Some Syrah´s Of Late

Still snow on the ground in Sweden, still Minus Celsius, still making some hearthy stews. And what to open to go with that kind of food? Syrah of course! These were tasted during the last couple of weeks, and interesting enough, from five different countries.

1997 Saint-Joseph Parcelle de Jean, J. Boutin
A high strung, fine nose with notes of cool blackberries with some raspberries tucked in, bakelite, crushed gravel and cigarette ashes. Some fermented notes, in a fine way. Very good.
The taste is tight and firm with lots of cool red and black fruits with additional notes of leather, eraser, violets and tobacco. A medium long finish with hig acidity and a dry finish. Needs food.
87p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 Syrah, Stefano Amerighi
This Italian Syrah offers up a young, cool nose with notes of ripening blueberries, undergrowth, rubber and some bonfire. A fine earthy note. Fresh and with a lovely herbal aroma.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of gravel, blueberries, violets and liquorice. A fine, elegant smokiness to it. Cool and fine. Very young still, give this 3-5 years.
91p   (tasted 2016/02)

2010 Red Mountain Bell´Villa Vineyard Syrah, Goedhart Family
Since Erik tipped me about this wine I have had a hard time keeping the corks in the bottles I bought, but then agian, why should I? Tasted many times before but this note is as good as any. Great stuff!
91p   (tasted 2016/01)

2012 Schist Syrah, Mullineaux
A finely tuned, pure and concentrated nose with notes of lightly peppered blueberries, crushed rocks, bay leaves, violets and bonfire smoke. Very deep and refined. Given this blind I would definitely guessed a high class Côte-Rôtie. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of damson, blueberries, ginger bread cookies, veal meat and lots of minerals. The finish is long and structured with polished tannins. A class act. Still very young, give this beauty 5+ years. Best on day one, it went into a dormant stage on day two.
94p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 The Freedom 1843 Shiraz, Langmeil
Oooh boy! This is a stunner, especially on day two, then it developed into a truly great Shiraz. The nose is deep, smoky and focused with notes of a blueberry and raspberry mix with additional notes of fried herbs, dark chocolate, warm rocks, dried flowers and wood smoke. A great depth and concentration without ever being heavy. Great wine. Day two it has become even more focused and magnificent.
The taste is big, tight and intense with notes of dark violets, ripe blueberries, undergrowth, veal stock and a touch of mint. The finish goes on for minutes with some hefty tannins buried deep into the amazing fruit. This is truly fine, given this blind I would have opted for a SQN... (but not Papa!) From a 169 year old vineyard, one of the oldest in Barossa.
97p   (tasted 2016/02)

Some Miscellanous Whites

These were drunk over the last couple of weeks over dinner and at tastings.

2012 Coucou Blanc, Elian da Ros Laclotte
This and the two following bottles was tasted before the Kongsgaard line up a couple of weeks ago. This Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend from the South of France display a waxy, fat nose with notes of oranges, mango and plastic. Very good. A fine coolness even though it show some fat.
The taste is young, broad and yummy with notes of candied lemons, dried up honey and slate. A very good aciidty. Long and fine. This is really good.
90p   (tasted 2016/01)

1971 Uerziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese, Joh. Jos. Christoffel
This stunner started out a bit shy but developed beautifully in the glass to show notes of mature red apples, dry resin, a rubber carpet, varnish and dry saffron - very complex and refined. In a perfect mature stage. Just lovely.
The taste is mature, round and velvety with notes of autumn apples, dry fudge, chalk and some detergent. A long, long finish with a fine acidity. Still got some racy qualities on the palate. This is a great bottle of mature Riesling.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

2003 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, Dönnhoff
A still young, still fresh nose with notes of grey pears, earth, chlorophyll and expensive soap. A hint of warmth, but in a elegant way. Very good.
The taste is tight and semi dry with notes of ripe pears, lemons, bay leaves and sweet minerals. The finish is long and seedy. I would say that this would benefit from some further aging.
88p   (tasted 2016/01

