2011 Bodega Masies d'Avinyó Picapoll “Abadal” Plà de Bagés
Full-bodied, round, well balanced, with moderate acidity; shows citrus, lemon drop, mineral, saline, and lees notes, with a slightly grassy finish. Very good - more interesting than the Picpoul de Pinets I've had in the past.
2011 Domaine Serge Dagueneau et Filles Pouilly-sur-Loire “La Centenaire”
From Chasselas vines which are almost 120 years old. Very interesting nose of cinnamon sugar and yellow flowers. This is moderately full-bodied, bone dry, nicely balanced, with good underlying acidity. Chalky, mineral, and saline, with lemon, grassy, and herbal notes; hints of honey and bitterness; almost like Soave meets Loire Sauvignon on the palate. Seems to have the structure to last for a few years. Excellent.
2010 Monsecco Colline Novaresi DOC Vespolina “Barbatasso”
An unusual 100% Vespolina offers a chance to experience this traditional northern Piemontese variety on its own. This is full-bodied, round, elegant, dry, and well-balanced; moderately tannic, with good underlying acidity. Shows aromas and flavors of sour cherries, plums, black pepper, and alpine air throughout. Quite enjoyable now, though there is no reason this won’t keep for at least several more years.
2005 Arnaldo-Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Collepiano”
Full-bodied, round, ripe, nicely balanced, with smooth, lush tannins; shows notes of dark berries, cherries, black plums, roses, cocoa, and spices. Definitely a more modern style that Bea, but still highly appealing. Excellent.
2005 Arnaldo-Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Venticinque Anni”
Smoky/earthy/spicy nose. Full-bodied, round, ripe, nicely balanced, a bit more structured than the Collepiano, with bigger, silky tannins. Displays notes of cherries, black fruits, and roses, plus hints of spices, truffles, cocoa, and vanilla. Excellent.
1998 Freie Weingärtner Wachau Spitzer Singerriedel Riesling Smaragd
Full-bodied, ripe, rather fleshy, bone dry, well balanced, with notes of apricots, minerals, honey, leafy herbs, flowers, nuts, and smoke. More sharply mineral on Day 2. Excellent.