Normally I'm not going to trump my own notes made a few months earlier. But I found tonight's version ever so slightly more accessible on the nose and palate, yielding brighter primary dark fruits, a mountainous vein of smoky, volcanic minerality, and that tell-tale aglianico tannic jaw-snapper of a finish. This remains way too young (duh, it was this way 5 months ago) but once in a while it's fun to revel in that sheer imposing face: like climbing El Capitan as if I knew...
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I suspected it would be too young, but with some leftover short ribs it seemed like a fair contest for this Taurasi gladiator. Opaque at the center with dark plum color lightening as it reaches the rim. Initially the nose is a head-snapping mix of ripe red fruits and alcohol. It's very tight in the mouth and has the quality given the pervasive tannins of feeling like someone just delivered a haymaker. With some air the aromas and flavors start to settle and notes of smoky earth, minerals, fig and plum jam emerge, but the tannins are aglianico tannins and block the plate (palate?) like an all-star catcher. 14% alcohol labeled, and if true, shows you don't have to bludgeon the wine with alcohol to deliver body and depth. Young? Yes, but more like Mighty Joe Young than Loretta. Fun to watch this brute evolve.
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7/5/2016 - Thomas B wrote: 89 Points
Little in the nose but earth tones, dark fruit and a hint tart blueberry.
Good food match but only fair as an aperitif.
Good quality/price ratio.
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4/29/2016 - bevetroppo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Normally I'm not going to trump my own notes made a few months earlier. But I found tonight's version ever so slightly more accessible on the nose and palate, yielding brighter primary dark fruits, a mountainous vein of smoky, volcanic minerality, and that tell-tale aglianico tannic jaw-snapper of a finish. This remains way too young (duh, it was this way 5 months ago) but once in a while it's fun to revel in that sheer imposing face: like climbing El Capitan as if I knew...
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12/4/2015 - bevetroppo Likes this wine: 91 Points
I suspected it would be too young, but with some leftover short ribs it seemed like a fair contest for this Taurasi gladiator. Opaque at the center with dark plum color lightening as it reaches the rim. Initially the nose is a head-snapping mix of ripe red fruits and alcohol. It's very tight in the mouth and has the quality given the pervasive tannins of feeling like someone just delivered a haymaker. With some air the aromas and flavors start to settle and notes of smoky earth, minerals, fig and plum jam emerge, but the tannins are aglianico tannins and block the plate (palate?) like an all-star catcher. 14% alcohol labeled, and if true, shows you don't have to bludgeon the wine with alcohol to deliver body and depth. Young? Yes, but more like Mighty Joe Young than Loretta. Fun to watch this brute evolve.
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