JIMENEZ LANDI 2009 PIELAGO
Winemaker comments: “We make our wines with little intervention (crushing the grapes by foot, with no pumps), with no chemical products (fermentation with local yeasts) and with minimum doses of sulfurose (before bottling, in order to sell wine all over the world). The basis of our work is both a respect for nature and for our autochthonous qualities. For aging we only use large barrels (500-3000L) to respect the identity and personality of our wines.”The nose immediately brought old-vine Rhône to mind; beautiful raspberry and kirsch scents along with generous spices: white and black pepper and sea salt. The palate continued what the nose started: big spice, more pepper and light garrique, sweet berry and plummy fruits with massive, appropriate tannins. We found many layers to this wine, as the mid-palate brought our more cherry liqueur, boeuf bouillon, reduction of raspberry and pomegranate. We were thinking (and salivating about) tri-tip or lamb with this one though the wine clearly stands out on its own-- a definite “wow” wine.
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2009 Pielago is a cuvee of 100% Garnacha aged 14 months in 500 and 1500-liter French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an enthralling nose of cassis, Asian spices, incense, lavender, black raspberry, and black cherry. Velvety on the palate with exceptional volume and precision balance, this succulent, full-flavored effort can be approached now but will drink well for a decade."
