Tried this new arrival last night:
1. Oscuro Schioppettino OrsiVnyd/SonomaCnty (13.4%; www.Holdredge.com) Healdsburg 2014: Med.dark color; very strong Schiop/cherry cola/cherry/black pepper bit raspberry light smokey/oak slight earthy lovely fragrant nose; lightly tart/tangy strong cherry cola/cherry/raspberry light toasty/oak bit earthy flavor w/ light gentle tannins; very long light peppery/black pepper quite cherry cola/raspberry/cherry bit tangy bright light toasty/oak very pretty finish w/ light smooth tannins; speaks strongly of Schioppettino w/ a light peppery character; not as graphite/mineral as many Friuli Schioppettinos are; a very pretty spicy red that can go another 2-6 yrs; not as bright/light/vibrant as the Matthiasson and more Friuli-like w/o the hard/earthy/mineral tannic bite they often show; a lovely/graceful/pretty Schioppettino. $35.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Oscura: This is the label for obscure varietals used by JohnHoldredge. He produced the first Schioppettino (one of my favorite Friuli varieties) in Calif afore that vnyd was lost to Pierce's. It is now also being grown/produced by SteveMatthiasson in Napa. It's a variety they should be planting all up&down the coast of Calif.
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2. I haven't seen JohnHoldredge out here on the wine boards for quite some time. I miss his wacky sense of humor and great depth of intellect (for an attourney) that he brought to wine discussions on the Boards.
Tom