6/20/2023 - Devlon Moore wrote:

I’ve been drinking Italian wine for over twenty years and I still haven’t had a Sagrantino that is fleshed out and horizontal. The tannic structure of Sagrantino seems to always close the wine in on itself and I’m always left wanting more of the other components. It’s as if the only thing precise in the wine is the tannins. This bottle was no different. Hold it. Hold it for 30 more years.

12/9/2022 - JohnMcIlwain Likes this wine:

PnP. A bit tighter than the last bottle. A bit shy on the nose. Might wait a year before opening next couple bottles. Good+.

12/9/2022 - JohnMcIlwain wrote:

Corked

11/8/2022 - JohnMcIlwain wrote:

Corked, sigh.

11/6/2022 - JohnMcIlwain Likes this wine:

Roddolo is a grower who should fetch more attention, but thankfully exists somewhat below the radar (despite the entrities of the famed/notorious VLM). The 2011 has a saturated magenta robe with a touch of bricking. The nose is a bit fuhschtinkin upon opening, but 30 minutes in the decanter livens things up. Black cherry, dusty hibiscus flower, grilled meat, and bit of rusty iron on the nose. The palate is still relatively firm and tannic (a newer barrel perhaps?) with plenty of dark stone fruit, blood orange oil, and a wisp of anisette with a broad soil character lurking beneath. There’s good lift and energy, but a nit of tannin that vies with the fruit for attention. The bottle was moved a couple of months ago, so I wouldn’t think to dismiss it. Currently good+, but there may be a still better wine here. Quite delicious with a pan-roasted veal chop with black trumpet mushrooms, brown butter cabbage, and buttermilk mashed potatoes. Re-buy? Yes, if I can find a bottle. I have one left in storage, but would like to check in in a couple years and then maybe 5 more.

5/16/2022 - JohnMcIlwain wrote:

Some nights wines have everything going for them and sometimes it’s a root day, a thunderstorm and Barthod from the Bonnes Mares side of Chambolle. A 1999 to boot. This ranged from sullen and inexpressive to downright misanthropic. One senses there’s plenty of wine there, but maybe another few years in the cellar are in order. Thank you to KB even if this bottle was a bit “stern.”

4/5/2022 - Putnam Weekley Likes this wine:

NOSE: a lure. Stacked, rigid sheets of red berry masses volunteer appealing, seasoned aromas. Sweet, meaty broth beckons. Licorice tar. Risky. Lively. MOUTH: kirsch. Ornate, body-wide movements of sweet glycerin, cured acidity, and furniture proportioned for figures of state. Mocking tendrils of mint and lemon verbena snake through the tall mass of flesh. Tannins seep from its pores, as if they were the blood of this organism. The finish is the scene of a contest–between brined bay leaves, curry, and ripe, sweet raspberry bodies. I couldn’t have hoped for a better drink when I bought this. TIME: 20 hours later, concentrated Left Bank Bordeaux violets á La Mission, á Lafite. It’s mesmerizing to smell the black fruit and stone in bloom. While time open changed it in interesting ways, I see no reason to wait more than an hour to drink an open bottle

3/6/2022 - JohnMcIlwain Likes this wine:

Sometimes curiosity gets the best of you and it’s (kinda) rewarded. Fairly dark robe with some bricking at the meniscus. The nose is awash in Morello cherry, bramble, game, and forest floor, with a flush of brown butter/sugar on the edges. The palate is broad on the attack—it’s ‘06, so I’m not exactly surprised—but has real drive on the mid-palate, though there’s a juicy richness that is a long for the ride. And while this is on the way to resolving, it’s just hinting at tertiary character with the tannins softening and there’s still a bit of the cooperage showing; not distracting, but not completely knit either. Nonetheless, this is very satisfying if not quite ready for the show. Check back in 4-7 years. I’d buy again, but I’d certainly hold longer.

Day 4: This is a completely different and even better wine. Underlying structure is still present, but the nose has unfurled like a magnificent banner and there’s an elemental sweetness (ripeness, not sugar) that has emerged. This has gone from very, very good to excellent. Given how this is showing on day 4, I’d wait 6-8 years before opening. Beautiful bottle that exceeds my expectations. Bravo!

6/17/2021 - pigdaddy wrote:

pale yellow gold; citrus orchard, yellow stone fruit, extra tangy acids.

Cherokee purple tomato, buffalo mozz

5/23/2021 - pigdaddy wrote:

decanted one hour (plenty of chunx, to my surprise), in the glass for 2 more. deeply - colored, black-garnet; wonderfully expressive on the nose, ripe red & black berried, spicy & layered, sweetly generous & enticing; med+ body & succulent palate weight; vibrantly rich black cherry & raspberry fruit, wild mint, sumptuous & elegant simultaneously; restrained acids & definitive structure portends further development.

smitten by this one.

spring onion & speck pizza

4/7/2021 - pigdaddy wrote:

as a fan of pecorino, this is a salty, stone fruit-driven example; crackling & saline, well-paired w/supper.

pan-roasted cod, little 'stew' of turnips, radishes & peas w/green garlic

5/21/21 exactly what I wanted w/supper. (89)

littlenecks in spicy, garlicky, creamy brodo w/chorizo & focaccia toasts

1/7/2021 - pigdaddy wrote:

typical purple-red; blackberry pie & spicy nose; mid-weight; juicy & invigorating, lots of punchy acidity balances the high-toned fruit. canny & well-crafted barbera.

alubia blanca beans w/spicy sausage, cremini mushrooms, castelfranco & pecorino

1/23/21 this has terrific ethereal weight against its high acidity, fun to drink. (88)

mexican chorizo & cabbage casserole w/onions, garlic, little yellow potatoes, sherry vinegar

1/29/21 continues to excel w/assertive food; weight & fruit in terrific step (88)

shrimp in spicy creole sauce , basmati rice

1/4/2021 - markjanes wrote:

gold hue, deeply colored. aromatically a lot going on and all in fantastic bruised apple, wet wool, quince, floral elements... on the palate dry, very high and coarse acids, fleshy midpalate, minimal phenolics. balanced wine with very good length... excellent intensity and complexity. fantastic dry chenin that hits every note with a lot of finesse and balanve. will certainly hold in the short term.

11/24/2012 - 5laton wrote:

Wow, this is seriously good wine. Red and blue fruits, hoisin, salted plums, horehound, intense minerality. This has layers of depth, yet comes across very lightweight, a real feat. It's not a monster, like Lapierre's Cuvee Marcel or Foillard's 3.14 can be in some vintages. It's also more approachable than the Tardive currently. The tannins are so fine here that they can scarcely be felt.