Tasting Notes of Wines around the World
The colour is deep purple. On the nose blueberries, black olives, meat and liquorice. In the mouth it is full-bodied and rich, with fruit and ripe tannins on the lingering finish.
Produced entirely from Syrah grapes, Thalabert’s Crozes-Hermitage is vinified from 40-60-year-old vines. It is made by Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîné, which in 2006 was bought by the Frey Group, which also owns vineyards in Champagne and Bordeaux (Château la Lagune). Continue reading “Domain de Thalabert 2017”
The colour is medium gold, although the name would suggest a yellow. On the nose nuts, dried fruits and panettone. In the mouth good acidity and a prickly sensation. The aftertaste is savoury and very long.
Vin jaune is a special and characteristic type of white wine made in the Jura region of eastern France. It is similar to dry fino Sherry and gets its character from being matured in a barrel under a film of yeast, known as the voile, on the wine’s surface. Continue reading “Vin Jaune Château-Chalon 2012”
Mid October I organised a tasting of Northern Rhône Syrah wines. I visited the region with my wife in Mai 2015. Back then I bought wines from the best denominations: Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Cornas. I let the bottles age in my cellar for six years and now I’ve decided to taste a couple with some friends. Continue reading “Northern Rhône Syrah”
The colour is deep ruby. On the nose attractive and complex, combining the fruit driven notes from the blend of varieties with those from the ageing in French and American oak barrels. Black cherries, plums, vanilla, cocoa powder, and some rosemary, among others. In the mouth well rounded, with depth and structure. Opulent and elegant, warm and fresh at the same time. A pleasantly sweet finish and a long and savoury aftertaste. Continue reading “Imperial Reserva 2016”
2010 has been a very good year for Ticino wines. Back then I was just starting to get an appreciation of wine and was curious to see how the best products of my region would age. I therefore bought a few bottles of wines produced by three friends: Sassi Grossi made by Alfred De Martin (12 bottles), Rompidée made by Andrea and Giada Arnaboldi (12 bottles), and San Giorgio made by Mattia Bianda (6 bottles). Continue reading “Merlot del Ticino 2010”
The colour is deep ruby. The nose is dominated by tobacco leafs, cinnamon and nutmeg, with notes of saffron, cedar, and coffee. In the mouth the tannins are pleasant, but with a bitter finish. The aftertaste is not very long.
This wine was created in 1999 to commemorate the 10 years of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)’s work in Chile. Le Dix de Los Vascos originates from 70-year-old vines located in the terroir known as “El Fraile” of Colchagua Valley in Chile. Continue reading “Le Dix de Los Vascos 2016”
The colour is pale straw for the first and medium ruby for the second. On the nose Il Bianco di Chiara gives very discreet mineral and citrusy sensations, Il Rosso di Chiara displays mainly oak aromas, with some blackberries. In the mouth the white is dominated by the oak, but in an elegant way. The aftertaste is pleasant, but not very long. The red has less structure than you would expect and seems fading, although it is only 4 years old. The aftertaste is not very long. Continue reading “Il Bianco di Chiara 2019 e Il Rosso di Chiara 2017”
The colour is deep purple. On the nose black cherries with a bit of blood. In the mouth juicy, with silky tannins. The aftertaste is fairly long and fruity.
Cornalin is the name given to two distinct, but related, red wine grape varieties from the Alps. One found in the Italian Aosta Valley: “Cornalin d’Aoste”, and one from the Swiss Canton of Valais: “Cornalin du Valais”. This wine is made with Cornalin du Valais grapes. Continue reading “Leukersonne Cornalin 2016”
The colour is medium ruby. On the nose cherries and bay leaves. In the mouth fresh and easy to drink. With air exposure it evolves in the glass. The aftertaste is medium long. Overall an interesting wine and a pleasant drinking experience.
This wine is made in limited quantity (only 2’200 bottles are produced) by Agriloro, with Merlot grapes, and vinified in 1’700 litre Cocciopesto amphora. Continue reading “Cleos Anfora 2016”
The colour is medium ruby. On the nose at first closed. With some air, dark berries and smoky notes show up. Despite the name, no chocolate whatsoever. In the mouth velvety and fruity, with an enjoyable drying finish. The aftertaste is pleasant, but short.
The Chocolate Block is a barrel-aged red wine made by Boekenhoutskloof winery in the Franschhoek Valley (“French corner” in Dutch), a broad vineyard-lined valley that has been producing wine since the 17th Century, when exiled French Huguenots brought their viticultural know-how to their new home in South Africa. Continue reading “The Chocolate Block 2016”