Guardia Svizzera Pontificia 1527 San Giorgio 2018

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose strawberries, red cherries, dried figs, hazelnuts. In the mouth elegant. The aftertaste is medium long.

This Brunello di Montalcino if made by Tipa-Bertarelli family, who owns The ColleMassari Domaine, which nowadays comprises four estates: Castello di ColleMassari since 1998, Grattamacco since 2002, the Poggio di Sotto Estate since 2011 and San Giorgio since 2017. Continue reading “Guardia Svizzera Pontificia 1527 San Giorgio 2018”

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Gattavecchi 2019

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose tea leaf, plums and dark cherries. In the mouth fresh, with firm tannins but a light body.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Italy’s classic red wines produced from Sangiovese. The vineyards of this DOCG surround Montepulciano, a hill town 40 km southeast of Siena, in southeastern Tuscany. Continue reading “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Gattavecchi 2019”

Touraine AOC Sauvignon Blanc Fournier Père et Fils 2022

The colour is pale straw. On the nose passion fruit, grapefruit, mineral notes and green bell pepper. In the mouth very fresh. The aftertaste has a savour of lime and is medium long.

Since 1926 Fournier Père et Fils is located in the wine-growing village of Chaudoux, at the heart of the Sancerre AOC, the easternmost of Loire Valley’s 51 appellations. Touraine AOC is another one, but located some 200km westward, in proximity of the city of Tours. Continue reading “Touraine AOC Sauvignon Blanc Fournier Père et Fils 2022”

Lucente 2021

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose red berry-fruits, cedar wood, licorice. In the mouth modern, fresh with a solid structure. The aftertaste is medium long.

Lucente is made by Frescobaldi at its Tenuta Luce in Montalcino. It is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, which prevails in the blend.

Tenuta Luce is the result of a joint venture between Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi in the early 90s. Continue reading “Lucente 2021”

Yaiza Tinto 2022

The colour is medium purple. On the nose cherries, blackberries, coffee. In the mouth light, but tasty and agreeable. The aftertaste is medium long.

This red wine is made with Listán Negro grapes under the Lanzarote DO. It matured in oak barrels for four months.

Lanzarote is the easternmost island in the Canary Island archipelago and is characterised by very dry weather. Continue reading “Yaiza Tinto 2022”

Viña Norte Tinto Barrica 2022

The colour is medium purple. On the nose herbaceous and woody. In the mouth agreeably astringent. The aftertaste is medium long.

The phylloxera-free Canaries are among only a few places in the world to have ungrafted vitis vinifera vines. Some are over 200 years old, and many are exclusive to the islands: there are 20 recognized unique grape varieties. Listán Blanco and Listán Negro are the most widely planted grapes varieties on the islands. Continue reading “Viña Norte Tinto Barrica 2022”

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”

Tanvell 2017

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose red berries and sour cherries. Pleasantly fruity but sparing of complexity. In the mouth not particularly structured. The aftertaste doesn’t last long.

This Merlot del Ticino is a special edition made by Vinattieri as a selection for 13 prestigious Swiss restaurants and hotels, such as Giardino in Ascona, The Chedi in Andermatt and Le Grand Bellevue in Gstaad. Continue reading “Tanvell 2017”