A slinki Stanko, a Pedra de Guix and the Gauls are invading

Our friends Obelix and Asterix hosted a peaceful tasting of what is now fashionably called ‘natural’ wines. On the evening, all were naturally outstanding, and my natural favourates were as follows:

Stanislao ‘Stanko’ Radikon’s 2014 Slatnick, Venezia Giulia
Is a slick orangey blend of 85% Chardonnay blended with a delicious 20% Tocai Friulano. Macerated for 12 days, and we are left with an unfiltered richness and a complexity, that needs another day for the wine to open itself up fully. Fresh natural acidity supports the ever evolving blend, but we drank it too quickly.

Now, the toss up for me between the two Priorats was pretty difficult.

But I hedged for 2008 Arbossar, Terroir Al Limit, Priorat
An intense show of slick pure, well made, Carinena fruit. I could have mistaken it for a top flight Burgundy. In my mind a touch more complex than the other, and outstandingly quaffable.

2008 Dits del Terra, Terroir Al Limit, Priorat
The same grape as Arbossar, from a different ‘terror’, showed full black, floral, cherriness, long and elegant with a touch of rustic minerality. Super!

2005 Dominio de Atauta, Ribera del Duero
This was a first time Tempranillo, from this producer, for me, and what another super example of a fine northern Spanish tinto.

Spicey cherries, red fruits and soft tannins rain down on one’s palate, almost begging for more. I am not sure if I have ever experienced this quantity of sexy tantric tannicness from a Ribera del Duero red before.

In need of something to fill the hole, some hot, runny, cheesy empanadas came out of the oven, and were washed down with an unforgettable bottle of 2008 Pedra de Guix, Terroir Al Limit, Priorat
A weighty blend of Garnatxa Blanca and Macabeau. It showed off the most elegant apricot, honeyed-watermelon and orange peel aromas. There is an oiliness to the texture that I loved. This was a great white from Priorat that could be put amongst the new wave of trendy, not too expensive whites, for us white Burgundy drinkers that cannot afford white Burgundy any more, at this level.

In need of some refreshment before bed, a sweet little (37.5cl) bottle of 2009 Riesling Spatlese, Mosel handpicked by Clemens Busch

7.5% alc. of Riesling heaven. Musky apples with melon tones. A juicy, juicy clean finish, that leaves a creaminess on the palate. Clemens’s wine rounded off what was an insightful evening of very natural wines, from three natural European giants.