Last week I organised a wine tasting focused on some of the best Merlot based wines of my region: Ticino.
For this tasting we had seven wines lined up, which we tasted blind: Continue reading “Best of Ticino Merlot”
Tag: Red
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”
Cleos Anfora 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”
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”
The Chocolate Block 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”
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”
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”
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”
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”