Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva 2007

The colour is deep garnet. The nose is very intense, with a mix of red and dark berries, tomato sauce, leather and roasted meat. In the mouth very filling, elegant and balanced. The aftertaste is tasty and last for a long while.

Vega Sicilia Unico has been one of my favourite wines since I first tasted it a few years ago. This bottle confirms my enthusiasm. Continue reading “Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva 2007”

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”

Granbussia 1974

Granbussia 1974: This bottle, made one year after I was born, is among those that make it worth the multiple disappointments anybody brave enough to keep experimenting with very old wines necessarily goes through.

Having a deep passion for the wine-world, I’m one of them. My fascination with wine gives me an almost compulsory urge to try wines from anywhere in the world, made with any grape and in any vintage. Continue reading “Granbussia 1974”

Catena Zapata Nicosia Vineyard 2008

Fruity nose of prune, mulberries and blackberries, accompanied by some liquorice. In the mouth very rich and smooth, with well integrated tannins and a pleasant acidity. The aftertaste is discreet but fairly long. Overall this wine is less bold than I expected.

Malbec is a black-skinned grape variety native of southwestern France, specifically the area around Cahors. Continue reading “Catena Zapata Nicosia Vineyard 2008”

La Mouline 1996

On the nose at first the wine smells very meaty, even gamy. After a while, the blood sensation decreases and leaves space to a more complex and appetising bouquet of grilled meat, rosemary and lavender. In the mouth well rounded, filling and very pleasant. The aftertaste is dominated by beeswax and rosemary. Overall the wine displays lots of power and intensity, but at the same time is very elegant. Continue reading “La Mouline 1996”

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1989

On the nose the wine is very nuanced, as you should expect from a 30 years old Bordeaux. According to my tasting group, barn, black tea, leather and anise come to mind, with some cassis representing the fruit that is still left in the bouquet. In the mouth it has an earthy flavour profile, with some chocolate, pleasant tannins and a fairly long aftertaste. Continue reading “Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1989”

Gran Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases 2004

Albeit the wine is already 14 years old, the nose is still dominated by fruits, with cassis, blueberry and blackberry as the main standouts. In the mouth no sign of age neither, well rounded, elegant and delicate. This wine is very pleasant from the nose to the aftertaste. An outstanding product from a far from perfect vintage. Continue reading “Gran Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases 2004”

Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga 2005

On the nose, at first simpler than I expected, with spices prevailing over the black fruits flavours. Menthol and balsamic notes come forward and predominate the first impression. After a while, plumb and blackberries aromas come more to the stage and after one hour dominates.  Continue reading “Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga 2005”

Aalto 2012

Very tempting and opulent aroma of ripe fruits. Red fruits dominate: raspberries, strawberries and cherries, but some black berries are also clearly detectable. Surprisingly, given the 14.5% alcohol and the 20 months spent in oak, neither the wood nor the alcohol spoils the olfactory experience.

The bright, lively fruits shine through the mouth as well. Continue reading “Aalto 2012”