2011 Pouilly-Vinzelles Les Quarts, La Soufrandière
The nose is big and broad with notes of vanilla ice cream, ripe peaches, summer flowers and a hint of coconut. There is lots going here but it lacks some structure.
The taste is big and mouth filling with notes of butter cookies, peaches, slate and cap gun smoke. Some warmth in the end of the finish. Decent enough but the 2010 was way better.
85p   (tasted 2016/01)

2001 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Fritz Haag

A fine, somewhat mature nose with notes of dried apricots, rubber boats, sweet minerals and dry grass. Finely tuned. A hint of petrol. Very, very good.
The taste is racy and refined with notes of candied lemon peel, rubber, chalk and dried pears. A very fine acidity. Long and balanced.
90p   (tasted 2016/02)

2001 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese*, Selbach-Oster
Corked "#¤&/#¤"!!

2014 CE Blanc, Jean-Claude Lapalu
A low keyed, smoky nose with notes of unripe pears, white currants, birch sap and gravel. Light and easy going. Nice.
The taste is young and tight with notes of lemon, gravel and grass. A high acidity. Drank it over three days and it was actually best on day three, it had fatten out and was more charming then.
86p   (tasted 2016/02)

2014 Bisamberg, Wieninger
This Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay blend oozes up from the glass with notes of peaches, almond paste, pecan nuts and smoke. Oilcloth and butter. Round and flowery. Very good but I think it lacks a bit of stringency.
The taste has that though,and shows fine notes of ripening peaches, lime peel, gravel and grass. A long, full finish with a good acidity. Even better on day two. If the nose have had more zip, this woul have been a keeper, for 3-5 years anyway.
87p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 Jordan Chardonnay
A rich, creamy nose with notes of mango, sweet oranges, cold butter and matchbox. Ripe fruit that behaves very good, even when it becomes warmer in the glass. Very good.
The taste is ripe and round with notes of fudge covered oranges, smoke and summer flowers. Some oak in the finish, which had disappeared on day two. Very, very good. And you have to respect producers that do this when things are slow at the winery! :-)
88p   (tasted 2016/02)

Lunch Tasting With Perrot-Minot

The Wineagency invited to a lunch tasting. Christophe Perrot-Minot was present and presented his wine in a way that showed his dedication and his objective to make the best wines possible.

2004 Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru
We were greated with a glass of this fine bubbly, from a magnum. It has spent 120 months sur lie. It shows a fine nose with notes of flint, white flowers, white currants and cap gun smoke. Very deep and refined. A great bottle of bubbly that shows a lot of youth still.
The taste is cool and structured with notes of white flowers, candied lemons and newly washed clothes. Very, very fine. A high, focused acidity. A lovely wine. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay.
93p   (tasted 2016/02)

Flight I
2013 Bourgogne Rouge
A light, balanced, fresh nose with notes of ripening raspberries, forest floor and spices. This is on a higher level than your ordinary Bourgogne Rouge.
The taste has a light body but with a fine mature lingonberry fruit and notes of liquorice and forest floor. Very gulpable. Cool and fine.
88p   (tasted 2016/02)

2013 Chambolle-Musigny
This shows a lovely perfumed nose with notes of red apples, gravel and flowers. A very good smoky note. This is good!
The nose is cool, elegant and pure with notes of raspberries, chocolate bisquits and undergrowth. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2016/02)

2013 Gevrey-Chambertin
This beauty has a young, deep, meaty nose with notes of dark wild strawberries, sun warm rocks, forest floor and liquorice. A gorgeous ripe fruit. Really fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with lots of ripe red fruits and notes of crushed rocks, forest floor, chocolate wafers and Asian spices. The finish is very long and focused. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2016/02)

2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts
The Les Beaux Monts shows a very young, structured nose with notes of ripening raspberries with some blueberries mixed in, crushed rocks and some dry balsamic vinegar. Lots of potential here, but very young and sturdy for the moment.
The taste is firm and steady with notes of sweet lingomberries, wild strawberries, road dust and fir. Very, very good. Long and structured. Wait at least 6+ years.
91p   (tasted 2016/02)

