Camartina 2008

The colour is deep ruby, with garnet reflections. On the nose black cherries, plums, black tea, cinnamon. In the mouth well structured and balanced. The tannins are velvety. The aftertaste is very pleasant but not especially long.

This wine is made in Greve in Chianti by Querciabella. The estate’s signature Super Tuscan since 1981, Camartina is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese. Some 18’000 bottles are produced each year. Continue reading “Camartina 2008”

1694 Classification 2008

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose meaty, smoky, spicy, with some prunes. In the mouth very tasty with a bitter finish. The aftertaste last for a while.

This wine is made in the Stellenbosch wine region of South Africa by Rust en Vrede. It is a blend of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. Continue reading “1694 Classification 2008”

Wines >100 CHF

Wines >100 CHF: Last month I organised a blind tasting of wines that sells between 100 CHF and 150 CHF.

The six wines we tasted were freely picked by the participants to the event. We usually taste completely blind, without even knowing the wines we are tasting. This time we decided to announce the wines beforehand. Continue reading “Wines >100 CHF”

El Nido 2008

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose dark berries and prunes under spirit. In the mouth fresh, with well-integrated tannins. The aftertaste is tasty and very, very long.

The 2008 El Nido is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell, aged for 24 months in new French and American oak. Continue reading “El Nido 2008”

Spain

Last month I organized a wine tasting focused on the main wine producing regions of Spain.

In the last few years, I travelled extensively to the different wine regions of Europe and I covered all the major denominations of Spain. Continue reading “Spain”

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina 2008

The colour is medium amber. On the nose nuts, dried fruits and honey. In the mouth rich and velvety. The aftertaste is subtle, but very long.

This Vin Santo is produced by Fèlsina, a winery dedicated to the production of good quality mono-varietals wines, made mainly with the indigenous Sangiovese grape, but also with international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The winery is located at the border between the Chianti Classico DOCG and the Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG. Continue reading “Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina 2008”

Gaja Barbaresco 2008

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose at first very closed. With some air it opens up, but the bouquet remains very subtle, with a predominance of underground. In the mouth a solid structure, with good acidity and well-integrated tannins. The aftertaste is at first very short, but after some air exposure it becomes fairly long.

Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and is considered among the finest wines in the world. Continue reading “Gaja Barbaresco 2008”

Nebbiolo

Last month I hosted another wine tasting event at my home. Four friends joined me to taste blindly six Nebbiolo based wines. What we found was much to our surprise.

Nebbiolo is one of the most prestigious grape varieties of Italy. Continue reading “Nebbiolo”

Palafreno 2008

Palafreno 2008: The colour is deep ruby, tending to garnet. On the nose prevailing aromas of undergrowth and tomatoes, with some eucalyptus, dark cherries and balsamic notes. In the mouth less intense than you would expect on the nose. Good acidity and well-integrated tannins. Very nice finish. Some chocolate flavours accompany the very long aftertaste. Sip after sip the sensations keep changing, which makes this wine outstanding. Continue reading “Palafreno 2008”

Vigna del Gris 2008

The colour is deep garnet. Slightly cloudy. On the nose dark cherries and blackberries. The 14.5% alcohol is clearly perceived on the nose as well as in the mouth. The firm tannins characteristic of a Barolo wine dominates the sensations in the mouth and leave it clean and dry.

As any Barolo, Vigna del Gris is made with 100% Nebbiolo, the grape variety behind the top-quality red wines of Piedmont in north-western Italy. Continue reading “Vigna del Gris 2008”