2001 Gulfi, Nero d’Avola Neroàccarj:
Considerable sediment; big wine but not overdone; milk chocolate and dark fruit on the nose, slightly tart dark fruit in the mouth and plenty of length. Still shows most on its primary side but has more depth and complexity than at release and maybe the beginnings of secondary development. Will hold a long time; not your typical nero.
1999 Hirtzberger, Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel:
For those who know Austrian wine it will be no surprise that I think this is great wine – a fine producer, superb terroir and a terrific vintage. What may surprise though, is the elegance and freshness here – there is nothing outsized, angular or muted; it is as though it were bottled yesterday at the peak of its aging curve. Depth, balance, precision and above all focus – like a beam of light that has been minutely adjusted to fit the taster alone. When a wine is this centered and pure, all the other stimuli around wanes; it’s a beautiful thing.
1999 Bizot, Vosne-Romanée VV:
Sauvage nose with a raw meat, olive, curry spice core surrounded by red fruit – expansive and intriguing; slightly attenuated in the mouth but delivering the same kind of experience as the nose, moderate concentration and intensity; excellent length. We surmise that this bottle still needs time in the cellar but we also finish it over the course of dinner. 12.5% abv.
Best, Jim