Flight II
2012 Charmes-Chambertin
Aaaaah, what a nose! Deep, seductive and intoxicating, with stunning notes of ripe strawberries, smoke, red tea and a hint of meat. Old style, hedonistic Pinot, like some stunning Burgundy´s from the 40´s, albeit very young.
The taste follows the nose with gorgeous sweet fruit, an amazing body and a length that is counted in minutes. This is a stunning bottle of wine. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Most definitely yes!
97p   (tasted 2016/02)

2010 Charmes-Chambertin
The 10 Charmes-Chambertin is almost as good as the 12, but it has a more restrained and a bit darker character, but I would love to drink this nectar any day of the week.
95p   (tasted 2016/02)

Flight III
2011 Nuits-Saint-Georges La Richemone V.V.
The youngest of the NSG has a spicy, cool nose with some fine red fruit but also a green streak that pops through from time to time. A fine earthy aroma. Good.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of lingonberries, some blueberries, gravel and spices. The green note on the nose doesn´t come through in the taste. Very good.
87p   (tasted 2016/02)

2010 Nuits-Saint-Georges La Richemone V.V.
A sweeter, deeper and more open nose with cooked strawberries, smoke, moist forest floor and some leather. Very good and open for business.
The taste is big and forward with notes of ripe strawberries, some blueberries, road dust and chocolated wafers. A long, distinct finish. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2016/02)

2009 Nuits-Saint-Georges La Richemone V.V.
A deep, spicy, young nose with notes of cool raspberries, blueberries, earth and dark flowers. Very, very good. This feel youngest of the three and with the most stuffing for the future.
The taste is young, tight and focused with notes of sweet lingonberries, blueberries, bakelite and spices. A long, sturdy finish with a fine acidity and a taut body. Give this 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2016/02)

More thoughts here (in Swedish).

Drinking Tonight - 2009 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, Maison Dampt

Opened to compliment a big, tasty shrimp sandwish.

2009 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, Maison Dampt

A big, deep and open nose with notes of candied lemons, flint, seashells and some burnt grass. A hint of oak. Very, very good. Smoky. A fine warmth. 

The taste is big and juicy with lots of grilled lemons, blood oranges, fudge and sweet minerals. A long, structured finish with a fine warmth and a good acidity. Still young, should need 4+ years in the cellar.

90p   (tasted 2016/02)

What To Do This Friday Night?

How about drinking 12 magnums of Flaccianello?

That is what me and 13 of my friends are going to do. :-)

Notes to follow.

A Night To Remember With Bottles From Deutz, Vasse Felix, DRC, Haut-Bailly, Latour & More

Peter invited to a wine dinner at this home, and it turned out to be a great night with lots of great food, some decent wines....and lots of wine talk!
All wines tastd double blind.

1995 Vinotheque Blanc de Blancs, Deutz
This beauty has a deep, refined and a tad mature nose with notes of ripe peaches, toasted bread, dark fudge and smoke. A very fine, velvety character. It displays some mature notes but has a long way to go still.
The taste is tight and intense with notes of lemon cream, fudge ice cream, bread and minerals. A long, elegant finish with a great acidity. Drinking great in this night and it will continue doing that for the coming 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2016/01)

To go along the starter we were served three white wines.
2011 Domaine de Chevalier
A deep, dense, smoky nose with notes of apricots, black currant leaves, candle grease and lots of fresh flowers. Some dried up honey. Big, bold and beautiful.
The taste is young and concentrated with notes of dried tropical fruits, lavender honey and summer flowers. A tad oily. Ripe and fine. The finish is long and elobarated. Sweet minerals. Very, very good.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

2009 Kirschspeil. Keller
Not to toot my own horn, but I nailed this as a Keller...:-) Refering to previous times I tasted this - here, here and here, this is a great bottle of wine!
94p   (tasted 2016/01)

