Eric Novielli

HORAL's Oude Geuze Mega Blend (2022) Novielli

6/15/24 backlog. Vivid tartness and grapefruity taste. Sourness is medium. Body is rich, so drinkable and fizzy. Punch of golden apples and lemonish. Great entry level blend. 4.20

Scarabée Novielli

Scarabée is great. Amazing spiciness from Traminer. Lots of aromatic suggestion and small curry notes. Noticeable tartness and balance. 4.40

Lambic d'Aunis (2017) Novielli

Incredibly how bottle variation happens through time. This is lactic and funk when opened, then lots of cherries meat and lactict too that meets a berliner weisse in the middle. Tartness from lambic and acidity too. Amazing carbonation for 7y.

Nuit Bruxelloise (2021) Novielli

Great job as always. Enjoying so much.

Zwanze 2018 - Manneken Pise Novielli

6/2/24 backlog. Marvelous even on draft. Vinous, lambic overtaking, balanced, complex. 4.60

Magic Lambic (2024) Novielli

6/3/24 backlog. Least favorite of the pairings but the lambic is bursting in the best shape it could provide. Berries, vanilla, acidity, tartness, super fresh. Mellow mouthfeel and taste.

Burst Novielli

Even if not fresh, it has still a bold impact on citrus and lemon. Quality/price is the key with this, since 2.40 euros at Despar. Nothing special but for sure an all-day beer. Light body, proper bitterness and dryness. 3.80

Gueuze 100% Lambic Bio (2015) Novielli

05/31/24 backlog. Thanks to Roberto for sharing this. Awesome yellow peach on nose and taste. Lemony, leather, grapefruit and tart finish. Sourness went smooth by time. Round, greatly aging. 4.40

Nuit Bruxelloise (2019) Novielli

Pairing with pigeon and fois gras. Now the beer goes in the right path after years. Finally. Super tannic. Grapes and sour cherries meat. Spiced and wooden. Less complex and thick than b1, but this is undoubtedly a fine work. 4.40

La Vie est Solidaire (2019) Novielli

Superb course (savarin with tongue, Parmesan, mushrooms and meatballs) with a superb lambic. Vin jaune power. Spiciness is delicate, some sweetness of sweet liquor, clean and balanced wooden flavor. Lambic goes a little bit in subtlety. 4.60

Ashanti Novielli

Pepper is a bit slighter but still kick asses. The pepper lemony part is a great match with lambic. Tartness gives the proper punch. Floral and dry. Delicate.

Lou Pepe Kriek (2013) Novielli

First pairing with trout. Excellent choice and aging. This one is still marvelous on cherries. Meat, almonds, stone, old lambic taste that had a stunning marriage with fruit. Dusty, tart, longlasting. 4.70

Signorina (2023) Novielli

Let’s get started with ASF 2024. Amazingly wine-forward with a good lambic part finally both on funk and brett. Solid. It would evolve even better with time IMHO, gaining a wider complexity. Tart, tannic and longlasting. 4.40

Ice Cold Pilsner Novielli

5/19/24 backlog. Never had such a fresh Mikkeller like this. Guess distribution has been improved. Crisp, hopped, bitter, citrusy. Simply refreshing. Q/P ratio (2.30 euros) is excellent. 3.85

Iskold Classic Novielli

5/19/24 backlog. Another surprise for this fresh Vienna lager. Biscuity, good flavored, caramel, malty, some roasty notes. Light body, not too sweet. 3.80

Nath (2023) Novielli

Crazy line share. Such a great vintage. Lambic and rhubarb are very well connected. Acidity is balanced and cleanliness too. Tart and fruity. Can go on with this for the entire bottle I think. Glad that Nath came this far good.

Grand Cru Bruocsella Lambic Bio (2024) Novielli

Great shape as it should be. Young but already sour and balanced. Lemony, smooth, thin leather note, bretta. Pleasant tart finish. This would work perfectly in a jug at classical belgian countryside cafe.

Drogone Lambic (2021) Novielli

Sharp and vinous. Some acetic and tannins. Very thin, especially finish. Not my fav vintage of Drogone. 3.70

Menu Pineau (2019) Novielli

4/20/24 backlog @Zwanze Day 2024. Superb. Mineral, funk, woody. Going through its best shape probably.

Gueuzestraminer (2011) Novielli

4/20/24 backlog. Oh yeah, this was the usual banger. Earthy, floral, elegant, spicy.

