Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga 2005

On the nose, at first simpler than I expected, with spices prevailing over the black fruits flavours. Menthol and balsamic notes come forward and predominate the first impression. After a while, plumb and blackberries aromas come more to the stage and after one hour dominates.  Continue reading “Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga 2005”

Mondeuse Lunatique 2016

On the nose meaty and herbal notes. In the mouth a light and raw texture, a beeswax finish and not much of an aftertaste. To complement its mediocrity, the wine displays a pale and cloudy appearance. At 10.5% the alcohol content is surprisingly low for a red wine.

As my wife said: “it tastes a bit like table wine from Italy”.  Continue reading “Mondeuse Lunatique 2016”

Les Clefs d’Or 2013

On the nose at first kind of prickly, with herbs and spices dominating the aroma. Among them anise and eucalyptus. With some air, red cherry fruit and liquorice come forward and the sensation get smoother.

In the mouth sort of masculine as on the nose, Continue reading “Les Clefs d’Or 2013”

Marina Cvetić 2013

The aroma is filled with jammy dark fruits, especially plum, accompanied by some earthy notes. Once in the mouth, the wine has a considerably lighter body and is remarkably less filling than you would expect. The finish is drying and a bit bitter, in clear contrast with the first impression given by the sweet, fruity sensations perceived on the nose. The aftertaste is long, but not particularly appealing.  Continue reading “Marina Cvetić 2013”

Nouvelère 2010

On the nose a well achieved mix of dark fruits and spices. With some air licorice, black olives and herbal notes become more apparent. After a while, the black fruits come back reinforced, but only to fade away and reappear later on. In the mouth, the tannins are still very gripping. At first, this Syrah is less filling than you would expect and with a finish that is a bit abrupt. Continue reading “Nouvelère 2010”

Livio Felluga Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2012

On the nose, the first impression is of very ripe fruits. A bit more in the back and coming forward with some aeration, are peppery spices and dry meat aromas, which nicely complements the plums flavour. Overall a rich and pleasant experience.

Once in the mouth, the wine gets lighter and displays a good minerality. The finish is dominated by acidity and astringency/bitterness on the palate. Continue reading “Livio Felluga Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2012”

San Román 2013

Oak, oak and oak. This Toro DO wine is dominated by, you probably guessed it, oak. Not too surprising, given the fact that the wine spends 24 months in French and American oak. What is more astonishing is the fact that the wine lacks the matter necessary to keep up with the prolonged contact with the wood. Continue reading “San Román 2013”

Aalto 2012

Very tempting and opulent aroma of ripe fruits. Red fruits dominate: raspberries, strawberries and cherries, but some black berries are also clearly detectable. Surprisingly, given the 14.5% alcohol and the 20 months spent in oak, neither the wood nor the alcohol spoils the olfactory experience.

The bright, lively fruits shine through the mouth as well. Continue reading “Aalto 2012”

Clos Des Forêts Saint Georges 2009

Seductive and sophisticated bouquet of forest floor, earth, eucalyptus, mushrooms and some strawberries. Overall a very nice aromatic complexity. (On a bit less poetic tone: at first it did remind me of cola.)

In the mouth as elegant as on the nose. Light and full, old and young at the same time. Subtle flavours of cherries, strawberries and bees wax. Continue reading “Clos Des Forêts Saint Georges 2009”