4/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

This bottle was different to my previous, may be because I left it for 2hrs in decanter, but was very clean and no ripeness whatsoever. True to its origins, it was mouthwatering, medium bodied with dried red berries and herbs. Not a buy again, but enjoyed it, nonetheless. A purchase from Italy on release €26. 14% alc.

4/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

50cl bottle, consumed over 3 days. Dense dark red/black colour, quite tannic after opening, needed some time to get more friendly, then reveals juicy prune focused flavours and moderate sweetness. This is like a nice matured LBV port, but without the high alcohol. Very interesting overall. 14.5% alc.

4/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Consistent with previous notes, this is reliable budget bubbly, that has no flaws and I might add it to buy again list.

4/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

From a magnum. So much very alive at first, later developed a more matured approach. This was as good as these chiantis get, pure joy, medium weighted and with less intensity, but it is normal at this price range. I looked at my 75cl bottles ratings and was more excited there, might leave the other magnum for a little while then.

4/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

This was lovely, needed 30 min in decanter to soften the tannins, and was ready. Forrest floor aromas, lifted and focused, so relaxed but not tired or bored. Savoury and deliciously easy to enjoy. In the sweet spot at the moment.

4/9/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

Tasted from enomatic machine @ San Gimigniano, this fresh and chiselled, mixing well citric fruits and some minerality. Medium weighted, fermented in concrete tanks, lovely and pure.

4/9/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Tasted from enomatic machine @ San Gimigniano, This is the current release, 1y in barrel and the rest in the bottle. Evolved colour of barrique treated whine, but this is very clean and focused, well integrated flavours of wood and the fresh and jumpy local vernaccia. Slightly less convincing on the finish, but very enjoyable non the less.

4/9/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Brought from a friend, this is acceptable prosecco, that was a touch above the ones I had lately, yet I doubt will opt to buy.

4/7/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Violet colour, day1 was too primary, although nice precision. While the next day opened juicier cherries with some espresso, it is just a glimpse of what it will become once settled. 13.5% alc

4/7/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

@ Firenze Mercato Centrale €30, with variety of local dishes. It has a lovely freshness and grip, dry and satisfying. It is vastly different to any Trento or Franciacorta sparklers, and there is nothing on the producer website, as to indicate about this wine, which is a shame. Vivino states PN and I can agree based on my experience. 12% alc.

4/7/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

A favourite value buy in Italy. This was consumed next to Nipozzano '21and showed advanced colour and aromas of dried spices and dried savoury fruits, that are by no means sweet. Although completely different to CC riserva, this grenache is very Italian in its own way. 14% alc.

4/7/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Found it in the Tuscan home we were staying at, laid down on the side. Pulled the cork rather easily and it broke but nothing fell in the bottle. Rather short cork - compared to today's standards. Still drinkable, fresh with forest floor aromas, and 3 of us enjoyed the bottle, but this was past its best days. 86p.

4/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

6 Chiantis over 6 days (Castiglion Fiorentino): This did not live to the expectation and was the weakest of all. Day 1 opened with dark cherries and red berries with a feel of overripe fruit and i could not get rid of it throughout the 6 days. Day 2 - Baby fat and dark cherries. Day 3 - best with raspberry compote (88). Drinkable until the end but with that ripe fruit feel. Organic, 13.5% alc.

4/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

6 Chiantis over 6 days (Castiglion Fiorentino): Toscana IGT, Sangiovese 70%, Merlot 30%, hence the fruity profile was more red berries and not chiseled fresh cherries, and it was later that I noticed it is a IGT Toscana. So in a direct comparison is has less edge than CC in this line up. Baby fat day 1&2, Day 3 ripe raspberries but loosing freshness a touch. Day 4 - may be best with juicy red fruits, evolved nose and melted tannins, cheeful. Slightly toning down day 5 and day 6.
!0 mo in Americal Oak barrels. 13.5% alc.

4/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

6 Chiantis over 6 days (Castiglion Fiorentino): Not sure from which of the many Frescobaldi wineries is this one coming. Started very fresh, but slightly thinner than the other ones. Best on day 2 with all just in place, focus, typicity, (90p). Day 4&5 evolved bright cherries, still tension but toned down a touch. Day 6 still fresh. Hits above its price point. Very good just needed a day to start shining. 13%

4/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

6 Chiantis over 6 days (Castiglion Fiorentino): This was with the brightest cherries of all bottles. Uplifted and playful. Best on day3 with all those juiciness and savoury freshness in balance. day 4 & 5 more structure came upfront, but yet tonnes of fleshy, juicy cherries. Day 6 still drinking well. this bottle finished 1st. 13.5% alc.

4/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

6 Chiantis over 6 days (Castiglion Fiorentino): Itis the first time I am coming across this label. Very bright at first and a touch less precision than Castelare and Bbadia a C. Best on day 4 - juicy, lifted and inviting with fleshy fruit. Slightly tired on day 5 with melted tannins and ripe red fruits upfront. Rewarding overall. Organic, 14% alc.

4/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

6 Chiantis over 6 days (Castiglion Fiorentino): Here we have precision and freshness, and it is exactly why I like so much their wines. I dare to say, that latest vintages are way better than those 10y ago.
Poised and so lively, very well shaped. Best on day 3 (92p), day 4- focused and précised, day 5 lavender and flowers came upfront and day6 slightly tired but yet very drinkable and joyful.
13.5%

4/7/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

The best of a handful of proseccos I enjoyed over the last week. Yet although brut, it has quite sweet feel due to fruity character of the fizz, there is also an artificial feel overall (as my wife noticed). Bottom line - I will stay away from these overpriced prosseco offerings, even the best are miles away from basic Trento sparkling wines of Italy. 11.5%

4/3/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Disgorged 2023, this is still fresh with usual subtle creamy, apple-t appearance. A classis. Grabbed 6 bottles from Conad @ €11.9.

