Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 2017

The colour is deep purple. On the nose dark cherries, blackberries, pepper, leather and some menthol. In the mouth very filling, with a drying finish. The aftertaste is fruity and very long.

This is a big and powerful wine, which doesn’t surprise given the provenience and the blend. Edizione is made with Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Malvasia grapes from two regions of southern Italy: Puglia and Abruzzo.

This wine was inspired by Hugh Johnson, one of the most famous wine journalists in the world, and produced by Farnese Vini, a leading wine export company in the South of Italy, with a production of over 24 million bottles.

Edizione 2017 has been awarded 99 points by Luca Maroni, an Italian wine critic, who I never heard about before (unlike Robert Parker, James Suckling or Jancis Robinson).

For this bottle I paid 17.40 CHF at LIDL, 38% off the original price of CHF 28.50. I have the impression that this wine is on sale most of the time, meaning that the real price is closer to 18 CHF than 28 CHF. At 18 CHF I find it delivers a very good price/quality ratio for consumers that like fruit bombs. For my taste this wine is a bit “tiring”. A kind of wine of which I enjoy the first glass much more than the third.

Country: Italy
Region: Puglia, Abruzzo
Grapes: Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro, Malvasia
Type: Red
Vintage: 2017
Producer: Farnese Vini
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5

Le Difese 2018

The colour is deep ruby. Not much neither on the nose, where I barely detect some sour cherries, nor in the mouth, where I feel drying tannins and a bitter finish. The aftertaste is short.

Le Difese is made by Tenuta San Guido, the producer of the famous Sassicaia, first produced with the 1968 vintage. Le Difese is the third wine of the estate, first produced with the 2002 vintage. In between, the winery produces a second wine, labelled Guidalberto, first produced with the 2000 vintage. Continue reading “Le Difese 2018”

Vecchia Torre Salice Salentino Riserva 2013

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose mainly chocolate and mocha, with some balsamic and smoky notes. In the mouth still fresh, although the flavours are fading away. The finish is a bit bitter and rather short.

This wine is classified as Salice Salentino DOP, which to me is confusing. It makes me wonder what the difference with Salice Salentino DOC is. Continue reading “Vecchia Torre Salice Salentino Riserva 2013”

Aleatico Passito dell’Elba 2016

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose very fruity, with primary aromas of raisins, mulberries and blackberries. In the mouth savour of ripe grapes and a drying sensation that last in the medium long aftertaste.

Aleatico is an aromatic red grape variety thought to be native to Tuscany, but the vine may have been brought to Italy by the ancient Greeks. Its most famous expression is this sweet wine from Elba. Continue reading “Aleatico Passito dell’Elba 2016”

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina 2008

The colour is medium amber. On the nose nuts, dried fruits and honey. In the mouth rich and velvety. The aftertaste is subtle, but very long.

This Vin Santo is produced by Fèlsina, a winery dedicated to the production of good quality mono-varietals wines, made mainly with the indigenous Sangiovese grape, but also with international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The winery is located at the border between the Chianti Classico DOCG and the Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG. Continue reading “Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina 2008”

Gaja Barbaresco 2008

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose at first very closed. With some air it opens up, but the bouquet remains very subtle, with a predominance of underground. In the mouth a solid structure, with good acidity and well-integrated tannins. The aftertaste is at first very short, but after some air exposure it becomes fairly long.

Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and is considered among the finest wines in the world. Continue reading “Gaja Barbaresco 2008”

Wines <30 CHF

Last month I decided to do something different and to organise a blind tasting of wines that sells for less than 30 CHF.

The five wines we tasted have been freely picked by the participants to the event among the ones they prefer in this price range. Continue reading “Wines <30 CHF”

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”

Vigna Pedale 2015

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose red fruits and spices. Raspberries, cherries, tobacco and anise come to mind. In the mouth medium body, medium acidity and soft tannins. The finish reminds me of black tea. The aftertaste is medium long.

A medium wine with plenty of awards: trebicchieri Gambero Rosso, Gold Medal Expovina, Gold Medal Mundusvini, Gold Medal Berliner Wine Trophy. Continue reading “Vigna Pedale 2015”