WTN: joyless wines

Joy as in wines that give pleasure, happiness, to the user. Ones that make you want another glass, and say 'damn, this is good sheeit'. These were the opposite of those. 3 strikes in 2 nights, not a good batting average.

Domaine de la Butte, Bourgeil, 'la Haut de la Butte', 2005
Low-level TCA that hides through Brett-like aromas, and that gets worse the more airtime it is given. Chuck-a-hoy. Pity, some nice ripe fruit lurking.

Livio Felluga, Colli Orientali del Friuli, 'Terre Alte', 2004
A white blend from Friuli that is a) overpriced, b) not very interesting. Butterscotched pears and oak flavors...simplish. Not worth the $40+ pricetag.
Drinkable, but like sleeping tablets. B

Famille Peillot, Bugey, Mondeuse, 2006
The perfumey nose is probably the best thing going on here, revealing a cinnamon-flavored toothpick that morphs into patchouli with airing. This burlap bag of a wine is pretty tough and charmless, rather like a school bully who uses toughness to impress. Like drinking a mouthwash of calcareous earth and wild American persimmon, and accompanied by the mouth puckering tannins it would suggest. Not sure if it needs malo or age to soften, but would probably make a great vinegar. B-

Hi Mark -

Too bad about those wines. The Livio Felluga wines are rather pricey, so I haven't tried any of them yet, but your note is not encouraging. Nor have I had a Bugey Mondeuse yet, but if Modeuse is indeed related to Refosco, I would have expected it to be much more accessible by now, and not nearly as tannic and austere.

Anyway, I hope that the next few wines that you open will be much better than these were.