Italy
Bele Casel Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Brut NV
An attractive, rather fruit forward nose of pear and white flowers. Light but slightly sweet fruit, attractively mineral. Nice.
Bele Casel Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry NV
Pear, white fruit and mineral aromas; elegant mousse, crisp yet with noticable sugar. Attractive but I did prefer the drier Prosecco.
Bele Casel Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Millesimato Luca Ferraro 2006
The sweetest of the three proseccos today with about 20g/l. It is correct and typical in style, but rather heavy and not as refreshing as I hope Prosecco to be. Though the sugar is kept well in check, I think I would enjoy this more with less. Nice enough as it is, however.
Entusiasmo di Palazzetto Ardi Cabernet Franc 2007
Tank sample. Very correct and typical for the grape: tobacco, some herbaceousness - a bit lactic also. Leafy and juicy and very charming. No oak.
Entusiasmo di Palazzetto Ardi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Tank sample. Reductive, but correct: darker fruit than the Cab F, more tannic, less juicy but still refreshing. Possibly very nice.
Entusiasmo di Palazzetto Ardi Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
I'm not sure this was the way it was supposed to be: cranberry juice, no real Cabernet aromas. Thin.
Entusiasmo di Palazzetto Ardi Garganega 2007
Very appley, a bit funky; but great fruit, a bit oxidative, mineral, lively. Nice!
Slovenia, Goriška Brda
Klinec Quela 2005
60% Merlot, 30% Cab Sauv, 10% Cab Franc; 1 year in cherry. Bright and red toned nose, very unique profile from I guess the aging in cherry, but the fruit is very pure and charming, and obviously a Bordeaux-blend. Ripe fruit, juicy, refreshing and youthfully tannic. Very nice and very lively!
Klinec Furlanski Tokaj Pikotno 2006
Tocai friulano, 1 year in acacia. The nose is floral and a little bit candied, with quite a bit of acacia notes. Full bodied and very ripe, but with mouthwatering acidity. Very interesting stuff, but just a bit on the perfumed and candied side for my taste.
Klinec Bela Quela 2004
30% Tocai friulano, 1 year in acacia; 30% Rebula (Ribolla gialla) and 40% Chardonnay, 1 year in mulberry and finally all of this for 1,5 years in oak. Despite the unique wood regimen, the nose is very elegant, mineral and though sweetly fruity, it seems very refreshing. The palate is also elegant though quite full bodied, charming and juicy acids, quite a bit of tannins - there is much going on but it is restrained. Very good.
Klinec Verduc 2004
Verduc, autochthonous grape to Goriška Brda, 3 years in acacia. A dramatic orange colour. The nose is very spicy with some citrus and apple notes, earthiness and acacia. Very full bodied, oily but acidic, a bit alcoholic, but very interesting and very nice and very different from anything else I have tasted.
France, Savoie, Bugey
Frank Peillot Vin du Bugey Montagnieu pétillant brut NV
Very mineral, grassy, ripe and charming with some strawberry hints. Soft mousse, ripe fruit, palate cleansing acidity but not sharp. Very nice.
Frank Peillot Vin du Bugey Bugey Réserve de Jean pétillant brut NV
A lovely nose of clover, strawberry and minerals; precice, delineated, mineral and very long - and also very much fun. A lovely sparkler.
Franck Peillot Vin du Bugey Pinot Noir 2007
A peppery style of pinosity, quite light but intense; a bit tart despite the sweet fruit, persistent and has quite a personality. Not bad, but I did prefer the Mondeuse.
Franck Peillot Vin du Bugey-Montagnieu Mondeuse 2006
A really lovely wine - it is very primary and smells of dark fruit and raspberries, tobacco leaf and earth and minerals. Tannic, vibrant, tangy - very lively and really lovable.
Frank Peillot Vin du Bugey Chardonnay 2007
Extremely mineral, with some citrus and sweet, pipe tobacco notes. Citrussy, mineral yet slightly sweet palate. Nice!
Frank Peillot Roussette du Bugey Altesse de Montagnieu 2006
The nose is quite mute - a bit waxy and floral. Mineral, appley, tangy palate, quite nervous but not giving very much. A bit closed? But still nice.
Frank Peillot Roussette du Bugey Altesse de Montagnieu 2007
Very expressive nose of blackcurrant leaves, rhubarb, minerals; the palate is lively and dances around, acidic but juicy, mineral - a wine full of personality and life. Lovely.
Part II with René Geoffroy's Champagnes and many other interesting wines will be posted sometime in the near future.
-Otto