2005 Heytesbury Chardonnay, Vasse Felix
We had a consensus about the first wine being a white Bordeaux - correct! We had a consensus about the second wine being a German Riesling - correct! And we had an ever greater consensus that the third wine was a white Burgundy - wrong!
2008, 2009 & 2012 Heytesbury Chardonnay made the Most Memorable list of 2015, but the 2005 is even greater! The nose is big, focused and buttery with fine notes of lemon cream, cap gun smoke, warm grass and flint. A lovely purity to the fruit. Great.
The taste is beautifully structured around ripe yellow fruit and fine notes of matchbox, summer flowers and almond paste. A long, fresh finish with a fine acidity. Really good. And not from Burgundy...
94p   (tasted 2016/01)

With a dish of veal sweetbreads and mushrooms, three bottles of Pinot was poured.
2007 Vosne-Romanée Les Maizíères-Hautes, Mongeard-Mugneret
A cool, earthy nose with notes of red currants, ripening raspberries, spices and forest floor. Very nice in a withdrawn kind of way.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of lingonberries, red cherries, undergrowth and some tobacco. The finish is medium long, dry and structured. Opens up nicely with air. Very, very good.
91p  (tasted 2016/01)

2009 Echezeaux, DRC
To be honest, at first I thought this to be rather monolithic and a bit boring. It needed time...and then things start to happen. Good things. By the time it has open up the nose is deep, meaty and sweet with lovely notes of wild strawberies, red peppers, Asian spices, forest floor and wood smoke. A great depth and balance.
The taste is broad and strong with notes of ripe raspberries, Asian spices, veal stock and a moist forest floor. A marvellous spiciness. The finish is one minute long with a velvety yet potent structure. Great wine in the making.
95p   (tasted 2016/01)

2009 St. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Brewer-Clifton
A big, warm nose with notes of raspberry candy, hot earth, liquorice and glue (björnklister for all Swedes...). This has meat on its bones, maybe a tad so.
The taste is big, sweet and creamy with notes of red plums, liquorice, hard cherry candy and fir wood. A long, warm finish. Very good but a bit blowsy compared to the two Burgundies.
87p   (tasted 2016/01)

Now ge got six glasses ready for the second red flight!
1995 Château Haut-Bailly
A truly wonderful, typical and highly recognizable nose (this can not be anything else than a high end Bordeaux!) with fine aromas of red and black currants, warm tiles, coffee powder and mature leather. Very, very fine. Some fresh stables in a distance.
The taste is cool, fine and somewhat mature with notes of black currants, graphite, coffee and a hint of warm grass. A long fine finish with dusty tannins. Starting to drink great, this will go on for 8+ years.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

2002 Château Cos d´Estournel
Cos is seldom my cup of tea, and this bottle joined those rangs. The nose is big and warm with notes of plums, warm gravel and some animal scents. Seedy.
The taste is warm and tight with notes of black currants, plums, bakelite and sugared coffee. A long, warm finish with some green tannins. Maybe it will come together but this doesn´t impress.
84p   (tasted 2016/01)

1998 Château Latour
Sadly, the Latour didn´t really impress either. Granted, it is a good wine, but when you see that distinctive label you expect the earth moving when you drink it. The nose is warm and meaty with nots of expensive Tobacco, dusty black currants, touch of asphalt and smoke. A bit dense, but it got depth. Very good.
The taste is tough and seedy with notes of ripe black currants, coffee powder, asphalt and some pencil shavings. The finish is long and reveals big, broad shouldered tannins. Will it soften up with time? And will the fruit be there then? Time will tell.
90p   (tasted 2016/01)

2002 Giusto di Notri, Tua Rita
A deep, lovely nose with notes of ripe plums, dark chocolate, rosemary, dried flowers and warm gravel. A velvety yet firm character. Really fine.
The taste is concentrated and tight with notes of meaty black currants, plums, sweet tobacco and chocolate truffles. The finish is very long and focused. A tad mature, this lovely wine will go on for another 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2016/01)

2003 Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon, Katnook Estate
A big, pen, meaty nose great you when you put your nose in the glass, with notes of blackberries, mint, tar and sweet tobacco. A fine warmth. Very good.
The taste is large scaled and sweet with notes of blackberries, sugared coffee, eucalyptus and meat stock. The finish is big, long and juicy, yet it ends on a dry note. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2016/01)

