Ageno Party
The Ageno mythology, tested
Some things need time to mature properly - the only risk is letting the fruit ripen too long. The idea was to host a vertical tasting of Ageno, a wine that has profoundly influenced a certain circle of Kyiv wine lovers. Five vintages: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Yes, 2016 is missing (for very sound reasons), but even without it, this line-up is remarkable. Elvira somehow managed to preserve these treasures for this very evening.
We first discussed this tasting over two years ago, and throughout that time, we struggled to bring our small group together. Perhaps we waited longer than ideal - these wines may have seen their finest hours - but I'm genuinely glad we finally opened them. The experience was extraordinary, even if they've evolved beyond their peak. Sometimes the journey matters as much as the destination.
La Stoppa Ageno 2020
This wine secured the 🥈 2nd place in our wine tasting lineup.
Apricot jam, herbs, buckwheat honey, orange peel. This is vibrant, potent stuff - bold but not exhausting, with just enough complexity to keep you genuinely engaged. Very good shape, drinking beautifully right now. Satisfying in that uncomplicated, honest way.
La Stoppa Ageno 2019
Pretty sure this bottle got damaged in the Goodwine warehouse attack. The nose is actually delightful - juniper, apricot jam, pine nuts, VA - but there's this faint sewage note that shouldn't be there. Palate's the real heartbreak: tired, no structure, no length. This used to be gorgeous. Definitely faulty.
La Stoppa Ageno 2018
This wine secured the 🥉 3rd place in our wine tasting lineup.
More focused and fresh than the 2020. Where 2020 channels Friuli's weight and muscle, this one's elevated and precise like Carso – herbs, VA, lemongrass, ginger, peach. Beautiful and quietly compelling, though somehow less impressive than last time. Still, this is very good wine.
La Stoppa Ageno 2017
This wine secured the 🏅 4th place in our wine tasting lineup.
Apricot jam, apple jam, honey, medicinal herbs, nuts, caramel. A touch sweet, yes, but the VA and brilliant acidity rescue it completely – this is drinkable and genuinely delicious. Good, long finish. Really improved over the last two years. It's finding itself.
La Stoppa Ageno 2015
This wine secured the 🥇 1st place in our wine tasting lineup.
A bit tired, but fuck me, this is beautiful. Date fruit, caramel, buckwheat honey, coffee, aged apricot jam, baked apples, orchard blossoms, caramelised lemon, lemongrass. Round, intense, balanced with mature tannins and solid fruit. Oxidised red apples dipped in caramel dominate. Wonderful stuff.
La Stoppa Vino del Volta 2022
- Region
- Italy » Vino
- Type
- white still, sweet
- Producer
- Wine
- Vintage
- 2022
- Grapes
- Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
- Alcohol
- 13
- Volume
- 500 mL
- Find at
This wine secured the 🥈 2nd place in our wine tasting lineup.
Dried apricot, persimmon, caramel, herbs, touch of VA, tropical notes. Medium body with pleasant sweetness balanced by decent acidity, long jammy finish. It's a bit cloying though – really could use more acid backbone to lift it. Young and needs time to integrate. Good, but not quite there yet.