I had been meaning to post more TNs, but … oops. Here are some notes from memory on a few wines we’ve had in the last few weeks.
Uccelliera 1999 Brunello di Montalcino – Dried out with limited fruit and of limited interest. Did not meet my limited expectations. We’ll probably drink up our last few bottles of 1999 Tuscans soon.
Uccelliera 1997 Brunello di Montalcino – decided to pop our last bottle of the ’97 after the mediocre showing of our last bottle of ‘99. Well, this was very nice. Ripe, layered fruit balanced by adequate acidity. Really easy drinking. (Unlike some folks, I don’t consider that a flaw!)
Felsina 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia – showing surprisingly well for an adolescent. Thrilling actually, in a perfect pasta with red sauce kind of way. Will probably develop more complexity with time, but it’s so tasty. Rich fruit, presumably enriched in part by oak. Hints of leather and herbs. Drink now or later!
G. Conterno 1998 Barolo Cascina Francia – after a couple of bottles in the past 3-4 years that were meh (awkward?), this bottle was really singing. Smooth, medium-bodied, balanced with nice aromatics. Long finish. Hope this is representative – we’ll be opening more over the next couple of years.
Ridge 1999 Montebello – out of 375ml, here’s another adolescent wine that’s in a good spot. Really classy, although not yet too complex. I wouldn’t expect this ‘99 to ever be an epiphany wine, but it’s delicious.
La Pousse d’Or 2001 Corton-Bressandes – not bad, but was hoping for more. Fruit was a bit muddled with some funk. Tannins almost fully resolved. Stored well since release or I might have believed it was mishandled. Didn’t really improve with food that would flatter a better pinot.
Rhys 2009 Pinot Noir Horseshoe – Very tasty, with moderate tannin and acid structure that complemented the juicy fruit. Perhaps surprisingly, this has entered its prime drinking window, but no rush.
Regards,
Peter