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1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"
Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.
Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.
Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.
Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.
Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 2 months ago
Urban Artifact ‘Jack’ Pumpkin Pie American Fruit Tart
Sour Apple core radiates from inside a flaky crust. Cinnamon and mace, nutmeg and pumpkin pie spices conspire to keep this tasty and dessert style despite mouth puckering sour and fierce acidity. Really delicious, but one may be enough for the spooky season.
Most definitely in a great place window-wise. Bright lush sour cherry. Fairly oaky but not overly done. Beautifully acidic and more primary than I would have expected at 10 years. Finish and body were medium...probably an artifact of vintage. — 7 years ago
A second cider offering today at the Wilco Solid Sound Festival 2019, but not an exclusive. Touch of fruity tartness plays nicely with the dryness of the cider.
Artifact Cider, 'By Any Other Name...'; Craft cider with blackcurrants. — 7 years ago
Artifact Cider, 'We Are Trying To Break Your Heart'; Nels Cline, doesn't get any better. Wilco Solid Sound Festival 2017; Mass MoCA, North Adams, MA — 9 years ago
I'll try to post a link to video once it finishes uploading. Head to the east coast sometime and I'll intro you to killer wines that are not CA bombs, not that those aren't bad please understand, we have plenty of those too.
Her Mir Tage
1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"
Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.
Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.
Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.
Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.
Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 2 months ago