Oddero Barbera d'Alba 2008

Today's tasting comes after a long week on holiday away from wine tasting.  That is not to say I haven't been tasting wines; quite the contrary.  Being at home with my parents in the United States has afforded me the opportunity to try some incredible wines which are rare and difficult to find in the UK.  Hopefully not for long, though as my taste buds have been constantly graced with delicious Californians and some fantastic Italian wines as well.  This is from the latter...

Country of Origin: Italy

Viticultural Region: La Morra

Classification: D.O.C.

Varietals: Barbera (100%)

Price Range: £15-£20

Appearance:  A lovely clarity and persistent tears on the glass compliment a pale colour in this wine.

Nose: Ripe red cherry is dominant on the nose with a hint of flowers and black tea.  It is fruity but not unsubtle.  It has a certain rusticity to it's style and while it isn't particularly overwhelmingly fragrant, it does hint that the palate will be well balanced, delicate and pleasing.

Palate: Unlike last week's Riesling, this week the promises made by the nose are kept by the palate.  It is perfumed and delicate.  If I were a good few decades older, I'd say it had a slightly campari-like characteristic.  Fortunately, unlike Campari, the finish is delightfully floral, and the general mouthfeel is light, gently tannic and acidic enough to pair well with northern Italian dishes.

Balance:  I am pleased to say that this classic wine checks all the boxes.  It is food friendly and lively.  Obviously more adherent to it's cool climate region than more common Italian varieties such as Sangiovese and Montepulciano, it is delicate, fragrant and floral.

Score: 90/100

I must give some context to the situation in which this wine was tasted.  On holiday as I've said whilst in the company of my loving family, with cousins around and a category 3 hurricane lashing our windows leaving us powerless for the ensuing 3 days, provided a unique scenario for wine tasting.  Between the young cousins clamoring and the hurricane causing stress; this Barbera was so very welcome and I think in any situation it could be a welcome friend for you.

Weekly Tasting Note- Sybille Kuntz 2006 Riesling

Hello again,

This week's tasting is of a perpetually underrated and underconsumed style of wine.  Most people associate Germany with the world famous sweet style of Riesling.  These wines, with their great, fragrant noses and oily, sweet palate, are justifiably popular, but it is their more austere, dry incarnations which evoke a particularly Germanic spirit.  They are wonderful with a wide range of different food dishes such as mild Thai curry and Asian seafood and are stimulating enough to be drunk on their own.  Enjoy.

Country of Origin:Germany
Viticultural Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Classification: N/A
Varietals: Riesling (100%)
Price Range: £15-£20

Appearance:  A pronounced golden colour with a fine stream of bubbles upon pouring the first glass greets the first glass.  This slight effervescence does not last long but gives it a nice lively character straight out of the bottle.

Nose: Beautiful floral aromas of rose petal and acacia alongside honey, juicy pear and fresh citrus.  The rubbery aroma typical in German riesling is far from powerful and the nose on this wine is absolutely lovely... Perhaps this wine has written a cheque with the nose, which the palate can't cash....


Palate: ...and the cheque bounces!  This wine set itself up for a tremendous profile with a beautiful colour and a floral bouquet, but the palate fails to come through.  A thin showing on the tongue, this wine is nevertheless refreshing and spritely.  A bit more acidity would make it more food friendly and dynamic but after the expectations and hype built up by the nose, this comes as a bit of a disappointment.  


Balance:  It is well enough balanced for what it is.  I feel like this wine may suffer from vintage.  2006 was a showy one and in a lesser vintage this wine might stand out a bit more. For a more dynamic and satisfying dry riesling, I may have to look elsewhere; such as just over the border to Alsace.  Next week perhaps?

Score: 74/100

First Notes- Camins del Priorat 2008

To all my potential followers,


This is my first posting on my blog; hopefully the first of many, and I hope that it will come to be a source for opinions on wines of interest.  I do this mostly as an effort to amalgamate all of my own tasting notes into one place.  If it so happens that you find my postings to be of any use, I would love to hear from you.  Naturally, if you feel that I would do better directing my attention in any other way (expletives and all) I would be equally appreciative.


I am particularly beholden to this style of wine; Spain was one of the first wine-producing countries I ever explored and it was a beautiful Melis Elix 2001 Priorat that sparked my love for wine.  For that reason I begin my tasting notes with another wine from this massively under-appreciated region of Spain...


Alvaro Palacios- Camins del Priorat, 2008


Country of Origin: Spain
Viticultural Region: Priorat
Classification: D. O. C. (Denominación de Orígen Calificada)
Varietals: Cariñena (60%), Garnacha (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%)
Price Range: £15-£20


Appearance: Beautiful, deep colour with intensity and clarity.  The legs are pronounced as they run down the sides of the glass, hinting to the high alcohol levels (14.5%).


Nose:  The dominant aroma is of very juicy fruits such as cherries, strawberries and blackberry.  There is an underlying woodsmoke, but it is fleeting and may take a few goes to pronounce itself.  There are some smells reminiscent of Portwine and jammy fruits, which is consistent with the palate following.


Palate:  Silky tannins provided by the trace amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, giving way to the sweetness of the Garnacha and Cariñena are well balanced with the medium acidity.  A slight spiciness shows a lot of good character in this wine.  


After returning to this wine following a few hours in the bottle, the contact with air has woven in a few extra threads to this glass.  Some new aromas of licorice and sandalwood have joined ripe blueberries and jam.


Overall I can say that this is a well balanced example of a very food-friendly wine.  Pair it with lamb or light stews and soft spanish cheese.  I would highly recommend this as an affordable wine with good character and a vibrant style.


Score: 88 out of 100