It is time for another edition of “Random Samples”–I occasionally get samples from marketing agencies and/or producers, and these can often be grouped together into some sort of over-arching theme: Drink Them and It Will Come, Summer is Here, So That Means (More) Rosé, If It Doesn’t Sparkle, It Doesn’t Matter.
Other times, I get just a bottle or two though that do not have any apparent connection or link. Instead of holding on to those bottles until the “right” combination comes along, I decided to link all these “random” bottles together, making their own category.
For whatever reason, I do not get a lot of wines from the Old World (France, Italy, Spain). I am not sure why that is, since, as many of you know, I am pretty much a French wine snob and I think a wine’s place is on the table where Old World wines typically belong.
Several weeks ago, I received a few bottles of wine from Italy and another from Spain, and I thought I would group them all together here. The first wine comes from one of the more recognizable producers in Rioja, CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España). What makes it a bit confusing is that one of the lines in the company’s portfolio is called “Cune”, which is the name of the winery where the company began in 1879.
The second wine comes from Tuscany, and like many Tuscan wines, is a blend of several grape varieties. The winery is in the middle of the Chianti DOC, which has strict regulations about the use of varieties in the production of the region’s wine, mandating the wine contain at least 80% Sangiovese. Instead, like scores of other producers in the region, Collazzi felt that they could make a better wine using different blends, containing other varieties. So, even though the wine is produced in the Chianti region, it carries the IGT designation (Indicazione geografica tipica), one of the “Super Tuscan” designations.
The second set of two wines were sent to me based on a comment that I made on the über-wine site, Snooth. I was asked my opinion on Pinot Grigio, and I stated that I found “the Italian style I find rather thin and devoid of much flavor or character.”
A few weeks later, I received an email from a marketing agency that represents Elena Walch, a winemaker in the Alto Aldige region of Northern Italy who asked me if they could send a couple of samples of the Walch Pinot Grigio to try to “change my mind” about Pinot Grigio.
Sure, I will play your little game….
2013 Elena Walch Pinot Grigio Alto Aldige “Castel Ringberg”: Retail $25. From a single vineyard in Alto Aldige. Similar, yet more concentrated nose than the first, with less guava and more stone fruit here. On the palate, clearly a step up as it was both rounder and deeper, while maintaining a razor-sharp focus on the acidity. The finish, however, was the most remarkable aspect of the entire experience, lasting for what seemed like minutes. If all Pinot Grigios were this good, I might consider becoming a convert. Outstanding. 91-93 Points.So, in the end, I mighthave been swayed a bit by theWalch PinotGrigios–they were crisp and focused and had impressive flavors and depth. On the other hand, it could just be a fluke, and I think Imight need to investigate further, which was clear when I saw a picture of theCastelRingberg vineyard:
Yeah, I think I need to make a visit to get a better understanding….
the drunken cyclist 
2009 Rioja Reserva is an absolute baby ( and 2009 was a very good year) – give it a good 10 years in the cellar, then try again 🙂 And Elena Walch makes wonderful wines, one of the best producers in Alto Adige… Glad you are stepping outside of your beloved France…
LikeLiked by 2 people
One of the reasons I find samples difficult–the expectation is to taste the wine immediately regardless of when it might be best to drink it.
LikeLike
you know what – you are absolutely right. You kind of don’t have a choice with samples, as review is expected right away – you can’t really treat them as the regular wines… yeah
LikeLike
I got a really nice bottle sent to me the other day (if price is any indication) and if I had bought it, I would not think about drinking it for around 10 years. Instead, I will likely drink it next week….
LikeLike