Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2009



A Celebration of finished project, and a selection of good cheeses and salamis was good enough reason to open up a nice Barolo. Well, to be honest, there`s always a good enough reasons to open up Barolos:).

Maria Teresa Mascarello makes, in my opinion, one of the best and purest Dolcettos in Piemonte. Also, their Barberas and basic Nebbiolos are highly delicious. All in all, Bartolo Mascarello is truly one of the beacons of Langhe winemaking. But the reputation, of course, comes from Barolos.
Mascarello has become almost a synonym for a staunch and uncompromisingly traditional Barolos. Low yields, traditional Bottis and long maceration are self-evident; but also their decision to make blended Barolos, rather than focusing on specific "Crus", as the rising trend has been in Barolo in recent years, is a choice of tradition, a way the Barolos were made time immemorial.
This Barolo is a blend of Canubbi, San Lorenzo, Rue and Rocche di Annunziata.


Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2009
DOCG
14,5%
101€ (Wine-searcher average price) 

After few hours of decanting, the aromas are jumping from the glass. Classic Nebbiolo beauty:
tar, leather, and red berry compote with loads of earthy, smoky and herbal undertones.
On the palate hauntingly nuanced, earthy and savory. Burgundian. There`s a kind of lightness of being, almost playfulness here, a phenomenal combination of elegance and power. Though the fruit is focused and delicious, earthiness is definitely the dominant element. Tannins and acidity are surprisingly integrated.
Long long, earthy, and almost salty aftertaste of liquorice. tar and Cuban Cigars..
Beautiful wine from a warm and challenging vintage
93

 

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Xavier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme 2010


                                     Merry Christmas, Hyvää joulua, Frohe Weihnachten!

                                                            No Christmas without Bach!
                                         If you are in Berlin in Christmas time, go listen
                                         Bach`s Christmas Oratorio in the beautiful Konzerthaus Berlin.


Chateauneuf du Pape`s are for me winter wines par excellence. One of those wines you would like to open up on a quiet winter evenings beside a fire place, preferable after a long skiing trip.
But I do have to admit that I`ve had a somewhat on-off relationship with them. Sometimes they can be a bit too warm and alcoholic, and also a tad pricey for the quality. Furthermore there are nowadays many Southern Rhône wines outside CnP, that offer the same flavor profile and quality, with a noticeably lower price tag.
But when good, they are one of the most interesting and delicious wines in the world.



Xavier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme
2010
14,5 %
Wine-searcher average price €38

What a gorgeous vino!
Absolutely intriguing, deep and layered aromas: loads of smoke, aniseed, forest floor, vanilla, rosemary, forest berries, quite a bit of barnyardy stuff, some animal musk. Smooth and supple, yet explosive and mouth filling on the palate, with strong acidity and tannins; fresh strawberries, forest berries, grilled meat, blood, beautiful garrigue notes. Long, herbal and smokey aftertaste..
One of the best CnP in a while..
94


                                                

Monday, December 21, 2015

Clemens Busch Riesling trocken `Vom Grauen Schiefer` 2013



I don`t drink white wines in winter that often. A season for them starts normally at the end of march. But there`s no need to be a prisoner of habits.
A creamy seefood pasta was screaming for a Riesling!

Bought this Bio Riesling from a little wine shop in Berlin, Prenzlauerberg for 13 e. So not a big investment.


Clemens Busch Riesling trocken `Vom Grauen Schiefer`
2013
12,0%
Wine-searcher average price: 14€

Shy bouqet of citrus notes, yeast, flintyness.
On the palate light bodied, lively, very citrusy with a high and piercing acidity.
Medium and a bit tart aftertaste of honeyed grapefruit and lemon peel rounded up with pungent chalkyness and a hint of smoke.
A solid, midweight, entry level Mosel Riesling. Nothing to write home about, but for the price this delivers.
88

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Wine themed paintings

                                           "A Glass of wine with Cesare Borgia" by John Collier (1893)
                                     "The Happy Violinist with a Glass of Wine" by Gerrit van Honthorst (1624)
                                                         "The Wine Cellar" by Gerrit Dou (1660)
                                                        "The Wine Glass" by Jan Vermeer (1660)

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Omar Khaijam


Be happy today, as you don't know what tomorrow will bring. 
Take some wine, sit down in the light of the moon and say to yourself 
that tomorrow that moon may look for you in vain.
  
-Omar Khaijam-

 

 

Saturday, May 16, 2015

J.L Chave - Saint Joseph "Offerus" 2012


This wine tasted heavenly after a long day of home renovation and spring cleaning,
and went well with some cured meat and Robiola cheese...




J.L Chave - Saint Joseph "Offerus" 2012
13,5%
26€ Wine Searcher average price

The grapes are mainly coming from old Syrah vines in Mauves, the heart of Saint Joseph, and St Jean de Muzols. "Vin de Mauves" was actually the historical name of the whole wine region.
St-Jean-de-Muzols
St-Jean-de-Muzols
St-Jean-de-MuzolMauves. "Vin de Mauves" was actually the original name for Saint Joseph.

A "hun warrior" aromas of iron, blood, smoke, grilled meat with forest berries and damp earth.
Lively, yet quite silky and smooth on the palate. Ripe blueberries and plums with a good amount of gaminess. Also some peppery olive tapenade with Herbes de Provence. Decent tannins and acidity. Surprising sweetness in the finish, almost like a lingonberry jam. Nice length. 
Poised and elegant Northern Rhone Syrah. Good value (at least in Northern Rhone standards).
91

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012


My, at times snobbish, old world biased palate has been schooled lately...
Of all the places Australia, a wine country I`ve admitedly had quite a bit of prejudice against, has provided many pleasant surprises recently.
Well, I guess taste changes... Wine is a journey, like life, just have to enjoy the ride...


 



















Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
2012
13,5%
21€ Wine-Searcher average price

This is lovely!
Aromatically explosive: blackcurrant, blueberries, mint, vanilla, sweet tobacco, pine needles and a hint of smoke.
Cool and fresh on the palate; fresh blueberry/blackcurrant jam, mint tea, vanilla cream, herbaceousness. Supple and lively, with strong tannins and acidity leading the high pitched and delicious fruit seamlessly to a lifting finish and a long and drying, a bit herbal aftertaste. Oak gives just a nice finishing spice to the mix, nothing more. Alcohol is totally integrated.
Nice elegance and balance here. What can I say, this Aussie Cab delivers big time!
92