Cowhorn, Rhys, some Italians, ++

Pronzo's
Tasted Sunday, April 6, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 491 views

Introduction

My wife and I joined two other couples for dinner last night at a local Italian restaurant. Since they do not hold a liquor license, BYO is allowed. We had a great time with talking about life, wine, NCAA basketball and sports. Very casual indeed. As for the wines:

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

2009 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 91 Points

USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

Their basic Chard. This has developed since release. It is rounder with more oak than the single vineyard stuff but still very nice. Light gold/silver in color. The nose has some lemons and a bit of vanilla/Crème Brule. It is round and while not flabby, not crisp either. It is quite tasty. Going back later in the evening, it shows some depth too. Still drinking quite well, no hurry on this. I wonder how this will compare with the Alescia Chards.

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2012 Cowhorn Viognier 91 Points

USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley

My first time trying this winery or hearing of this appellation (Applegate Valley) in southern Oregon. Light silvery gold in color. On the nose this has some pear and some floral notes. Its nose has a familiar California note to it, but unlike many of those which I find too hot this one does not cross that line. It has 14.4 Alc, but there is not sign of it. It does seem to have some sweetness, whether that is RS or or just ripe fruit I don't know. The wine does have a lot of body and a full, creamy mouthfeel. Very enjoyable wine.

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2011 Freeman Chardonnay Ryo-fu 90 Points

USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

More of a traditional California Chardonnay. It is not over the top though. The nose has peaches, vanilla, and slight toast. Full and round on the palate. Seems to be at peak. A bit of heat on the finish. Peach and citrus with some vanilla. A nice wine and if you like this style, probably better than I scored it.

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Flight 2 (5 Notes)

2000 Château l'Ancien 87 Points

France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol

This is drinking quite well, and I am sure must be at peak. Purple in color. The nose has dark cherries and dark chocolate. Medium bodied. Not much complexity with not noticeable tannins. Good cherry fruit though. A bit of acidity which works well with food. My wife, who has new world tastes really enjoyed it. I found it simple but enjoyable. At this age, I would have either expected complexity or falling apart, this was neither. Still, I would drink these up.

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2004 Stefano Farina Barolo 91 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

Like seeing an old friend. I drank a bunch of these back in the 90's, but its been a long time since I have seen them. This used to be a nice value Barolo that outperformed. I don't know what it costs anymore, but it still is performing well. Light ruby in color. The nose is dusty with cherries and some floral notes. Medium bodied and showing slight complexity. Not yet at peak, there is some development to go. Nice cherries layered with a bit of tea/earth. Nice acidity. Nice finish.

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2006 Passopisciaro Passopisciaro 90 Points

Italy, Sicily, Sicilia

Drinking very well and still very young. I had hoped for a bit more from this in terms of development, so perhaps it needs more time. Nice cherries on the nose with a bit of floral notes. Juicy acidity. On the palate, cherries that fill up the palate, but not layering at all. Nice long finish. It is a very good wine that was the victim of higher expectations. There were still a couple of glasses left (probably more than any other bottle), so I will see how it is later today.

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1996 Parusso Barolo Mariondino 94 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

Wow. This was a great showing IMO for this bottle and easily the best wine on the table (and the only one emptied completely). This was allowed to breath for an hour, then decanted for about 30 minutes. Light ruby in color. The nose is great with cherries, dusty attic, roses, dried roses, dried cherries and crushed asphalt. Medium bodied. Layers of complexity. At peak right now. Cherries, dried cherries, earth, crushed leaves. Balanced acidity. Long finish. Certainly, one needs to appreciate an aged wine, but this is not dried out nor decrepit. If you have any, open a bottle now.

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2007 Igino Accordini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Bessole 90 Points

Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

A very interesting Amarone. The nose has fresh cherries, slight cherry jam and some shaved chocolate. Medium bodied. Dry with not hints of sweetness nor any of raisins. Cherries mostly but still plenty of oak and soft tannins. It is enjoyable to drink for sure, but drinks more like a Valpo. I would be curious to see what happens to this with age.

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