Radcliffes Regional Classics Barolo DOCG 2002

Radcliffes Regional Classics Barolo DOCG 2002
We having some Rare-Breed Sausages last night that I bought at the local Farmers market ( tasted them and then could not resist), and I wanted to have something quite high in acidity that would cut through the fat and something that had a bit of a woody edge..... so I chose a Barolo that was on the rack in the cellar - and was a  pressie from somebody a few years ago and needed to be drunk.

 

 

We opened it and let it stand for about an hour before we decanted it ( very little sediment) and then we let it stand for another 45 minutes to breath ( though we did have a little sample..... just to make sure all was well, in the interest of ..well ..... us actually).
The wine had a definite medium depth, garnet colour, core with narrow rim, the legs that formed on the glass sides when swirled were slow and pale.
On popping our nose into the glass - cedar, smoke, tea, herbs, spice and generally perfumed, I would say a touch of Earl Grey Tea and there were faded red fruit notes, this wine has gone over the hill I feel, the fruit has faded and wood / tertiry notes have taken over.....but still beautiful and elegant.
On tasting it the first flavours noted were tea / herbs and near the bottom of the list was red fruits - faded but still present. Other notes were that the cedar and spice were overpowering, then rose, herbs and leather all played a part in this wines character. The tannins still obvious and chalky and green tasting, the acidity was fresh and the alcohol in balance, the length was very long with a cedar / cinnamon bark edge and a tea soaked, sharp sour cherry end.
Overall we really enjoyed the wine - despite the fading fruits, the tertiary notes really suited the wine and it went so well with our sausages, which were what I would call ' old fashioned Pork with a good mix of herbs', how good sausages are meant to taste, and they had texture was not smooth or homogenous - so a success!
Final thoughts on the wine - this was not an a-typical Barolo, the year 2002, was a difficult one with a 30 minute hail storm ruining many producers chances of a good crop of grapes, and this followed a wet summer, some producers were lucky and had good vintages, but I feel this wine was not the best example, and also should have been drunk a couple of years ago.

Radcliffe’s wines are owned and distributed by Thierry’s Wine Services, they pick 'the best' and have it bottled under their own lable to sell. The cost was probably around the £20 mark when purchased.

Finca Flichman Malbec 2002 Argentina

Finca Flichman Caballero de la Cepa Malbec 2002

Finca Flichman under the So Grape canapy ( Port wine makers and also the makers of Mateus Rose) is an Argentinian brand producing wines often seen in the 'on trade' ie Restaurants, though with a production of 24 million litres - it must be seen in alot of places.

This 10 year old ruby red wine has a garnet rim, which shows its age. The rich aromas of black berry fruits, kirsch, spice escape the glass in abundance. Tasting it reinforces the fruit driven Malbec, Argentinas for most grape, black fruits, smokey spices and kirsch. The acidity is more than medium and the alcohol is high - out of balance with the fruit, it more than supports it, it is a dominant factor. The tannins are structural and chalky and add substance to this full bodied  wine.
The finish is long and spicy with good structure throughout. The wood feels slightly chunky and overpowering, maybe this is due to the fading power of the fruit due to the wines age......
A lovely wine but maybe fading now - so if you have this on your rack - drink quick.