UNARTIG
Neverland & André Macionga
THE PROJECT NEVERLAND
In autumn 2015 I became aware of the Neverland winery in Vendersheim, Rheinhessen. The brothers Sebastian and Marcel Class invited me to a private wine tasting in Neverland. After several visits to the winery and joint tastings, we decided to start a project together. After we had created the cuvée and the whole process was finished, we tasted the first bottle together. The word “naughty”; was pronounced and was immediately obvious and undoubtedly the right name for this wine. This cuvée shows itself in numerous ways. “Naughty” is unique. Frivolous, bold and confident.
UNARTIG 2017
THE OPTIMAL WINE GLASS
The wine glass plays the decisive role in the perfect development of aroma. For the wine UNARTIG 2017 I recommend the following wine glass:
Chardonnay glass
THE TASTE PICTURES
FIRST TASTE PICTURE – AFTER A FRESHLY DRAWN BOTTLE
The freshly opened bottle gives off a complex and very youthful character, yet at the same time is dense and complex. The cuvée already has a deep personality, with Nashi pears and subtle elderberry. Nevertheless, the olfactory picture indicates a long way to complete unfolding. On the palate, the recipient is challenged by strong tension and acidity. Paired with a great spice, a very racy picture emerges, which can seem uncomfortable at first, but certainly ends in great complexity. As the next vintage of 2016, this taste profile corresponds to the expected outcome.
SECOND TASTE PICTURE – WITH SOME OXYGEN
Round two, and the wine becomes more multi-faceted. In the nose now an open, beautiful Burgunderbild develops. Smells in dark green mix with the primary exoticism. Fir needles and wet grass in combination with dense, ice-cold elderberry water create an almost Mediterranean feeling. In addition, there are notes of rosemary and thyme, but also a certain fruit component. I smell galia melon, a short hint of banana and the smell of orange zest a few seconds after peeling, all of which bring the exotic taste back into balance. The taste of the wine also goes a step further. The harmony of tension, spice and the toasty tones of Brioche results in an almost conservative picture. Is that still naughty?
THIRD TASTE PICTURE – WITH A LOT OF OXYGEN
Orange has become extremely light, with nectarine-like tones. At the next stage, aromas of apricots and vanilla are aroused in the Burgundy glass. And yet the olfactory profile remains true to the beginning of the journey: sour green aromas and balanced spices maintain the core complexity. In this third stage of this cuvée, each successive sip unfolds a new taste. In addition, there are aromas of mango and light mint, of pomelo and grapefruit. Emotionally they remind me of a carefree walk on the beach. This picture makes me extremely satisfied, especially when looking back at the origin and the name of this cuvée. Naughty 2017 will bring us much joy in the years to come. For the good!
UNARTIG 2016
THE OPTIMAL WINE GLASS
The wine glass plays the decisive role in the perfect development of aroma. For the wine UNARTIG 2016 I recommend the following wine glass:
Burgundy glass
THE TASTE PICTURES
FIRST TASTE PICTURE – AFTER A FRESHLY DRAWN BOTTLE
First, a fine note of elderberry greets the nose. Then a hint of white pepper is added. The wine leaves an aroma of unripe melon in combination with the crisp acidity of green apple. In the shade of green and light yellow – wonderfully refreshing.
SECOND TASTE PICTURE – WITH SOME OXYGEN
In the second round, with development by some oxygen, the wine gains new facets. The delicate elderberry as well as the breeze of pepper remain present. Now, however, white peach blends into the bouquet. Grapefruit also mixes into the taste picture. In addition to the freshness of grapefruit, numerous herbs reminiscent of essential oils unfold as a companion. The excellent acidity enhances the complexity of the palate and this structure is maintained. This taste reminds me of the feeling when, after a long, cold winter, the first sunny day of spring knocks on the door.
THIRD TASTE PICTURE – WITH A LOT OF OXYGEN
The journey continues. The colour, which was green in the beginning, has now developed into a dark yellow, with a hint of tangerine. In addition, the aroma of the kumquat appears together with a breeze of anise. The acidity retreats somewhat, but the herb carousel continues to rotate. The longer the wine is in the glass, the more the texture changes. It’s getting oilier and oillier, almost a bit waxy. In addition to the aromatic yellow hues, a mild taste of passion fruit and an almost imperceptible sweetness of marzipan and bourbon vanilla is created. “Naughty”; tells a unique story. Like an excellent film that you want to watch several times to see things that you might have missed the first time.