Sfursat 5 Stelle 2009

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.

Sfursat 5 Stelle is produced by Nino Negri and is the most prestigious wine of Valtellina, a district in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Continue reading “Sfursat 5 Stelle 2009”

Syrah/Shiraz

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.

Since everyone brought a bottle of his choice, we ended up without any Syrah from the Rhône Valley. Continue reading “Syrah/Shiraz”

Culdrée 2012

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose blackberry jam, prunes and some balsamic notes. In the mouth smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a pleasant freshness. At first the aftertaste lacks the fruitiness perceived on the nose, but after some exposure to air the prunes show up.

Culdrée is made with Merlot grapes by Enrico Trapletti, who founded his winery in 1992. Continue reading “Culdrée 2012”

Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde de Vidal-Fleury 2009

The colour is medium purple. At first the nose is dominated by animal musk. Fortunately, with some air it fades away and leaves space to more pleasant earthy notes and some prunes. In the mouth an explosion of savour characterises the final. An enjoyment that seems to finish abruptly, only to surprise a few seconds later by coming back for a long-lasting aftertaste rich in fruity sensations. Continue reading “Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde de Vidal-Fleury 2009”

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2006

This 13 years old white Bordeaux has a deep gold colour. On the nose a discreet aroma of citrus, mango and a hint of herbs. In the mouth well balanced, with a refreshing acidity. The aftertaste last for a long while, it is discreet as the aroma and is characterised by honeyed notes.

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux. Continue reading “Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2006”

Heida-Païen de Charrat 2016

The colour is medium gold. The aroma is a mix of citrus and peanuts, accompanied by a prickly sensation. In the mouth the wine is as rich and tasty as on the nose, with a very pleasant finish and a long aftertaste that reminds the first impressions recorded with the nose.

Heida or Païen is the name given to Savagnin Blanc in Valais. Savagnin Blanc is an ancient white wine grape indigenous of the sub-alpine regions of eastern France. Continue reading “Heida-Païen de Charrat 2016”

Clos de l’Obac

So far my 152 posts on wine have focused on my tasting experience of single bottles. This time I want to write about the visit I had at Clos de l’Obac. A winery officially named Costers del Siurana and located in Gratallops, in the heart of the Priorat DOQ. Continue reading “Clos de l’Obac”

Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve 2015

Either due to the strong breeze of Châtelaillon-Plage, where I tasted this wine, or as a result of the fact that my son got a small sip before me and left some potato chips flavour on the glass, I had some problems distinguishing the aroma of this Chardonnay. I therefore cannot tell which ones of the typical scents of this well-known grape was predominant: if it was the tropical side of banana, melon, pineapple and guava, the stonefruits côté of peach, nectarine and apricot, or the omnipresent citrus and apple aroma. Continue reading “Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve 2015”

Defayes & Crettenand Humagne Blanc 2017

The colour is greenish yellow. The nose is refreshing, with mild notes of menthol accompanying white peaches, lime and some nutty undertones. In the mouth crispy, well-balanced and tasty, with an aftertaste that linger for a long while and is characterised by a hint of fennel.

Humagne Blanche is a light-skinned and fragrant grape variety reportedly grown since the 12th Century in the Valais region of Switzerland. Continue reading “Defayes & Crettenand Humagne Blanc 2017”