Jay Kline

9.3

Served to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe bramble fruits: a mix of blackberries and raspberries with Morello cherry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried herbs, and gravelly soil. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and delicious. Alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir or Grenache from Italy or France. Because of the high tannin and talcum powder/tar/roses combo (and the utter lack of staining), my final conclusion is: Nebbiolo; from Italy; from Piemonte; Barolo…from Monforte d’Alba. I chose 2016 because it shows good great balance of structure and fruit. Ooooof…that was too close.

“La Villa” is Fratelli Seghesio’s most precious wine and until now, I can only ever recall drinking their Barolo “classico” and Barbera d’Alba and only on a few occasions. Believe it or not, “La Villa” is the oldest, single MGA bottling from any producer in Castelletto. The name “La Villa” is an old name for an area within Castelletto when it was once a commune all to itself. The distinguishing feature of “La Villa” is the eponymous ridge that runs perpendicular with Collaretto and Vigna Rionda to the east, across the stream of Talloria di Castiglione. The vines facing south are dedicated to their Nebbiolo while the vines facing north are predominately Barbera and Dolcetto. A very tasty Barolo. Drink now through 2035. — 3 months ago

Anand Rajan

9.5

Oaky plum, sour cherry, forest floor, subtle sweet reminiscent of jasmine — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The Coquillette family is known mostly for Saint-Chamant; a house their family founded in the 1930’s. Stephane Coquillette now runs the operation and while he remains committed to his focus on Chardonnay for Saint-Chamant, his desire to work with Pinot Noir is expressed through his eponymous label.

Popped and poured; no formal notes. The “Cuvee Les Cles” is a Blanc de Noirs exclusively sourced from the village of Aÿ and therefore 100% Grand Cru. It’s a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir with a lovely mix of strawberries and raspberries. The fruit profile was generous which gave it an almost round impression even though the dosage was rather modest at 5g/l. The finish was rich and very enjoyable. A very lovely way to start the evening.
— a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

My fair and humble State is very fortunate to get what we get but when it comes to Azienda Agricola Montevertine, we often get plenty of the eponymous Montevertine and even our fair share of Pergole Torte. However, when it comes to Pian del Ciampolo, we seem to get slighted. Maybe the restaurants hoard it all? Anyway, I was able to get my hands on this one without much effort and I’m so happy I did.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Delightful on both. Th enable is slightly different for the 2019 vintage in order to celebrate what would have been Sergio Manetti's 100th birthday. The wine pours a beautiful ruby color, medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is intense and complex with crushed raspberries, cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, bergamot, dried herbs, dusty earth, wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin, medium+ acid and confirmed the tart red fruits, dried herbs, orange citrus, and earth. Long satisfying finish that is somewhat savory. It does seem to gain just a little weight on Day 2 which was, for this palate, well received. A lovely, and classic example of Chianti Classico (though it’s not labeled as such). Killer with food yet lovely on its own as well. Drink now and over the next 10 years. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

This is my 3000th tasting note on Delectable so I suppose I should celebrate by opening something fun. Flaccianello? Ovviamente!

While it’s labeled an IGT and colloquially considered a Super Tuscan, Flaccianello delle Pieve could legally be labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva. However, Giovanni Manetti of Azienda Agricola Fontodi opts not to do so (despite the fact that he’s the current Chairman of the Conzorsio). The name, “Flaccianello delle Pieve” comes from the eponymous single-vineyard; the original source of grapes. However, around the turn of the millennium, Flaccianello became a blend of Fontodi’s best fruit throughout the estate. Over all the years, despite the changes in fruit source and aging regimen, Flaccianello remains 100% Sangiovese and 100% Panzano in Chianti.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2011 pours a deep, translucent garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, raspberries, red flowers, leather, mushrooms, cigar box, menthol, organic earth and wonderful fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, delicious and warming as the alcohol is pretty elevated. But whoa…what a beauty.

