Damijan 2004 Bianco Kaplja (Venezia Giulia) 14.5% alcohol, and I suspect that the labels suggestion to serve the wine at 59F is related to that number. This is wrong; the wine is far too structure-dominated at that chilly a temperature, and needs to be warmer. Mandarin orange, peach flowers, and chamomile abound. Mildly tannic, and fairly devoid of acidity; at any temperature, this isnt my favorite of the orange wine set, for its a little soft around the edges. (7/09)
Vajra 2008 Moscato dAsti (Piedmont) No mistaking what this is. But in addition to the usual flower shop/perfume truck accident, theres weight, and texture beyond the fizz, and even some smoothly polished minerality. Its not heavy (nor is it my brother), but its more interesting than most within the genre. (1/10)
Baladin Super Baladin Ale (Italy) Take all the richly developed spice of an aged Trappist ale, then donate it to a liquid much lighter, livelier, and more vibrant than any such ale would be, and youve got this beer. Brilliant stuff. Redonkulously expensive, but probably worth it. (1/10)
Ottella 2008 Lugana Le Creete (Lombardy) Sheets of green, white, and faded yellow envelop seaside herbs and a flat expanse of shells, each with a little wet sand still stuck to their interiors. This is a quiet wine ill-served by a fairly rich company in which it was served, and Id like another crack at it in less distracting conditions, but it seems fair enough. (1/10)
di Lenardo Vino di Tavola Ronco Nol (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Thick reddish-purple fruit layered with vanilla-infused oak. Modern but pleasant. (1/10)
Russolo 2006 Malvasia Istriana (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Some lead, some oxidation, and some heavy metal machinery. Very, very odd. Good? Its hard to say. Its certainly intriguing, but ultimately theres too much death here. (1/10)
Vajra 2008 Moscato dAsti (Piedmont) No mistaking what this is. But in addition to the usual flower shop/perfume truck accident, theres weight, and texture beyond the fizz, and even some smoothly polished minerality. Its not heavy (nor is it my brother), but its more interesting than most within the genre. (1/10)
Baladin Super Baladin Ale (Italy) Take all the richly developed spice of an aged Trappist ale, then donate it to a liquid much lighter, livelier, and more vibrant than any such ale would be, and youve got this beer. Brilliant stuff. Redonkulously expensive, but probably worth it. (1/10)
Ottella 2008 Lugana Le Creete (Lombardy) Sheets of green, white, and faded yellow envelop seaside herbs and a flat expanse of shells, each with a little wet sand still stuck to their interiors. This is a quiet wine ill-served by a fairly rich company in which it was served, and Id like another crack at it in less distracting conditions, but it seems fair enough. (1/10)
di Lenardo Vino di Tavola Ronco Nol (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Thick reddish-purple fruit layered with vanilla-infused oak. Modern but pleasant. (1/10)
Russolo 2006 Malvasia Istriana (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Some lead, some oxidation, and some heavy metal machinery. Very, very odd. Good? Its hard to say. Its certainly intriguing, but ultimately theres too much death here. (1/10)