Ashanti (2023) Novielli

Finally tasting this. Intense Szechuan pepper. Lots of black pepper but not invasive spiciness and mixed with floral notes. Very good lambic taste under the surface. Tart afterwards. 4.40

Gueuze 100% Lambic Bio (2015) Novielli

Mamouche (2016) Novielli

Can confirm as one of the best Mamouche vintage ever. Still strong elderflowers, peppery. Floral, herbal, smash of bitterness, dry. Acidity goes well and merges with elderflower. Can drink a bottle of this.

Lou Pepe Kriek (2013) Novielli

Holy shit, this is marvelous. Outstanding taste of Schaerbeekse cherries in all its shape: dried, macerated, fresh, almonds from stone. Lambic is huge too. Intense. Longlasting. Tart. Delicious. Elegance is a silky dress. 4.70

Iris (2016) Novielli

Lots of hay, old hops, some cheesy notes. Goes in the slight oxidation and sweet wine territory when getting warmer but mixes nicely with the rest. Properly dry.

Vigneronne (2017) Novielli

Loads of leather, Brett, then a pronounced acidity from a lambic greatly aged. Still held some vinous flavors. Rough soul, scratch your palate. 4.40

Carignan (2016) Novielli

Curious I haven’t checked this in years, despite I had many bottles in my life. Well it’s a marvelous aging. Macerated grapes, lovely funk, floral, no oxidation. Acidity is going up into shuffle.

Mamouche (2013) Novielli

3/29/24 backlog. Thanks Enrico. Still fresh elderberry flowers, floral taste but also an acetic drift that rises when getting warmer.

Lou Pepe Framboise (2013) Novielli

3/29/24. Thanks Enrico. Still superb and awesome raspberry attack with a gentle dusty finish. Fruit impact is great and melts with lambic acidity. Darn good in your mouth. Tart and lambic-driven. 4.40

Tarlantillon Novielli

12/17/23 backlog. Damn good this time, sparkling, vinous, fully layered. 4.40

Nuit Bruxelloise (2021) Novielli

Thanks Paolo C., always one of the best expression of a druiven by Cantillon. Amazing tannins, cherries, vinous. Sourness is subtle but still present and more intense than previous vintages. Complex taste.

Lambic Vin Jaune / La Vie Est Belge (2022) Novielli

Wonderful lambic for lunch. Balanced as a beast. Vine jaune note not too pronounced, even if well recognizable. Lambic came over in the most proper way, it could improve even better. Acidity is mild, big tartness on finish. Brett, leather, vinous. 4.80

Black (Barrel Aged Cognac) Novielli

12/15/23 backlog. Thanks Giovanni. Still cognac barrel dry and sweet classic flavors. Some soy sauce (maybe from the beginning?), then lots of licorice and coffee and chocolate liquor taste. Warms palate and throat, 3.40

50 Degrees N - 4 Degrees E (2012) Novielli

Outstanding. Aging didn’t scratch any of the basis elegance. Barrel is more subtle but the bottle is excellent. 4.70

Lambic Vin Jaune / La Vie Est Belge (2020) Novielli

Zwanze 2014 - Cuvée Florian Novielli

It has loss many of the fruits flavor, but lambic is still vibrant. Maybe it’s down the hill, signs of aging hasn’t come too tho. It’s balanced, even if you recognize the cherry part has gone down. 4.20

Gueuze Cuvée Moeder 10 Ans (2019) Novielli

Elegant and deep sourness. Super brett. Classic horse blanket flavors, leather, some subtle vinegar. Peppery. 4.30

Gueuzestraminer (2011) Novielli

Still outstanding and one of the best in the tasting. Gueuze flavors are just a bit old but not aged badly. Some dusty notes, then a great smooth mouthfeel with vinous touch. Earthy, dry, gentle and will make you want drink a full bottle! 4.60

Divin Lambic Novielli

Extraordinary. All the good things from grapes grown in the southern areas. Powerful sour cherries, funk berries, vigorous mouthfeel and tannins on finish. Reminds me the strength and aroma of Aglianico wine. Vibrant, fizzy, absolutely not boring. 4.70

Racine Novielli

Checked this after some years and is still so unique. Mineral with reminds of salt extraction areas. Vinous, subtle herbaceous, tastes floral too. Hints of pear. Lambic part is mildly sour and not huge.

