Morot, Beane, 'Cent Vignes', 2001
Probably my third time since release, and this time coming close to being resolved, with a pretty light cranberry red color with an autumn leaf accent, aromas of cherry and Kool-cigarette menthol, flavors of faded cherry, mushroom, a slight vanilla, and sprightly acidity. Time has been kind to this, compared to the last Morot 01 I had which was in a hard and difficult place. B+
Lahorcade, Jurançon, 'Cancaillau', 2001
A sticky that's not so sweet! Aromas of durian whiff, buttered something (can't read my own writing!), ginger sauce, cattail. Viscous in the glass, with mashed fresh apricots, durian, burnt tapioca and a slight quinine edge on the finish, which is long and only presents a mid-level sweetness. Interesting sweet wine. B+/A-
Marcarini, Dolcetto d'Alba, 'Boschi di Berri', 2004
Dolcetto from the famous pre-phylloxera-era vines. Purplish, Black Arkansas apple-skin color. Muddy Yunnan black tea aromas, with plum highlight. Plummy licorice in the mouth with Campari amaro notes on the end. Better than a previous bottle only a year ago, but best bottle yet was when it came out. 13% B+
Scacciadiavoli, Montefalco di Sagrantino, 2004
Black cherry color. Black fruits with a perfumed nuance. Strapping black fruits, slight licorice, with chewy tannins and thyme/rosemary on the finish. Despite being approachable now, this needs to settle down some. 14.5%
Finca Allende, Rioja, 'Pago del Calvario', 1999
Bright cherryish red. Red fruit and cardamom on the nose, but one sip reveals this is a flawed wine, marked by volatile acidity. But even taking the VA issues into account, this is not really a wine style I enjoy: cherry vanilla milkshake with frothy foam intact, with ample pomegranite seed-like acidity and oak spice. Modern to a T. B+
Serafin, Gevrey-Chambertin, 'les Corbeaux', 2001
Nose of cherrybark and anisette sponge toast. Plenty of toasty charred oak and that same anisette toast and cherrybark, with blackberry pulp. Tannin still noticeable and coarse. B
Peter Jakob Kühn, Oestrich Doosberg, riesling-trocken, 2006
Flatish medium to light gold colored. Initially a sulfurish/reduced nose from the screwcap bottle, but blows off in a few minutes to reveal lime, tangerine peel, and juniper on the sharp attack. More comes through on the palate, with juniper-yew bush, wooden salt paddle, kiwi fruit and dolce limon on the finish. Impressive for it's staying power despite being light in feel. Bone dry. 13% A-
Altesino, Brunello di Montalcino, 1997
Medium-dark maroonish color. Cedar-leather vanilla and forest floor on both the nose and palate, cinnamon, nutmeg/allspice toward the finish.Still showing young, but mellowing nicely.
This comes together better than my meagre description makes it. Very good. 13.5% A-