Domaine Laougué 2012

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”

Domaine Abotia 2016

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”

Hennessy Paradis

20 August 2017

This is one of the outstanding examples of the noble spirit made northeast of Bordeaux.

Cognac is produced through a double distillation of a very basic wine made mainly with the white grape Ugni Blanc. The wine itself is low in alcohol, high in acidity and not really drinkable. Continue reading “Hennessy Paradis”

Collezione 50 2012

13 August 2017

This Salento IGT produced by Cantine San Marzano is officially priced at 29.90 CHF, but is currently selling at both Denner and Otto’s for 17.50 CHF.

The wine is the enjoyable result of a blend of Negroamaro and Primitivo, the two main red grape varieties of Puglia. Rich in well matured, but not overripe, fruits. Continue reading “Collezione 50 2012”

Domaine Mercouri 2015

16 July 2017

A pleasant basic red wine made with Refosco (of Italian origin) and (indigenous) Mavrodaphne grapes. This is the main red wine produced by Mercouri Estate, a very charming property located close to the port of Katakolo.

I discovered this family owned estate, established in 1864, last year while cruising. Continue reading “Domaine Mercouri 2015”

Luccarelli Old Vines 2015

9 July 2017

From 60 years old vines. Powerful, fruity and fairly persistent. Unfortunately, it doesn’t suit my taste.

In my opinion the Primitivo grape has some clear limits on how far it can go in producing good wines. The very old vines make this Primitivo di Manduria special. Continue reading “Luccarelli Old Vines 2015”

Cesanese 2013

2 July 2017

Didn’t know this kind of grape existed till I visited Frascati a few months ago and discovered that it is an autoctone variety from Lazio. This one is a IGT, but there is also a Cesanese del Piglio DOCG (also from Lazio).

Didn’t have much expectations, given the general mediocrity of the Frascati, Continue reading “Cesanese 2013”