Tried these three back in KansasCity last week:
1. Rodica Refosk Slovenska Istra (12.5%; www.Rodica.Si; Vinum USA/BaskingRidge/NJ) Truske/Marezige/Slovenia 2017: Very dark color; strong Refosk/black cherry cola/black cherry/licorice/boysenberry/ripe light earthy//dusty/loamy slight graphite/mineral deep lovely Refosco nose; lightly tart slight earthy/loamy/rustic strong Refosk/black cherry cola/licorice/boysenberry/pungent slight metallic/tangy bit complex flavor w/ light bitey tannins; very long lightly tart/tangy/metallic/sharp strong Refosk/black cherry cola/licorice/pungent finish w/ light tangy tannins; a terrific expression of Refosco fruit but in a sharp/angular/rustic style; very good Refosco for the price. $17.00 (G/MT)
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2. Beton OR RW (12.5%; 55% CabFranc/16% Gamay/13% PinotNoir/11% Cot/5% Syrah; www.DivisionWineCo.com) KateNervis/TomMonroe/Portland 2019: Fairly dark color; strong herbal/CF/bit blackcurranty/slight black cherry some earthy/loamy very Loire-like nose; lightly tart/tangy somewhat herbal/CabFranc/black cherry some earthy/dusty/loamy flavor w/ modest tangy tannins; very long some herbal/CF/bit black cherry some earhy/loamy/dusty flavor w/ some tannins; needs several yrs; quite a nice replica of a Loire CabFranc. $20.00 (G/MT)
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3. Cantina Furlani Alpino Negrik VinoRosso da Vecchie Varieta di Montagna (11.5%; Negrara grape; Slctn Naturel/Ipswich/MA; www.SelectioNaturel.com) Matteo Furlani/Altopiano della Vigolana/Trentino NV: Med.dark color; rather fragrant Alpine flowers/floral/blackberry/violets some earthy/loamy bit PetiteRouge/Val d'Aosta-like rather interesting nose w/ no funkiness or natty character; quite tart/tangy/crunchy/bit metallic rather lean/austere some blackberry/floral/boysenberry rather earthy/loamy/mineral/bit graphite quite Vd'A-like but not as lush a flavor w/ modest tangy tannins; fairly long tart/tangy/crunchy some blackberry/boysenberry/licorice fairly earthy/loamy/rustic finish w/ modest hard tannins; reminds some of a Vd'A PetiteRouge but not as rich/lush and some of the hard/tangy edges of Valpolicella; an interesting rustic mountain red at a very attractive price. $20.00 (G/MT)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Rodica: This was a new producer for me. Organically farmed. You don't see many Slovenian wines from the Istrian Peninsula. Just SE of the seaside city of Koper, within view of the Adriatic. I liked this Refosk quite a bit & would like to try other of their wines.
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2. Negrara: This is a variety permitted in the Valpolicella/Bardolino wines. Seldom seen outside the Veneto & seldom bttld as a single varietal. This is a producer high in the Dolomites SE of Trentino. A "natural" winemaker. But the wines show no natty character whatsoever.
Tom