Oh...wow. This is my first experience with Lapideus which is actually labeled as Giampiero Bea (Paolo’s son). This is old vine Trebbiano Spoletino (80+ years) that has seen 22 days of skin contact and 95 days on its lees. Popped and poured. The most brilliant burnished gold color; slightly hazy. In fact, there is a sediment “patina” on the inside of the bottle! On the nose, this is remarkably fresh with pears and stone fruits dominating. Not really funky at all! On the palate this is fresh and unbelievably quaffable for such an unusual wine. Again, the stone fruits dominate but almost taking on a dried fruit quality (dried apricots and dried mango). Sort of a Juicy Fruit thing too? So dry though and so, so good. Impeccable balance. Fantastic acid. For being so unusual, this is crazy accessible. A sublime pairing with cedar plank, wild caught salmon. Bottle No. 480/999. Brilliant stuff. — 4 years ago
Nose has pineapple core, warmed toffee, over-ripe mango, lanolin, warm beeswax, wet river rock, (grilled) ripe pineapple and faint warm green herbs. So GD fragrant, it's killing us, wow.
Palate has waxy pineapple, warmed yellow apple, butterscotch candy, peach peel, warm brioche, caramel, (minor) green melon with an extensive finish, so long, OMG we are in heaven.
Decanted 3h, then double decanted and back into the refrigerator for service temp, 1h.
Paired with a beautifully grilled slab of steelhead trout, fish was honestly 96 points, our regular fish source, but this was a thicker cut than normal. Also toasted orzo with our garden herbs and some sauteed summer squash.
Honestly I'm at a loss of words for the quality of everything delivered to the table tonight.
Some pictures of my favorite things tonight, which also includes an absolute stunning guitar album featuring Les Paul and Chet Atkins, 'Chester & Lester', two of the best old school guitar greats. If you get a guitar named after you, well, enough said...
Prior bottle was fully different than this one, is this the God Bottle, and it landed in my hands tonight? Next few bottles will be my proof, so we'll see. — 4 years ago
After our first two tastings were a bust, I decided to avoid any more “jump balls” and went for this 15 Lewelling.
What a treat... everything we love in a Napa cab. Coffee and maple syrup present on the palate, and these notes effortlessly glide to the mid palate. Regal tannins interplay with deftly balanced acidity. The blueberries and other black fruits are piercing. Just a stunning example all around. — 4 years ago
Kimberly Anderson
Mellow cherry and leather aromas. Well balanced and a smooth finish — 4 years ago