3

Funk


Funk for WINE DECODED refers to aromas and flavours that are a little more out there than fruit, oak, floral perfumes, earthiness and spice to name a few.
We use it in a positive light to refer to characters that add complexity, without dominating the wine and don’t sit in the mainstream array of aromas and flavours.

« Back to Wine Words Index

Funk for WINE DECODED refers to aromas and flavours that are a little more out there than fruit, oak, florals, perfumes, earthiness and spice to name a few.

We use it in a positive light to refer to characters that add complexity, without dominating the wine and don’t sit in the mainstream array of aromas and flavours.

Characters that sit under funky include:

  • Wet wool or lanolin.
  • Wet dog.
  • Mushroom characters (not cork taints).
  • Characters from the use of solids in ferments and ageing, biscuity, cracked yeast notes and balanced complexing reduction.

We don’t use it to avoid reference to wine faults or off characters like moussiness or brettanomyces.

If a wine has those faults it won’t be on our list. If for some strange reason it is, we’ll declare it leaving no doubt that it is present.

 

« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

The 2019 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Archivio opens slowly in the glass, darkly intense and youthfully coiled. Swirling brings an aromatic blend of foreign spice, balsam herbs, dried black cherries and lifting shaved pine notes. With its silky textures, this seduces, more lifted and poised than I'd imagined. A core of tart raspberry fruit stains the palate as a web of fine-grained tannins forms toward the close. While structured and dramatically long, the Archivio maintains a lovely harmony, as a bi
$205
$195ea in any 3+
$185ea in any 6+
If 2008 felt cool and Atlantic, the 2009 Roda I could be described as Mediterranean, from a warm and healthy vintage. Here they aim for black fruit character while the regular Roda should show red fruit. The grapes are sourced from over 30-year-old vines and is mostly Tempranillo with some 5% Graciano. It matured in first and second use French oak barrels for 16 months. It's a warm vintage, without reaching the heights of 2011, but there was some stress in the peak of the summer, which in some w
$385
$365ea in any 3+
$345ea in any 6+
The 2017 Barolo Mosconi is a powerful, brooding wine. Black cherry, gravel, dried herbs, scorched earth, spice and leather add to an impression of gravitas. This is an especially somber, potent Barolo that needs time to soften. Even so, it will always be a brute. The substantial finish is a thing of beauty. The Barolo Mosconi emerges from the estates oldest vines, which are 70-80 years old, and is aged in barrique.Galloni
$220
$210ea in any 3+
$200ea in any 6+
An exuberantly spicy and overtly floral nose is airy, cool and elegant. Unlike some of the other reds in the range with very low yields, the mouthfeel of the mediumbodied flavors reflects the expected density while remaining sophisticated, refined and classy on the beautifully persistent, mineral-driven and youthfully austere finale. This is terrific and should age effortlessly. 2033+ Sweet spot Outstanding ♥Allen Meadows, Burghound 92-94 Points WK 92-94
$259
$249ea in any 3+
$239ea in any 6+