Big fan of the underrated wines of Alto Adige, but this is my first Vorberg. Even at 8 years old, the deep yellow color was concerning. Looked more like a Gewurztraminer. But not to worry, the wine was in good shape. Aromatically there are peaches, hazelnuts, and a little chlorine - not in a bad, acrid way, but more in a subtle clean/fresh sense. I sometimes get this in Chablis as well. Peaches again on the palate, it's dense but not opulently fruity, rather more savory. Very long, lots of acid, and a twist of bitterness on the finish. Delicious and complex. I understand why this is considered a benchmark for the region.
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Pleasantly surprised by this, my first Mavrodaphne of Patras. Private label Total Wine brand, $12 price tag, and short fake plastic cork did not bode well. I expected something raisiny, oxidized, and overly sweet, but it was none of those things. Nice ruby color, no browning. It's fortified (15% alc) and there is some heat, but it's not boozy. It tastes more of fresh fruit than dried, and while it's noticeably sweet, the finish is relatively dry because of good acidity and some tannic bite. The appellation rules require only 51% Mavrodaphne, with the other half typically Black Corinth, a seedless variety best known as "currants" -which are actually Vitis vinifera grapes rather than genuine blackcurrants! And the aromatics and flavor of this wine definitely give a currant vibe. This is non-vintage so I don't know how old the bottle was, but I suspect it was pretty fresh. Given the crummy fake cork, I would worry that its shelf life is limited.
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Side by side with the 2014 Lanessan. Last year did the same comparison with 2010s, and Lanessan was the winner as Cantemerle came off a little chunky and overdone. This 2014 Cantemerle is in a good place: very fragrant - violets and oak - and beautifully balanced on the palate between cherry and plum fruit, pleasant tannic grip, and fresh acidity. 2014 is really a drinker's vintage, I love it. The oak is a little too much for my taste. Will follow for several days and see how it evolves. On day 2 this is similar, while the Lanessan improved. They are distinctly different, but both delicious: Cantemerle more savory and aromatic (and oakier), Lanessan more about pure fruit.
2016 Cantina Terlan Pinot Bianco Terlano Riserva Vorberg
5/1/2024 - Pellinge wrote: 92 Points
Big fan of the underrated wines of Alto Adige, but this is my first Vorberg. Even at 8 years old, the deep yellow color was concerning. Looked more like a Gewurztraminer. But not to worry, the wine was in good shape. Aromatically there are peaches, hazelnuts, and a little chlorine - not in a bad, acrid way, but more in a subtle clean/fresh sense. I sometimes get this in Chablis as well. Peaches again on the palate, it's dense but not opulently fruity, rather more savory. Very long, lots of acid, and a twist of bitterness on the finish. Delicious and complex. I understand why this is considered a benchmark for the region.
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NV Hermes Mavrodaphne Mavrodaphne of Patras
4/29/2024 - Pellinge wrote: 89 Points
Pleasantly surprised by this, my first Mavrodaphne of Patras. Private label Total Wine brand, $12 price tag, and short fake plastic cork did not bode well. I expected something raisiny, oxidized, and overly sweet, but it was none of those things. Nice ruby color, no browning. It's fortified (15% alc) and there is some heat, but it's not boozy. It tastes more of fresh fruit than dried, and while it's noticeably sweet, the finish is relatively dry because of good acidity and some tannic bite. The appellation rules require only 51% Mavrodaphne, with the other half typically Black Corinth, a seedless variety best known as "currants" -which are actually Vitis vinifera grapes rather than genuine blackcurrants! And the aromatics and flavor of this wine definitely give a currant vibe. This is non-vintage so I don't know how old the bottle was, but I suspect it was pretty fresh. Given the crummy fake cork, I would worry that its shelf life is limited.
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2014 Château Cantemerle
4/26/2024 - Pellinge wrote: 92 Points
Side by side with the 2014 Lanessan. Last year did the same comparison with 2010s, and Lanessan was the winner as Cantemerle came off a little chunky and overdone. This 2014 Cantemerle is in a good place: very fragrant - violets and oak - and beautifully balanced on the palate between cherry and plum fruit, pleasant tannic grip, and fresh acidity. 2014 is really a drinker's vintage, I love it. The oak is a little too much for my taste. Will follow for several days and see how it evolves. On day 2 this is similar, while the Lanessan improved. They are distinctly different, but both delicious: Cantemerle more savory and aromatic (and oakier), Lanessan more about pure fruit.
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