Had these three wines w/ Susan over the weekend:
1. Bodegas Puiggros Execdra Vi d'Amfor Dd'O: Catalunya (14.5%; White Grenache; Single Vnyd; www.BodegasPuiggros.com; 9600 btls; BonVibantImprts/Boise/ID) Bodegas Puiggros/Odena/Spain 2020: Light gold color; pleasant floral/GB/bit honeysuckle bit earthy/chalky fairly interesting if lightweight nose; lightly tart light GB/floral//honeysuckle slight earthy/chalky rather smooth/textured/round pleasant flavor; med. long some rich/lush/textured/smooth light chalky/earthy light GB/floral/honeyed finish; no signs of skin-contact/phenolic character whatsoever; perfectly clean & no natty character whatsoever; the amphora gives it a round/textured character; an altogether pleasant expression of GB; fairly priced at $20.50 (KK)
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2. Rainoldi Crespino IGT: Alpi Retiche Vendemmia Tardiva (Nebbiolo; EB; 14%; WinebowImprts; 10% Merlot) CasaVinicola Aldo Rainoldi/Chiuro/Valtelline 2016: Med.dark color; rather pungent/tarry/mushroomy/truffly rather floral/Nebb/lilacs/violets some earthy/dusty pretty classic Valtelline Nebb quite attractive nose; quite tart/tangy/acidic strong Nebb/floral/lilacs/spicy lightly pungent/tarry/truffly some earthy/dusty/OV some complex flavor w/ modest tangy tannins; very long/lingering strong Nebb/floral/lilacs/pungent somewhat tart/acidic bit tarry/pungent quite structured bit complex finish w/ some hard chewey tannins; needs 4-10 yrs of age; not the high-toned perfume of Langhe Nebb but a pretty classic expression of Valtelline Nebb at a very fair price.
$39.00 (KK)
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3. Christian Tschida Kapital I Austria RW (12%; Zweigelt + CabFranc; Natural Wine; U/U; no SO2; www.TschidaIllmitz.At; Jenny&Francois Slctns/NY; Aged: neutral Stockinger brls) Illmitz/Neusiedlersee/Burgenland/Austria 2020: Very dark/near black color w/ lots of tiny foamy mesmerizing bubbles that dissipate; very strong grapey/Zweigelt some herbal/CabFranc rather earthy/loamy fairly unclean/natty/quite funky rather unattractive nose; very tart/tangy/bit spritz fairly tannic/lean/austere/hurtey quite herbal/grapey/CabFranc rather earthy/loamy rather unclean/funky/natty flavor w/ ample tannins; very long quite herbal/CabFranc some grapey/Zweigelt rather funky/unclean/very natty rustic/earthy/loamy finish w/ some rough/coarse tannins; way too natty for my taste although speaks strongly of grapey/Zweigelt; nose improves/cleans up some overnight but develops a somewhat wet dog fur aftertaste; way too natty and just not a pleasant wine for me; overpriced at $41.00 (AV)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Exedra: This wines comes thru BonVivant Imprts, an importer that leans to producers of natural wines. I guess I would characterize them as natural-wines lite since most of their wines are not blatently natty in character like some importers.
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2. Rainoldi: I was quite impressed by this Nebb. One of the better Valtelling Nebbs I've had in some time. Clearly a late harvest but not a Sfursat. It reminded me a lot of the old Arturo Pellizatti Nebbs that first made me fall in love w/ Valtelline Nebb back in the early '70's.
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3. Tschida: This is one of the hot new producers in the Burgenland, specializing in natural wines. Although not blatently natty/flawed, it was just not a very pleasant wine to drink despite some redeeming features. Thank you again Jenny & Francois.
Tom