roundup

C

Cliff

Cliff Rosenberg
2009 Domaine Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais (4/17/2011)

Sometimes fruit is ok.

1998 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (4/17/2011)

Early prime time. It opened up nicely in the decanter over a couple of hours. Deep ruby red, medium weight and intense, smoke and earth. Not the most complex or layered wine, but the proportions are just right.

1990 Nikolaihof Riesling Vinothek - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (4/16/2011)

Showing more on opening than it did the last time I tried it, three years ago. Now it's sporting some petrol overtones and what seems like some RS. It is broad on the palate without being remotely heavy. Into the decanter it goes. After a couple of hours in the decanter, it spread out on the palate. Just fantastic.

2001 Triacca Valtellina Sforzato San Domenico - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina (4/16/2011)

This is in a good place, and I expect it to get better. Pulled the cork at about 5pm, decanted at about 7pm. At that point, it was too intense, but after a couple of hours in the decanter it had opened up nicely. Deep griotte, dark red fruits shading to black, leather and earth, with intense concentration. I'm not sure I like this better than the regular Sassella, but it is a different animal.

2004 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes Clos des Briords - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (4/14/2011)

Great.

2001 Mark Angeli Anjou "La Lune" - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou (4/12/2011)

You guys are suckers for drinking this too soon. It needs a little air to find its footing, but then, watch out. Really nice.

1995 Ch“teau Montus Madiran - France, Southwest France, Madiran (4/12/2011)

Just had a quick taste, but, boy, that was delicious. Leather, earth, all that good stuff. It's in a good place now.

2004 Domaine de Bellivière Pineau d'Aunis Les Giroflées - France, Vin de Table Français (4/12/2011)

Still funky. Maybe time will help, maybe it won't.

2005 Les Crêtes Syrah Coteau La Tour - Italy, Valle d'Aosta (4/10/2011)

I found this one less convincing. Maybe it's shutting down. All I'm getting is black fruits and bitterness. I stood it up and decanted, and it's perfectly clear, just not quite the interest I found in the prior bottles.

1999 Nigl Riesling Senftenberger Piri Privat - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal (4/10/2011)

At peak, perhaps just nudging past the apex. Not showing oxidation, but the color is a light gold. Full bodied an rich, giving the impression of sweetness, still showing tropical fruits with floral overtones. Don't think this has anything in reserve.
 
I haven't seen that around lately, the La Gatta. It seemed like Triacca's whole range was pretty available five or six years ago, and now I rarely see more than the Sassella.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
Thanks, Cliff.

That '90 Nikolaihof definitely benefits from some air.
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It did not suck out of the gates, but it lost the petrol and became much more interesting with time in the decanter. It made the Nigl (not tasted side by side) seem tired and a little simple.
 
originally posted by Cliff:

2001 Mark Angeli Anjou "La Lune" - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou (4/12/2011)

You guys are suckers for drinking this too soon. It needs a little air to find its footing, but then, watch out. Really nice.
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I don't know. I think there was some discussion of this point on Tuesday. Was it really worth cellaring? I was curious and happy to try the wine, and it was delicious. Yet it was also really nice upon release and despite the curiosity factor I'm not sure the ten-year old version offers the same amount of pleasure.

But hey, we all have our own palates and preferences.
 
Well, there is certainly the question of whether it was worth it. I think it has evolved in interesting ways -- not something I could have guessed from its younger self. It remains a big and unusual wine, but a different one. Is it worlds better than it was young? Perhaps not. But I think the transformation is pretty compelling.
 
I agree that it was compelling and I'm glad you kept it. But would you do it again?

Perhaps it's a worthless question since the new vintages don't seem to be readily available, but assuming the 2010 La Lune was coming soon to a store near you, would you cellar that for ten years?
 
With that wine? Probably not. But then there aren't a whole lot of wines that I follow every year. I do try to stash away a couple of bottles of things that I try that are new and different -- and when David seemed into the experiment, I couldn't resist. For the record, he also saw no reason the 04 Giroflées wouldn't turn into something interesting. And he may be right, in time.
 
originally posted by Cliff:
I haven't seen that around lately, the La Gatta. It seemed like Triacca's whole range was pretty available five or six years ago, and now I rarely see more than the Sassella.
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This may be more of a middleman issue in terms of wine retailers in your area. Rosenthal definitely still brings in the La Gatta. I bought some from him recently.
 
I would, if you can keep your hands off. My pour -- from a bottle that had been open and decanted for some time -- was lovely. It has moved quite a bit since the last time I tried it, a couple of years ago if memory serves.
 
I've had the 95 Montus a couple times in the past 18 months or so, both from 750mls, and the wine is at the beginning of its prime time window. Your magnum is probably a bit behind. Drink and hold.
 
originally posted by Zachary Ross:
I've had the 95 Montus a couple times in the past 18 months or so, both from 750mls, and the wine is at the beginning of its prime time window. Your magnum is probably a bit behind. Drink and hold.
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I thought it was drinking well a few years back as well, but I'm always on the drink side of drink and hold.
 
It had opened back up last I had it, but now it has a leathery funk and depth I did not see last time. This sip showed much more soul.
 
Indeed, soulful. Sorry I couldn't have offered you more, but I was with a friend who had never had a Madiran before and he was smitten. I drank most of his Barolo, fair's fair.
 
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