Evolved red.
Vinturi - crazy, old-school, CdP nose - spicy ketchup, garrigue, oak spice (but there isn't any), wilted herbs, wood smoke ...
All of this in a lifted, seamless, killer package.
Huge impact in the mouth, just all over the place, with some serious chew as a tether to earth. Shows a bit of alcohol. But who cares. This delivers (some of) the goods now, even though it still needs time in the bottle. Stem chew on and on. You have to love this kind of CdP. Loaded, interesting, butt-naked.
$50 on release. Mostly Grenache.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Grand Veneur, Chateauneuf du Pape "Les Origines" 2001
Red/purple.
Vinturi - deep, aromatic nose shows oak spice influence, but also deep black fruit and clay/earth.
Deep and loaded in the mouth, with a plush fruit/earth mid-palate that reminds me of Clos St. Jean (basic). This works from start to finish, with slightly aggressive acid/tannin synergy showing late. This doesn't taste like an 8 year old bottle of CdP. Ultimately not wildly complex, but there are more than a few folks that will love the overall impression.
$25 on release, I think. 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah.
Vinturi - deep, aromatic nose shows oak spice influence, but also deep black fruit and clay/earth.
Deep and loaded in the mouth, with a plush fruit/earth mid-palate that reminds me of Clos St. Jean (basic). This works from start to finish, with slightly aggressive acid/tannin synergy showing late. This doesn't taste like an 8 year old bottle of CdP. Ultimately not wildly complex, but there are more than a few folks that will love the overall impression.
$25 on release, I think. 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Palacios "Petalos" 2006 (Bierzo, Spain)
Purple/red.
Vinturi - deep earth/spice/iodine/blackberry nose.
Intense middle-weight - earth/spice flavors. Shows a sour/green character in the mouth. Reminds me of Cote Rotie in that sense. Acid/tannin synergy coats the front teeth in chew. Densely packed/structured, but will it express? Saline feel on the finish.
$18
Vinturi - deep earth/spice/iodine/blackberry nose.
Intense middle-weight - earth/spice flavors. Shows a sour/green character in the mouth. Reminds me of Cote Rotie in that sense. Acid/tannin synergy coats the front teeth in chew. Densely packed/structured, but will it express? Saline feel on the finish.
$18
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monte Bernardi "Sa'Etta" Colli della Toscana Centrale 1999
Deep, youthful, red.
Vinturi - reticent nose shows hints of savory meat/drippings, white pepper, red fruit coulis, hazelnut.
Intense middle-weight. Plush red fruit (cherry/cranberry) immediately tempered by strong acidity. This dynamic plays out all the way through the finish. Not wildly complex, but nuanced and pure. Invigorating. Pinot folks, particularly Burgundy freaks, will like this quite a bit.
Day 2 - even deeper, savory nose, with a solid core of red fruit. This reminds me of a Marcassin Pinot. Killer. Now showing this savory character in the mouth, too. Still has vibrant, acid-driven, red fruit liqueur/mineral flavor. For all the Sangiovese doubters out there.
$50 on release. Single vineyard, old-vine Sangiovese
Vinturi - reticent nose shows hints of savory meat/drippings, white pepper, red fruit coulis, hazelnut.
Intense middle-weight. Plush red fruit (cherry/cranberry) immediately tempered by strong acidity. This dynamic plays out all the way through the finish. Not wildly complex, but nuanced and pure. Invigorating. Pinot folks, particularly Burgundy freaks, will like this quite a bit.
Day 2 - even deeper, savory nose, with a solid core of red fruit. This reminds me of a Marcassin Pinot. Killer. Now showing this savory character in the mouth, too. Still has vibrant, acid-driven, red fruit liqueur/mineral flavor. For all the Sangiovese doubters out there.
$50 on release. Single vineyard, old-vine Sangiovese
Ciacci Piccolomini "Ateo" Rosso Toscano 1999
Deep red.
Vinturi - very attractive nose - suave smoky oak, baking spices, black fruit, charcoal/brick, red cherry.
Round and fairly dense, with an edge of red fruit/acidity moving in from the sides of the mouth. Tannin kicks in as well in the mid-palate. Nice fruit character and an iron/clay/earth nuance. Still constricted and chewy in the finish. I thought this might be nearing its end. Not at all.
$25 on release. Sangiovese and Cabernet, I believe.
Vinturi - very attractive nose - suave smoky oak, baking spices, black fruit, charcoal/brick, red cherry.
Round and fairly dense, with an edge of red fruit/acidity moving in from the sides of the mouth. Tannin kicks in as well in the mid-palate. Nice fruit character and an iron/clay/earth nuance. Still constricted and chewy in the finish. I thought this might be nearing its end. Not at all.
$25 on release. Sangiovese and Cabernet, I believe.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Domaine du Mas Blanc "La Coume" Rimage, Banyuls 2001
Deep red.
Vinturi - salt water taffy, balsa, Chambord, celery salt, prune/raisin aromas. An aromatic bonefest - integrated, self-contained (no heat).
Round, deep, sweet and plush - initially. Then significant acidity and moderate tannin shut down any overt sense of sweetness. Very much in the style of a great late harvest Zinfandel. Finishes "dry" with chew hitting the front teeth. "Do" this with cheese or on its own.
$30. 375ml. Purchased years ago. Incredibly saline then, ridiculously, un-enjoyably so. The '94 version sold me on the idea of fortification on the skins, and Banyuls in general.
Vinturi - salt water taffy, balsa, Chambord, celery salt, prune/raisin aromas. An aromatic bonefest - integrated, self-contained (no heat).
Round, deep, sweet and plush - initially. Then significant acidity and moderate tannin shut down any overt sense of sweetness. Very much in the style of a great late harvest Zinfandel. Finishes "dry" with chew hitting the front teeth. "Do" this with cheese or on its own.
$30. 375ml. Purchased years ago. Incredibly saline then, ridiculously, un-enjoyably so. The '94 version sold me on the idea of fortification on the skins, and Banyuls in general.
Chateau Pipeau, St. Emilion 2003
Dep red.
Vinturi - mouthwatering nose - smoky oak/grilled meat/drippings/mint/black raspberry sauce.
Intense in the mouth, with deep black fruit and Bordeaux herb flavors. Intensely structured as well - showing no fat or "give" of any kind. But flavors ride through all the constriction. Tannin is a bit aggressive and may never fully harmonize. Still, this is nicely concentrated and needs more time.
$40? Gift from Mr. Hamilton
Vinturi - mouthwatering nose - smoky oak/grilled meat/drippings/mint/black raspberry sauce.
Intense in the mouth, with deep black fruit and Bordeaux herb flavors. Intensely structured as well - showing no fat or "give" of any kind. But flavors ride through all the constriction. Tannin is a bit aggressive and may never fully harmonize. Still, this is nicely concentrated and needs more time.
$40? Gift from Mr. Hamilton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
