2010 has been a very good year for Ticino wines. Back then I was just starting to get an appreciation of wine and was curious to see how the best products of my region would age. I therefore bought a few bottles of wines produced by three friends: Sassi Grossi made by Alfred De Martin (12 bottles), Rompidée made by Andrea and Giada Arnaboldi (12 bottles), and San Giorgio made by Mattia Bianda (6 bottles).
In the last 10 years I drunk most of them, but I kept three for a blind tasting after a decade of aging. In their youth the best was clearly Sassi Grossi, which is also the most expensive. Rompidèe has always been characterised by a strong eucalyptus note that I never found very appealing. Of San Giorgio I don’t have much memory.
After almost eleven years, they all display a deep garnet colour, but they differ in everything else.
The best by far is San Giorgio 2010: on the nose dark fruits, blackberries, cherries, prunes. The tannins are soft. The wine has a good body and is well balanced. The aftertaste is spicy and last for quite a while.
Rompidèe 2010: on the nose strong notes of eucalyptus and menthol. The tannins are less integrated. Overall, this wine is less balanced. Towards the end the alcohol dominates. The aftertaste is less pleasant, and much shorter.
Sassi Grossi 2010: on the nose it doesn’t express much, besides some bricks and toasted coffee. In the mouth amarena. Less tasty than the first one but also well balanced. The tannins are gripping. The aftertaste is medium long.
I tasted the three wines with Giada Arnaboldi. I knew which wines we were tasting. She even didn’t know and didn’t guess they were Merlot del Ticino. We agreed on both the tasting notes and the ranking: San Giorgio 2010, Sassi Grossi 2010, Rompidée 2010.
Country: Switzerland
Region: Ticino
Grapes: Merlot
Type: Red
Vintage: 2010
Producer: Azienda Agricola Avvenire, Chiodi, Gialdi
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5