Tried these w/ Susan on Fri night:
1. Massican Gaspare Dd'OC: Bianco Friuli Colli Orientali (43% Friulano/29% RibollaGialla/28% Chard; 13.5%) P&B by Ronco del Gnemiz/SanGiovanni al Natisone 2016: Med.light gold color; somewhat herbal/SB-like fairly fragrant/floral/TF rather flinty/steely/mineral/perfumed talc classic ColliOrientali white very attractive nose; quite tart/steely/bit lean somewhat rich rather mineral/stony/flinty/chalky slight white pepper/RG some floral/TF/pear blossom/pear quite attractive flavor; very long fairly tart/steely flinty/stony/chalky/mineral light floral/TF/white pepper/RG finish; speaks mostly TF but the Chard gives it a richness & texture most CO wines don't show; not a profound wine but a very attractive food-friendly white like you'd find in Friuli. $26.00
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2. Ronchi di Pietro Schioppettino L'Anime da Nestre Tiare DOC: Friuli Colli Orientali (13%; L10; EnotecImports/Denver) Ronchi San Giuseppe di Zorzettig Francisco & Fulvio/Cividale del Friuli 2015: Very dark/near black color; very intense cracked black pepper/blackberry/boysenberry/very spicy some earthy/graphite bit smoked meats very perfumed/aromatic almost black muscat complex beautiful nose; rather tart intense cracked black pepper/boysenberry/blackberry/very spicy/peppery light herbal/thyme/pungent bit earthy/mushroomy very structured complex flavor w/ some hard/crunch tannins; very long/lingering rather tart intense cracked black pepper/boysenberry/blackberry/mulberry/very spicy rather graphite/earthy/herbal/thyme/pungent very structured finish w/ ample firm/chewy tannins; a classic intense expression of Schioppettino that needs 5-10 yrs at a stupid/silly price. $22.00 (AV)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This is a first for DanPetroski. Dan makes whites up in Calistoga that reflect on his love for Friuli wines and cusine. This is a wine that was actually made in the ColliOrientali by Ronco del Gnemiz. I've known the name, but have only had two of their wines, which I thought was pretty decent save for the Merlot. I liked this white quite a lot and it reminded me of a Miani TF (at 3 times the price), but not as fragrant and richly textured. Now if only he'd do another such effort w/ Schioppettino or Refosco.
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2. This Ronchi di Pietro was a stunning expression of Schioppettino. Reminds some of a Failla Estate Syrah because of the cracked pepper, but not the structure & extract. Easily the best Schioppettino I've had in this country outside the Ronchi di Cialla (which is 3 times the price).
Paolo Rapuzzi was the person who rescued Schioppettino from extinction in Friuli. When we visited his son in Cialla; Evan pulled several older examples from his cellar that were stunning. I gifted him a btl of the Mathiassen Schioppettino to try. Clearly, a grape they should be planting all up&down the coast of Calif.
Tom