January 11, 2019 - Very much like the recently consumed 1995, just younger and brighter. Dark red cherry compote less the sweetness with chocolate and mineral backbone. Very fine tannins. Drinking beautifully now.
December 16, 2016 - What a difference 10 months make - or is it bottle variation? Decanted, as it was throwing off a lot of sediment. This Desiderio seems thinner, more linear than earlier this year and appears past its prime. It's still a very intriguing wine, but this bottle lacked the wow factor of previous ones. Drink up if you have any left.
September 18, 2016 - Fully mature. Takes about an hour in decanter to fully open up. Once there, creamy, leather, truffle, darker fruit notes surrounded by loads of dried herbs, some truffle and a touch of espresso. More complex on the nose than I'd imagined, this was a little more reserved on the med+ palate. Good length and sapidity, tannins fully resolved. Drink now. recommended
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
January 31, 2016 - Consistent with my tasting note from November 2015. This is a mind-bending example of a cellar-worthy Merlot from central Italy. It is mighty fine, yet not international in style. It was great by itself but also paired nicely with an ossobuco. It is definitely at its peak, but is likely to be in a good place for at least a couple more years. It is worth seeking out.
December 27, 2015 - Last bottle. Fully mature. Velvety texture, loads of spice and nuance. Wish I had another.
November 8, 2015 - This is a remarkable, age-worthy blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep dark garnet in color; almost opaque. The nose is clean, medium (+) in intensity, with forward, attractive & fragrant nose of ripe fruit, dried herbs, mocha and some baking spice. The palate is dry, but with ripe red fruit, red plums. The tannins are smooth, medium. The medium (+) acidity provides a long, mouthwatering finish. The alcohol is listed at 13%, yet, the wine is full-bodied, big and lush. It is drinking very well now, and is likely to be in a good place for several more years. A surprisingly good Right Bank style wine from the hills near Cortona?
June 21, 2015 - Deep dark garnet in color; almost opaque. forward, attractive & fragrant nose of ripe dark fruit aromas of cherries, blackberries, plums & cassis with earthy overtones, olives, coffee, cocoa, spices, anise, dried herbs, bay leaf, some leather & minerals. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced, smooth textured, plush, ripe dark fruit flavors of cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, olives, cocoa, coffee, licorice & minerals. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present and has the potential to hold onto its current plateau although any further development would be minimal.
February 4, 2015 - BLACK CHERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, AND LEATHER IN THE NOSE. DRIED PLUMS AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE FLAVOR. NICE LEGS AND COMPLEXITY AND A MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
March 24, 2014 - pop n pour.veri disappointed with tis bttl.not showing enuff of rich fruits here.xpect a little more concentrate n more focus fruits here.tis bttl lack of energy n freshness.its definitely an over price bttl($100 sing).yawn....
March 24, 2014 - Wine Geeks Gathering (Extra Space): Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, dark garnet colour.
Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of sweet chocolate, very much like the initial whiff on peeling open a Kit-Kat chocolate bar. Also aromas of ripe dark fruit.
On the palate, medium acidity, velvety smooth tannins, full body, long finish. Flavours of chocolate, plush dark fruits - plums and blackberries. Very soft plush mouth-feel with elegance. Ripe fruits and tannins well integrated.
I initially thought it was a Right Bank Bordeaux, but as the night wore on and with more air, it started to show a bit more Italian character.
Merlot dominant with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Delicious drinking now, smack in the drinking window. Drink up over next 3-4 years. Not as "bullish" as I thought it would be, this prize bull has already calmed down after 15 years of rest.