1 Wine Dude

A Serious Wine Blog For the Not-So-Serious Drinker

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • New? Start Here!
    • PR & Samples
    • Press & What-Have-You
  • Wine
    • by badge
      • crowd pleaser
      • elegant
      • kick-ass
      • overachiever
      • sexy
    • Full Reviews
    • Mini-Reviews
  • Stalk
    • Follow me on News Break!
    • facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • pinterest
    • twitter
    • YouTube
  • Sign Up
  • Books
  • Services
  • Contact
Menu
1 Wine Dude

Burdened With Glorious Purpose (Livio Felluga Terre Alte 2011)2 min read

Posted on November 20, 2014November 11, 2014 by 1WineDude

in elegant wines, wine review

It’s been a while since I bitched and moaned about tasting (okay, and drinking) wines long before “their time.” So I think we can both agree that I am due for a repeat.

The trouble is, in the words of Loki, “I am burdened with glorious purpose!” when it comes to wine criticism. Generally, I’m supposed to taste vino, ascertain where it sits on the quality spectrum from worst to best in the world, taking into account where it’s from, what it’s made of, and when it was crafted, and guessing at the intentions of those who made it, then make a determination of a recommendation (or not), including guessing when it will likely be drinking at its best, even though that last part is almost entirely subjective.

Easy, right?

It also makes the “job” bittersweet, in that occasionally I run into a bottle from the sample pool that is excellent and downright stunning, enjoyable now but teasing at how, given X amount years of further bottle repose, the constituent elements might come together to offer something even more compelling.

It’s the “f*ck!-this-tastes-great-now-dammit-why-couldn’t-I–have-waited?!??” syndrome. First World problem, yes. But doesn’t make the tinge of regret any easier to bear, probably because I am a weakling.

Anyway, before I flagellate myself over this and you start playing sad songs on the world’s smallest violin, let’s talk about the stunner…

 2011 Livio Felluga Terre Alte (Colli Orientali del Friuli, $75)

I’ve no previous knowledge of this wine or producer, apart from knowing it’s a bit of a Friuli-Venezia Giulia icon (which I’ll admit is a fine start as far as I’m concerned). A mix of Friulano, Pinot Bianco, and Sauvignon, it’s named after Livio Felluga’s estate-grown vineyards (on Eocene-era marl and sandstone soils). What I find most interesting about this wine is that it’s harmony betrays absolutely none of its somewhat patchwork construction. The Sauvignon and Pinot Bianco were fermented in stainless steel, the Friulano in small oak casks, and the whole shebang is blended together after about ten months of aging, then cellar aged in bottles for another nine months.

But there really aren’t too many seams visible in this straw-colored beauty. Flowers and fresh herbs are upfront, ushering in tropical and citrus fruit notes, lemon zest, and then dried herbs. There’s a touch of almond going on that is so compelling, it’s like having the bowl of fresh nuts on the table next to you, with your hand continually reaching in, you cannot stop because they’re so f*cking good. It’s heady, pungent, and complex, and I am, of course, kicking myself that this bottle couldn’t be preserved to see how all of this stuff matures in a good five years or so. Hey, Coravin, where the hell is my sample?!????

Cheers!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

6 thoughts on “Burdened With Glorious Purpose (Livio Felluga Terre Alte 2011)2 min read”

  1. Wayne Young says:
    November 20, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Yay! For Friuli! I always love seeing one of the great wines shine… And Terre Alte is a classic. The worst part about this post is that you've never heard of this wine before (??!?!!?!)
    Nonetheless… there is so much more greatness to discover here in Friuli… So what are you waiting for??

    1. 1WineDude says:
      November 20, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Wayne, I know, right?

  2. MyrddinGwin says:
    November 20, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Dude, if you find you've tried a sample you really dig, is it against your code of ethics to potentially buy a bottle and try it again when you feel it'd be close to perfectly aged? Is there a conflict of interest at that point, or since it'd be your money being spent, would it be okay?

    1. 1WineDude says:
      November 20, 2014 at 10:24 pm

      MG, I don't see how that'd be an ethics issue. How you spend your own money is of course your own business. Having said that, I do often wonder if wine criticism is tainted when buying a wine with one's own money. Can we be mostly objective of we've got skin in the game, having forked out the cash in the hopes that the wine would be excellent? Etc.

  3. Cigar Inspector says:
    November 22, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    If it's that incredible, I'd buy a second one and age it. It'd drive me crazy waiting though.

    1. 1WineDude says:
      November 22, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      Cigar – Yeah, and on occasion I do that. I've got vintage Port that would be infanticide to open now; that's driving me nuts!

Comments are closed.

Dude’s New Books

Wine Taster's Guide Now Available!

“Bravo! Wine Taster's Guide is a perfect primer for both wine novices and learning enthusiasts." ―Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier

Wine Taster's Journal Now Available!

"Wine Taster's Journal belongs in everyone's cellar… preferably wine-stained, dog-eared, and well-used.” ―Brian Freedman, wine/spirits/travel columnist

Get Some Wine

Popular Stuff

  • Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For January 11, 2021
    Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For January 11, 2021
  • Wine in the Time of Coronovirus, Part 22: Who's Down With BPC? (Bruno Paillard Champagne Tasting)
    Wine in the Time of Coronovirus, Part 22: Who's Down With BPC? (Bruno Paillard Champagne Tasting)
  • Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For December 28, 2020
    Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For December 28, 2020
  • Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For January 18, 2021
    Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For January 18, 2021
  • Bitterness in White Wines (No... Really!)
    Bitterness in White Wines (No... Really!)

About + Contact

Joe Roberts

Joe Roberts

Certified Specialist of Wine & WSET Advanced
Author, speaker, consultant, wine judge, & critic.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed

Find Stuff

Sign up, lushes!

Join 36,566 other subscribers

Fine Print

This site is licensed under Creative Commons.

Code of Ethics and Privacy Policies.

Play nice!

Get The Guide

Wine Tasters Guide Footer
#1 New Release in Amazon's Wine Tasting category
This site uses cookies. Duh. Cookie Policy
©2021 1 Wine Dude
Yo yo YO!

Wine Tasters Guide InstagramWell, hello there!

If you like what you’re reading (and want to like more of what you’re drinking), consider subscribing.

If you’re up for a more immersive wine learning experience, check out my books and other services.

Cheers!

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.