Tried this wine last night:
- MarthaStoumen Nero d’Avola/MendoCnty (13.5%; marthastoumen.com; PMWines/Taos; 63% BensonRanch/25% FoxHillVnyd/12% ChiaritoVnyd) Sonoma 2018: Very dark/near blaco color; strong earthy/dusty/MendoCnty tomatoey rather coarse/rustic light toasty/oak quite interesting/Italiante nose; quite tart/tangy/acidic strong earthy/Italianate some MendoCnty/tomatoey rather blackberry/plummy light toasty/pencilly/oak old-timey Mendo Red flavor w/ very strong rough/coarse tannins; very long quite tart/tangy/rough/coarse rustic/Italianate strong blackberry/plummy/earthy/dusty finish w/ ample rough tannins; lots of rustic/coarse/Italianate some old-timey MendoRed character; badly needs 4-10 yrs of age but not sure it’ll be anything really special & the fruit may not outlive the tannins; a very rugged red; pricey at $40.00 (KK)
A wee BloodyPulpit:
- This is, of course, the great red grape of Sicily. There’s not much of it planted in Calif but should be able to make a great wine there. This wine is probably not it, though.
Nd’A has been planted at FoxHill for over 33 yrs, probably the oldest planting in Calif. John Chiarito planted his Nd’A block 25 yrs ago & it is now farmed by Martha. Not sure why Megan&Ryan Glaab have not done anything w/ the FoxHill Nd’A.
Martha has some Stockinger barrels but not sure that this wine ever saw any Stockinger. Stockinger, the Rolld-Royce of oak cooperage, are very rare & imported into this country by RajPaar and JamieMotley.
Martha is a “natural” winemaker, but this wine is perfectly clean & well-made & shows no natty character.
Tom