Rdesheim and Etna

S

Saina Nieminen

Saina Nieminen
These were two standouts at a tasting yesterday (both served blind). I hadn't heard of the grape Orlans before though apparently it used to be grown widely until the 19thC. If this is how wonderful it can be, why isn't it grown anymore?

Georg Breuer Rdesheim Orlans 2002
Bottle #169/400; from reputedly 200yo vines! - could it really be so? A very pure and elegant scent, very mineral and citrussy. Concentrated but very elegant, pure, ripe and sweet fruit but I would imagine quite low in RS; ptillant and vibrant and very, very lively. I thought this was a fantastic wine.

Frank Cornelissen Etna Contadino 5 2007
What a lovely wine! Very sweet, red fruit aromas and plenty of earthiness - it reminded me of Sptburgunder but was much better than any Sptburgunder that I have ever had. So lively and energetic that it must be "natural wine", sweet but immensely refreshing, bright and extremely moreish. Lovely stuff!
 
that orleans sounds fascinating Otto.....as well as the contadino. there's a photo of the #4 on cellartracker....in a clear glass bottle. very interesting red color and interesting tn's on that one too. (15%?) thanks for the post.
 
15% abv? I'm quite sure the #5 didn't have that much (though I did wake up with a blinding headache) - at least it didn't taste like it had anywhere near that amount...
 
originally posted by Otto Nieminen:
Rdesheim and Etna

Frank Cornelissen Etna Contadino 5 2007
What a lovely wine...it reminded me of Sptburgunder but was much better than any Sptburgunder that I have ever had.
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What is the grape?
 
Rahsaan, I understand it is a mix of everything Cornelissen can get his hands on (which makes its purity seem all the more amazing). I found a partial list of grapes of an earlier release on Jamie Goode's site: Carricante, white table grapes, Inzolia, Cattaratto, Nerello Mascalese, Alicante, Nerello Cappuccio...
 
originally posted by Otto Nieminen:
Rahsaan, I understand it is a mix of everything Cornelissen can get his hands on (which makes its purity seem all the more amazing)...
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Indeed!
 
originally posted by Otto Nieminen:
Rahsaan, I understand it is a mix of everything Cornelissen can get his hands on (which makes its purity seem all the more amazing). I found a partial list of grapes of an earlier release on Jamie Goode's site: Carricante, white table grapes, Inzolia, Cattaratto, Nerello Mascalese, Alicante, Nerello Cappuccio...
Click to expand...

It's around 70% nerello mascalese. The rest is a blend of whatever grapes is available in all colours. From what Frank Cornelissen told last year around 15-20 different varieties.

The Contadino #5 is a great wine. It is much clearer and more straightforward than Contadino #3 (sorry have not tasted the #4). But also perhaps less complex than (the best bottles) of that wine.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
anyone tried the calabretta wines? looks like i have a local source for at least the '98 rosato.....
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I'm drinking the 2000 Calabretta right now. Wow is it good. Ripe, but so elegant and layered, with all sorts of earth, ash, clay, etc., and some fine and grippy tannins and a long, sweet finish.

I see from your other post that you tried the 1999 and liked it. Did you ever have a chance at the 2000?
 
not yet, but i'm sitting on another bottle of the '99 and looking forward to it very much. i like your description....the '99 was pretty much the same.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
anyone tried the calabretta wines?
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Yes, the '00. Nice evolution into flavors reminiscent of mature nebbiolo. Similar tea, tar and rose elements to the dark red fruits along with the clay and ash.

I have a few Contadino 5s coming this fall. I managed to have two fascinating and enjoyable experiences
with the 4 although mileage has varied considerably for others. So I'm looking forward to it.

Has there been or should there be a left coast Etna Jeebus?
 
I think there's a strong lineup available. Including

Benanti
Biondi
Calabretta
Cornelissen
Franchetti
Terre Nere

I have a number of them I can bring.

So anybody else up for that?
 
Also, anybody want to explain the Calabretta thing to me? On this coast it often (always?) tastes like it is coming apart at the seams. I have voiced concern, passed on purchases, and then repeat, pass, no purchase, and yet, yet there do seem to be people who honestly like the Calabretta they are drinking. What am I missing? Why is it that other people are okay with these wines?
 
Levi, Zachary:

I drank the 2004 Guardiola a few times on release and quite liked it, but every subsequent time I've liked it less. In particular there's a raisiny sweetness that has increasingly bothered me. Moreover, my most recent bottle showed obvious signs of premox. Hopefully just an isolated bad-fitting cork or some such thing, but if you have any recent experiences with this vintage I'd love to hear them.

The 2005 Guardiola felt less successful to me than the 2004 from day one. Excessive wood and heavy, blocky tannins on a not very well filled-out frame. I found the Calderara Sottana a much more successful wine in this vintage - kind of remarkable when you consider that it's a $20 wine around here, vs. $35-$40 for the Guardiola.
 
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