N. Relatively crisp, saline fruit, toast, orange and lemon peel. Takes on more weight after the '07 Russiz Superiore. P. Orange and lemon with some golden and green apples.
N. A bit richer than the P.G., a touch of funk, but stony and saline. Ben hit it on the head...this is really smelling like Chablis (Ben specifies further and says it smells like Raveneau to him)! P. Palate mirrors the nose with sunny acidity and a really nice richness on the finish that isn't as recognizeable in the front.
Note: Jermann varies the blend from vintage to vintage, but predominantly Ribolla.
N. Crisp, mineral, effervescence and salinity--so fresh! Floral notes begin to show...little white clover flowers. (Is everything giving me saline today?!) P. Palate mirrors the nose but with additional stoniness. So light and pretty. I'd actually like to try this with oysters!
A. Bright amber. Seriously, I expect to see little mosquitos trapped in it. N. So odd...iodine and ocean (I mean the fish, the seaweed, a little of the salinity...) Strange cross between weak orange and apricot. Starts to pick up some floral notes a couple of hours in. P. The weight of the palate and its uniformly solid lens of distribution is something I've never encountered before...like liquid concrete coating my tongue. Noticeable tannin. Ok, I start getting orange flower and linden honey. Becomes more and more intriguing with every sip...but undeniably the weirdest wine I've ever had.
Note: approx. 2 years fermentation in terracotta amphorae lined with beeswax.
N. A little green, a little bacon over pretty fruit. Starts picking up a bit of leather. Takes on a little soy-tossed veggies. P. Mirrors nose but with lovely cherry predominant.
N. Indicative of palate texture. Dense, calm fruit. P. Saline, clear fruit. (But I'm starting to wonder, because I'm getting saline on everything but the reds tonight...)
N. Brighter fruit than Inama Soave Classico. Rich with a little cheese, honey, and clover flower. P. Rich fruit, intensely nutty. Love the palate weight!
(This and the Pieropan La Rocca are my two favorite Soaves, and this one, in particular pairs wonderfully with powerful cheeses.)
2006 Jermann Pinot Grigio
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli
N. Relatively crisp, saline fruit, toast, orange and lemon peel. Takes on more weight after the '07 Russiz Superiore.
P. Orange and lemon with some golden and green apples.
Notes: Sits on the lees for approx. 6 months.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2005 Jermann Ribolla Gialla Vinnae
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
N. A bit richer than the P.G., a touch of funk, but stony and saline. Ben hit it on the head...this is really smelling like Chablis (Ben specifies further and says it smells like Raveneau to him)!
P. Palate mirrors the nose with sunny acidity and a really nice richness on the finish that isn't as recognizeable in the front.
Note: Jermann varies the blend from vintage to vintage, but predominantly Ribolla.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Villa Russiz Collio Friulano Russiz Superiore
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio
N. Crisp, mineral, effervescence and salinity--so fresh! Floral notes begin to show...little white clover flowers. (Is everything giving me saline today?!)
P. Palate mirrors the nose but with additional stoniness. So light and pretty. I'd actually like to try this with oysters!
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2003 Gravner Breg Anfora
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
A. Bright amber. Seriously, I expect to see little mosquitos trapped in it.
N. So odd...iodine and ocean (I mean the fish, the seaweed, a little of the salinity...) Strange cross between weak orange and apricot. Starts to pick up some floral notes a couple of hours in.
P. The weight of the palate and its uniformly solid lens of distribution is something I've never encountered before...like liquid concrete coating my tongue. Noticeable tannin. Ok, I start getting orange flower and linden honey. Becomes more and more intriguing with every sip...but undeniably the weirdest wine I've ever had.
Note: approx. 2 years fermentation in terracotta amphorae lined with beeswax.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2006 Jermann Pinot Nero Red Angel on the Moonlight Venezia Giulia IGT
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
N. A little green, a little bacon over pretty fruit. Starts picking up a bit of leather. Takes on a little soy-tossed veggies.
P. Mirrors nose but with lovely cherry predominant.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Inama Soave Classico Vin Soave
Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
N. Indicative of palate texture. Dense, calm fruit.
P. Saline, clear fruit. (But I'm starting to wonder, because I'm getting saline on everything but the reds tonight...)
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2006 Inama Soave Classico Vigneti di Foscarino
Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
N. Brighter fruit than Inama Soave Classico. Rich with a little cheese, honey, and clover flower.
P. Rich fruit, intensely nutty. Love the palate weight!
(This and the Pieropan La Rocca are my two favorite Soaves, and this one, in particular pairs wonderfully with powerful cheeses.)
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Corte Gardoni Bardolino Le Fontane
Italy, Veneto, Bardolino
A. Translucent magenta.
N. Red licorice, clear pretty fruit and black pepper.
P. So pretty, light, bright, spicy and clear fruited.
The Italian Gamay. E vero.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore
Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore
N. Ben says it perfectly, "Starts off candied and becomes more almondine."
P. Lemon candy with persistent minerality.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Velenosi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Quattro Mani
Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
N. Berry pie. Concentrated mixed berries with a golden shortening-rich crust.
P. Mirrors nose, but with a little more spice on it.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2004 Fattoria La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Spelt
Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
N. Cola with a little funk and leather. Cold roast beef.
P. Tons of leather, smoke, and charcoal over dusty cherry.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2005 Binomio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
N. A light cooked, buttered green bean with leather and cola.
P. Neo-Nick says, "Polished," and I totally agree. So easy drinking.
Note: 35 y.o. bush-trained vines.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2004 Masseria Li Veli Passamante
Italy, Puglia, Salice Salentino
N. Honestly, spaghettios.
P. Raspberry barbecue sauce.
Weak.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Masseria Li Veli Orion Salento IGT
Italy, Puglia, Salento IGT
N. Ashtray. At best, cedar burnt to hell. Maybe, to be nice, a cigarette put out on a ripe raspberry.
P. Cigarette butts.
My god, please don't make me drink this ever again.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2006 Inama Vulcaia Après Vino Dolce
Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
Lovely honey and sugar-coated roasted almonds and concentrated apricot. The weight on this is perfect--no tummy on this sweetheart!
Note: Late harvest S.B. with botrytis in acacia wood.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No