GD Vajra Kye Freisa Dd’OC: Langhe (14.5%; www.GDVajra.It) Barolo 2016: Med.dark color; very strong fragrant Freisa/floral/lilacs/rose petal very Nebb-like slight pungent/tarry/road tar some earthy/dusty lovely perfumed nose; rather tart/tangy some earthy/dusty rather floral/lilacs/rose petal/Nebb-like slight pungent/tarry bit complex flavor w/ rather tangy/hard tannins; very long bit pungent/charred/tarry some floral/lilacs/rose petal/Nebb-like lightly tart finish w/ light bit rough/hard tannins; shows much of the pungent/tarry side of Nebb but not the high-toned aromatics of Nebb; quite similar to Nebb w/ much the same hard/bitey tannins. $37.00 (KK)
Dom. du MasBlanc AC: Banyuls VinDouxNaturel Hors d’Age “le Colloque” (16.5%; Grenache; Avg age: 8 yrs; HausAlpenz/Edina/MN) Jean-Michel Parce/Banyuls sur Mer NV: Very dark color; rather fumey/alcoholic intense grapey/Portish/late hrvsty chocolaty/boysenberry/Grenache nose; soft very alcoholic/fumey/porty quite sweet Grenache/grapey/late hrvsty/overripe flavor w/ light tannins; very long quite sweet rather fumey/alcoholic grapey/Grenache/late hrvsty/porty finish w/ light tannins; a pretty classic Banyuls and resembles most PasoRobles Grenaches. $21.00/hlf (KK)
A wee BloodyPulpit:
Freisa: Is one of the parents of Nebbiolo. It shows much the same character of Nebb. It is sometimes made as a fizzy/off-dry version. My first exposure to Freisa was back in the late '70’s when DarrellCorti brought in the ones from Scarpa.Fizzy & off-dry, I developed a real love for the grape. This Vajra style, made like a B/B, does not nuture that love. I would love to see them make it in the style of their JC Clare Nebb.
Banyuls: Dr.Parce is regarded by many as one of the best producers in Banyuls. I’ve had some very old versions of his that I liked quite a lot. But it’s a genre I find difficult to appreciate. Fortified to stop the fermentation, they are often a bit too alcoholic/fumey to my taste. But w/ the Pig+Fig chocolate fudge cake, it was a very good match.
Tom
On the 23rd I had 2015 G.D. Vajra Langhe Freisa Kye and the next day on Christmas Eve I had both 2019 G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo Clare J.C. (second visit) and 2017 Vietti Langhe Freisa Vivace. Those 2 were my first run at Freisa so I dont have a point of reference but there were pretty stark differences. My favorite of the 3 was the Clare JC, but the other 2 seemed like they had more aging potential. Any thoughts on what can be expected with some aging?
I did not realize that Scarpa made this in the fizzy style. I know a retailer who has the 2006. What would you expect of this? I know Scarpa wines live a really long time, but a fizzy one?
Chris, maybe that was back in ye olden days, or with a different label, but the 2000s Freisas I’ve had are structured still wines. I had a bottle of that 2006 a year or so ago and it was delicious and still on the younger side. I’d snap it up if it’s a decent price.