Nadia (Romano) shared her experiences of her family's winery in Montemarano. A lot of rain with peronospora which attacked her grapes' leaves instead of the fruit as in Tecce's case. A year which was faticosa, busy, in the vineyard. They harvested three times to make sure that they got the healthiest grapes. A year of consapevolezza, awareness. Looking back, she added, maybe they pruned too long... It was a year in which her winery decided not to produce a Taurasi.
Rainy, capricciosa...not as 'dynamic' as 2008. I thought about that the following morning as I examined the first glass of Taurasi 2009 from a bottle which I, at the time, knew only as # 17. Still continuing with my choice of a blind tasting, I did, however decide to taste the wines by territory as I did last year. But unlike last year, as I tasted glass after glass (sixteen 2009s in all) I felt that it was just a little too early to 'judge'. They had a headstrong harvest year, a little more to deal with than years such as the 2008s and the 2007s. (A fact later confirmed by winemakers Roberto Di Meo and Massimo Di Renzo).That being said, I did find several with noses that were interesting, flavor that had promise, glasses that piqued my curiosity...
That being said, while tasting, I did check off several that I would like to try again later. With a little more time in the bottle to really understand what this 2009 would mean for Taurasi.
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| Rocca del Principe Taurasi Master Domini 2009 |
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| Luigi Tecce Taurasi Poliphemo 2009 |
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| Villa Raiano Taurasi 2009 |
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| Tenuta Cavalier Pepe Taurasi Opera Mia 2009 |
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| Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici 2009 |
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| Di Prisco Taurasi 2009 |
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| Pietracupa Taurasi 2009 |
After stretching my legs and a little bit of fresh air, I was ready for the harvest year 2008. Bottles labeled # 33-55 were also divided according to territory. These bottles were a mixture of Taurasi 2008s being presented officially to the press for the first time and the new Taurasi Reserves. A harvest year considered balanced and harmonic. Wines with great ageing potential. In fact. It was here where I really enjoyed myself going from glass to glass. Inhaling in, tasting, savoring. Taurasis that could be enjoyed now, though had tannins that would allow them to evolve nicely in any cantina...
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| I Favati Taurasi Terzotratto Etichetta Bianca Riserva 2008 |
I also enjoyed two from Terredora. One from the north quadrant-left bank of the Calore River.
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| Terredora Taurasi Pago dei Fusi 2008 |
While this one from the west quadrant, also know as Fiano territory.
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| Terredora Fatica Contadina 2008 |
Two Taurasis....two styles. Something to investigate with a winery visit this spring...
As well as a visit to Taurasi for these wines...
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| Contrade di Taurasi Taurasi Coste 2008 |
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| Cantine Antonio Caggiano Taurasi Macchia dei Goti 2008 |
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| Urciuolo Taurasi Riserva 2008 |
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| Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi Piano di Montevergine Riserva 2008 |
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| Boccella Taurasi Sant'Eustachio 2008 |
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| Colli di Castelfranci Taurasi Alta Valle Riserva 2008 |
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| Il Cancelliere Taurasi Nero Ne' 2008 |
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| Perillo Taurasi 2008 |
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| Guastaferro Taurasi Primum Riserva 2007 |
A flavorful Taurasi from the vineyards in Mirabella Eclano...
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| Mastroberardino Taurasi Naturalis Historia 2007 |
and one from Montemarano...
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| Masseria Murata Taurasi Passione 2007 |
Just one offering from 2006....
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| Cantine Di Meo Taurasi Riserva 2006 |
A lot going on in this glass...black pepper, mature cherries...complexity. Full of flavor...persistent.
There. Tasting complete. I walked away with more questions than comments. Questions about a wine, questions about a territory.
Questions that can only be answered by visiting the cantinas, talking to the wine makers....
and vineyard hopping...
And that is what I intend to do....
Taurasi Vendemmia Edizione 2013 was held 8-9 March in Serino (Av) as part of Miriade& Partners Campania Stories. This is part 3 of my weekend 'tasting taurasi'....
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