2024 wrap-up
This could have been just a regular wine tasting, but with 2024 now behind us, we have plenty of statistics and insights to explore. So, consider this a unique combination of a classic wine tasting, a review of the year's results, and a quiz filled with delightfully silly questions. And prizes, of course!
By Boris · Hosted by Boris Buliga
This tasting was one of those promises hanging over me for a while. Initially, I planned to hold it on the 30th of December, but since I wasn't in Kyiv at the time, it had to be postponed. And so, we finally gathered to enjoy some wine, wrap up 2024, and have fun with silly quizzes.
This time, I didn't choose wines tailored for the participants as I usually do. Instead, I aggressively picked what I personally enjoy drinking. (The only exception was a substitution for Emidio Pepe due to my oversight, which required a last-minute replacement.) So, this was 100% a tasting for me---wines I love, and, of course, the added "fun" of teasing participants. (If you don't know what I mean, you clearly haven't seen the quiz questions!)
I'm thrilled that such an amazing group of people came together, making it genuinely fun to drink and laugh. And a special shout-out to Yaroslav, who brought an incredible welcome drink that set the tone for the evening.
All the details about the year's highlights can be found in a separate post. Here, you'll find information about this specific gathering.
And since this was a year-end celebration, it wouldn't have been complete without some gifts:
- Elvira Kantiieva received a bottle of Maurice Vesselle Grand Cru Millésimé 2013 for attending the most tastings (20 events).
- Dmytro Khomutnyk also received a bottle of Benoît Lahaye Rosé de Macération a Bouzy (d2023) NV for attending the most tastings (20 events).
- Oleksandr Riabtsev was gifted a bottle of Robert Moncuit Mesnil 2015 for volunteer work and bringing purpose to our charity tastings.
- Andrii Sierkov received a bottle of Benoît Lahaye Rosé de Macération a Bouzy (d2023) NV for contributing wines that made a dedicated charity tasting possible.
- Dmytro Khomutnyk was awarded a bottle of Comando G La Bruja 2023 for winning the quiz.
- Julie Bereza also received a bottle of Maurice Vesselle Grand Cru Millésimé 2013 for their quiz victory.
| Wine | WAVG | SD | Price | QPR | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rosa Frizzante2021 Grape Republic | #8 | 3.99 | 0.10 | – | – | – |
 Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups | #4 | 4.16 | 0.15 | – | 1,728 ₴ | 1.09 |
 Emidio Pepe | #7 | 4.11 | 0.29 | – | 3,250 ₴ | 0.72 |
 Langhe Nebbiolo2022 Piercarlo Culasso | #5 | 4.14 | 0.21 | – | 1,549 ₴ | 1.10 |
 Rozas 1er2018 Comando G | #5 | 4.14 | 0.27 | 1 | 1,762 ₴ | 1.03 |
 Stella di Campalto | 🥈 | 4.37 | 0.19 | 6 | 8,900 ₴ | 0.75 |
 Les Prémices (d2024)(2020) NV Egly-Ouriet | 🥉 | 4.31 | 0.15 | 1 | 3,587 ₴ | 1.30 |
 Brut Réserve L:21BSA-06/24(2021) NV Bérêche & Fils | 🥇 | 4.38 | 0.12 | 3 | 3,250 ₴ | 1.57 |
Grape Republic Rosa Frizzante 2021
This wine is crafted entirely from grapes grown in Yamagata Prefecture, using Delaware (53%) and Steuben (47%) varieties. The grapes underwent various vinification techniques before being blended to ensure the wine remained balanced and not overly tannic. Fermentation took place in stainless steel vats, and the wine was bottled with 12g/L of residual sugar to create a light pétillant effect.
To fine-tune the sugar content, Delaware juice was added before bottling, triggering a second fermentation in the bottle. No antioxidants were used in the process, staying true to a natural approach.
The wine was served blind, and though I didn't pinpoint the country, I put my bet on Kindeli, a New Zealand venture by Alex Craighead, who is associated with Grape Republic. In that sense, I consider it a partial success. Rating it was a challenge; I wavered between 3.9 and 4.0, ultimately settling on 3.9 due to the blind tasting element and a touch of caution.
