my imagination

[Rob Lateiner]

...has been invigorated. my soul, nurtured. I am drinking a wine that makes me deeply happy. This because it is so good of itself, and also, because the wine promises of more, of what else is out there, what could be. This bottle is an old friend and is beautiful.

"Prune fruitiness on nose, forest floor, slightly dank aromas. Smooth, creamy nose. Tannins! Perfect Balance. Integration with a vivaciousness and brightness that inspires me. Happy wine. Some oxidation. A little gamey, a little smoky. Dark Cherry! Balance."

This is to drink now. I couldn't imagine this going much longer without oxidation ensuing and brightness fading. The oxidation at present in the wine is not a fault at all, it is perfect. It actually seems like it enables a deeper taste through to the stem of the grape. Any more oxidation would take away though, I believe. Elegance.

1999 Paolo Bea, Montefalco Rosso Riserva "Pipparello"

Cheers everybody!
~Rob

*Anyone know why it says at the top of the label next to the year, "(la seconda)"?

 

[MarkS]

My thinking on Bea's lower two wines, both Montefalco Rosso's, is that they need to be drunk up within 10 years or so. I recently had the 2001 regular M.R. and was surprised at how advanced it showed. I ought to try my 2000 Riserva to see how it's doing. Judging from your '99, it sounds like I better get on it.