Danilo Thomain Enfer d'Arvier

Liked it, but I expected more. Not sure I would rush to find more.

Interesting little "pasta wine" made from the Petit Rouge grape from the northern part of Italy in the Alps. I'm pretty certain the grapes in this wine struggled to ripen fully. Somewhat austere and a little bitter on the finish. It needs some food even if it is pizza, pasta or bread. Some fairly one dimensional red fruit that is pretty nondescript and a touch of burnt matchstick on the nose. Pretty soft mouth feel and low acidity. I had …

pale in color this wine features a nice soft aroma of aged soft cherries and a smokey finish with understated tones. Wonderful wine.

Smoky-gamey macerated wild strawberries with mint. On the palate, surprisingly light and fruity, riper berry concentration, medium acidity, and low tannins. DOC regulations require 85% Petit Rouge, the most widely planted grape in the region, but this is 100%. Medium licorice finish. Overall, this is a more rustic Gamay and quite pleasant.

Very dark, deep aromas. Heavy, with plenty of spice. The palate is soft on entry, with some nice smoothness. It's mellow, but there's some volatile acidity that's a little off putting despite the nice creamy texture. There's quite a bit more funk and VA on the finish, which is pretty funky. It's also very hot and this throws the wine out of balance and the notes lingering aren't good, mostly just alcohol. 14% alcohol in Valle d'Aosta... The vineyard sounds …

So much more explosive on the second day.

For some reason smoked pomegranate or cherries comes to mind on the nose. Hints of rosemary. Palate is certainly full in the mid, with a bitter twang to the back that I love. Have no idea where its going or where its been, can't say that it immediately makes me want to twist and shout either. But maybe the longest coups de Coeur is the best?

Interesting high altitude red with strong stylistic ties to Burgundy and Beaujolais. Very good extraction, with delightful wild berries and forest floor aromas. Still very young, the surprisingly high alcohol is noticeable at 14%. Ends with a dry finish of bitter herbs. Medium bodied, and very food friendly.

POP. Paired with Korean marinated short ribs. Ruby color, slight funk on the nose. Tart raspberry-cherry, high acidity, very fresh, low tannin. As wine opened up, sweet red fruit, finishing with wet acidity. Interesting wine/grape. understand that this is 100% Petit Rouge, while others typically have PR at 85%. A bit expensive at $28, but a nice change and will buy again. Believe it would go well with a high-fat cheese.

Fuschia on the color (reddish purple); soft but spicy, both earthy and fruity, like a spicy cru Beaujolais; new grape for me