This wine is truly delightful, featuring prominent strawberry notes alongside herbal hints, wet pebbles, and a slight oily texture. Its freshness is complemented by a pleasing herbal dryness in the finish, which balances the wine's subtle sweetness (around 12g/L of residual sugar). Overall, it's a very enjoyable experience with a compact and light finish.
Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups Bretonniere Cuvée Parcellaire Monopole 2021
As always, this wine is excellent. With time, it evolves to become more open and expressive while retaining its complex, multilayered character and remarkable structure. It's densely packed and delicious, offering aromas of quince jam, tilia honey, bruised apples, wet pebbles, chalk, and wool. On the palate, the green notes recede, giving way to richer flavors of honey and bruised fruits.
Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2016
Without a doubt, this is the finest bottle of Emidio Pepe Trebbiano I've experienced. Typically, I've encountered it either too young and challenging to appreciate or past its peak. This bottle, however, is nothing short of incredible, though its demanding nature may not appeal to everyone. The nose is complex, featuring intriguing aromas of canned sardines with a metallic edge, yellow fruits, briny seawater notes, grilled lemons, honey, wet wool, benzene hints, and a medley of spices. On the palate, it's salty and voluminous, with a profound and engaging character. While it requires time to fully open, the experience is immensely rewarding, culminating in a long, delicious aftertaste.
Piercarlo Culasso Langhe Nebbiolo 2022
This wine possesses an irresistible charm, perfect for enjoying in the moment. It is delightful to drink now, though an additional year or two of aging could further soften its tannins. With a brief aeration, it already exhibits a seamless and utterly delicious profile.
The bouquet presents a beautiful array of raspberry, wild strawberry, floral notes, marmalade, and earthy undertones. On the palate, it begins with a dry tannin sensation that quickly transitions to mouthwatering acidity, juicy textures, and vibrant fruit flavors. The finish is long, silky, and utterly captivating, inviting you to savor this wine in generous sips.
Comando G Rozas 1er 2018
Following the Langhe by Piercarlo Culasso, this wine presents a more challenging, yet intriguing profile. It exhibits a distinctive funkiness with barnyard nuances, complemented by spicy, sanguine notes that enhance its charm. The fruit remains robust, reminiscent of wild strawberry stew, accompanied by hints of withered red flowers and an abundance of spices.
The palate is nuanced and mineral-driven, balancing subtlety with underlying power. Despite its complexity, the wine retains its captivating character, offering an engaging experience with each sip.
Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino Cielo 2018
This wine is simply stunning. Each bottle by Stella di Campalto feels like a personal celebration. It offers a super-packed, complex, and nuanced experience, yet remains effortlessly enjoyable.
The bouquet is rich, featuring peonies, red fruits, cacao, tea, cherry confiture, herbs, and a generous touch of ground black pepper. On the palate, it is juicy, fresh, and irresistibly seductive, with silky tannins and an almost perfect balance, supported by an impeccable structure. It's a wine to fall in love with.
Egly-Ouriet Les Prémices (d2024) NV
Though still quite young, this wine has become event more delicious and interesting, gaining in composure and structure over the past year. The nose is a delightful and intense medley of pear candy, buttered toast, bruised apple, honey, nuts, oil, cotton candy, and honeysuckle, with a subtle Jerez touch. Almost full-bodied, it presents a pronounced and intense profile, yet its balance and structure are impeccable. Each sip is a blissful experience, showcasing sophistication and complexity. It's a pity that my stash is dwindling.
Bérêche & Fils Brut Réserve L:21BSA-06/24 NV
Compared to Les Prémices, the Brut Réserve is notably more lush and expressive, with a pronounced profile and higher volume. It features a charming nose with aromas of lemon, brioche, butter, cider, white plums, and a hint of honey. On the palate, it is rounded and full-bodied, offering a lasting flavor experience.
The wine's excellent acidity is well-balanced by its dosage, providing great concentration. The lovely finish seamlessly blends spices, fruits, minerality, and honey, leaving a memorable impression.