The colour is medium ruby. On the nose at first closed. With some air, dark berries and smoky notes show up. Despite the name, no chocolate whatsoever. In the mouth velvety and fruity, with an enjoyable drying finish. The aftertaste is pleasant, but short.
The Chocolate Block is a barrel-aged red wine made by Boekenhoutskloof winery in the Franschhoek Valley (“French corner” in Dutch), a broad vineyard-lined valley that has been producing wine since the 17th Century, when exiled French Huguenots brought their viticultural know-how to their new home in South Africa. Continue reading “The Chocolate Block 2016”
Bricco dell’Uccellone has a medium garnet colour. On the nose at first an unpleasant smell of fish and cabbage. With some air, a more pleasant plumb and cinnamon aroma. In the mouth very rounded and smooth, with a medium long aftertaste.
The colour is deep ruby. Not showing any sign of ageing yet. On the nose dark cherries, plums, forest, and some chocolatey and smokey notes. In the mouth very elegant, with well-integrated tannins and a good acidity. The aftertaste is delicious and last for quite a while.
Last month I organized a wine tasting focused on the main wine producing regions of Spain.
The colour is medium straw. On the nose white flowers, green apple and some almond. In the mouth mineral and fresh, with a citrusy finish that last for quite a while. Overall a very elegant and pleasant wine.
The colour is pale ruby/garnet. On the nose mushrooms, eucalyptus and pepper. In the mouth elegant, with some strawberries flavour. The aftertaste is discreet, but medium long.
The colour is medium straw. On the nose melon, pear and almond. In the mouth velvety, with a pleasantly slightly bitter finish. Very enjoyable, with a medium long aftertaste.
The colour is medium straw. On the nose marzipan and vanilla ice cream, with some lemon. In the mouth savoury and fresh, with a citrusy finish. The aftertaste last for quite a while. A very elegant wine that evolves in the glass. An uncommon feature for a white wine. 
The colour is deep garnet. The nose is dominated by mushrooms, accompanied by dried fruits and some liquorice. In the mouth good acidity and well integrated tannins. The aftertaste is very long and savoury.
Last week I hosted a wine tasting event at my home. Three other wine enthusiasts joined me to taste blindly four Syrah/Shiraz based wines.