Well it seems we are having a rush of Italian notes.
Solihull Fine Wine Soc June tasting, blind as usual. Very short notes as off to Marbella and Deia for 3 weeks. BTW, the village shop in Deia sells Dom Perignon, says all about the place. We have been going for five years and love it.
This was an unusual tasting. In 2001, Rowland ordered these wines, but two each. We had them in 2002 and I cannot find notes. So 8 years later he put them on again. We they be alive? Read on.
Pinot Nero Riserva, Hofstatter, Barthenau Estate 1997 Brown edge, herbal organic piss pot pinot, good entrance, medium soft tannins and still fruit.....dryimg out.
Salcheto Vino Nobile di Multepulchiano Riserva, 1997 Good depth with hint of age, an alcoholic nose with oak and some spice. Fruit and tannins just holding out, drying out
La Grola, Allegrini, 1997 dull and brown edge, dead on nose and palate
La Grola, Allegrini, 1998 huge depth and bright, ripe damsons but dumb nose and reflected in palate, drying out
Amarone della Valopolicella Classico, Allegrini 1997 Extract with just a hint of age, huge nose of marshmallow and berries, that cooked Amarone nose, wonderful entry, heat and fruit, all in balance, lomg superb 2nd WOTN
Cepparello, Isole e Olena 1998 Stunning looker, depth, a restrained salty, spice, organic, leather nose, huge tannins, good fruit and spice..............will it come round, ( thought of 1975 LLC)
Casa Via Syrah, Fontodi, 1998 Huge depth, a wonderful mature nose of mint, cinnamon, clove, farmyard. Whata palate, soft fruit, big soft tannins, spice and berries. Long Long. WOTN and one of the WOTY so far, just stupendous.
Barbera d'Alba, Giacomo Conterno 1998 Looks like mature burg, dumb nose and drying out.
Interesting night
John