2007 Gemstone Estate
A new acquaintance for me, this shows of a dense, meaty, tight nose with notes of ripe black currants, ink, dark chocolate and bakelite. Very ripe fruit. Very concentrated and very good.
The taste is powerful and broad with notes of blackberries, black currants, tar, dark chocolate and sugared coffee. A long finish with massive tannins. Needs time still. But it has character and focus. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2016/01)

2005 Meursault Perrières, Bouchard
We managed to convince Peter that it would be a good idea to cleanse our palated before dessert... This beauty offers up a fat, nutty nose with notes of white flowers, mango and cap gun smoke. A fine depth. This is good.
The taste is juicy and fresh with notes of caramel, sweet lime, butter cooked apples and minerals. A long, fine finish. Great wine for drinking now and 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2016/01)

1975 Burmester Colheita Port
To finish the night of, what could be better than a mature Port? This Colheita has a deep, sweet nose with lots of figs, pan fried nuts and brown sugar. Very good.
The taste is sweet and velvety with notes of dades, chocolate covered nuts and dark liquorice. A long, warm finish. Not very complex byt very yummy.
86p   (tasted 2016/01)

Then & Now - 1995 & 2013 Le Volte, Tenuta dell´Ornellaia

I have over the years enjoyed the odd bottles of Le Volte that have come my way. It has always expressed a kind of light weight Super Tuscan character.

1995 Le Volte, Tenuta dell´Ornellaia
The nose is mature and soft with notes of red cherries and currants with additional notes of cigarette ashes, dried rosemary and wet dog fur (in a positive way!). Some dried up sweetness. Good.
The taste is mature and seedy with notes of red currants, dusty earth, baked onions and old leather. Very good. A fine tight character. The taste is better than the nose, but it shouldn´t be kept any further. I haven´t been able to get hold of the exact blend of the 95 but the 97 was made out of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, and it spent 10 months on barriques before being bottled. The first Le Volte saw the light of day in 1991.
85p   (tasted 2016/02)

2013 Le Volte, Tenuta dell´Ornellaia
18 vintages later, the blend is the same when Sangiovese is concerned, 30%, but the the Merlot is pimped up to 50% and Cabernet makes up the remaining 20%. The nose is deep and warm with notes od spicy plums, warm gravel, herbs and some chocolate wafers. Very good.
The taste is young, warm and spicy with notes of ripe cherries, gravel, rosemary and some saw dust notes. Will need 2-3 years to come together. Has spent 10 months in used Ornellaia barriques and cement tanks.
86p   (tasted 2016/02)

Drinking Tonight - 2012 Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir, Pisa Range Estate

I was in a Pinot mood tonight, so I opted for a bottle of this.

2012 Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir, Pisa Range Estate

A fine, complex, spicy nose with notes of wild strawberries, liquorice, moist forest floor and a hint of chocolate bisquits. Very, very good. Cooked root vegetables. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Dark roses. This is fine.

The taste is young, finely tuned and yummy with a lovely strawberry fruit and additional notes of liquorice, dried rose petals, Asian spices and forest floor. A very fine acidity. Medium bodied with a lovely elegance. A great drink tonight and I would venture for the coming 6+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2016/02)

Recollections Of Summer - 2001 Gran Claustro, Castillo de Perelada

Granted, the light has started to return to this northern part of the world. Still, the temperature is below zero. I long for the summer. And this bottle reminded me of last summer when we spent some weeks in Spain, in the Empordà region.
The only visit I made was to Castillo de Perelada, which turned to be a great visit. During our stay I tasted some more bottles from the estate and also bought some for bringing home.

2001 Gran Claustro, Casteilo de Perelada
The nose is deep and concentrated with notes of ripe black cherries, plums, moist dark earth, sweet violets, warm spices and expensive worn leather. A lovely warmth to the fruit. Some hints of maturity. This is as good as the 2009 tasted during my visit.
The taste is big and bold with strapping black currant and cherry fruit with additional notes of chocolate truffles, liquorice, warm herbs and undergrowth. The finish is one minute long and has a fine structure for further aging. Really, really good, would love to have more of this. Worked great with a home made truffle salami pizza!
94p   (tasted 2016/02)

Live From Eriks Winebar - 2004 Special Club, Paul Bara

Passing by, and thinking, why not...

