Raspberry and cherry - red fruit that is round on the palate. Decent acidity lifts it a bit on the palate, there is a tiny bit of grip to it but only just barely.
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Generous nose - earth, briar, iron, cinnamon and violets. Rich but there is a mineral core that is love. The tannin structure matches the richness. Lots of quality to this.
Bottle 1 - Opened 6 hours prior to tasting. Perfumed, red berries, chocolate and tobacco. The minerality is really quite stunning and gives the wine as a whole a gigantic lift, melding with brilliant red fruit and tannin structure. Superb.
Bottle 2 - Opened 1 hour prior to tasting. More tobacco dominant with some herbs and more red berries. The fruit on the palate is more reserved, but the structure is clearly just as good and the wine certainly shows the same potential.
Redcurrant, cherry and cinnamon. No earthy/meaty component on this compared to the last wine, so it seems cleaner but also more simple. Good texture and tannin profile, the fruit takes a bit of a back seat on the palate.
Spice, meaty, perfumed violets and some light brett influence. Shows its age on the palate, it is fairly resolved and while it still has freshness, I wouldn't leave it too much longer. Nice length to it.
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore
Apple, grape and mandarin. Sweetness is quite present on the palate, and for me it felt a touch cloying on the finish. There is acidity lurking but it doesn't show enough.
Peach and pear nose. The palate is drier than some of the previous wines tried and it is refreshing in that regard, with some cutting acid, but ultimately the depth falls short.
Golden orange colour. Orange peel, apricot, honey, brandy snaps and floral notes with plenty of aromatic intensity. Really quite beautiful on the nose. Sweet and ever so intense palate, mouth filling and has good length. A little bit is plenty.
Slate, lemon, unripe pear and some herb notes. The palate has a streak of richness that I like. There is some texture to it as well. Interest and refreshment in equal parts.
Blackcurrant, touch of stalk, some ripe blackberry too. Palate has light structure and I think it is fairly well balanced. Not deep but there are elements to like about this.
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Raisins, graphite, cedar and intense spice. Rich palate with full bodied fruit and the alcohol doesn't dominate, though it is there. Well structured, with good grip. Has ageing potential over the mid term.
Perfumed florals, licorice, bright red fruit and an apricot styled lift. Palate is quite bold considering how pretty the nose is. There is ample tannin that binds things together quite well.
Really earthy nose, roses, licorice and spice. Palate has plenty of acidity with rich dark fruit almost playing the support role. Persistence is good and this should age well.
Lovely nose - peach, graphite, grape and lemon curd. The sweetness (around 110g per litre) is well cleansed by the spritz and fine acidity. Sugar does linger on slightly longer than might be desired though.
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza
Licorice and black cherry with some charred oak. Really lovely balance on the palate, there is rich fruit but it feels to be in proportion to the structure and overall character of the wine.
Dark and tight. Licorice, black cherry, light spice and some rhubarb. Palate holds back as well, there is good balance though. Could do with a touch more depth but should age really well.
Very floral nose - there is aromatic intensity with licorice, tar, earth and cherry. Palate is super, long and intense. Structured well and the tannins are not invasive.
Peach, raspberry, cherry and some earth. I love the palate, it is earthy and savoury with some grip to it. Finishes clean and leaves you wanting more. Interesting stuff.
Apricot, orange, toffee nose. Nice mouth feel, has balance and it is nicely long. Persistence is good. After a small sample I have to think one glass would be plenty though.
Smoky and meaty with a bright red fruit component of rhubarb and cherry. Palate is nicely balanced with the acid well folded into the fruit. Plenty of tannin there and this would benefit from time.
