Thursday, January 21, 2016

2015 Jilly Roman Giallo


Jared Dixon's 2015 Jilly Roman Giallo (or yellow) is really extraordinary. A New England Petit Manseng, again it is a gold in colouring with a pink edge, orange too and ale-ish similarly. If I knew what gold bullion smelt like, I expect it would smell like this — along with being honeyed. And on the palate, it tastes of what I imagine, somewhat fantastically, gold dust would taste like. It's sherbet too. It is made with minimal interference, and Dixon said the wine fought through to its fine end, like the Romans, hence the name. The gold wax over the cork drips luxuriously down the bottle. And the Roman Giallo is on a leather-like shield or a piece of leather-like armour.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

2015 Jilly New England Big Cats


Jared Dixon named a 2015 New England red Big Cats, the label featuring a lion's head, because Dixon thought it was a big wine. Made from Touriga and Tempranillo grapes, it is a deep, ruby-red velvet in colour with the illusion of purple. There's tart hot plum in the perfume, conveying the expectation of tannin, but it's smooth on the palate, yet with depth and length. Probably Dixon's best red to date, it represents a mature level of winemaking. Very drinkable, yet suited to experienced drinkers and fine dining. Very impressive.