Had these three wines w/ Susan this weekend:
1. ArcaNova Alvarinho Vinho Regional Minho (13.5%; www.QuintaDasArcas; WineBridgeImports/Davis/CA) Quinta das Arcas/Sobrado/Valongo/Portugal 2019: Med.dark color w/ lots of bubbles that dissapate; fairly fragrant floral/carnations slight VM/resiny light earthy some interesting nose; soft rather ripe/lush some earthy slight floral/carnations bit dissolved CO2 slight resiny/phenolic bit dull/oafish flavor; med. rather earthy/coarse bit dissolved CO2 slight floral/carnations slight tangy/metallic finish; a rather oafish/dull/not at all interesting white w/ little Albarino character. $17.00 (KK)
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2. Luigi Baudana Dragon DOC: Langhe Bianco (13.5%; www.Baudana.com; 45% Chardonnay/30% Nascetta/20% Sauvignon Blanc/5% Riesling) EB by G.D.Vajra/Barolo 2021: Light gold color; quite fragrant/perfumed floral/gardenias/very R-like/mango bit spicy slight stony/mineral lovely aromatic nose; tart/tangy bit metallic fairly rich strong floral/perfumed/gardenias rather R-like/mango light stony/chalky/mineral bit complex flavor; very long/lingering lovely floral/gardenias/very R-like/mango some stony/chalky bit complex finish; shows no obvious Chard character in the nose, but maybe in the texture; a beautiful youthful very floral/aromatic white at a great price. $21.00 (KK)
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3. iruai Giallo Nebbiolo Calif (12%; https://iruaiwine.com/; Aged 90 days on the skins) MethodeSauvage/Etna 2021: Med.light color; beautiful very aromatic/Nebb/very floral/very lilacs/violets some volatile/EA that clears overnight quite pretty/lovely nose; lightly tart very perfumed/floral/violets/Nebb ligt pungent/tarry flavor w/ some tannic/bitey/hard tannins; very long bright/light very strong floral/violets/lilacs/classic Nebb light tarry/pungent finish w/ light bitey tannins; a rather Vin de Soif lovely expression of Nebb; quite a pretty wine thatcaptures the best of Nebb; not a serious Nebb but very delicious drinking w/ loads of floral/Nebb character; the EA/volatile was fairly strong but that had disappated by the next day; the tannins are definitely there in the aftertaste; might benefit from a yr or two of age but should be enjoyed now for the strong floral Nebb character.
$26.00 (SFW&S)
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More fittlestark from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. The Arca Nova is a VinhoVerde. It seems a little old to be on the shelves. Made from the Albarino grape. This kind of wine should be light & refreshing. It was not. It seemed to have some phenolic character, but may have just been too old & evolved into something strange.
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2. Dragon: This is a field blend of white grapes. In 2009, the operation of this small estate was turned over to G.D.Vajra. The strong Nascetta component gives the wine a very R-like character. Would love to see a 100% Nascetta from them.
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3. irua is a natural wine made up on the slopes of Mt.Shasta by Chad Hinds, who started down in Berkeley. He is a big fan of Alpine wines and fashions this on the likes of Nebbiolo from the Valtelline. I find this a bit of a stretch as it didn't have the richness & texture I find in great Valtelline Nebb.
This Nebbiolo will probably find few fans from Nebbiolo, B/B purists. I was quite taken by this wine because it captured the powerful fragrance that makes Nebb such a special variety to me. The tannins were definitely there, but they don't take your head off like a young B/B. Quite an interesting rendition of Nebbiolo I thought at a very good price.
Tom