Racine Sur Lie Novielli

Have to admit that I expected much more. It is like the sur lie experiment subtracts some elegance from the same batch and adds sourness and smth not too balanced. Some clay flavors like amphora came out as long as it gets warmer. Same as B1 but less good

Muscat Petits Grains Novielli

Some sourness get through the vinous part. Less harmonious than I remember. Floral, mainly, then white wine and tartness.

Balsamic Lambic Novielli

Sour and acetic. Woody notes too, but it’s ready for salad.

Unblended Oude Lambiek Novielli

The cat is alive! Gentle entry level lambic. So drinkable.

Signorina (2022) Novielli

Vinous and pimp. Deep vinous with a combo of sweetness at the beginning, then dry. Cherries taste mainly. Then woody. Light and watery taste, but gotta take it into account. 4.30

Cantillon Grenache Blanc (2022) Novielli

Thanks Mathieu P. and Ambre D. ! Awesome in complexity. Flavor of green apples, vinous, wood, melon, with a subtle acidity. Clean stuff, dry and palate cleansing. Masterpiece

Fou' Foune Still (2023) Novielli

Still need to settle. Smells and taste like apricot purée and jam. Some lactic too, like yoghurt. Fine, but need time properly. Nice check tho.

Tyrnilambic Baie D'Argousier (2022) Novielli

Way off. Worse, so worse than the previous one in 37.5 format. Got a strong sulphuric taste immediately — it doesn’t go away with time. Again, sip reminds you puke. Super and unbalanced, strong acidity. Just hints of the berries and brettish. Meh

Saint Lamvinus 2020 Novielli

Magnum edition. Great carbonation. Vinous, but also sour and leather. Lots of tannic, some smoothness like sour cherries. Also notes of exhausted grapes. Magnificently dry. 4.40

50 Degrees N - 4 Degrees E (2020) (Cognac) Novielli

A little bit off like polish nail that burns throat a bit in aftertaste. Cognac barrel is pretty good recognizable, and lambic either. Will do like more without the off note. Dry and woody with a medium carbonation.

Cinsault 2022 Novielli

Heavily tannic and super wine-forward. Green apples. The vinous character is huge. Maybe too much. I’d rather make this to sit for a long time maybe. Carbonation is quite absent at all. Appreciate the complexity but lambic has to show up. 4.20

Carignan (2022) Novielli

8/26/23 backlog. Tannic, juicy and balanced. Another one that has a great aging in front.

Classic Gueuze (2015) Novielli

8/26/23 backlog. Yes, what a classic one. Long time no check this and it’s great. 4.40

Grenache Noir 2021 Novielli

More consistent and tied compared to the one we checked one year ago. Still vinous and wine forward, tartness and tannic mark are huge. Finish is long as an highway. Feel can improve even better and reach the Divin complexity and depth. 4.30

Lambic D’Aunis (2022) Novielli

Despite a thin lactic note at the beginning at nose, it is pretty complex and opens a lot after getting warmer. Vinous, tart, slightly funk. Needs time in my opinion.

Lou Pepe Kriek (2022) Novielli

2020 sticker. Bottled sept 2022. Aroma is superb. Intensity of cherries power, almond, spiciness. Awesome sour cherries taste. Finishes freakin’ tart. Sourness isn’t huge but not too covered. Lacks some body consistency if just find the needle. 4.40

La Corvée (2023) Novielli

Much more wine-forward than the 1st batch. Same smell and impact of clay. Widely complex in the sip, vinous, floral and cantaloupe melon. When opens it smells dusty too. Moderately acid and lambic still has to show. Better aged it. 4.20

Old Fashioned 2022 Novielli

Nice experiment. Definitely very drinkable and resembles the cocktail too. Fizzy. Zesty. Carbonated perfectly. Lots of citrus — oranges and lemon squeezed. Sourness is not so prominent but present indeed. Regardless its distance from lambic is good.

Cool Burger Pils Novielli

Checked Popl finally. Crisp and bitter pils with some malty and wheaty profile. It’s okay.

KBS Hazelnut (2022) Novielli

3/29/23 backlog. Just roasty, less coffee and chocolate than the regular version. Lots of strong hazelnut, not sure if real or flavored.

Signorina Novielli

Like last time: super wine-forward. Even too much. Anyway the lambic is clean and bright. Sour cherries and tannins with wooden background. Acidity and sour need to came out still. Let’s see how will age. 4.20

Panther Club (2022) Novielli

Mouthfeel is caramel, maple syrup not so “genuine” and vanilla too. Bourbon barrel taste is present but not great. Lingering dry finish. Not the best Founders I’ve had in the last years, I need to admit.

