Tasting Notes: Weekly Roundup

Happy Friday! Before we celebrate the coming weekend, we want to look back on drinks the Delectable community enjoyed and consumed this week. We've gathered a handful of reviews and notes that caught our eye. From detailed notes to standout photos, the Delectable community was busy this week, and there are so many great posts to read. Mark your favorites and pick up a bottle to try this weekend. Cheers!

Azienda Agricola Fontodi

Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale Sangiovese 1995

Wow this was an excellent find in Roma! A perfect bottle of 95 Flaccianello - funky nose of a bit of cheese and blue fruits have way to a palate that was silky and just kept gaining intensity over the 3h it was opened - blue fruits, cedar, truffles and a touch of licorice. What a great experience on a Tuscan classic! — 3 years ago

Ira, Ericsson and 15 others liked this

Masi

Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2015

Powerful full bodied wine. Dark fruits with a hint of leather. Noticeable tannins and good complexity. Nice long finish. Quite liked it, but better value with other Amarones. $45 — 3 years ago

Paul, Ron and 11 others liked this

Envinate

Palo Blanco Valle de la Orotava Listan Blanco 2019

In a testament to just how great these wines are and how good the wine making is, let me just tell you what my dumbass did to this wine by accident. I was in my fridge yesterday and saw I had left this bottle entirely full with a cork pulled for over a week. I thought back to when I would've opened it, and my jaw dropped. I had opened it two hours before meal time and then we changed the food plan so we changed wines but I forgot about already opening this wine. I left it in the door of the fridge so I missed it.

The wine is gloriously good… I was shocked that it wasn't completely oxidized. We drank it over the last two days and it was very delicious. Complex with citrus and white orchard fruits, leaning more citrus, zesty and salty brine, loads of minerality, dried wild florals, quite the wine here. Excellent med+ acidity, med/med+ body, med+ length.
— 3 years ago

Brent, Aaron and 11 others liked this
Tom Kobylarz

Tom Kobylarz Influencer Badge

Ha, yeah I liked your note as I experienced very much also the mineral part you wrote about. Nice to meet you here!
Aaron Tan

Aaron Tan Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice to meet you too @Tom Kobylarz! Yea, the minerality was undeniable in both the 19’ and 18’, but the latter was just so much fresher for me. Haha. Still getting my gauge on this wine.
Tom Kobylarz

Tom Kobylarz Influencer Badge

@Aaron Tan i think most still are with the limited track record but I hope my not me adds more depth to it, crazy how it was not even compromised

Amici Cellars

Missouri Hopper Vineyard Beckstoffer Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Greg Ballington
9.2

Deep ruby red. Right nose with cherries, coconut, baking spices, and iron. Medium tannins (6/10) with balanced acidity and body. A bit floral on the palate with a slight savory hint and black cherries. Long finish. Drink till 2028. — 3 years ago

Brandon, Shay and 17 others liked this

Château Simone

Palette Red Rhone Blend 2013

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2011 Chateau Simone pours a slightly turbid garnet color. Right off the first pour, this certainly isn’t faking the funk on a nasty dunk. Redolent of tart cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, cow pasture, red flowers, earth, mushrooms and grilled spiced meats. On the palate, the fruit and non-fruits are confirmed accompanied by stiff tannins and acid. The finish is long and satisfying. A wild yet charming wine. This was a fabulous pairing with grilled lamb chops. Drink now or over the next 5-10 years. — 3 years ago

John, Iwan and 21 others liked this

Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon

Viré-Clessé Chardonnay 2019

Nose has Anjou pear peel, white Carnations, sliced quince, cold yellow apple slice, slight green herbals (crushed celery), steel cut oats with faint vanilla notes.

Palate has ripe pear, (light) under-ripe apricot, light honey, (light) under-ripe pineapple core, slight strawberry, faint oak influence with mild acidity.

Honestly, this needs some time or considerable decant; revisit 2024+?
— 3 years ago

Brian, Bob and 33 others liked this

Christian Moueix

Ulysses Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Third bottle, last one was in August 21. Blue and black fruit forward. Floral in the nose. Thick mouthfeel. Still requires a decant. Tannins well integrated. Nice finish. Great wine that can go many more years. Too bad this was my last bottle. — 3 years ago

Joshua, Martin and 16 others liked this

Ruinart

Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne Chardonnay

Ming L
9.3

The quintessential BdB. Intensely aromatic on the nose with citrus, white peach, yeast, white flower blossom, and touch of ginger. Delicate persistent mousses meets bright yet soft acidity on the palate. Hint of chalk as well. Long elegant finish. — 3 years ago

Paul, Severn and 16 others liked this

Larmandier-Bernier

Terre de Vertus Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Champagne 1er Cru Chardonnay 2014

When we talk purity and honesty in wine, Larmandier-Bernier instantly comes to mind. An attractive light golden robe and impressive perlage. The nose is instantly striking with plenty of green apple and butter. Lemon and limes along with marzipan. Chalky and fresh, this is one that you really should just sit with for a while and appreciate. The pastry aromas are absolutely killer here. The citrus fruit notes are really prominent over time. So pretty.

A biodynamic Blanc de Blancs from masters of their terroir. Stately and august while remaining approachable. It’s a wine you want to be effusive. Full of personality, charm, and complexity there’s such power and grace with this champagne. Brilliant acidity but there’s no way I would mark this as zero dosage if tasted blind. Laser like precision here. So classy and luxurious.

In the mouth, this is pure joy. Pure finesse and excellence. Terrific texture and balance. Citrus and slight toasted brioche notes. There’s a really nice streak of spice towards the end, especially on the second day. This champagne may not be right for everyone but it’s certainly right for me. I love this.
— 3 years ago

Andrew, Severn and 17 others liked this