Tasting Notes of Wines around the World
6 December 2017
Light, Pinot like, but cloudy, color. Grapey aroma, with some disturbing barnyard. In the mouth light bodied and not very pleasant.
Seems like the producer is a well-regarded one. There must therefore be a good reason why in the only DOCG of Sicily (Cerasuolo di Vittoria) Frappato gets blended with a majority of Nero d’Avola. Continue reading “Frappato COS 2015”
29 November 2017
Amigne is a very old variety and is thought to have been introduced into the Alps by the Romans. It is one of the many indigenous grape varieties of the Valais region of Switzerland.
Valais account for a third of the total wine production of Switzerland and displays a vast richness of indigenous grapes. Continue reading “Amigne de Vétroz 2016”
22 November 2017
This St Nicolas de Bourgueil AOP, one of the only few Appelations of the Loire Valley producing mainly red wines, has the typical characteristics of a Cabernet Franc.
Didn’t expect much from this 12.50 EUR wine that I bought at an “all-natural” store in Marseille, while cruising. Continue reading “Les Quarterons 2015”
1 November 2017
Elegant and well balanced, as the name let you expect. On the nose red fruits, with some spicy notes. In the mouth discrete, with a pleasant acidity that follows you in the aftertaste. The high alcohol content (15%) gets completely undetected, both on the nose and in the mouth. One more sign of a well achieved equilibrium. Continue reading “L’Equilibrista 2013”
29 October 2017
This Aglianico del Vulture presents itself with a nose dominated by blueberries. In the mouth tannins and alcohol dominate.
Neither is surprising, given the 14.5% alcohol content and the fact that the Aglianico grape is known for its tannins. Continue reading “Carato Venusio 2011”
22 October 2017
Strong notes of mocha and black chocolate, both on the nose and in the mouth. Very good persistence, with a predominance of spirit soaked fruits, which doesn’t surprise, given the 15.5% alcohol typical for an “appassito” wine.
At around 30 CHF a bottle (at Coop), this is a fairly good Amarone. Continue reading “Amarone Vigne Alte Zeni 2013”
18 October 2017
Pleasant bouquet of tobacco, liquorice and plums. In the mouth smooth and elegant. Well-developed tannins and pleasant persistence.
A really nice left bank wine, that shows the clear superiority of the Bordeaux Crus over most of the world’s wine production. Continue reading “Château Barde-Haut 2001”
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”
27 August 2017
A refreshing white wine made with Petit and Gros Manseng grapes cultivated in one of the smallest AOC of France, around the town of Irouléguy, in the basque area of France (close to the border with Spain).
A very pleasant wine with a vibrant natural acidity. Continue reading “Domaine Abotia 2016”