Catena Zapata Nicosia Vineyard 2008

Fruity nose of prune, mulberries and blackberries, accompanied by some liquorice. In the mouth very rich and smooth, with well integrated tannins and a pleasant acidity. The aftertaste is discreet but fairly long. Overall this wine is less bold than I expected.

Malbec is a black-skinned grape variety native of southwestern France, specifically the area around Cahors. Continue reading “Catena Zapata Nicosia Vineyard 2008”

Rocca Rubia Riserva 2015

On the nose fruity and spicy, with pepper and black-/mulberries dominating the aroma. In the mouth a medium body, well balanced and with a fairly long fruity and pleasant, although prickly and drying, finish.

Even though Carignan (Cariñena in Spain) is most commonly used for blending, in the Carignano del Sulcis DOC is made as varietal. Continue reading “Rocca Rubia Riserva 2015”

Ritme 2014

On the nose at first animal, meaty, dark chocolate and moca sensations dominates. After some exposure to air, the aroma becomes more fruity, with blueberries and dark cherries coming on stage.

In the mouth, this medium bodied wine is smooth and reminds of juicy blackberries. The drying finish is neither very long nor too short. Continue reading “Ritme 2014”

Di Majo Norante Tintilia Riserva 2015

On the nose vanilla ice cream with sour cherries. The tannins are firm and leave you with a dry mouth. The lingering aftertaste is pleasantly bitter, an interesting contrast to the smooth fruity aroma.

Tintilia del Molise is one of the newest DOC of Italy. Continue reading “Di Majo Norante Tintilia Riserva 2015”

Judeka 2016

On the nose strawberry jelly with some herbs mixed in. In the mouth light from start to finish. The aftertaste is very discreet, with the strawberry coming back to say goodbye. Certainly not an intellectual wine, but in its simplicity is a fresh and clean wine that can be enjoyed during a light meal with friends. Continue reading “Judeka 2016”

Post Scriptum 2016

The nose reminds me of blackberries fruit candy. To my taste a rather unpleasant sensation that unfortunately follows in the mouth, where the wine doesn’t show any depth of flavour. It finishes abruptly and without any aftertaste worth mentioning.

What a disappointment! To me this wine seems artificial from the first sniff. A far cry from the enthusiastic memory I had about it when I drunk the 2011 vintage in 2014, while visiting Porto. Continue reading “Post Scriptum 2016”

La Mouline 1996

On the nose at first the wine smells very meaty, even gamy. After a while, the blood sensation decreases and leaves space to a more complex and appetising bouquet of grilled meat, rosemary and lavender. In the mouth well rounded, filling and very pleasant. The aftertaste is dominated by beeswax and rosemary. Overall the wine displays lots of power and intensity, but at the same time is very elegant. Continue reading “La Mouline 1996”

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1989

On the nose the wine is very nuanced, as you should expect from a 30 years old Bordeaux. According to my tasting group, barn, black tea, leather and anise come to mind, with some cassis representing the fruit that is still left in the bouquet. In the mouth it has an earthy flavour profile, with some chocolate, pleasant tannins and a fairly long aftertaste. Continue reading “Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1989”

Château Calon-Ségur 2000

The bouquet doesn’t display much complexity, with lots of smoke, cigar, mocha and liquorice, but not much fruit. In the mouth tobacco overpowers other sensation. Although well integrated, the tannins are still very present and add to the rustic experience. The finish is abrupt. The aftertaste fine, but nothing to indulge in and leaning towards a not overly pleasant mocha taste. Continue reading “Château Calon-Ségur 2000”