MunJebel 6s

[Saina Nieminen]

I feel kind of dirty saying it here, where so much has been said about Cornelissen, but I really liked these these two today!

The orange was from Grecanico dorato, Coda di volpe, Caricante & Cataratto of the 2009 vintage and 13% abv smelled of fresh fruit (oranges) and was delightfully tannic and moreish.

The red was from Nerello Mascalese from 2008 and 2009 and 14,5% abv, and it was crunchy and peppery like unforced Syrah; palate-cleansing tannins, slightly marred by a slight lactic note that didn't really disappear.

Apart from the high prices, I don't see what the often negative fuss is about with these wines. They seemed very enjoyable real/natural/unforced wines - they don't stand out from the other good real wines I have tried. So why all the axe-grinding with this producer?

 

[Joel Stewart]

High prices coupled with btl variation?

PS - I really enjoyed the Contadino 6....as a very carefree, well delineated red. That was $20 of sheer pleasure. Stakes go way up for wines twice or more that.

 

[Ned Hoey]

originally posted by Otto Nieminen:
So why all the axe-grinding with this producer?

My guess would be that in the US there was a fair amount of discussion that touted FC's uncompromising
style of production. Especially about the reputed non use of sulfur. Many people heard about the wines but very few actually had tasted them. The length of time this went on coupled with the extent of it meant there were some very high expectations building.

The level of expectation was going to be hard to meet for such unusual and fragile wines coming from an unfamiliar terroir and passing through various channels which was bound to magnify bottle variation.