2004 Special Club, Paul Bara

The nose is steely and focused with notes of candied orange peel, hyachint, dark gravel, tangerines, bread and soap. A fine fruity character. With its 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, it has, right now anyway, more Chardonnay aromas than the other way around.

The taste is tight and, again, steely with notes of apricots, pears, lots of minerals and some soapy notes. A very high acidity, that makes the finish bone dry, a bit too much at this stages I think. Needs food. Good though.

88p   (tasted 2016/02)

Tasting Perfection - Six Bottles From Colgin

Divine invited and I dropped everything to get a chance to taste the wines from Colgin. Paul Roberts from the estate presented the wines and their Napa origin with enthusiasm and energy.

2012 Cariad
The 12 Cariad with its blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot, is a masterpiece. The nose oozes up from the glass with stunning notes of ripe black currants, plums, moist earth, decaying flowers and fried herbs. Absolutely stunning. Multi layered and refined. Marvellous.
The taste is packed full of the most perfect black currants imaginable combined with notes of sweet minerals, warm herbs, dried plums and cocoa. Its like drinking velvet yet it packs some polished tannins underneath. This is brilliant.
97p   (tasted 2016/02)

2010 Cariad
The 10 Cariad is even closer to perfect. This gorgeous blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot has a depth, concentration and intensity that is hard to describe. The sweet black currants and plums intermingled with notes of woodsmoke, warm herbs, rowan berries and licorice makes up a spine tingling nose. A lovely perfumed aroma. Breathtakingly beautiful.
The taste is all that the nose promise to be, with perfect fruit, a fabulous structure, a two minute long finish, making this wine a seamsless experience. A fantastic minerality. My notebook then have profanity written in it, to describe this wines greatness, but I won´t repeat it here. A truly great wine.
99p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 IX Estate
Oh boy, my first perfect wine of 2016. At first I thought the two Cariad´s were the better wines, but this gained momentum with every passing minute and sip, and it came roaring past them during the tasting. The most perfect black currants fruit has a beautiful perfumed note to them, to go alongside the notes of warm tiles, sandelwood, plums and cocoa. The purity of this wine is mindboggling, you have to smell it to believe it. Faultless.
The taste is the stuff of fairy tales, for can this be real? There is perfection down on a molecule level, and I will not jot down all that I found in this wine, but suffice to say, if you have to steal or embezzle to get hold of a bottle, do, it will be worth the prison time. Made out of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot, this will easy make my Most Memorable list when 2016 has ended.
100p   (tasted 2016/02)

2006 IX Estate
Since I am a genuine necrophiliac I thought I would go for this older version of the IX Estate. Sadly not. It is a very good wine, make no mistake about it, but it didn´t really do it for me. The nose is big and bold with sweet notes of plums, black currant jam, dried flowers, smoke and Christmas spices. Not only smoke, there is a whiff of something burnt, may it be fruit, wood or rubber. From time to time I get a glimpse of - a good one, mind you - a Amarone, and that is, in my book, not good.
The taste is tight, concentrated and a bit forceful with notes of cooked black currants, plums, flower water and some burnt rubber. A long, warm finish with some, in comparison to the wines above, unsofisticated tannins. It seems like a hard judgement, but the three previous wines set the bar very, very high. It is in fact a very, very good wine and on its own I would surely have it enjoyed it more. Made out of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
92p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 IX Estate Syrah
The 12 Syrah is a charmer with its opulent nose, full of ripe blackberries, dark cookie dough, violets, bloody meat and some dried strawberries, very interesting and yummy. Some smoke notes after a while. Really good.
The taste is young, tight and seedy with notes of lightly peppered meat, blueberry pie, dried flowers and violets. A long, peppery finish with ripe tannins and a fine acidity. Very young and for now, highly gulpable.
93p   (tasted 2016/02)