Scarabée Novielli

Zwanze 2022 - Poivre de Gorilles Novielli

Smells powerfully peppery like good marinated meat or pastrami. Top quality black pepper. Salty and even a bit balsamic at nose. What is surprising is that same pepper note is soft on palate. Like a lot the acidity which is balanced. Softly carbonated.

Le Plaisir 2022 Novielli

Another banger compared to the previous batches. Way better than any other Plaisir. Balanced and clean. Full of soft sparkling wine and white wine taste, plus floral, plums, macerated grapes. Acidity maybe is low and lambic still has to risen completely.

Saint Lamvinus (2022) Novielli

Best St. Lam since years. Beyond the powerful new grapes added — complexity from Syrah and Grenache — I think it sit in the bottle for the proper time before release. Vinous, acidic, complex taste of wood, tannic, tartness all mixed in the best way. 4.60

Iris (2022) Novielli

Much more malty than usual. Hoppy and acidity is fine. 3.90

Mamouche (2022) Novielli

Boosted by pepper thing from the Zwanze 2002 is a good thing, but it cut down a little the elderflowers taste. Anyway the mix works and I think it will be even better in a year or two. Earthy, lemony. Great simplicity and balance. 4.40

Tarlantillon Novielli

Same impression like we had at Quintessence last year. Some heavy and macerated grapes like dried pomace taste, and a very thin polish nail mark. Anyway it doesn’t disturb you and the tartness make it over. Longlasting like grapefruit juice. 4.20

Vin Santo 2022 Novielli

It is pomace-driven and less complex than 2020 imho. Anyway goes for a clean character indeed and vinous, funk, honey shuffle. Vinsanto wine soul is carved indeed. 4.20

Barbera Novielli

Good is good. I think it’s just too vinous-driven and the tannic/wine flavors override everything. Needs to sit a bit to gain more lambic part risen properly. Less complex than other red-wine hybrids. Longlasting tannic/tart and dry finish. 4.20

La Corvée Novielli

Amazing bottle. Softly spiced like black pepper, then vinous, woody, apples, grapefruit, moderately acid and funk, some leather suggestions. Properly tart and medium carbonation. Excellent balance of flavors. 4.65

Iris (2016) Novielli

11/20/22 backlog. Outrageous and pure class of this lambic. Iris at its peak of aging maybe. So balanced carbonation. Old hops. Cheesy, woody, funk, vibrant, slight floral and mold. Superb expression of a lambic. 4.70

Zwanze 2020 - Brettrave Novielli

Not distant from the draft version. Has settled a bit, but still a weird thing. Beetroot, roots, earthy, vague sourness. 3.60

Lambic D'Aunis 2020 Novielli

This needs time also. Vinous mark is regular, clean, soft. Carbonation is vivid, vibrant, doesn’t look complex but straightforward on the classic pomace. Tartness is good. 4.15

Lambic d'Aunis (2019) Novielli

I did enjoyed a bit more the last we had in spring at La Fruitiere. Maybe this is because there’s all these D’Aunis and so it goes way different with having it alone. But the vinous/lambic hybrid is consistent and superior.

Lambic D’Aunis (2018) Novielli

Lots of acidity from lambic. It’s intertwined correctly with vinous. But it is really sharp. Lots of dirtiness like salame skin. Vinous and light to medium carbonation. Anyway an honorable component of the D’Aunis family.

Lambic d'Aunis (2017) Novielli

I confirm this is probably one of the best in the entire series. Deep woody, spiced, vinous and carbonated on the balance perfection. This one could improve even more because lambic hasn’t drawn his path through. Acidity is coming for sure. Great 4.80

Pineau d’Aunis (2014) Novielli

Terrific. Awesome balance and vibrant, lively vinous soul. Deep cherries meat and wooden. 4.60

Pineau d'Aunis (2010) Novielli

Deep acidity that takes over the vinous stuff. Incredibly woody and oakey, not the balance I got from other D’Aunis.

