Fabelhaft 2018

The colour is medium purple. On the nose black cherries mixed with some tea. In the mouth light, with smooth but well present tannins and a pleasant acidity. Fairly long finish. Not really to my taste, but an enjoyable, easy to drink wine that delivers good value.

Fabelhaft is a very successful story. Continue reading “Fabelhaft 2018”

La Petite Chapelle 2009

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose corked. With time it only gets worst. Very unfortunate, but it happens.

A “corked” wine, which smells like wet newspaper/cardboard, is the result of the presence of a chemical called TCA (2,4,6 trichloranisole). While unpleasant, cork taint is not in any way harmful to humans. Today several procedures and treatments are in place to render cork less susceptible to developing cork taint, but it can still happen. As it has been the case with this bottle. Continue reading “La Petite Chapelle 2009”

Solnia 2014

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose at first slightly meaty and quite alcoholic. Not too surprising given the 15% alcohol content. With some air, blueberries and blackberries appear and prevail for a short while. Later the dark fruits disappear and only some black pepper seems to be left. In the mouth rather rustic. At the end a pleasantly drying sensation, but not much aftertaste. Continue reading “Solnia 2014”

Syrah/Shiraz

Last week I hosted a wine tasting event at my home. Three other wine enthusiasts joined me to taste blindly four Syrah/Shiraz based wines.

Since everyone brought a bottle of his choice, we ended up without any Syrah from the Rhône Valley. Continue reading “Syrah/Shiraz”

AALTO PS 2013

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose woody sensations and chocolate dominate the experience. With some air tomato and hot pepper also come on stage. In the mouth the wine is far from delivering the opulent experience you would expect. In the long aftertaste the woody sensations first perceived on the nose come back, as well as the chocolate. For my taste, this wine got too much exposure to oak. Continue reading “AALTO PS 2013”

Culdrée 2012

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose blackberry jam, prunes and some balsamic notes. In the mouth smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a pleasant freshness. At first the aftertaste lacks the fruitiness perceived on the nose, but after some exposure to air the prunes show up.

Culdrée is made with Merlot grapes by Enrico Trapletti, who founded his winery in 1992. Continue reading “Culdrée 2012”

Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2015

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose very light aroma of red fruits: cherries with some strawberries and raspberries. In the mouth similar to a canoe: close to water. No aftertaste worth mentioning.

This wine is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, with some Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Riserva Ducale is an iconic brand of Chianti. It has seen almost 90 vintages. Continue reading “Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2015”

Vigna del Gris 2008

The colour is deep garnet. Slightly cloudy. On the nose dark cherries and blackberries. The 14.5% alcohol is clearly perceived on the nose as well as in the mouth. The firm tannins characteristic of a Barolo wine dominates the sensations in the mouth and leave it clean and dry.

As any Barolo, Vigna del Gris is made with 100% Nebbiolo, the grape variety behind the top-quality red wines of Piedmont in north-western Italy. Continue reading “Vigna del Gris 2008”

Altos de la Finca 2014

The colour is deep purple. The nose has an herbal character, complemented by chocolate and dark cherries. In the mouth fresh, with round tannins and a long aftertaste of mocha, with hints of caramel.

Altos de la Finca is a blend of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Syrah. It is aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels. This explains the chocolate notes on the nose and the overpowering mocha sensation in the aftertaste. Continue reading “Altos de la Finca 2014”

Cooperation Wines Descendientes de J. Palacio 2017

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose liquorice accompanied by earthy notes. In the mouth smooth, up to the bitterish and drying finish.

This wine is the result of a partnership between Ricardo Perez Palacios and his famous uncle Alvaro Palacios, both heirs of the wine dynasty Palacios (Remondo) of Rioja. Descendientes de J. Palacios is the name of the company that the two have formed in 1999. Continue reading “Cooperation Wines Descendientes de J. Palacio 2017”