Friuli-Venezia Giulia

So, are you feeling lucky?  That phrase goes thru my head every time I think about buying a natural wine.  But, Radikon is one of the top producers and his Merlots have been amazing.  This one is 75% Merlot and 25% Pignolo aged on its skins for 15 day and in oak for 3 years without much intervention.  I just hope the kitchen sink enjoyed it as i poured it down the drain!  Consumed over three days, just to punish myself.  Purple in color, opaque and flat.  The nose was a cross been a failed high school science experiment and the back room of a butcher shop.  The palate was much more chemical

The first two bottles opened of this were both corked.  The third was sound.  Refosco is the name of the grape mostly used in northeast Italy.  Deep ruby in color, lighter at the rim.  The nose is dusty with dark cherries and slight mild mint.  On the palate, light tannins with tart acidity.  Cherries and red currants.  This is drinking well but should be drunk sooner.  Some depth.  This will go well with pasta, pizza and most foods.  

It can be hard to find a time to open these kinds of "orange" wines.  I love them but they are not for everyone.  This is a white blend of grapes that is fermented, on the skins in amphorae and then finished in barrels.  It has Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.  These kind of wines are best served at cellar temperature.  Golden brown in color.  The nose is oxidized but also has some apple cider, slight citrus and even a floral note.  If oxidized wines bother you, stay away.  I found the nose vibrant.  On the palate, this is also vibrant and full of energy.  Apple cider

Sometimes wine fool you and they last.  Not so much this time.  At 14 years from vintage, this is not dead but well past prime I think.  Of course, with age, all bottles are different, but if you own any of this, you should probably check in on it.  Deep golden in color.  The nose has note of bell pepper and asparagus.  No fruit.  On the palate, its a bit better with a nice minerality but has a metallic note on the finish.  All that sounds terrible and its not leading me to believe younger vintages may have something to offer.  This one is worth dirnking if you have it (as oppose to dumping