Sorì Ginestra 2009

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose cherries, strawberries, leather, tobacco. In the mouth warm, with firm tannins that leave the mouth dry. The aftertaste is medium long.

Sorì Ginestra belongs to the Cru Ginestra vineyard, one of Barolo’s various crus and, as any Barolo, is made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Continue reading “Sorì Ginestra 2009”

Sperss 2014

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose very elegant. Strawberries, rose petals and mushrooms come to mind. In the mouth smooth, with well integrated tannins. The aftertaste is subtle and medium long.

I’m generally not a big fan of Barolo wines, which I usually find overpriced for the pleasure they deliver, but I have to say that this Barolo of Gaja is a noteworthy exception, which I greatly enjoyed. Continue reading “Sperss 2014”

Amarone Riserva Quintarelli 2003

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose liquorice, tea leaves, black cherries, plumbs, chocolate. In the mouth filling, with a solid structure. Dense and concentrated. The aftertaste is very long.

Amarone Riserva Quintarelli is a blend of 55% Corvina, Croatina, Rondinella and Nebbiolo, 30% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. After manual harvests, the grapes were placed on wooden crates in a well-aerated room. Continue reading “Amarone Riserva Quintarelli 2003”

Percristina 2005

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose dark cherries, mocha and tea leaves. In the mouth gripping tannins. For the rest lighter than you would expect. The aftertaste is savoury and medium long.

For this wine I had high expectations. Probably too high. The result has been disappointment. A good wine, but far from great. Continue reading “Percristina 2005”

Malvirà Renesio Riserva 2009

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose prune, cherries under spirit, orange marmalade and tobacco. Although still enjoyable, in the mouth this wine has passed its best. The sensations are subtle, the flavours are fading and the aftertaste rather short.

Malvirà Renesio Riserva is made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes under the Roero DOCG. Continue reading “Malvirà Renesio Riserva 2009”

Gagliasso Rocche dell’Annunziata 2015

The colour is pale garnet. On the nose very ripe fruits, plum and cappuccino. It reminds of a Tawny Port. In the mouth well integrated but still gripping tannins. The aftertaste is disappointingly short.

Rocche dell’Annunziata is one of the most historic and renowned Nebbiolo vineyards in La Morra. Its importance is also shown by the fact that many great producers have vines in this cru. Continue reading “Gagliasso Rocche dell’Annunziata 2015”

Carema 2017

The colour is pale garnet. On the nose rose, raspberry and cinnamon. In the mouth, soft, discreet, light. The aftertaste reminds of strawberries, but doesn’t last long. Overall, pleasant but not very fulfilling.

The village of Carema lies in a valley northwest of Piedmont and marks the divide between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. The backdrop to the village is a spectacular expanse of vineyards clinging onto rocky slopes. Continue reading “Carema 2017”

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”

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”

Nebbiolo

Last month I hosted another wine tasting event at my home. Four friends joined me to taste blindly six Nebbiolo based wines. What we found was much to our surprise.

Nebbiolo is one of the most prestigious grape varieties of Italy. Continue reading “Nebbiolo”