Icardi
Nej Langhe DOC Pinot Nero 2007
2nd blind chance on older Icardi’s from @chambersstwines. Both ridiculously good. First was a 2000 Barolo Parej that with 3 hrs out or so was one of the very best, tarriest Baroli I’ve had.
This Pinot Nero Nej( Piedmontese dialect for black), 2007, had a cork soaked 3/4 of the way through, but poured for a taste like a much younger, though adult beastie. Black, w dark red rimming,tannic, and savory. 2 hours or so in a decanter brought out lots of woodsy qualities, bark, dense dark berries, refreshing lift, and nice mouthfeel. Not viscous, but corner seeking, full.
Later, I put the decanter on an ice bath for a while to serve with Triglie alla Livornese ( Red Mullet braised in a spicy tomato sauce) Those Italian’s know something about pairings alright. Perfect.
Of course @winesearcher.com etc. show none available in the U.S.
With Randy & Scott. — 10 days ago
Valdespino
Manzanilla En Rama La Especial Palomino Fino 2016
These never disappoint. Some variation, btl. to btl., but… overall, a great introduction to eating outside when it’s warm. This particular btl. 2016/ bottled in 2024 is like an old boats bottom dipped in iodine and bread yeast on the nose. Lots of mineral, metallic qualities that continue onto the palate along with a sense of caramel that’s present but not cloying. This wine fills your mouth yet remains, at °15.5, quite refreshing. Salt and fruit, ( unripe mangoes,star fruit,,dried papaya)mingle on the finish and linger a long time. — a month ago
Clos Martinet
Priorat Grenache Blend 2020
From the insane clearance sales of the @plcb, comes this wine for $25. Often you have to tell them what they have in stock, or say…” could you please check in the back?”. Then out comes a sealed wooden, 6 btl case. ( in one instance.). If you’re lucky to hear of the clearance sales, and there’s some things you care for near you it can be great. One just 🤞then prays that the provenance was good.
The 2020 vintage in Priorat was a challenge from what I understand. Wet, with fungus and rot, etc.
The ordinarily Garnacha heavy blend was swapped for 55% Syrah, 34% Garnacha, some Cab. and others. A quite unusual winemaking regiment ensues with large tronchons, cement, and glass demijohns included.
So…this upside down year produced a very lithe, liquorice and mineral wine. Dusky dark fruit on the nose more reminiscent of St. Emillion. Grippy tannins but in harmony. Easy going for Priorat. If you’re lucky to have them, drink or hold ‘em. I feel lucky to have played my part and relieved the @plcb of their burden.
With Randy — 3 days ago
Bodega Alegre Valgañon
Las Llanas Rioja White Blend 2018
Really nice weirdo : The vineyard is a field blend of Viura, Rojal, Calagraño and Garnacha Blanca. Lots of dried Apricots,peaches, lots of mineral.lil’ hint of vanilla.Almost Barley/Scotch like nose. “grown in very poor sandstone. There’s not enough fruit to put through a vertical press, so the wine ferments with skins but without stems and is pressed after 4 weeks of fermentation and maceration. One 400 litre barrel was filled and the wine aged here a while before resting in Clayber ceramic (24 months in total), and bottled unfiltered and unfined. Please decant. 530 bottles made”. Weirdo for sure. Evidently a rescued plot across from the bodega.
For a “one off” ( kinda) I think it’s a success. Especially after time in the glass it has a wonderful, viscous mouthfeel that I find in in quality Rioja Blancos. The folks on @cellartracker not so much. but then again, that might have been 5 folks.?
Thanks@rarewineco. — 15 days ago
Čotar
Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013
What a weirdly animal, mushroom, forest( swamp) nose! Lots of extended skin contact , 10 days I believe. Natural fermentation and extended ( 5 years)aging in large barrels.No temperature control.Teran 40%, Merlot 40% Cab 20%. Iron, Plums, berries, bark, rocks, nails…
This is some wild and wooly stuff right across the Italian border in Slovenia.
Switching to a “proper”big glass from a decent Riedel stem tames down the funk and it finishes lighter than one may expect. Still bright at 13 years. Only 11.5°.
Very weirdly interesting.
Thanks Chambers St. Wines. — a month ago
Maison des Hâtes
Vau de Vey Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2023
I suspect, that when (if) the ‘23 vintage assessments roll in, it may be a different story than ‘17. I have read that the ‘23 year was a “solar” year, producing full, rounded, mature ( as in fruit) wines.
So…after roughly 1/2 hour standing open( with a lil’ bit poured out), we’re getting round lemons, Lots of seashore. As if one were to lick the white cliffs of Dover i like to ponder., a little bit of biscuit, refreshingly dry but not severe.
The palate outdoes the nose at this point. And with this first bottle I don’t think we’re making it to day two. Glad i bought 4. I hope i didn’t give gifts…must check.
With Randy.
Thanks @garagiste.com — 6 days ago
Bodegas del Rio
Solera Playa Manzanilla White Blend
Recommended by @essenciawine.es in San Sebastián Spain. Young bodega very close to the Guadalaviar River. Very gentle, aromatic, almonds, bread dough, mineral( beach), wonderfully refreshing palate echoing the nose with delicate saline wash to finish. Long aftertaste but not cloying. Perfect with tiny scallops and razor clams. A bodega to watch. — 11 days ago
Louis Claude Desvignes
Corcelette Morgon Gamay 2023
Red & Black, Red & Black , over and over.
Beautifully young , ‘23 stuff from Desvignes.
Opened for 3 hrs. No decant. With a dish of asparagus/shitakes/rhubarb…delicious. Earth and tart. With air and time in the glass, this develops a meatier, denser bottom and
a nice tannic backbone, always med-light body. Refreshing. — a month ago
Daniel Bloom
Well, 2025 is an acid bomb. Mind you, with food it’s not unpleasant, just bracing. Especially without. Some citrus and cherries( maybe Rainier)(sp). But this isn’t a wine for thoughtful musing. I believe it’s here to quaff with food, and with some olive oil based picatta esque dinner, it works. Of course as it warms, it gives more fruits and slight vanilla. One commenter here suggested animal fat in an earlier vintage, my head still spins!
A very well made, very dry, barely rosato rosato. Taught and refreshing, low alcohol. — 2 days ago