2011 IX Estate Syrah
The 11 is a stark contrast to the 12´s exuberance, with its elegance and fine notes of blueberries, bay leaves, earth and crushed white peppar. Very cool and very fine. This I like more. Balanced.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of blueberries, rowan berries, veal stock and lots and lots of minerals. A long, refined finish with a fine dryness. A class act.
95p   (tasted 2016/02)

Barolo Boys Does 1999 Barolo

Sverker invited to another Barolo Boys get together, with some hang arounds present, eager to get in to this most exclusive group...:-)

The state of the 1999 vintage, based on the wines tasted on this evening, is very good. None of the bottles tasted were really mature and for most of them some real cellaring time would be rewarding, at least 5+ years. There is a fine sweetness to the fruit without being a opulent year and the tannins balance and gives structure to the wines. I would love to have more 99´s in the cellar.
All wines tasted double blind.


Flight I
1999 Barolo Pressenda, Marziano Abbona
This was a gift to the Barolo Boys from the estate when we visited a couple of years ago, and we have saved it for this tasting. The nose is deep and somewhat mature with fine notes of cherry liquor, violets, sugared coffee and a whole mushroom forest. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is more withdrawn than the nose and it shows of notes of liqourice, red cherries, gravel and tobacco. Some old school rustic tannins in the long, warm finish. Could be drunk now or cellared for 6+ years.
89p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo, Josetta Saffirio
This is a stunner. When I have tasted younger Barolos from Saffirio I have found them to be good but not great. This is. The nose is deep and concentrated with some animal scents and additional notes of asphalt, ripe black cherries, bay leaves and forest floor. Very, very good. Refined yet broad shouldered.
The taste is tight and intense with notes of black cherries, undergrowth, dried mushrooms and gravel. A very structured, long, dry finish with some powerful tannins still. This should be cellared for another 5+ years.
94p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Renato Corino
This just reeks of VA and other unpleasantness.
50p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Vigneto Arborina, Elio Altare
The 99 Arborina is a stunner. The nose is deep and intoxicating with notes of mushrooms, raspberry truffles, liquorice and a touch of VA, in a complex sort of way. A lovely sweetness to the fruit. Great.
The taste is still young, tight and focused with notes of hard cherry candy, raspberries, forest floor and liquorice. Great structure. The finish is over a minute long and there are some finely polished tannins that show themselves at the end. I would wait 4+ years before opening the next bottle.
94p   (tasted 2016/01)

Flight II
1999 Barolo Cannubi Boschis Riserva, Virna/Borgognot
The 1996 was really good a couple of months back. Lets see how the 99 express itself. The nose is cool and elegant with notes of dried rose petals, hard cherry candy, veal stock and mushrooms. This is as good as the 96 on the nose.
The taste follow up the nose with a cool red cherry fruit and notes of coffee powder, rosehips and mushrooms. A long, distinct finish with some yet unresolved tannins. Could be drunk now but preferably cellared for 4-6 years.
91p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Cannubi Boschis, Sandrone
Aaah, a perennial favourite of mine, the Cannubi Boschis from Sandrone usually gets my taste buds on highest alert and both the 1990 and the 2001 have earned perfect scores. And this is good, make no mistake about it, but when it was revealed I was a tiny bit disappointed. The nose is elegant and focused with notes of ripe red cherries, rose petals, gravel and beet roots. Very balanced.
The taste is tighter than the nose leads you to think, with fine notes of ripe red and black cherries, earth, tobacco and rosehips. The finish is very long, very structured and very fine. Still young, this would need 5-7 years in the cellar.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Cicala, Aldo Conterno
A deep, elegant nose with notes of cool red cherries, hard cherry candy, tobacco and a mushroom forest. Very nicely structured. Fresh, still young. Very fine.
The taste is concentrated and seedy with lovely notes of ripe red cherries, rosehips, some dusty earth and dry liqourice. The finish is long, cohesive and structured. Really fine. Still needs 5+ years in the cellar.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Granbussia Riserva, Aldo Conterno
Aaah - Granbussia! The depth, concentration and focus of this wine is of the highest pedigree, and you now before it is revealed that this is from one of the best producers (I guessed it to be Sandrone´s Cannubi Boschis...). All is in place and it only needs another 6-8 years before perfection probably is achieved.
97p   (tasted 2016/01)

