Thanks to Rob and Eric and Leo for wines and company. as always - it is great to have friends over. and friends that drink wine are even better
The Barbera tasting was a LOT of fun - and really showed the qpr and the potential of the grape.
Those who still think Barbera is just a boring grape for house wine - try these!
2010 Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Riesling- Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
touch of bitterness from the long skin contact. peaches and apples, long finish. big but bracing. for me - i would like some more cream with those peaches. (92 pts.)
2001 Grans-Fassian Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese Auction- Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
a step below the Weil and Von Schubert BUT still outstanding. apricots and oranges on the nose. yellow peach palate, tart and sweet with a long, slightly sweet finish. minerality is there as well though i wanted more. Great spat. (93 pts.)
2001 Weingut Dr. Crusius Traiser Bastei Riesling Auslese- Germany, Nahe
sadly this was a bit too oxidized to show its true beauty. the nose was off, but the palate retained apricot and orange - almost in the eiswine way. too bad.
2012 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese- Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
white peach and sulphur. that was all it was willing to show. some flowers too… but even after 6-8 hours in the decanter the wine was not budging. this was either off or perhaps we should leave these alone
2010 francesco clerico Barolo Bussia- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
first impression - gamay on the nose. though it gave way to cherry and a touch of vanilla. ripe red fruit in mid. great acidity. cherry/cherry pit on the back with a nice freshness. medium finish. excellent qpr. (91 pts.)
2011 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Scarrone- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
sweet ripe cherry and some black fruit, good vanilla as well. dark fruit in the mid but with bracing acidity to keep it fresh. this was not my favorite - it is a bit on the ripe/intense side with a powerful tannic grip. just a touch ripe for my taste. (92 pts.)
2011 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cerretta- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
cherry pie on the nose, ripe and powerful but with amazing balance. ripe cherry in mid, spicy and with a great texture - toeing the line of rustic and silky. delicious. (93 pts.)
2011 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
WOTN. Brilliant stuff. cherry pie with vanilla on top, ripe cherries, some darker fruit as well, sweet mid with a dry racy finish that just keeps going. spicy, silky, gorgeous stuff. mouthwatering. no contest. (94 pts.)
1998 Domenico Clerico Barbera d’Alba Trevigne- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
reminded me of sangi at first, rich black fruit and floral notes give way to cherry. some secondary notes coming through but mainly still young and primary. very good finish with spices and still a bit of a grip. eye-opening and quite delicious! (91 pts.)
thanks again guys - and hope to see you all soon! Posted from CellarTracker
My impressions, some of the scores are really similar–some are not. In the end, the Barbera was incredible. The two Conterno’s were out of this world and both amazing for totally different reasons. One thing I’m sure of, is that Riesling and Barbera go very well together.
2010 Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Riesling- Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (9/17/2014)
The nose showed ripe peach, grapefruit, sweet spice, wax, and yellow florals in an airy yet gorgeously ripe expression. On the palate it played a sweet and sour act with grapefruit, grapefruit and more grapefruit, mineral stone and lemon pith with rich textures balanced by piercing acidity. The finish seemed to create a vacuum of flavor, which suddenly exploded into a rush of tropical fruits, spice and sweet inner floral notes. In a word, WOW! (94 pts.)
2011 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (9/16/2014)
The nose was intense and focused with red berry fruit, balsamic notes, herbs, saw dust and airy floral tones. On the palate, it was center focused and tightly coiled yet still seemed to touch all the senses with raspberry and black cherry fruit, minerals and herbs with brisk acidity keeping it mouthwatering and fresh. Tart berry saturated the palate throughout the finish with inner floral tones which seemed to last forever. This was regal and elegant yet painfully young and should seriously reward the patient wine lover. (94 pts.)
2001 Grans-Fassian Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese Auction- Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (9/16/2014)
The bouquet literally seemed to jump from the glass, showing confectionary notes of peach, and apricot with sweet cream and honeysuckle. On the palate, ripe peach covered the senses like a velvet cloak, which was then washed clean with a wave of vibrant acidity and notes of roasted almond and sweet spice. The finish was long and almost buttery in texture with confectionary spice notes. (93 pts.)
2011 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cerretta- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (9/16/2014)
The Cerretta was a much darker and richer expression of Barbera next to the Cascina Franica. The nose was rich with intense black cherry, violet floral tones, black soil, dark chocolate and a hint of burnt sugar. In the glass, I found a dark and intense wine balanced by its high acidity with flavors of black cherry, currant, stony minerals and smoky notes. The finish coated the senses in bitter black fruit and then exploded as its acidity kicked in and made the mouth water. Drinking now, but should continue to drink well for many years to come. (93 pts.)
2011 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Scarrone- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (9/16/2014)
The bouquet of the '11 Scarrone pulls you in with rich, dark notes of plum, blackberry, spice, hints of brown sugar and licorice. On the palate it’s a large scaled wine, yet kept in check by brisk acidity. Balsamic tones along with cherry liqueur, exotic spice and dark chocolate seem almost to rich to handle yet all the pieces fit into place. The mouth-watering finish showed saturating spiced cherry, bitter coffee and hints of herbs.
It’s a big wine for sure, but it has the balance to support it. Yum! (93 pts.)
2010 francesco clerico Barbera d’Alba Bussia- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (9/16/2014)
The nose was fresh and lively with wild red berry fruit, cedar, herbs, licorice and floral notes. On the palate, it was rich, soft—unassuming, yet completely satisfying with wild berry fruit and herbs ushered in by vibrant acidity. The finish lingered long yet fresh with minerals and red fruits. An excellent food wine and great value. (91 pts.)
I get the impression that a number of the 12s are starting to shut down. Suzanne and I had the '12 Egon Muller Wiltinger Braune Kupp Spatlese recently, which was spectacular but really tight/a little closed at first - needed a double decant and some air after that before it started to open up. Though it really sounds as if the locks and chains are around the Prum now.
(PS - 12 Prums are freaking awesome though… hope you have some buried.)
Interesting tasting. Conternos Barbera CF is a favourite here too. 2012 PrĂĽms are (will be) fantastic
But what was that about "a step below the Weil and Von Schubert "?
Claus - that was a reference to the 2001 Weil and Von Schubert spats we had the previous time we got together. both of those were in the 94-95 category.
