Daniel Bloom

9.2

2nd blind chance on older Icardi’s from @chambersstwines. Both ridiculously good. First was a 2000 Barolo Parej that with 3 hrs out or so was one of the very best, tarriest Baroli I’ve had.
This Pinot Nero Nej( Piedmontese dialect for black), 2007, had a cork soaked 3/4 of the way through, but poured for a taste like a much younger, though adult beastie. Black, w dark red rimming,tannic, and savory. 2 hours or so in a decanter brought out lots of woodsy qualities, bark, dense dark berries, refreshing lift, and nice mouthfeel. Not viscous, but corner seeking, full.
Later, I put the decanter on an ice bath for a while to serve with Triglie alla Livornese ( Red Mullet braised in a spicy tomato sauce) Those Italian’s know something about pairings alright. Perfect.
Of course @winesearcher.com etc. show none available in the U.S.
With Randy & Scott. — 5 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

What a weirdly animal, mushroom, forest( swamp) nose! Lots of extended skin contact , 10 days I believe. Natural fermentation and extended ( 5 years)aging in large barrels.No temperature control.Teran 40%, Merlot 40% Cab 20%. Iron, Plums, berries, bark, rocks, nails…
This is some wild and wooly stuff right across the Italian border in Slovenia.
Switching to a “proper”big glass from a decent Riedel stem tames down the funk and it finishes lighter than one may expect. Still bright at 13 years. Only 11.5°.
Very weirdly interesting.

Thanks Chambers St. Wines. — a month ago

Daniel Bloom

9.5

Tar, tar, more tar. Tree bark , lots of umami on the nose.,Black flowers, earth, lots of sous bois, deep and pleasantly dank after 3+ hours of decanting. Upon opening, this was very tight. A very dark rendering of a three vineyard Barolo. With unadorned steak, very nice. The tannin/acid balance was quite nice. Bottle gone before you knew.Everyone at the table was pleased to say the least. At first, some got a “dead fish” on the nose, but…this did not prevent diving back in.
One of the nicest Baroloi I’ve had in quite a while. — 3 months ago

with Sarah

Daniel Bloom

9.3

Really nice weirdo : The vineyard is a field blend of Viura, Rojal, Calagraño and Garnacha Blanca. Lots of dried Apricots,peaches, lots of mineral.lil’ hint of vanilla.Almost Barley/Scotch like nose. “grown in very poor sandstone. There’s not enough fruit to put through a vertical press, so the wine ferments with skins but without stems and is pressed after 4 weeks of fermentation and maceration. One 400 litre barrel was filled and the wine aged here a while before resting in Clayber ceramic (24 months in total), and bottled unfiltered and unfined. Please decant. 530 bottles made”. Weirdo for sure. Evidently a rescued plot across from the bodega.
For a “one off” ( kinda) I think it’s a success. Especially after time in the glass it has a wonderful, viscous mouthfeel that I find in in quality Rioja Blancos. The folks on @cellartracker not so much. but then again, that might have been 5 folks.?
Thanks@rarewineco. — 10 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

Red & Black, Red & Black , over and over.
Beautifully young , ‘23 stuff from Desvignes.
Opened for 3 hrs. No decant. With a dish of asparagus/shitakes/rhubarb…delicious. Earth and tart. With air and time in the glass, this develops a meatier, denser bottom and
a nice tannic backbone, always med-light body. Refreshing. — a month ago

Daniel Bloom

9.0

See previous. About the same. Nice pairing with Penne, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, spinach, and pecorino. Smoked trout as well. — 3 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

Coconut, Banana, White flowers on the nose. (With air, lots of herbs),A faint touch of the mineral quality that follows through on the finish of the palate. Said palate is less floral and more linear, mineral, especially after some airing in the glass. The bitterness that feels mineral is a nice contrast to perceived fruit, as it adds an interesting aftertaste. Viura, Grenache Blanc, and Tempranillo Blanco. Interesting blend.
I’ve had Tempranillo Blanco as a standalone, but only as of ‘25,in San Sebastián where in one Pintxo bar, it worked quite well with parts of their menu.
This winery is a wife & husband team who, from what I gather, hope to bring some “traditional” Riojan winemaking style to modern production.
I’m looking forward to trying their offerings beyond entry level.
Thanks @Rare Wine Co. — 3 months ago

Daniel Bloom

8.9

With homemade fish tacos outside…delish. Sweet herbs and underbrush on the nose along with slight candy. The palette is Strawbs/watermelon/flowers.
Very nice for a simple rosé.
Thanks @chambersstreetwines.
— 21 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.4

These never disappoint. Some variation, btl. to btl., but… overall, a great introduction to eating outside when it’s warm. This particular btl. 2016/ bottled in 2024 is like an old boats bottom dipped in iodine and bread yeast on the nose. Lots of mineral, metallic qualities that continue onto the palate along with a sense of caramel that’s present but not cloying. This wine fills your mouth yet remains, at °15.5, quite refreshing. Salt and fruit, ( unripe mangoes,star fruit,,dried papaya)mingle on the finish and linger a long time. — 22 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

Double decanted over about 20 mins.
Deep Rhubarb , Black Raspberry jam, and murky sous bois on the nose. The palate is voluptuous, never jammy, nice acidity to lift and really fill your mouth. The inner mouth energy is terrific.As it develops in the glass, black cherry and cola come fore. Excellent entry level wine. Jamie Kutch manages to pack a lot of detail onto his labels ( rear) without being obtrusive.
Bravo.
Note: switching from a general large @Riedel to a Barolo @Glasvin glass meant a world of difference. — 3 months ago