2011 Santa Cristina (Antinori) Toscana IGT 87 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Raspberry and cherry - red fruit that is round on the palate. Decent acidity lifts it a bit on the palate, there is a tiny bit of grip to it but only just barely.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Antinori Chianti Classico Marchese Antinori Riserva 88 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
Cherry, spice, earth and some appealing blueberry. Nice grip on the palate, there is sweet red fruit to balance. Oak is very held back.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Generous nose - earth, briar, iron, cinnamon and violets. Rich but there is a mineral core that is love. The tannin structure matches the richness. Lots of quality to this.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2010 Antinori Tignanello 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Bottle 1 - Opened 6 hours prior to tasting. Perfumed, red berries, chocolate and tobacco. The minerality is really quite stunning and gives the wine as a whole a gigantic lift, melding with brilliant red fruit and tannin structure. Superb.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2010 Antinori Tignanello 92 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Bottle 2 - Opened 1 hour prior to tasting. More tobacco dominant with some herbs and more red berries. The fruit on the palate is more reserved, but the structure is clearly just as good and the wine certainly shows the same potential.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore 91 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
Cherry, spice, blackberry, cedar and red currant. Nice tannin influence on the palate with restrained fruit and impressive length. Should age well.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Argiolas Vermentino di Sardegna Costamolino 88 Points
Italy, Sardinia, Vermentino di Sardegna
Earth, peach, mandarin and musk. Quite fruit sweet, but it has some balance - good minerality helps and there is some interest overall.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Argiolas Vermentino di Sardegna Is Argiolas 90 Points
Italy, Sardinia, Vermentino di Sardegna
Graphite, lemon and slate. Nice bright fruit, balanced and refreshing with some fruit depth to it.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2010 Argiolas Iselis Bianco 89 Points
Italy, Sardinia, Nasco di Cagliari
Wild florals and peach with slate. Fine balance, the fruit has power but it doesn't wash away the detail. Medium length could be slightly improved.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Argiolas Monica di Sardegna Perdera 89 Points
Italy, Sardinia, Monica di Sardegna
Raspberry and black currant - appealing nose with character and the palate is similar with sweet fruit but some good texture. Likeable wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Argiolas Costera 90 Points
Italy, Sardinia, Cannonau di Sardegna
Perfume, spice, cherry, plum and licorice. Rich palate but is focused by good acidity. Has good length - a nice wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi) Rosso di Montalcino 90 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
Cinnamon, cherry, meaty and floral with some rhubarb. Nice balance with a pleasing savoury mouthfeel. Not super complex but lovely to drink.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Jacopo Biondi-Santi Sassoalloro Toscana IGT 88 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Redcurrant, cherry and cinnamon. No earthy/meaty component on this compared to the last wine, so it seems cleaner but also more simple. Good texture and tannin profile, the fruit takes a bit of a back seat on the palate.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2000 Jacopo Biondi-Santi Morellino di Scansano Riserva Castello di Montepo 90 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Morellino di Scansano
Spice, meaty, perfumed violets and some light brett influence. Shows its age on the palate, it is fairly resolved and while it still has freshness, I wouldn't leave it too much longer. Nice length to it.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
NV Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut 90 Points
Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
Lemon, toast, floral and some anise. Clean acidity, good length and balance. Has depth to it. Really impressive.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2004 Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi 91 Points
Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
Earthy, floral, some musk and toast. Good length, the texture here is lovely. Delicious with complexity and really enjoyable to drink.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
NV Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Cuvée Brut 87 Points
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore
Apple, pear, pineapple. Some sweetness evident on the palate. Decent length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
NV Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Extra Dry 86 Points
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore
Apple, grape and mandarin. Sweetness is quite present on the palate, and for me it felt a touch cloying on the finish. There is acidity lurking but it doesn't show enough.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
NV Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze 87 Points
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze
Grape, floral and slate notes on the nose. Palate show the sugar, I don't mind it but it is simple asides from the sweetness.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
NV Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco di Conegliano 86 Points
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano
Peach and pear nose. The palate is drier than some of the previous wines tried and it is refreshing in that regard, with some cutting acid, but ultimately the depth falls short.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Donnafugata Contessa Entellina La Fuga 88 Points
Italy, Sicily, Contessa Entellina
Toasty, with lemon, spice and light florals. Has a fine mineral core with fruit power evident. Bold and quite tasty.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Donnafugata Sicilia Sedàra 89 Points
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
Spice, cherry, tar and graphite. Medium length and well balanced.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Donnafugata Mille e una notte 90 Points
Italy, Sicily, Contessa Entellina
Leather, meat, spice and some oak. Mouthfeel is very good - textured and well balanced with fine acidity. Fruit has intensity and depth. Really good.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2010 Donnafugata Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé 91 Points
Italy, Sicily, Passito di Pantelleria
Golden orange colour. Orange peel, apricot, honey, brandy snaps and floral notes with plenty of aromatic intensity. Really quite beautiful on the nose. Sweet and ever so intense palate, mouth filling and has good length. A little bit is plenty.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Pio Cesare Gavi 89 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Gavi
Slate, lemon, unripe pear and some herb notes. The palate has a streak of richness that I like. There is some texture to it as well. Interest and refreshment in equal parts.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Masi Pinot Grigio Verduzzo Masianco 85 Points
Italy, Veneto, Venezia
Herb, citrus and pear. Soft palate that feels one dimensional and lacks detail. Short-mid length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Masi Valpolicella Bonacosta 85 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella
Graphite and herbs. Palate is soft and needs more drive. Okay wine at the entry level.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2010 Masi Campofiorin 87 Points
Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
