2005 N Potel Savigny-les-Beaune Les Hauts Jarrons 1er, Burguundy
As dark as any S-l-B wine that I had. The nose was packed with earth, meat and slight mint. Young wine and still tannic. Cherry flavors, very good acidity, layers of cherries and strawberries, slight dusty component. Some wood, but not distracting. Quite big, but went very well with food. Not a blockbuster but certainly delivered. B+
1998 Conterno-Fantino MonPra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont
Very nice. Made of Nebbiolo and Barbera with 10% Cabenernet Sauvignon. Black plum in color with slight purplish rim. Mushroom and eucalyptus on the nose. Lots of sediment. Tannic, young, lots of oak and needs bold hearty dish - drank with some leftover oxtail braised in syrah. Softened with time in glass and revealed some nicely-ripened fruit, still oaky and big, but with good overall balance. I don’t know if adding Cabernet Sauvignon is a common thing in Piedmont wines, but I was impressed with the cabernet component that I thought contributed power and some chocolatey component . Long pleasant finish. I think this will have many more good drinking years. A-
Ramon