Black Stallion Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose sumptuous and fruity, with plums, blackberries, and dark chocolate. In the mouth enjoyable, but without the structure you would expect from a single-varietal Cab. The finish is pleasantly fruity, although the aftertaste doesn’t last long.

Black Stallion Estate Winery is located on Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. Continue reading “Black Stallion Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon 2018”

Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018

The colour is medium gold. On the nose golden apple, pineapple, papaya, and butter. In the mouth elegant and tasty, with a citrusy aftertaste that fades fairly quickly.

This Chardonnay is produced by Louis Jadot. A Maison founded in 1859 by the man whose name it bears, Louis Henry Denis Jadot, whose family arrived in Beaune from Belgium in 1794. The house of Louis Jadot was founded in 1859, but the family was already previously active as vignerons in the region. Continue reading “Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018”

Aragonia Selección Especial 2017

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose fruity: raspberries, strawberries and cherries. In the mouth fruity and a bit sweet. The fruity sensation continues in the aftertaste. Overall, very pleasant, but for my taste a bit too fruity.

Campo de Borja is a DO wine zone in Aragon, situated just south of the Ebro River and north of La Huecha River, not far from Zaragoza. Continue reading “Aragonia Selección Especial 2017”

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”

Faustino I 2009

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose dried berry fruits, spices, vanilla and balsamic notes. In the mouth flavourful and fresh, with a drying finish. The aftertaste last for a long while and reminds of cherries.

Faustino I is a blend of 80% Tempranillo with Graciano and Mazuelo grapes, made in the Rioja wine region of Spain. It is released for sale after a minimum of 25 months aging in French and American oak barrels, and at least 3 years in the bottle. Continue reading “Faustino I 2009”

1000 Stories Zinfandel 2017

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose strong aroma of dark fruits jam, accompanied by some spices. In the mouth smooth tannins and a sweet sensation created by the high (14.5%) alcohol content. The aftertaste is fruity and last for quite a while.

Zinfandel is a dark-skinned red wine grape variety widely cultivated in California, where it arrived from Europe in the early years of the 19th Century. It is identical to Italy’s Primitivo. Continue reading “1000 Stories Zinfandel 2017”

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”

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