Stopped by the Idlewild tasting room last Fri and tried the new reds release w/ Tom:
1. Idlewild Dolcetto FoxHillVnyd/MendoCnty (12.4%; www.IdlewildWines.com) 2017: Med.color; very fragrant briht/Dolcetto/grapey/plummy/high-toned light earthy very pretty nose; lightly tart very perfumed bright/high-toned/grapey/plummy/Dolcetto/spicy light earthy/loamy flavor w/ light gentle tannins; very long/lingering grapey/plummy/Dolcetto/spicy/bright bit earthy/loamy finish w/ light tannins; lots of high-toned Dolcetto fruit; maybe Sam's best Dolcetto yet; very fairly priced at $30.00
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2. Idlewild Barbera FoxHillVnyd/MendoCnty (14.4%) 2017: Med.dark color; very fragrant/spicy/Barbera/bit fennel/Italian sausage slight earthy lovely nose; lightly tart/tangy bright/very spicy/Barbera/Italian sausage slight earthy flavor w/ modest tangy tannins; very long/lingering quite spicy/Barbera/Italian sausage/black cherry light earthy finish w/ modest tannins; loads of spicy Barbera fruit; not quite as hard/angular as previous Barberas; lovely Barbera. $40.00
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3. Idlewild Nebbiolo FoxHillVnyd/MendoCnty (13.9%) 2016: Light bit orange color; very fragrant floral/lilacs/violets/Nebb slight earthy/pungent beautiful perfumed nose; very tart/tangy/bit acidic very bright/floral/lilacs/Nebb/violets/rose petal/spicy light earthy/pungent/tarry high-toned flavor w/ modest tangy tannins; very long/lingering bright/floral/vilets/lilacs/Nebb slight earthy finish w/ some bitey tannins; needs several yrs yet. $50.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. These wines were just released this Tues to non-club members. Another terrific Idlewild release. Sam's hitting on all cylinders these days.
I really liked the new Nebb. Lots of that fragrant floral Nebb fruit. Seems a bit lighter than previous versions. Reminds a lot of the Vajra JC Clare Langhe Nebb in it strongly perfumey character. Still has the structure to age well.
Whilst I was tasting there w/ Tom, he introduced me to a new cheese. The Castelmagno from the NW Piemonte. Mostly cow's milk w/ a bit of sheep & goat. A very rustic Alpine blu cheese. Not a lt of the blue mold, only in the centre of the wheel. Beautiful rustic/Alpine blue.
Tom