Still trying to catch up on tasting notes...
Pio Cesare Barolo 1964
Quite a lot of sediment. Light orange-ruby colour. Quite dry blood and blonde orange, raspberry, a bit chutney-like fruit, acids and “sweetness” (if any), with a touch of acetone-tinged Sherry volatility. A touch of stale ginger. Tannic, neither in a coarse nor particularly memorable way. Tiny tobacco top note with airing. Now already noticeably over the hill, if still drinkable. Significantly better the following day (around lunch time), with the minor volatility almost wholly blown off, firmer fruit and sweetness (albeit still not too much of either), and nicely firm and now more flavourful, a bit Orange Pekoe black tea like tannin. Longer on the finish, too. Rating: 83-
Palari di Salvatore Geraci Santa.Nè 2001
Thanks to Oliver. Must admit I had forgotten I tasted this wine at a trade tasting three and a half years ago, but I am coming to the same conclusion again: that it is too expensive for what it is. Theoretically interesting since a blend of several indigenous grape varieties (aged 18 months in barrique). A touch pruney ruby-black. Medium concentration. Some (almost gamy) superripeness (here: what the French call “surmaturité”) on the nose. Heavy florality if any. Some cured/dried beef. Faint mineral dust. Dried woodear mushroom. Medium body and length. A bit flat (as Oliver said, this used to be more attractive, even if it was never too complex). Straightforward albeit not bland, faintly dry tannin, soft acidity. Rating: 89-/88
Christos Kokkalis Landwein von Ilia Trilogia 2005
Thanks to Oliver. Aged one year in French barrique, we were told afterwards, but then, this fascinating wine’s identity was impossible to guess anyhow. Purple-ruby, almost opaque. Unique spiciness and pretty roasted herbs, a heavy florality and dried olive to dried lamb or beef, tiny sweet marzipan to blackcurrant of Valpolicella-like sweetness and thickness, concentrated wine with good body and nice tannin. Thick and rich yet tannic. Some underlying minerality. Quite long. The 14% alcohol is well integrated. Closed down with airing, still youthful. Drink or hold. Rating: 92+/93(+?)
Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti