Gold Dust to Gold Rush

I ENJOYED UNPICKING a strapping Barbaresco this evening - Cascina Saria's '01. With packaging reminscent of Gaja, it promised much. Thankfully, the reality matched the momentary dream. This early-ripening Nebbiolo combines many shades of crimson, with an emanant nose of wine-bound ostrich burger, delicately aromatic dried roses, yew maze in dew and a whiff of anise. The palate is supportive of the above, with discreet acidity, fine-spun tannins and a warm finish that falls away like a bag of gold dust shaken into a sunbeam.

From gold dust to gold rush, I dallied earlier within a Pinot Noir from Central Otago - where gold was discovered in 1861. Tarras Vineyards' '06 was as buoyant as a lifebuoy - a warm burrow flooded with alcohol and richer than (ultra-ripe) raspberries.

Whilst Otago Pinot Noirs turn grapes into gold for producers, for me they are still overly colourful cartoon counterparts of their French grandparents.

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I seem to be taking a voyage through much of Italy's wine shore. On that note, here is a lively excerpt from the Good Taste Report:

'...seems like half of the little dark ones (Brunellos) I try these days are waxed-chest, plucked brow, metrosexual liquid robots...'

I will endeavour to evaluate.

FURTHER LINK: Otago Gold Rushes