Weekend TNs: 2000 Lanessan, 2005 Frescobaldi Chianti Nipozzano, 2005 Pax Syrah Alder

WINE TALK
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  • 2000 Château Lanessan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (7/26/2009)
    Nice showing; perhaps my best bottle yet. Pencil lead, tobacco frames tart cherry fruit that turns to bitter chocolate cherry with time. Dry, chewy finish that floats softly on the palate. A pleasure. What a great buy this was at $15-$17.
  • 2005 Pax Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (7/24/2009)
    Opaque purple in the glass. Like motor oil. Really closed up tight right now. Even with two hours in the decanter this is not showing much. Violets and candied cherry on the nose. Palate is dominated by dark grape juice notes. Seems rather simple now, perhaps it is due to youth. Some heat on the finish is a bit annoying. Not sure, I keep striking out with Pax lately. Perhaps I’m just drinking them too young???
  • 2005 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozzano Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rufina (7/23/2009)
    Black cherry and leather on the nose. Palate features sour cherry, licorice and dry chewy tannins. Finishes with a slightly persistent heat and earth notes. Nice match with the spinach and olive pizza. Not overly complex, but a decent value at $17. Maybe some upside.

Posted from CellarTracker

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In my experience, Nipozzano ages beautifully. And the 2005 has the stuff to improve for 10 years. It is a great value, year in year out. I’m amazed at the consistency of that wine, considering that they put out a boatload of it.

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Thanks Fernando. I’ve only had the '04 and '05 Nipozzano, but I can see your point re: aging.
Going to leave a few alone for a bit.
Cheers.

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I agree on the Nipozzano - a nice, easy drinking wine that I buy every year. I have yet to p/u a 2005, but now I need to.