WTN: Piemonte, Ljutomer-Ormož, St. Julien & Joseph, Amarone

I've been behind in entering notes that interest me into CT, but I'm slowly catching up on wines tasted (and, even better, drunk) over the past month or so:

• 1999 Cantina Terre Del Barolo Barolo Riserva Castello - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (2/7/2008)
  This is a very attractive Barolo, but surprisingly forward for such a young one. A nose of tar and rust with a rather dark and sweet tone to its fruit. Tangy, very ripe and masculine, good grip and gladly I don't find any sign of the dreaded barrique. Moderately long and very refreshing aftertaste. Palate cleansing. A very decent drop!
• 1999 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (2/6/2008)
  I keep on being perplexed by this wine. There are hints of barrique, yet also much typical Nebbiolo-aromatics on every other sniff. At best, this has a lovely red toned, rusty nose; but it also has some oaky notes. The palate is rather soft and sweet for a young Nebbiolo, yet is refreshing. A very perplexing wine: on some sniffs and tastes very lovable; on others, too modern.
• 2005 Jeruzalem Ormož Beli Pinot - Slovenia, Podravje, Ljutomer-Ormož (2/6/2008)
  11,5%, plastic "cork". Appley, rather spicy, ripe but sadly lacking in minerality. It is still a refreshing and varietally true drink and is fun. But the Sivi Pinot (Pinot Gris) was more interesting, IMO.
• 2005 Jeruzalem Ormož Sivi Pinot - Slovenia, Podravje, Ljutomer-Ormož (2/5/2008)
  12% abv; plastic "cork". True to the grape: spicy, glue-like, yet mineral and more elegant than Pinot Gris often is. Lively, acidic yet fruity and ripe. Refreshing, mineral. Very enjoyable.
• 1999 Château Gruaud Larose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (2/4/2008)
  Though young, this is aromatically open and has some nice dark fruit, cassis, strong earthyness and perhaps the slightest hint of funk - brings more to my mind Pauillac than St. Julien (but the differences are small, I admit). Full bodied, fruity, still strong but ripe tannins. Long and refreshing aftertaste. I enjoyed it, but ideally should have been cellared longer.
• 2004 M. Chapoutier St. Joseph Deschants - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (2/2/2008)
  Lactic and reductive upon opening, but a few hours onwards it smells of classic Syrah. Black olives, slightly meaty/animal black fruit, some leafyness and minerality. Ripe and rather full bodied palate, with ripe tannins and enough acidity to be refreshing. Nice! Needs a few years.
• 2004 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico BG - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (2/2/2008)
  This started out very dark toned and plummy, dusty and inky and sweet and slightly raisiniy - typical Amarone. With air it developed some brighter tones like peach kernel and some red fruit hints to counter all the darkness. It is sweet and not big, but enormous bodied. But it does have plenty of tannins to keep it all together. The aftertaste is a bit warm, but it certainly doesn't seem like the 16,5%abv the label indicates. A good wine in its style, but the style is too far away from my preferences for me to enjoy other than as an intellectual excercice.

Otto
Ta for the notes.
Marchesi de Gresy wines haven't grabbed me - especially at the prices they charge. I must be missing something!

Terre del Barolo get their basic wine into the supermarkets and for me it's obviously 'cheap' Barolo and whilst a decent wine, I'd always prefer to pay 30-50% more for something more engaging. I've not seen the riserva, but this sounds promising.

regards

Ian

Marchesi de Gresy wines haven't grabbed me - especially at the prices they charge. I must be missing something!

I don't know. I loved one tasting of the '99 when I thought it bright and Burgundian, but I have learned since to try a bottle over a couple days before buying in quantity. On the basis of my first brief taste, I bought a couple bottles and have been less satisfied with them.

Terre del Barolo get their basic wine into the supermarkets and for me it's obviously 'cheap' Barolo and whilst a decent wine, I'd always prefer to pay 30-50% more for something more engaging. I've not seen the riserva, but this sounds promising.

I've never had the basic, but this Castello Riserva was genuine Barolo. It is over-priced at over 50€ sadly, but I guess that means you can get it in the UK for about 30€ at which price I would get a couple to age.

-O

I've never had the basic, but this Castello Riserva was genuine Barolo. It is over-priced at over 50€ sadly, but I guess that means you can get it in the UK for about 30€ at which price I would get a couple to age.

-O

There certainly is a niche for Barolo at around that lower price, as the €15-€25 Barolo's are often shallow shells of the better wines, whilst there are some really good ones coming in at €30 and above

I'm sure we'll head back to the region in the not too distant future - we even bought the walking map on our last trip, which is a message of intent!

regards

Ian