First, I have to mention that I make a rare exception to publish these notes, as the wines&winemakers deserve attention. Really a once-in-a-lifetime vertical with all vintages from KURNI took place last friday in Berlin and the winemakers Eleonora Rossi &Marco Casolanetti also attended this tasting. Organized by Michael Quentel/WEINWISSER&me. With the exception of 1998&1999 brought by the winemakers all bottles came from the cellar of Michael Quentel.
I was blown away by these wines, as they wines were such beautiful with power, drinking pleasure, fruit, spice and certain freshness. They need time, for example the first vintage 1997 was still young (94/100) and could easiiy rest in the cellar for the next 10-20 years. The alcohol was perfectly integrated and I was stunned by the length&complexity and finesse of Kurni. Kurnis is based on the grape Montepulciano. In addition Elanora&Marco are the masters of oak. Really a clever oak management.
Marco Casolanetti&Eleonora Rossi (left, in the middle)
I was deeply impressed how both made such great wines out of the blue, as they were career changer. Just by observing things, talking with other winemakers, talking with the coopers, learning from the parents, experimenting with new methods etc. etc. CHAPEAU
BTW, all the time I read from journalists&wine-merchants that the use dried grapes like Amarone. That´s not true, Marco confirmed on friday. Also I don´t think that Kurni taste like Amarone. Especially with age the alcohol is beautiful integrated and have a lovely mix of flavors from cherry, oriental spice, mocha&black chocolate, flowers and impresses with velvety&power and finesse. BTW, we had no cork. 18 vintages!!!
I strongly recommend to buy 2009&2010 (95-96/100) for the cellar and 2012 is such sexy and offers great drinking pleasure right now. 2014 is also very promising. Serve the wines a bit colder, around 14-15 C.
We also had the rare wine 2013 KUPRA based on Grenache which blow me away and was defintely one of the best italian wines I have ever drunken. Production is around 500 bottles.
1997 Kurni
What a beautiful perfume. Still young with a dominant fruit. Black fruits, mocha, flowers, spice, licorice and power. Impressive length. Very harmonic and round. No hurry to drink this wine. Still 10-20 years left. The winemakers confirmed it as they drunk beautiful wines from the father&grandfather which were 40 years old. 94/100
1998 Kurni
A bit colder stilistic. Similar flavors like `97 with addition of menthol flavor. Some people prefer 1998, but I clearly prefer 1997. Anyway both are great wines. 92/100
1999 Kurni
Quite harmonic and round with flavors of sour-cherry. Lush and hedonistic, but with a certain kind of freshness. Lovely. 93/100
2000 Kurni
clearly weaker than the other vintages before. A bit dull.
2001 Kurni
A bit sweeter than the wines before. I guess, too young. Lacks a bit of extra dimension
2002 Kurni
Plum, spice and good length
2003 Kurni
Very barock, but I enjoyed it. Really good. 92/100
2004 Kurni
Taste like liqueur, but performance better with food.
2005 Kurni
Taste like Amarone. Here we have the only Kurni which reminded me on AMARONE
2006 Kurni
Opulent but fresh. Spice, cherries, fruit in rum. 94/100
2007
Impresses by velvety, fineness and precision. Very very nice.
2008 Kurni
Quite subtle.
2009 Kurni
WOW. How sublime, fresh and elegant. Relatively cool in structure. Perfect. 95-96/100
2010 Kurni
Impressive structure. Cool and fresh. 94-95/100
2011 Kurni
VERY elegant.
2012 Kurni
Such sexy and offers great drinking pleasure right now.
2013 Kurni
nice
2014 Kurni
Promising!!!
2013 Kupra
Based on Grenache and only around 500 bottles. One of the best italian wines ever in my glass.
Cheers,
Martin
P.S. next posting in 4-8 years.