Tasting Notes of Wines around the World
24 September 2017
Who would expect a Beaujolais, even a Cru, to still be fresh and highly enjoyable after 10 years?
This Morgon (one of the ten Cru of Beaujolais) is a very elegant, smooth and balanced wine, made with Gamay grapes. Still pretty fruity (raspberry) and fresh despite the age. Continue reading “Les Corcelettes 2007”
17 September 2017
This Castel del Monte DOCG produced by Torrevento is officially priced at 24.30 CHF, but is currently selling for 16.50 CHF at Denner.
The wine is made with Nero di Troia grapes: Troia being the town of the Odyssey, where the grape supposedly originated from; Nero referring to the intense ruby color, almost black. Continue reading “Ottagono 2013”
10 September 2017
Pleasant black cherry, plum, mocha and herbaceous notes on the nose. In the mouth smooth, rounded and easy to drink. Good persistence.
This mid-range (26 CHF) Merlot from the Ronchi around Bellinzona offers a decent price/quality ratio. Unfortunately this is not often the case with the Merlot del Ticino. Continue reading “CAGI Monte Carasso 2013”
3 September 2017
A red wine made with Tannat and Cabernet Franc grapes cultivated in a AOC situated around the town of Madiran in Guascony (southeast of Bordeaux).
A rustic wine with a good natural acidity and rich in tannins, which in this modern version are already pleasantly soft, thanks to micro-oxygenation. Continue reading “Domaine Laougué 2012”
13 August 2017
This Salento IGT produced by Cantine San Marzano is officially priced at 29.90 CHF, but is currently selling at both Denner and Otto’s for 17.50 CHF.
The wine is the enjoyable result of a blend of Negroamaro and Primitivo, the two main red grape varieties of Puglia. Rich in well matured, but not overripe, fruits. Continue reading “Collezione 50 2012”
30 July 2017
Intense nose of spices, pleasant bitterness in the mouth and a good aftertaste. The oak is well integrated and the tannins are already fairly smooth.
A wine made with 100% Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia grapes, also used to produce a well-regarded sweet wine. Continue reading “Orgion 2015”
16 July 2017
A pleasant basic red wine made with Refosco (of Italian origin) and (indigenous) Mavrodaphne grapes. This is the main red wine produced by Mercouri Estate, a very charming property located close to the port of Katakolo.
I discovered this family owned estate, established in 1864, last year while cruising. Continue reading “Domaine Mercouri 2015”
9 July 2017
From 60 years old vines. Powerful, fruity and fairly persistent. Unfortunately, it doesn’t suit my taste.
In my opinion the Primitivo grape has some clear limits on how far it can go in producing good wines. The very old vines make this Primitivo di Manduria special. Continue reading “Luccarelli Old Vines 2015”
2 July 2017
Didn’t know this kind of grape existed till I visited Frascati a few months ago and discovered that it is an autoctone variety from Lazio. This one is a IGT, but there is also a Cesanese del Piglio DOCG (also from Lazio).
Didn’t have much expectations, given the general mediocrity of the Frascati, Continue reading “Cesanese 2013”