The Upstarts
Antonio Vallana e Figlio
Boca Nebbiolo Blend 2016
Yeah the 60s and early 70s Vallana wines were in a class by themselves.
Marqués de Murrieta
Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2009
Here we find a middleweight champion struggling to cling to its belt amid a sea of upstarts and revitalized contenders.
Not certain if the future is bright for the Gran Reserva Especial, as it lacks the punch we’ve come to expect. — 5 years ago
with Jillian
The Upstarts
Rosé Blend
Super easy drinking, nice and jammy. Lovely for a hot day/night — 5 years ago
Weingut Brand
Flora Trocken Flora 2013
Natural Dornfelder/ Blauer Portugieser blend by young upstarts from the Pfalz. Pure, remarkably intense floral bouquet. Gushing blue and red fruit leads to grippy mid-palate. Clean acid. Nothing complicated, but highly enjoyable. Just as good as when drinking it in a Berlin wine bar. — 10 years ago
@Delectable Wine This is a red blend with varietals noted above.
Peter Sultan
Adjacent profile wise to Northern Rhone: gamey, mineral & earthiness to it’s core; it’s the decaying rose petals, & hibiscus edges (& lighter shades) that point to its true, Nebbiolo soul. I’ve heard some wine folks mourn the loss of the original Valana, & that the younger family upstarts can’t come close to the originals. I don’t know, but for about 25$ this is is dang-it good Alpine red. — 3 years ago