Flight III
1999 Barolo Margheria, Luigi Pira
The first Pira wine has a deep, laid back, focused nose with notes of rowan berries, red cherries, gravel and some tobacco. Cool and refined. Very, very good. Still young.
The taste is seedy and liniar (in a good way) with notes of ripe red cherries, liquorice, dusty gravel and a hint of tar. A long, structured finish. Still young, wait 5+ years for the next bottle.
92p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Marenca, Luigi Pira
The other bottle from Pira is even better with a lovely floral nose, displaying elegance and coolness. Very, very fine. Additional notes of ripe lingonberries, mineral and dried mushrooms flows up from the glass.
The taste is pure and tight with lots of polished tannins and fine notes of rowan berries, red cherries, asphalt and dry liquorice. A lovely concentration. Still on the young side of things. A very fine wine. 6-8 years.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Domenico Clerico
The next two bottles turned out to come from one of my favourite producers - Domenico Clerico. These are not for the wimpy Nebbiolo lover, and those who think that the oak is too much - well, its a free country - still... The nose of the Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is deep, hedonistic and wonderful with notes of spicy cherry jam, moist earth, tar, veal stock and liquorice. A touch inky. Very, very deep and fine.
The taste is big and bold with notes of ripe black cherries, liquorice, sweet violets, ink and sweet flowers. Broad tannins, a hefty backbone and a stunning experience all around. Give this stunner 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Percristina, Domenico Clerico
As good as the CMG is, the Percristina is magic. It has all that the CMG has, but the fruit is turned up to eleven. As impressive as it gets. Tasted some two years ago, this bottle was even better. Perfection in the making, just wait 8+ years.
98p   (tasted 2016/01)


Flight IV
1999 Barolo Bricco dell´Violo, Vajra
I have always liked Vajra´s Bricco dell´Violo, and this bottle was no exception. The nose is deep and seedy with notes of tobacco, ripe cherries, rose petals and a interesting scent of banana peels. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and intense with notes of red cherries, forest floor, tobacco and dried rose petals. Fine, caressing tannins in the long finish. Give this beauty another 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Vigna Rionda, Massolini
A laid back, refined nose with a lot of stuffing and notes of ripe red and cherries, violets, asphalt and a attractive greenish scent. Very deep. Still young. Very, very fine.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of hard cherry candy, fresh mushrooms, bay leaves and asphalt. The finish is long and taut with finely polished tannins. This needs lots of time, at least 8+ years. Very high quality.
93p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello
A big, deep. old fashioned nose with gorgeous notes of rose petals, ripe red cherries, earth, liquorice and forest floor. A bit willful, but oooh so good! A lovely warmth to the fruit. Great wine.
The taste is tight and structured with fine notes of cool cherries, rosehips, dried flowers, gravel and cigarette ashes. A long, intense finish with, from time to time, brutal tannins. Impressive but will need 6+ years before unveiling itself fully.
94p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Monprivato, Giuseppe Mascarello
Too bad - something is really wrong with this bottle without being corked.
50p   (tasted 2016/01)

1999 Barolo Rupestris, Cappellano
S generously poured this instead of the shot Monprivato, and what a replacement! The nose is a posterchild of intensity, concentration, and at the same time, lightness. Wonderful aromas of ripe red cherries, dry liquorice, rose bushes, cigarr ashes (and we all know where that scent comes from...:-)) and fresh ceps. Magnificent.
The taste is light as a feather and yet stings like a bee, with stunning notes of hard cherry candy, raspberry liquorice, tar, mushrooms and dried flowers. The finish goes on forever and the tannins caressing the mouth cavity, leaving a distinct mark. For drinking in 6+ years time to infinity. The wine of the evening alongside the Percristina.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do.   (tasted 2016/01)