Château de Beucastel 2012

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose kirsch, prunes, espresso. In the mouth very juicy. The savour is delicious and the aftertaste last for quite a while.

Château de Beaucastel is made by Famille Perrin and is regarded as one of the great wines of France. Continue reading “Château de Beucastel 2012”

Rauzan-Ségla 2012

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose dark cherries, plums, cocoa powder, green pepper. In the mouth masculine and rustic, with a not very long aftertaste.

Being a still relatively young Second Grand Cru Classé of Bordeaux, I decided to decant it and the experience greatly improved.

The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla is a blend of 54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot. Continue reading “Rauzan-Ségla 2012”

Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012

The colour is in both cases medium ruby. On the nose also pretty similar. Both display an aroma of herbs, red and black berries, with the addition of leather and tobacco for the 2009, and coffee and chocolate for the 2012. In the mouth they are both very elegant. The tannins of the 2012 are edgier. The aftertaste medium long in both cases.

This the first impression, with the bottles just opened. Continue reading “Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012”

Sei Solo 2012

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose cherries, blueberries, caramel, coffee. In the mouth smooth with a chocolate and toffee flavour. The aftertaste is medium long.

Sei Solo is the results of a project started in 2007 by Javier Zaccagnini, a well-known name of the Ribera del Duero wine scene. After heading the Consejo Regulador of the Apellation, he co-founded AALTO with Mariano Garcia, the winemaker at Vega Sicilia for over 30 years. Continue reading “Sei Solo 2012”

Tolérance

The colour is medium copper, with fine, persistent bubbles. On the nose bread crust, marzipan and blood oranges. In the mouth this Champagne strongly recall the blood oranges first detected on the nose. The aftertaste is delicious and last for a pleasant while.

Overall, this Champagne delivers a very peculiar experience. Continue reading “Tolérance”

Fattoria dei Barbi Vigna del Fiore 2012

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose plums, blueberries, black cherries, chocolate. In the mouth gripping tannins and bright acidity. The aftertaste is bitter and rather short.

The all-Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino style we know today did not emerge until the 1870s, just after the creation of the unified Italian state. Continue reading “Fattoria dei Barbi Vigna del Fiore 2012”

La Grande Dame 2012

The colour is medium straw, with fine, long-lasting bubbles. On the nose very elegant, but overly subtle, with some caramel and almond notes. In the mouth also very elegant, but much tastier and with a very pleasant long lasting aftertaste.

This top of the line champagne is made by Veuve Clicquot with 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay grapes from historical Grands Crus vineyards. Continue reading “La Grande Dame 2012”

Cuvée Cyril Premier Cru Millésimé 2012

The colour is medium gold, with very fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, apricot, lime and almonds. In the mouth tasty and filling, with sensations consistent with the nose. The aftertaste is fresh and medium long.

This wine is made with equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by a cooperative in Ambonnay, with grapes grown by Cyril Beaufort in Trépail. Continue reading “Cuvée Cyril Premier Cru Millésimé 2012”

Malvasia di Bosa Riserva 2012

The colour is medium amber. On the nose marzipan, dates and dried fruits under spirit. In the mouth sapid, warm and slightly bitter. The aftertaste last for quite a while.

According to the DOC rules, Malvasia di Bosa is made with at least 95% Malvasia di Sardegna grapes. In the case of this Riserva made by Emidio Oggianu, 100%. The wine is subject to ageing under the flor, a film of yeast that grows over the wine and protect it partially (but not totally) from oxidation. Continue reading “Malvasia di Bosa Riserva 2012”

Vin Jaune Château-Chalon 2012

The colour is medium gold, although the name would suggest a yellow. On the nose nuts, dried fruits and panettone. In the mouth good acidity and a prickly sensation. The aftertaste is savoury and very long.

Vin jaune is a special and characteristic type of white wine made in the Jura region of eastern France. It is similar to dry fino Sherry and gets its character from being matured in a barrel under a film of yeast, known as the voile, on the wine’s surface. Continue reading “Vin Jaune Château-Chalon 2012”