei Rampolla
This 20 year old d´Alceo offers up a deep, complex nose with notes of plums, undergrowth, tobacco, clay and bay leaves. Just lovely. Hints of maturity.
The taste is taut and tigth with gorgeous notes of plums, iron, herbs and dried up black currant jam. The finish goes on for a minute. Still some perky tannins in the finish. 7+ years. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2021/08)


2004 Vigna d´Alceo, Castello dei Rampolla
A rich, deep, open nose with notes of ripe blueberries, plums, iron, tobacco and tapenade. Broad. Very fine. Still young.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of plums, sugared coffee, iron, black olives and earth. Very, very long. Rich. This will need 8+ years. Very fine.
94p   (tasted 2021/08)

Monday 16 August 2021

The Whole Range Of 2010 Puligny-Montrachet From Henri Boillot



These wines were tasted at a recent tasting dinner at S. He seems to be storing his wines in some cryo facility since all the wines appeared much younger than the vintage on the label (more notes are on their way). 
These Puligny´s were racy, crisp and still young, even the village. All tasted double blind.

2010 Puligny-Montrachet, Henri Boillot
A stony, fresh nose with notes of cucumber, lemon and fennel. Spicy and fine. 
The taste is finely tuned and mineral laden with lots of lemon and grassy notes. Very, very good. 3+ years.
90p   (tasted 2021/08)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières, Henri Boillot
A fresh, handsome nose with notes of cold butter, grey pears and chrushed rocks. Very fine.
The taste is concentrated and fine with notes of grilled lemons, grass and nuts. Very long. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2021/08)


2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrières, Henri Boillot
A tight, complex nose with notes of sage, peach and dry passionfruit. Lots of minerals. Very fine.
The taste is intense and focused with notes of rocks, stones and minerals! Very tight. Needs time, 8+ years.
94p   (tasted 2021/08)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillerets, Henri Boillot
A very fine built nose with notes of dry fudge, elderberries, peach and sweet minerals. Lovely.
The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of smoke, lemon cream and tangerines. The finish is counted in minutes. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2021/08)




2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles, Henri Boillot
A masterpiece. The nose is a dream with gorgeous notes of ripe pears, almond paste, smoke, yellow flowers and minerals. Refined. Fantastic.
The taste is tight and intense with stunning fruit, perfect acidity and a beautiful structure. 6+ years. Great wine.
97p   (tasted 2021/08)

2010 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchere, Henri Boillot
A deep, laid back, complex nose with notes of smoke, apricots, grass and grilled lemons. Very deep and promising.
The taste is pure and intense with notes of lemon peel, elderberries, smoke and chrushed rocks. Feels like the youngest in the line up, needs lots of time. Very, very long. 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2021/08)


Sunday 15 August 2021

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 1996 Comtes de Champagne


1996 Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger
This Blanc de Blancs is one if the best Champagne´s out there, which this 96 proved (again), last time tasted 6 years ago.
The nose is very deep and focused with notes of candied lemons, freshly cut grass, yellow apples and sage. A fine, low keyed salty scent. Just lovely.
The taste is spicy, long and complex with notes of orange peel, grilled lemon, grass, fennel and caramel. The acidity is high, silky and perfectly matches the fruit. Very, very long. The finish is like licking on a salt rock. Stunning. Will go on for 10+ years.
97p   (tasted 2021/08)

Friday 13 August 2021

Two Minor 1982 Bordeaux

1982 Château La Graviere
This Lalande-de-Pomerol opens with a fantastic nose of dried plums, tobacco, dry leather and not the cleanest of stables. Velvety. But it loses its momentum after three hours, and ends with some VA notes.
The taste is mature and dry with fine notes of assorted dried red berries, tobacco, earth and herbs. The taste doesn´t change as much as the nose over time. Any remaining bottles should be drunk sooner than later.
86p   (tasted 2021/08)


1982 Château Laroque
This one on the other hand opens shy and withdrawn, with notes of earth, dry tobacco, red currants and iron. Opens up very nicely over the hours it took to drink it. More ripe fruit, autumn leaves and some dry chocolate comes forward. Very, very good.
The taste also evolves nicely with fine notes of plums, tobacco, candle grease and fresh stables. Very long. There is still some unresolved tannins in the end of the finish. Lovely now and the coming 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2021/08)

Monday 9 August 2021

1995 Chateau Potensac


Chateau Potensac
One year ago since I last tasted this vintage. This bottle behaves better than the last one. The nose is deep and almost fully mature with notes of earth, fresh stables, ripening black currants, warm tiles and cold coffee. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and still perky with notes of black currant leaves, gravel, cigarr smoke and pencil shavings. Long and fine. Drink now and the coming 5+ years.
89p   (tasted 2021/08)