Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d`Alba 2010

After having some kind of identity crisis and a couple decades of decline, the Historical Barolo house of Fontanafredda seems to be experiencing a new renaissance, and is slowly gaining back it`s position as one of the great Barolo makers. With the house style leaning more on the classical side.


Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d`Alba 2010
14,0%
33e (Wine-Searcher

Shy aromas: ripe dark berries, leather, nutmeg.
Medium bodied, almost a bit thin. Big, and somewhat harsh tannins.
Delicious, smoky and spicy fruit on the mid palate, but turns abruptly very dusty and earthy, and in the finish/aftertaste, almost bitter. This wine needs a looooooong decanting. After 5 hours it developed more body and the bitterness and austerity gave space for the fruit to shine.
Good, structured Barolo, but needs many years to reach it`s full potential.
89

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
14,0%
23e (Wine-Searcher)


So, my white wine season has been opened.. Spring is finally here, fuck yeah!

South African whites haven`t been admittedly too much in my wine repertoire.
Made a promise to myself that this year I will start to explore white wine categories/styles out side of my comfort zone. In other words, probably more towards New World, and modern style...
This wine was given to me as a present, and was definitely a good start...

Aromatically a bit tight: some funk, bee wax, florality, lemon.
Electric first attack with a good weight, at first almost overwhelming; full of tropical fruits, ripe lychee, pears, lime, with a good amount of chalky minerality, and in the background a hint of  toasty caramel and creaminess. Full bodied, yet not too heavy at all, almost refreshing. 14% alc. feels only as a slight warmer.
Somewhat piercing acidity dominates a bit in the finish, and promises a good aging potential. Intriguingly long and profound aftertaste.
A gorgeous Chenin Blanc!
92

Caprili Brunello di Montalcino 2010

This was drunk during a work meeting, and chess match.
Thanks for the wine Ilkka!

Caprili Brunello di Montalcino 2010
DOCG
15,5%
37e(Wine-Searcher)

Young, yes. Delicious, hell yeah!
Warm aromas; ripe cherries, liquorice, Christmas spices, smoke.
Intense first attack with a good weight and delicious ripe dark fruit. Becomes more and more broad and explosive towards the finish, and to be honest, goes a bit over the top, with waves of tannins dominating. Nevertheless shows a wonderfully delicate, smoky and spicy aftertaste. Impressive how well the 15,5% Alc. is hidden.
Such a restless and nervous wine, yet fascinating, and highly delicious.
Nice potential, no doubt.
91

Château Tour Peyronneau 2012

Value Bordeaux? An Oxymoron?
Well, this was delish...

Château Tour Peyronneau 2012
AC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
13%
25e (Wine-Searcher)


Slightly tight but elegant aromas; ripe blackberries, cedar box, vanilla, manor.
On the palate solid, almost sweet, fruit. Some oak, earth, vegetal elements, hint of acidity and some tannins.
Best part is definitely on the midpalate, where there`s a focused, delicious, bursting fruit. Finishing with a hint of Cherry cola. Turns more vegetal and tad bitter and earthy in the drying aftertaste.
Immediately appealing, yet not too shallow, or easy-going.
Will be better after few years. Still somewhat nervy.
89

Produttori del Barbaresco - Riserva Rabajà 2008

Produttori del Barbaresco - Riserva Rabajà 2008
DOCG
14,5%
51€ (Wine-Searcher average)

Wow!!! This could be the best young PdB I`ve ever tasted.
Beautifully deep and dark purple color, what is to be expected from Rabaja. A bit shy, but delicate, earthy aromas with pronounced tar and graphite, that I get so often from Produttori.
This is so goddamn delicious it`s hard to analyze. Just has everything: power with elegance, glorious glorious purity of fruit, savoriness, silky smooth mouth feel, seamless transition from the first attack to a minutes long aftertaste(lingers on easily more than 3 minutes), interesting mineral undertones, profound secondary notes. You just cant get bored with this.
For 28e, that I paid for this, an insane QPR
97

Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013

Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013
8,50%
42€ (Wine-Searcher average)


Has been ages since I`ve drinked wines from Max Ferd. Richter. Their basic Riesling used to be one of my go-to summer quaffers...
Not much on the nose; honey, lemon, fresh morning dew (if that makes any sense).
On the palate a galore of pears and sour apples, with a good amount of flintyness.
There`s also a hint of botrytis in the background. Nicely balanced and surprisingly refreshing. Far from sickly sweet. Acidity gives a good lift; flavors seems to just float serenely over the palate.
Long aftertaste of honeyed pears, with even more honeyed pears and a drop of lemon. There`s some taste that reminds me of Berliner Weiße(or maybe it`s just some weird association).
Overall a delicious and supple Riesling Auslese
91