SM-16

The colour is pale ruby. On the nose cherries accompanied by balsamic and smoky notes. In the mouth the wine is rather rustic, but in a fascinating way. It has a medium body, good acidity and a drying, slightly bitter finish that dominates the aftertaste.

This wine is produced with 100% Sumoll grapes under the DO Penedés. It is an edición limitada made by Torres at its acquired Jean Leon Winery. Continue reading “SM-16”

Palagó Foodie’s Selection 2017

As most Cava I tasted, the nose is not very expressive. In the mouth refreshing, with a pleasant finish that last for a while and encourages to take another sip.

This Spanish sparkling wine is produced by Artcava winery, which has been the first stop during my most recent wine holiday. Continue reading “Palagó Foodie’s Selection 2017”

Ermitage Caprice du temps 2017

The colour is medium yellow. The nose reminds me of lychees, trees resin and herbs. The aroma keeps changing, which I find fascinating, although after a while it seems to fade away. In the mouth the wine is a bit edgy and leaves the mouth with a rough sensation that recalls a medicine. The alcohol content is a whopping 14%.

This white wine is produced with Marsanne grapes grown in Valais, not far from Sierre. Continue reading “Ermitage Caprice du temps 2017”

Quater Vitis Bianco 2017

The colour is yellow pale. On the nose this white wine displays a mild aroma with an herbal character of pine, rosemary and sage, accompanied by citrusy undertones. In the mouth refreshing with a nutty aftertaste.

This Terre Siciliane IGT produced by Firriato is the result of blending four white grape varieties typical of Sicily: Inzolia, Carricante, Catarratto and Zibibbo. Each representing 25% of the blend. Continue reading “Quater Vitis Bianco 2017”

Jasci Pecorino Bio 2017

The colour is pale straw. On the nose jasmine and linden mixed with ananas and a bit of liquorice. In the mouth more filling than you would expect at the first sight. Crispy and fresh, with a drying/prickly finish, which to me spoils a bit the overall enjoyment. On the other side, it pairs well with some charcuterie.

Pecorino is one of those grape varieties that have been cultivated for centuries, but got almost extinguished due to low yield. Continue reading “Jasci Pecorino Bio 2017”

Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve 2015

Either due to the strong breeze of Châtelaillon-Plage, where I tasted this wine, or as a result of the fact that my son got a small sip before me and left some potato chips flavour on the glass, I had some problems distinguishing the aroma of this Chardonnay. I therefore cannot tell which ones of the typical scents of this well-known grape was predominant: if it was the tropical side of banana, melon, pineapple and guava, the stonefruits côté of peach, nectarine and apricot, or the omnipresent citrus and apple aroma. Continue reading “Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve 2015”

Astrolabe Fronton 2014

This wine is deeply pigmented. On the nose notes of violet, blackberries and some spices. On the palate it is velvety and pleasant, but the finish leaves you with a disturbing bitterness, which I guess is due to a suboptimal use of oak. Fortunately, after some exposition to air, this defect disappears. Nevertheless, I find this imperfection a real shame, given the otherwise pleasant profile of this wine made with a unique grape variety: Négrette. Continue reading “Astrolabe Fronton 2014”

Fébus Jurançon Sec 2017

On the nose the typical aroma of apricot and citrus of the Manseng grapes comes forward, although in a faint version. In the mouth there is a prickly acidity at a level I personally find kind of disturbing. Beside some light apricot hint, no aftertaste worth mentioning.

Jurançon is, along with Marcillac, Gaillac, Fronton and Madiran, one of the five French AOC I intended to visit in July during my last trip to France with my son. Continue reading “Fébus Jurançon Sec 2017”

Pacheca Grande Reserva Touriga National 2015

From the first sight this Portuguese wine gives the impression of being opulent. The deep purple color certainly contributes to this impression. In reality, on the nose the aroma is elegant, with violet, bergamot, blueberry and some mint. In the mouth the wine is still very young, although already enjoyable thanks to the pleasantly integrated tannins, which influence mainly the drying aftertaste. Continue reading “Pacheca Grande Reserva Touriga National 2015”