Jay Kline

9.1

BTG at Howard Street Wine Merchants. The 2017 Prapò pours a deep ruby with a garnet rim and a transparent, but nearly opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with no staining on the tears. On the nose, this was initially funky stewed cherries, Twizzlers and tar. The fruit profile seemed to freshen up with some air and along came a dozen dark red roses, leather, dried herbs, orange zest, and some asian spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Sometimes I wonder how certain 2017 Barolo’s will age, primarily due to the heat and solar nature of the vintage. This is one that has me scratching my head. Perhaps it’s the healthy southern exposure of the Prapò MGA? It’s drinking well now on the pop and pour but I’m curious how it will show towards the end of the decade? I say drink’em. — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

Tonight, we’re sipping a delicious Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (2012).

The vineyards of Poggio Antico are situated on some of Montalcino’s highest hills (>1,500 ft elevation), overlooking the beautiful, sun-soaked landscape of Tuscany.

In a warm climate, high altitude sites like this benefit from a comparatively lower air temperature, greater diurnal range (warm days, cool nights), and enhanced solar intensity, particularly when vines are planted on hillsides, angled towards the sun.

These conditions (among others) are important for quality winemaking, for example, the intense sunshine promotes grape ripening (sugar accumulation; development of flavors, tannins, color), while the cooling influences help retain acidity and more delicate aromas in the grapes; they also enable a longer ripening period overall, setting the stage for a well-balanced, concentrated wine.

It was interesting to learn that Poggio Antico vinifies and matures its Sangiovese according to detailed soil units, leveraging what it calls a “geological symphony,” as a significant part of the terroir expression. It later blends (or “harmonizes”) these units with the aim of creating balance and complexity.

As a Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, this wine must be 100% Sangiovese and could not be released from Poggio for at least 5 years from the harvest, during which time it aged for at least 2 years in oak. Poggio exceeded these legal minimums by aging this wine for 4 years, including 3 years in traditional Slavonian oak barrels and one year in bottle.

We paired this wine with a homemade Bolognese. The spices of the sauce lent symmetry to the spice (nutmeg, clove) notes in the wine, which didn’t compete, but, rather, complemented each other. Also, the fat in the ground sirloin (along with the salty parmesan and decade+ of maturing) helped smooth the high tannins of the Sangiovese, enhancing our palates’ experience of other delicious dimensions.

It was molto bene! Cheers! — 10 months ago

with Deked1

Nehemiah White

9.0

Fruit forward. Dry finish. Would drink again. Purchased at Morel in Milwaukee. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. In the glass, the wine is a garnet color with some significant rim variation, moving towards a burnt sienna rim. The core is hazy, translucent. Viscosity is medium with some slight staining and there appears to be some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Lovely notes of desiccated brambles and purple flowers accompanied by tobacco, old leather-bound books, damp earth, gentle warm spices and something that was reminding me a bit of pyrazines but more on that later. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, on the finish (which was long) there was a strong impression of fine ground black pepper. Alcohol was medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties), Tempranillo or Syrah from France, Spain or USA. But there wasn’t enough focus on the fruit for me to be in the USA and the oak came across more French than American so I ruled Spain out. Then there was that black pepper on the finish. Bordeaux doesn’t traditionally have that character so it had me thinking those pyrazines I perceived on the nose was actually rotundone and this was whole-cluster Syrah. And, because the wine was showing so much maturity, I felt this had around 30 years of age.

Final conclusion: this is Syrah, from France, from the Northern Rhône, from Côte Rôtie, 1989 vintage. Wow…2007! This is advanced for its age. That likely has something to do with with the solar vintage but having recently enjoyed a 2007 Côte Rôtie from another producer, this was showing a lots more tertiary character than I would expect. This is a new (to me) producer. Enjoyable! Drink now. — 4 months ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.1

Blindly we are somewhere between Rhône (alcoholic and solar sensation) and Bordeaux (breeding), with a slightly less dry approach. Superb complex, intense and mesmerising nose. In the mouth the body is concentrated, the tannins are finer than expected, on notes consistent with the nose. Perfectly ready to drink.

A l’aveugle on est quelque part entre Rhône (sensation alcooleuse et solaire) et Bordelais (élevage), avec un abord un peu moins sec. Superbe nez complexe, intense et envoûtant. En bouche le corps est concentré, les tanins sont plus fin qu’attendu, sur des notes en cohérence avec le nez. Parfaitement prêt à boire. — 10 months ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

A racy Chiroubles. Charming purple dress, medium concentration and beautiful brilliance. Superb peppery nose, airy between bright floral bouquet (Rose, Iris) and vibrant fruits (cherry and raspberry). Concentration, as expected on solar vintages. The mouth is fresh, tense, with few tannins but beautiful chew. Great drinkability, served refreshed (12/14 degrees) and airy, it's a dangerous drink!

Un Chiroubles racé. Charmante robe violine- pourpre, concentration moyenne et bel éclat. Superbe nez poivré, aérien entre bouquet floral éclatant (Rose, Iris) et fruité vibrant (cerise et framboise). De la concentration, comme attendu sur les millésimes solaires. La bouche est fraîche, tendue, avec peu de tanins mais de la belle matière. Belle buvabilité, servi rafraîchi (12/14 degrés) et aéré, c’est une boisson dangereuse! — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over several hours. Clearly showing the solar nature of the vintage, the 2015 Fèlsina CCR pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of stewed cherries and strawberries, well-oiled leather ball glove, red flowers, curaçao, dried green herbs, and sandalwood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes of the nose. The finish is long, tart and satisfying with ferrous minerals. A lovely pairing with Conchiglie Ripiene. While this is fully mature, it still has a healthy life ahead. Drinking very well now and should through 2030 with ease. — 5 months ago

Thiago Lins

9.2

Blackberry on the nose, good tannins and strawberries on the palate — 5 months ago

with Anne

Helen Allingham

9.1

Lovely. Tasty, easy drinking.. — 2 years ago

with James

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

The charm of the Cab-franc de Loire in the expression of a cuvée to drink on youth. Variety notes in the spotlight: raspberry, violet, slate. 2020 is concentrated, bearing the stigma of solar vintages with almost liquorice notes. Blindly, it almost feels like you're in the Rhône-Nord (without pepper) Fine and gourmet. Drink refreshed 13/15 degrees.

Le charme du Cab-franc de Loire dans l’expression d’une cuvée à boire sur la jeunesse. Notes variétales à l’honneur: framboise, violette, ardoise. 2020 est concentré, portant les stigmates des millésimes solaires avec des notes presque réglisse. A l’aveugle on se croirait presque dans le Rhône-Nord (sans le poivre) Fin et gourmand. À boire rafraîchi 13/15 degrés. — 2 years ago