Don PX Selection Toro Albala 1965

The colour is deep brown. On the nose mainly spices, a lot of them! It is like walking in a bazar in the Middle East, and at the same time in a cigar factory in Cuba. In the mouth very thick, velvety and savoury. On the finish coffee and chocolate that last for a very, very long aftertaste.

This sweet wine is made with 100% Pedro Ximénez, a white wine grape variety best known for its role in the sweet sherries of Jerez. Continue reading “Don PX Selection Toro Albala 1965”

Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2009

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose at first a bit animal, but also forest floor, tobacco and blueberries. In the mouth very elegant and smooth, with nicely integrated tannins. On the palate coffee and cocoa. The taste is subtle. The aftertaste fairly long but slightly bitter. Continue reading “Chateau Gruaud-Larose 2009”

Wines >100 CHF

Wines >100 CHF: Last month I organised a blind tasting of wines that sells between 100 CHF and 150 CHF.

The six wines we tasted were freely picked by the participants to the event. We usually taste completely blind, without even knowing the wines we are tasting. This time we decided to announce the wines beforehand. Continue reading “Wines >100 CHF”

Pingus 2013

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose plums, cranberries and mocha. In the mouth elegant and well balanced. The aftertaste is shorter than you would expect.

Pingus is a Tempranillo varietal wine made by Peter Sisseck, a Danish winemaker, who began his Spanish wine career in 1991 at Hacienda Monasterio, where he still works as a senior oenologist. Continue reading “Pingus 2013”

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”

El Nido 2008

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose dark berries and prunes under spirit. In the mouth fresh, with well-integrated tannins. The aftertaste is tasty and very, very long.

The 2008 El Nido is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell, aged for 24 months in new French and American oak. Continue reading “El Nido 2008”

Spain

Last month I organized a wine tasting focused on the main wine producing regions of Spain.

In the last few years, I travelled extensively to the different wine regions of Europe and I covered all the major denominations of Spain. Continue reading “Spain”

Charmes-Chambertin Joseph Drouhin 2011

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.

Charmes-Chambertin is an Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) and one of the 24 Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy. It is made with Pinot Noir grapes. Continue reading “Charmes-Chambertin Joseph Drouhin 2011”

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”