A nice little dinner tonight: With a starter of rabbit rillette (hunted and made by a relative living in the countryside - and very yummy it was, too!) we opened up a Macedonian cheapie (8,60€ here) which was highly recommended by several people that I trust:
2005 Bovin Vranec Macedonia, Tikveš
A touch of vanillary oak upon opening, but it gladly disappeared quickly. It opened up to become a meaty and tangy red that slightly reminded me of Barbera. Fruity, vibrant palate with more red than dark fruit tones, quite full bodied. My first taste of the Vranec grape, and hopefully not my last - this was a good and a very interesting wine.
With a main of Arctic Char in a sauce of riesling and dried black trumpet mushrooms we had a very enjoyable Soave. I usually like a very slightly sweet Riesling with the dish, but the warm year Soave worked well too.
2005 Pieropan Soave Classico Superiore Calvarino Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
Gold. The nose slightly nutty (but unoaked), with a delicious bitter/herbal twist, floral and mineral. Full bodied, very ripe and shows the warm year, but still retains refreshing acidity. It lacks the crunch of the '06 tasted yesterday, but this is still a lovely drop. Long.
-Otto