In the Gregorian calendar there is a time „Before Christ” (BC), referencing to the years before the birth of Jesus Christ and there is a time referred to as „Anno Domini“ (AD) – from Latin „in the year of the lord“ – used for years after the birth of Jesus. If we applied that system to the more secular world of fine wine or particularly Barolo, there might as well be an era before 2010 and a time after 2010…
Sounds a little dramatic? Let me lay down my thoughts for you.
Argentiera: Recent vintages and a special vertical
Over the years, the Argentiera (link) team has gained a deep understanding of the microclimates, the different soil compositions, and even the different plots in the vineyards. There are four different designated vineyards, each producing wines that reflect the individual character of their specific place: Villa Donoratico, Poggio ai Ginepri, Ventaglio, and Argentiera. The vineyards have different exposures, soil compositions, altitudes, and are planted with partially different grape varieties. A few weeks ago, we had the chance to taste the new vintages and small verticals during an excellent lunch event at Klingler’s Restaurant in Zurich. The results were impressive.
„Argentiera: Recent vintages and a special vertical“ weiterlesenProduttori del Barbaresco: Der Jahrgang 2019
Ich gehöre seit vielen Jahren zu den Bewunderern von Produttori del Barbaresco und habe mit dem Jahrgang 1996 begonnen, ihre Weine systematisch zu verkosten und auch zu kaufen. Im Laufe der Jahre gab es viele Höhepunkte und nur wenige Enttäuschungen. Unter den Jahrgängen, die ich ausgiebig verkostet habe, würde ich wahrscheinlich 2004, 2008 und in jüngerer Zeit 2013 und den bisher wahrscheinlich grössten Jahrgang, 2016, in die Spitzengruppe einordnen.
„Produttori del Barbaresco: Der Jahrgang 2019“ weiterlesenProduttori del Barbaresco: The 2019 Vintage
The tasting was held at Buonvini (Link) in Zürich in a very friendly and professional environment. From my perspective, while tasting, the wines carry both signatures of warmer vintages (slightly elevated alcohol levels, moderate acidity) as well as cooler characteristics like an overall mid-weight appearance and sometimes slightly drying tannins by today’s standards. Most of the wines seemed pretty classic, with a few cases in which I had slight question marks about the tannins.
„Produttori del Barbaresco: The 2019 Vintage“ weiterlesenTenuta Monteti – “We don’t like the excess of roundness”
I sometimes find myself struggling with the ripeness and the lack of acidity in some of the wines of the Tuscan coast. Although technically well made, their warmth, elevated alcohol content, low acidity, and use of ‚international‘ grapes such as Bordeaux blends can sometimes make them seem interchangeable. Additionally, global warming hasn’t been favorable for these wines. Usually, I am more drawn towards wines that show a sense of place, a vision and have a soul and freshness. Tenuta Monteti (Link) is a great example of a winery that embodies all these virtues, while avoiding stepping into the trap of being over-complicated or too intellectual.
„Tenuta Monteti – “We don’t like the excess of roundness”“ weiterlesenProduttori del Barbaresco – Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano 2001 – 2017
Produttori del Barbaresco (Link) – ein Name, der jedem Liebhaber von traditionellem Nebbiolo Emotionen entlockt. Für mich war die wohl berühmteste Winzergenossenschaft der Welt lange Zeit eine Quelle für bezahlbaren, traditionell hergestellten, lagerfähigen Barbaresco. Häufig gut, vereinzelt sehr gut, sehr selten herausragend. Die Weine waren in vernünftiger Menge verfügbar, zeichneten sich durch ein sehr gutes Preis-Leistungsverhältnis aus und reiften in der Regel sehr gut. Ausserdem empfand ich die Weine immer als sehr transparent in Bezug auf ihre Herkunft, der Montestefano schmeckte anders als der Asili, dieser wiederum anders als der Rabaja oder der Pora. Ich habe über die Jahre an mehreren Horizontalverkostungen teil-genommen, bei denen gerade dieser Terroirgedanke wunderschön zum Ausdruck kam.
„Produttori del Barbaresco – Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano 2001 – 2017“ weiterlesen