Costera 2019

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose herbal notes, such as oregano and anise, and a hint of strawberries. In the mouth at first gripping tannins that leave the mouth dry and with a bitter finish. With some air the wine becomes smoother and more savoury. No aftertaste worth mentioning.

This wine is produced by Argiolas under the Cannonau di Sardegna DOC appellation. Continue reading “Costera 2019”

Ziliani “C” Brut

The colour is medium straw. The perlage is delicate. On the nose a hint of Danish pastry, with some apples and pears. In the mouth not much, beside the bubbly sensation. No aftertaste worth mentioning neither.

This Franciacorta sparkling wine is produced by Cantina Chiara Ziliani with a blend of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. Continue reading “Ziliani “C” Brut”

Tenuta Trerose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose sour cherries and some animal notes. In the mouth a pronounced acidity, with a gently tannic “tea-leaf” finish. The aftertaste is rather short.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of several classic Tuscan red wines based on the Sangiovese grape variety. It comes from the vineyards that surround the town of Montepulciano. Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile) must make up at least 70% of the final wine. In this case, the blend is 90% Prugnolo Gentile, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Continue reading “Tenuta Trerose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016”

Rocca Guicciarda 2017

The colour is medium red. On the nose aroma of cherries, with light oaky notes. In the mouth good acidity and well-integrated tannins. The finish recalls the fruit perceived on the nose. The aftertaste is subtle, but medium long.

Rocca Guicciarda is produced by Barone Ricasoli, whose Castello di Brolio is one of the most important and historic Chianti Classico’s producing estates. Broglio Castle has been in the family’s ownership since 1141, but it was Bettino Ricasoli, who made it prominent. Continue reading “Rocca Guicciarda 2017”

Bricco dell’Uccellone 2009 vs. Bricco della Bigotta 2009

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.

Bricco della Bigotta also has a medium garnet colour. On the nose a much more pleasant aroma that reminds of chocolate, gingerbread, tiramisu and panettone. In the mouth a bit less rounded and smooth than Bricco dell’Uccellone, with a slightly less long aftertaste. Continue reading “Bricco dell’Uccellone 2009 vs. Bricco della Bigotta 2009”

Osar 2006

The colour is very dark ruby, almost black. On the nose ripe blackberries and cola. In the mouth plenty of tannins. The slightly fruity and mainly drying aftertaste is pretty long.

Osar is made with 100% Oseleta grapes, an extremely rare red wine variety grown in the northwestern region of Veneto in Italy. The earliest documentation relating to Oseleta dates back only 150 years or so, but oral tradition in the region holds that the variety has been used there for many centuries. Continue reading “Osar 2006”

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”