4/3/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

NV bottling with no disgorgement dates. Pale rose, very similar appearance to its vintage sibling (same price as well), with a touch of strawberry from the Pinot Nero added to the chardonnay base.

4/3/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

disgorged 2023, this keeps delivering, fresh and lively, still the best value sparkling in Italy IMO.

4/3/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

This 2020 is disgorged 1st half of 2024. It is quite dry with subtle grapefruit aromas, while not overly complex. deliver immediate joy with various antipasti.

3/26/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

It still in need of good 2 hrs of decanting. Focused and well structured, without being heavy. It is getting better. bottle #6, 14.5%

3/26/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

This is monstrous, needed an hour in decanter to get homogenous. Full throttle new world style of CS, heavy weight, punching with 14.5 %, but well managed overall.

3/25/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Apples, lemons and subtle creamy notes. This is dry and fresh, lacks some weight, but is very enjoyable none the less. It was the coronation designed label, 12% alc.

3/24/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

This is rather auslese. Good focus and precision, bananas and oranges jumping upfront, backed by sweet spices. Singing now. Fermented to 7.5% alc. AP 15 11

3/24/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

Needed 2 hrs in decanter to soften the tannin structure. Nicely developed aromas of tobacco and earth, quite intense and well shaped at present, just needs tonnes of air. 14% alc.

3/23/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Gorgeous amber colour, this wine spends 6 months on the skins. It is primary fruity in the core, with stone fruits and dried apricots, lifted and balanced it was great match with soft cheeses and olives selection. 13% alc.

3/23/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Viscous and oily, mineral to the bone, dry Riesling. Very sensitive to the food you are pairing, was OK with salads and gruyere cheese. In its prime now, but I enjoyed it more when was younger. 13% alc.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

corked, same as my other bottle :(

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

Pure fruit, wild Mavrud spices and juicy focused body. Happy with 2 more bottles left. 14,5 % alc.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

This is quite something. Seductive nose of apricots and quince, just touching the sweet scale, but in the mouth perfectly offset by chiselled freshness. Delicious and so good with food. Got really tasty after an hour of opening. Miniscule production. 6 days on the skins, 11.5% alc.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

There is a burnt caramel flavour that spoils it for me, hope it is a bad bottle only.14%, 86p.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Excellent this time, very elegant. Mavrud nicely balance by cab franc, everything in its right place. My best bottle of this label to date. 14%

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Consistently solid. Aggressive after opening, needed an hour in decanter to start showing better balance and smoothness. I did not expect these bottles to last 15y, but here we are, still in its prime.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

From a half bottle, this was singing right from the get go. Very typical, with well balanced freshness. Texbook.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Lemony freshness, good weight, easy drinking, slightly coarser on the bubbles.

3/20/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

From a magnum, nicely developed, showing good integration of ripe black fruits and oak. A touch aggressive on spices, but smooth and very drinkable. In the sweet spot for drinking. This bottle was a pleasant surprise, as I was expecting to be nearing the end of its life, but it was clearly not. 14%

3/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

Ready after decanting. Nicely evolved colour, it is in its optimum drinking window now. Autumn leaves and dry red fruits, savoury in a way. A touch overdone, but I can accept it this time. 14.5 %

3/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Light bodied, fragrant, some CO2 as well, good acidity. Was better than the verdejo they were offering. Kaltur Spanish wine bar - Newcastle. 12.5%

3/14/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Full bodied, oaky, fatty chardonnay. At the end of its life. 14.5%

3/10/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

This one developed nicely, tannins melted, soft dark cherries with profound acidity. Medium weighted, paired well with my slow cooked short ribs. 14% alc.

3/9/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

It's excellent at this stage. Oak is integrated, adding complexity, fruit is vivid, full of energy. Lemon freshness, mint, crunchy white fruit freshness. As good as it gets at this level. Better that Drouhin Chass-Montrachet'14, I had few days ago.

3/9/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Plush, full throttle on extraction and power. Just on the edge, but I couldnt help noticing how manipulated it is, in terms of oak treatment, etc. That was a fashion 15y ago. :(

3/8/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

This was gorgeous. Needed 30 min in decanter but comes out bursting with energy. Forest fruits with spices, dried tomato and subtle tobacco notes in the background. Utterly delicious. Although full bodied and intense, it is very well managed and balanced. 14.5%. Apparently, my previous bottle has been spoiled, so those notes are not applicable.

3/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Green, fresh, light bodied and slightly muted, although refreshing.

3/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Wow, this is hitting above its weight. Nutty, chocolatey, crunchy red fruits and smooth overall. Alcohol is very well integrated.

3/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Well disappointed with this one. Gave it enough time in decanter to come to its senses but remained austere and edge-y. There is a slight burnt caramel component, whether overripe fruit or from wood, I am not sure, but that actually put me off. Was the weakest bottle of last night flight. 14.5% alc.

3/6/2024 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote:

Needed 2hrs of decant. Nicely developed sangiovese, with tobacco and forest aromas. Lean and flexible, with lovely transparent intensity. 14.5% alc.