Tasting Notes of Wines around the World
22 October 2017
Strong notes of mocha and black chocolate, both on the nose and in the mouth. Very good persistence, with a predominance of spirit soaked fruits, which doesn’t surprise, given the 15.5% alcohol typical for an “appassito” wine.
At around 30 CHF a bottle (at Coop), this is a fairly good Amarone. Continue reading “Amarone Vigne Alte Zeni 2013”
18 October 2017
Pleasant bouquet of tobacco, liquorice and plums. In the mouth smooth and elegant. Well-developed tannins and pleasant persistence.
A really nice left bank wine, that shows the clear superiority of the Bordeaux Crus over most of the world’s wine production. Continue reading “Château Barde-Haut 2001”
15 October 2017
On the nose smell of barnyard and dairy products, at first. With time some more pleasant undergrowth notes appear. In the mouth not much beside astringency, thin and absolutely disappointing.
Maybe still too young, maybe already past its prime, maybe not a very good vintage. Continue reading “Sassicaia 2010”
8 October 2017
Prevailing herbaceous aroma, with eucalipto’s notes. Even thought at 15% the alcohol content is certainly high, on the nose it get almost unnoticed. On the other side, in the mouth the alcohol is at first predominant, almost burning. After a while, the sensations given by the wine evolve. Continue reading “Almaviva 2011”
1 October 2017
At first no much sensations, neither on the nose nor in the mouth. After some time it opens up and delivers some strawberries notes.
Overall this Pinot Noir is unappealing and the experience pretty disappointing, especially for a 50 CHF bottle. Continue reading “J. Drouhin Volnay 2012”
24 September 2017
Who would expect a Beaujolais, even a Cru, to still be fresh and highly enjoyable after 10 years?
This Morgon (one of the ten Cru of Beaujolais) is a very elegant, smooth and balanced wine, made with Gamay grapes. Still pretty fruity (raspberry) and fresh despite the age. Continue reading “Les Corcelettes 2007”
17 September 2017
This Castel del Monte DOCG produced by Torrevento is officially priced at 24.30 CHF, but is currently selling for 16.50 CHF at Denner.
The wine is made with Nero di Troia grapes: Troia being the town of the Odyssey, where the grape supposedly originated from; Nero referring to the intense ruby color, almost black. Continue reading “Ottagono 2013”
10 September 2017
Pleasant black cherry, plum, mocha and herbaceous notes on the nose. In the mouth smooth, rounded and easy to drink. Good persistence.
This mid-range (26 CHF) Merlot from the Ronchi around Bellinzona offers a decent price/quality ratio. Unfortunately this is not often the case with the Merlot del Ticino. Continue reading “CAGI Monte Carasso 2013”
3 September 2017
A red wine made with Tannat and Cabernet Franc grapes cultivated in a AOC situated around the town of Madiran in Guascony (southeast of Bordeaux).
A rustic wine with a good natural acidity and rich in tannins, which in this modern version are already pleasantly soft, thanks to micro-oxygenation. Continue reading “Domaine Laougué 2012”
27 August 2017
A refreshing white wine made with Petit and Gros Manseng grapes cultivated in one of the smallest AOC of France, around the town of Irouléguy, in the basque area of France (close to the border with Spain).
A very pleasant wine with a vibrant natural acidity. Continue reading “Domaine Abotia 2016”