Blackcurrant, touch of stalk, some ripe blackberry too. Palate has light structure and I think it is fairly well balanced. Not deep but there are elements to like about this.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Masi Brolo di Campofiorin Oro Veronese IGT 87 Points
Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
Stalk on the nose with blackcurrant, some florals. There is a touch of bitterness on the palate, though it isn't entirely unpleasant.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera 89 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Raisins, graphite, cedar and intense spice. Rich palate with full bodied fruit and the alcohol doesn't dominate, though it is there. Well structured, with good grip. Has ageing potential over the mid term.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Mastroberardino Greco di Tufo 84 Points
Italy, Campania, Greco di Tufo DOCG
Light herbal nose and palate. The minerality on the palate does give some positive but it is lacking overall.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Mastroberardino Irpinia Lacrimarosa Rosato 87 Points
Italy, Campania, Irpinia
Cherry, orange and rose petals. Palate has decent texture and there is reasonable balance. Not very deep.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Mastroberardino Aglianico Irpinia Redimore 88 Points
Italy, Campania, Irpinia
Perfumed florals, licorice, bright red fruit and an apricot styled lift. Palate is quite bold considering how pretty the nose is. There is ample tannin that binds things together quite well.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici 90 Points
Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG
Really earthy nose, roses, licorice and spice. Palate has plenty of acidity with rich dark fruit almost playing the support role. Persistence is good and this should age well.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Michele Chiarlo Gavi Le Marne 89 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Gavi
Light nose - rose and peach. Rounded fruit on the palate but the acidity cleanses well. Has more persistence than I expected.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Michele Chiarlo Moscato d'Asti Nivole 88 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Moscato d'Asti
Lovely nose - peach, graphite, grape and lemon curd. The sweetness (around 110g per litre) is well cleansed by the spritz and fine acidity. Sugar does linger on slightly longer than might be desired though.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Orme 88 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore
Violets and charred notes with some blackcurrant. Good tannin and acid profile. Bright fruit compliments well.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza La Court 90 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza
Licorice and black cherry with some charred oak. Really lovely balance on the palate, there is rich fruit but it feels to be in proportion to the structure and overall character of the wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano 89 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Restrained nose - some spice and chocolate. The palate is very structured and is closed for business right now. Give it time.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba 88 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba
Violets and VA, with some spice too. Palate is fruit forward and drinks well now.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 90 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Dark and tight. Licorice, black cherry, light spice and some rhubarb. Palate holds back as well, there is good balance though. Could do with a touch more depth but should age really well.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Pio Cesare Barbaresco 89 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Spice, cherry, red currant and roses. Tannins are a step up on previous wines, with fruit that has character and good texture.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2009 Pio Cesare Barolo 90 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Very floral nose - there is aromatic intensity with licorice, tar, earth and cherry. Palate is super, long and intense. Structured well and the tannins are not invasive.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2012 Rivera Sauvignon Castel del Monte Terre al Monte 88 Points
Italy, Puglia, Castel del Monte
Pungent passion fruit, some lemon and spice. Nice mouthfeel with decent kick from the acidity.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Rivera Castel del Monte Bombino Nero Pungirosa 91 Points
Italy, Puglia, Castel del Monte Bombino Nero
Peach, raspberry, cherry and some earth. I love the palate, it is earthy and savoury with some grip to it. Finishes clean and leaves you wanting more. Interesting stuff.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Rivera Castel del Monte Rupicolo 87 Points
Italy, Puglia, Castel del Monte
Stalks and stems and briar. Palate has more fruit in the red spectrum. Medium structure mostly through the acidity. Drink now probably.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Rivera Castel del Monte Il Falcone Riserva 90 Points
Italy, Puglia, Castel del Monte
Smoke, meat, floral and graphite with cherry notes. Lovely gravelly, earthy flavour - quite poised in regards to the spicy fruit. Right up my alley.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Rivera Moscato di Trani Dolce Piani di Tufara 90 Points
Italy, Puglia, Moscato di Trani
Apricot, orange, toffee nose. Nice mouth feel, has balance and it is nicely long. Persistence is good. After a small sample I have to think one glass would be plenty though.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Tasca D'Almerita Grillo 87 Points
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
Light herb and mango with some grapefruit. Palate is slightly soft but there is some brightness around the edges. Medium length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Tasca D'Almerita Chardonnay Sicilia 88 Points
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
Oak, melon and grapefruit. The palate is restrained and has good length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Tasca D'Almerita Etna Tascante Ghiaia Nera 88 Points
Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC
Meaty and smoky. Cloudy coloured. Acid is at the fore on the palate, with a line of bright red cherry cutting through. Medium length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2010 Tasca D'Almerita il Tascante 89 Points
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
Smoky and meaty with a bright red fruit component of rhubarb and cherry. Palate is nicely balanced with the acid well folded into the fruit. Plenty of tannin there and this would benefit from time.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Tasca D'Almerita Rosso del Conte 91 Points
Italy, Sicily, Contea di Sclafani
Lovely aromas of spice, cedar, cherry, raspberry and light bramble. Interesting texture with fine balance and acidity. Really excellent wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2012 Umani Ronchi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Casal di Serra 86 Points
Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore
Pea and peach with some funk. Light mouthfeel, very soft in fact with the acid taking a back seat.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2010 Umani Ronchi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Casal di Serra 87 Points
Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore
Spice, funk and graphite. Palate is soft and while there is some depth, the softness pervades across the length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Umani Ronchi Rosso Conero San Lorenzo 86 Points
Italy, Marche, Rosso Conero
Cherry and bath salts. Red fruit driven palate with some searing acid. Drink now.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Umani Ronchi Rosso Conero Cúmaro Riserva 86 Points
Italy, Marche, Rosso Conero
Muted nose of graphite and raspberry. Over ripe fruit shows up on the palate and the drying tannins stand off to the side. Hard going.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No