2005 Le Salette Amarone della Valpolicella Classico La Marega

eliotfagley — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:35:00 +0000

2005 Le Salette Amarone della Valpolicella Classico La Marega

(Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)

This was the 3rd wine of the night, but it held up its end of the bargain as a standout. On the nose, it was heavy in honeyed tobacco, dates, and figs (Honeyed tobacco? Yes, it smelled like Red Man soaked in honey. We used to do it on our High School baseball team.). The mouthfeel was middling. The attack was full of more figs and honey, but now the fruit had its chance to stand out. This wine comes strong with a plum, fig, and date flavor and aroma. The flavors keep crashing over the palate, one at a time, for a very long time. Some residual sugar lends deliciousness, but there is neither the raisined nor the sherried flavors that can turn me off about lesser Amarones. This is a well-executed wine that makes me wonder why I don’t drink more Amarone. Again recommended by Jeff Stettner of 33 Wine Bar in Saint Louis (@33wine).

93 Points. Buy and keep.

2005 Louis Jadot Corton Greves

eliotfagley — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:11:57 +0000

2005 Louis Jadot Corton Grèves

(France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru)

I took this to a blind $100-bottle tasting, and I was in love. Herbal and earthy on the nose, with sage and mint. The mouthfeel was surprisingly supple. Red fruit and herbs carry the day, especially on the mid-palate, and the wine leaves you with the realization of what perfect structure can do. Beautifully round, with no rough spots. A gorgeously complex pinot that will really speak to Burgundy-lovers. Now I just need to get out there and find a replacement bottle… Right in my wheelhouse.

95 points. Buy and keep, $80.

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2005 Le Salette Amarone della Valpolicella Classico La Marega