Wine Tasting Group - Winemaker Decisions - June 8, 2019

We had a great night with lots of lively conversations. Julie kindly hosted us with a great spread of cheeses, crackers, salads, and lasagna. The theme was Winemaking Decisions and I think it worked pretty well overall. There was even talk of continuing this theme with other areas of winemaking decisions. We had several nice representatives of the categories. A great learning experience.

With cheese and cracker appetizers.

• NV Sorelle Bronca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry 87 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

  L8149T - Prosecco made by Charmat method - secondary fermentation for bubbles occur in large pressurized stainless steel tanks (rather than in bottle as in traditional Champagne method) often with a little residual sugar left. Mild yeasty/brioche aromas with citrus and tart apples. The palate is more mellow with ripe apples, mild bread/brioche flavors. Nice bubbles add a welcome texture to the wine. Relatively simple but very gulpable.

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• NV Case Paolín Asolo Prosecco Col Fondo 88 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Asolo Prosecco

  L1217 - made in the traditional Col Fundo method that was used for Prosecco before 1895 - secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle but is not disgorged (as in Champagne) so there is lees still in the bottle. Nice effervescence, almost a pet-nat or frizzante level of bubbles rather than Champagne. A bit of funk on the nose with granny smith apple and hints of ginger aromas. Palate is drier than the Sorelle charmat method prosecco with tart apples, ginger, and spices. Finishes with bitter pith and ginger flavors. More lively and interesting than the chermat method Sorelle.

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With salads and lasagne, along with more cheeses and crackers.

• 2017 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie Les Gras Moutons 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie

  Sur lie method. Slow ox'ed for 2h. Full aromas of apples, minerals, hints of honeysuckle and citrus. Nice strong mineral presence on the palate with gala apples, herbs, and grapefruit. Palate has a moderately broad texture despite the excellent acids. Lacks a bit of concentration though. Still very nice. 90+

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• 2017 Campi di Fonterenza Le ragazze 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Hand carried by Michael M. from Italy. Skin contact fermentation of Vermetino, Malvasia and Trebbiano. A: Some reductive burnt matchstick aromas, herbs, gingerl, apples, and unripe white peaches. Palate has more unripe white peaches, honeysuckle, and flowers. A mildly waxy mouthfeel with a mild hint of tannins on the finish that suggest the skin contact during fermentation.

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• NV Anne et Jean-Francois Ganevat Q-roulé 90 Points

  France, Vin de France

  No Sulfur. Can't find much information the grapes although 1 website mentioned poulsard. Hint of reductive aromas, some green stems, spices and black fruit. Palate has more ripe blackberries and black cherries, flowers, baking spices, cinnamon, and earth. Mild tannins with nice acids on an elegant frame. 90+

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• 2011 Julien Sunier Morgon 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon

  Carbonic macerated Beaujolais - Decanted for 2h then back into bottle. Bright red and black aromas with flowers, earth and a hint of reduction. There is bright, crunchy red and black fruits on the palate, spices and flowers. Excellent concentration and nice depth of flavors.

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• 2011 Clos de Mez Morgon Chateau Gaillard 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon

  Non-carbonic macerated Beaujolais - traditional Burgundian winemaking. Decanted for 2h then back into bottle. Aromas of black fruit with more bass notes that the Sunier Morgon.Spices and fruit round out the aromas. Tart blackberries, earth, and spices on the palate. More bass notes here on the palate, both in regards to the fruit and earth. Not has crunchy or joyful as the Sunier but gives the impression of more gravitas. Excellent depth and concentration. Nicely done.

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• 2017 Visintini Friuli Colli Orientali Friulano 91 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Colli Orientali

  From friulano grapes from Friuli, Italy made in stainless steel. Apple and white peach aromas, lychee, and flowers. Nice moderately tart apples, unripe peaches with flowers and herbs on the palate. A bit of spritz as well. Finishes with a bitter pith that balances the wine nicely.

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• 2014 Klinec Jakot Villa De Mandan 91 Points

  Slovenia, Primorska, Goriška Brda

  Village of Medana, Goriksa Brda appellation, Slovenia. Made from Friulano grapes with skin contact maceration and fermentation in concrete tanks, aged in acacia casks (?). Nice aromas of white peaches, flowers and hint of beeswax. Tart apples on the palate with more flowers and a hint of nutty oxidation. Razor-like acid with a hint of mild tannins. Excellent. 91+

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• 2010 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Cune Gran Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Dill and mild coconut aromas with tart blackberries and herbs. More tart black fruits on hte palate with mild coconut and hints of dill. Mild to moderate tannins. Drinking nicely but still very young.

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• 2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 88 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Tempranillo 70%, garnacha 20%, mazuelo and graciano 10%. Prominent vanilla aromas with dark fruits, earth and mint. Ripe blackberries, vanilla, earth, and herbs on the palate. Mouthfeel is smooth, almost "velvet".

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• 2011 Dow Porto Late Bottled Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Not much in the way of aromas. Raisins, figs, cassis, honey and rich chocolate on the palate. Prominent tannins from midpalate onward. Drinks young to me and I imagine that ageing this would allow at least the tannins to soften, if not gain in complexity.

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• NV Dow Porto Crusted 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  In general, a rare rendition where grapes are aged in large wooden vats for several years and then bottled without filtration and cellared for several years before release. The wine develops a "crust" or sediment in the bottle. Bottled in 2004. Aromas of mild prunes, mildly sweet figs, and flowers. Palate again has figs and prunes with a nice earthy component. Mouthfeel is mellow and creamy.

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• NV Graham Porto 10 Year Old Tawny 88 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Aromas of mellow figs and raisins. Palate follows with mellow figs and a mild earthiness. Smooth mouthfeel. A nice drink after dinner.

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• NV Graham Porto 20 Year Old Tawny 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Aromas of nuts, midl figs and herbs. Palate is mellow but more complex than the 10 yr Tawny with mild figs, hints of honey and citrus, and almond skin. Very nice acids to keep this lively despite the sweetness and alcohol.

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