Menu Pineau (2009) Novielli

Vinous over the usual intensity level. Massive pomace and dried grape. Massive funkiness. Some very slight off-flavors but matches in the grand design. Dry, harsh, strong. Heavy persistency. 4.40

Pinot D’Aunis (2009) Novielli

Funk and peppery. Carbonation has been turned very low in the aging process. Still a lot of black pepper. Earthy with less vinous part than expected, but it’s a good one. Even a warm caress on throat. Not disappointed by this. Gums smasher. 4.30

Menu Pinea (2020) Novielli

Need to be settle still. Not much balance and it has a long moment of void which is not supported by lambic. Tastes like pomace and grape juice/some young wine. Dry, mildly acidic. I enjoyed much more 2019 in comparison. 3.60

Menu Pineau (2019) Novielli

Vibrant and vivid. So consistent. Highly carbonated and full of vinous flavors. Mouthfeel is so elegant. Apples, minerality, leather, funk, floral. 4.60

Bourgogne Lambic Novielli

Tastes a bit off. Lactic bacteria and apples, some subtle vinegary too. The vinous part is literally crushed and flattened. There’s just a thin, imperceptible minerality, but everything seems to be dominated by sourness of lambic. Rough. 3.60

Chouke (2018) Novielli

4.30

Cognac Lambic (2003) Novielli

Not much Cognac into this, but maybe it is the reason because the lambic it is still gentle and not the usual tart/sour bomb. Delicate flavors or funk, leather, brett. Vibrant tartness with no excesses. Fine drinking. Wish all 20y bottles aged so. 4.20

Iris Grand Cru Cuvée Kuaska Novielli

Thanks Lorenzo for this gift. All the Iris vibrant complexity enhanced by the cognac part. Mildly fruity, some sweet candy grapefruit, funk, earthy, spiced, bloody orange, tart attack afterwards. 4.60

Cognac Lambic 2005 Novielli

Dusty and oakey. Cognac flavors are almost gone to be honest, but the lambic is still alive and doesn’t crush gums with acidity and tartness. It doesn’t have that complexity of LH12 for instance. Not a bad one indeed tho. 4.30

50 Degrees N - 4 Degrees E (2007) Novielli

Had this many times but before Untappd apparently. Stunning Cognac presence. Murky and dusty before the Cognac notes. Melts so perfectly with lambic with some savory suggestions too. Ends like a sour Cognac. Delicious. Dry, rich, even fruity. 4.80

LH12 Novielli

As I remember it is flat completely. This time I don’t smell any aging tho. It has a fully barrel taste and smooth lambic mouthfeel where everything is okay and proper. Great bottle. 4.70

50 Degrees N - 4 Degrees E (2012) Novielli

Still classy and elegant like wearing a suit when invited to a wedding. Even some saltiness, even if the body has been dried up a bit and complexity has faded. Not vibrant as I remember. 4.30

50 Degrees N - 4 Degrees E (2015) Novielli

Peppery, funk, dusty, earthy. Some floral, but mainly it is dusty cellar mark. Delicate barrel note, old Cognac is getting is way through. Finish is dry, mildly warm on throat. 4.40

Aspérule Odorante Novielli

She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie… yeah, that smell. Extremely floral. Plants and roots flavors. Dry, dry, dry… and astringent. 4.10

Reine des Prés (2017) Novielli

It’s nice but I’d rather have the Mamouche instead. Floral and lambic-forward indeed, gives a nice touch of balance and drinkability. Dry, bitter, tart, some teabag too with astringency included. 4.10

Zwanze 2016 - Cantillon Framboise Novielli

Raspberry has faded away, what is curious is that develop some almond/woody character that reminds some cherry stone. Good one, I remember it on draft and I didn’t enjoyed like now. A strong tartness came and take over.

Magic Lambic (2018) Novielli

B2 / Excellent one. Still lots of raspberry jam with a massive amount of vanilla. Very well layered. Stunning tartness, richness from lambic too. Still fully carbonated. The cork almost killed me, lol.

Magic Lambic (2018) Novielli

B1 / Even better than B2. Fully awesomeness of what the beer used to be. Delicious vanilla taste on top of raspberries like a great, intense dessert — funky forward and mellow medium body. 4.60

Magic Lambic (2020) Novielli

Very similar to the one had at the brewery. Showers of raspberry and blueberry like a sherbet. Carbonation is a good support, and it lasts longer than 2021 even if shares with it an emptiness during the sip.

Magic Lambic 2021 Novielli

Raspberry forward with touches of vanilla. Maybe I don’t get blueberry at all, but maybe it gives more tartness at the fruit should be. Heavily fruited and funk. Vanishes quickly as sip goes to the end.