Okay, yeah…this is a modern take on Chianti Classico but my goodness, this is undeniably delicious and unabashedly Italian. Back in 2011, Flaccianello was aged in a combination of barriques from Troncais and Allier, all 100% new; an era that was arguably the most modern for this wine. Over the last 10 or so years however, there has been a shift towards less time in new barrique and large casks have now been introduced for the last six months of cellar aging. While I look forward to trying some of these more contemporary examples, I am very impressed with this 2011 and expect it will continue to show well through 2035. — 3 months ago

Martinez

9.1

Blend of different types of Palomino (Palomino Fino, Palomino Jerez and Palomino Pelusón) from a single vineyard within the Pago de Carrascal, in Sanlúcar (not to be confused with the eponymous Carrascal in Jerez, further inland). Located to the south of Miraflores, this is one of the most Atlantic influenced Pagos in Sanlucar, and also one of the first to be replanted after phylloxera – with vines over 100+ years old. Elegant, mineral, saline — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured, consumed over two days and was consistent throughout though it did seem to gain power on Day 2. I believe that Cesare sources his fruit from Roberto Voerzio’s holdings in Fossati but I don’t know that for certain; perhaps @Lyle Fass can confirm that for me. The 2018 “Fossati” from Cesare Bussolo, pours a bright, luminous garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is incredibly expressive and immediately noticeable on the pour. Notes of red and black fruits: Luxardo cherry, blackberries with fresh Colorado peaches, roses (loads of roses), dried green herbs, orange zest, dusty earth, and faint baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. There’s a lovely, firm texture to this wine and it comes across juicy which is really quite compelling. Alcohol is medium+ and comes across a little hot for my liking but I don’t find it distracting. All of the notes from the nose are confirmed with a long, dry and slightly bitter tannic finish. This is my first experience with Cesare Bussolo’s eponymous Barolo and I’m intrigued, particularly considering my impression is based off a 2018. I wouldn’t hesitate to drink now if you’re going to allows some significant air otherwise this will show better after 2025 and likely drink well through 2038 and likely well beyond that.
— a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Foillard’s “Cuvée Corcelette” comes from the eponymous climate in Morgan where Jean’s holdings include vines over 80 years of age. This is a stunning wine that is so Foillard in style: fresh and deep.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Consistent over both days but seemed to round out a little more on Day 2. The wine pours a deep, hazy ruby with a near opaque core and an almost fuchsia rim; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes of macerated raspberries, red flowers, carrot juice, celery root, chanterelles, granitic earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and so easy to love. Super balanced. Drink now and over the next 10+ years. — 6 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The ‘22 Karatas from Bedrock is a Bordeaux blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from their eponymous vineyard. Pale gold with a nose full of honeysuckle and orchard fruit. That’s backed by mouth-filling melon and pear with a noticeable backbone. Excellent. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

This used to be Montevertine’s “second” wine (after Pergole Torte, obviously) but the vineyard was torn out and replanted in 1998. After that, their eponymous bottling was elevated to take its place while “Pian del Ciampolo” eventually became the “third” wine. Truthfully, they are all three different expressions of Radda so don't take my numerical rankings as a hierarchy of quality (though one could certainly make arguments in terms of importance). I digress, “Il Sodaccio” is producing fruit once again however, the singular expression is now history. This bottle represents “Il Sodaccio’s” swan song.

From magnum. Opened about four hours prior to service. The 1997 “Il Sodaccio” pours a garnet color moving to a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous but surprisingly spry given it’s a quarter century old. The fruit is more or less a mix of ripe and dried cherries, red plums, curaçao, cacao, porcini, dusty earth and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins that have well integrated but still there. Acid is medium as well. Confirming the notes from the nose. The fruit is round while the finish is long and a touch savory. A lovely expression of Montevertine that extolls the virtues of the 1997 vintage with its abundant fruit and soft, friendly character. I mentioned to our guests that this bottle gave me the feeling of a warm hug from an old friend. Drinking well now and while I don’t expect further positive development, this magnum certainly has the legs for another 10 years. — a year ago