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Tasting Notes for defigio

(95 notes on 95 wines)

1 - 50 of 95 Sort order
Red
An interesting artisinal project from this benchmark Tuscan producer: 100% sangiovese that's spent 12 months on the skins in local "orci" clay vessels. Yields a cherry, spicy sangiovese expression with the mealy, chalky tannins that are sometimes the product of amphora aged wines like this. Definitely worth a try if you can find it.
Red
1968 Viña Valoria Rioja Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo (view label images)
11/21/2014 - defigio Likes this wine:
91 points
Took about 30 minutes to start opening, but drinking well with bright red fruit, herb and spice. A little unstructured as the tannins have diminished significantly.
Red
9/14/2014 - defigio wrote:
90 points
Dried flowers and tar, mushroom, earth, iron. Faded fruit and soft tannins. Drinking nicely.
Red
6/25/2014 - defigio wrote:
91 points
Loosened up and mellowed out after about an hour. Dried cheery fruit, italian leather, stern tannins still in place. Pleasant mature Brunello.
White - Off-dry
3/3/2014 - defigio Likes this wine:
93 points
Honey, melon, botrytis-like floral funkiness, beeswax, buttercup. Lush and full-bodied, significant sweetness (80-100g/l?), backbone of acidity. Excellent quality and complexity. Paired with kung pao chicken.
Red
1/31/2014 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Dark ruby color, opaque center, M+ viscosity. Blue and black fruit on the nose, purple flowers, organic earth and vanilla. Very round and lush on the palate, a full bodied Barbera. M+ acid, M tannin, M alc. Big but delicious.
Red
1/31/2014 - defigio wrote:
85 points
Competent, but restrained on the nose and tight on the palate. Tart fruit. Good acidity for food pairing, however, and a nice companion to beef carpaccio.
White
1/13/2014 - defigio wrote:
90 points
Bruised apple and cashew nut, oxydized, waxy and chalky on the palate. A great, funky Jura wine -- but still crisper, leaner, and less dirty than others I've tried in this style. A winner if you like Jura whites with some oxy and grip.
White - Sparkling
12/25/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
93 points
Golden apple, baked bread, and a delicious, light-handed, quaffable quality. No oak, full malo. One of my favorite small producer Champagnes this year.
Red
12/27/2013 - defigio Does not like this wine:
86 points
Not sure if this bottle was faulty or damaged, I expected more from this wine: Tight, spicy, and overly hot. Unpleasant cooked fruit character, and prickly acidity on the palate. A big wine, but not pleasant. It's possible this bottle was temperature damaged. I have one more of these and will let it rest for another year or two before trying again. Disappointed.
Red
12/27/2013 - defigio wrote:
flawed
Bottle was flawed or well past its drinking window. Closet must, mold, earth. Barely any fruit left, just dead and departed fruit leather. Undrinkable, barely made it through a glass. A shame.
White
12/13/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
94 points
Light lemon yellow color, M visc. Generous and delicious nose of lemon custard, apricot, yellow flowers, fresh green herbs. Palate is just as generous: fruit, flowers, and herbs all wrapped in stony minerality, M+ acid, and a rounded, slightly oxy/developed texture. Very subtle pyrazines here, I could confuse this with riesling in blind tasting. Delicious, balanced, just world-class wine from such an excellent producer.
Red
12/4/2013 - defigio wrote:
85 points
Translucent garnet with magenta highlights, very clear. M visc. Red fruit, cranberry, orange pith, tree bark. On the palate: Bright red fruit on the attack, significant stemmy bitterness. Sour fruit character, with a greenness or underripe quality. M+ acid, low tannins, M alc/body, M finish and complexity. Needs some air to unwind. Pair with ham with cranberry chutney.
Red
11/22/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
93 points
Approached with a bit of caution, having heard the 1971s are, as a category, past their prime. But the bottle was sound and the wine was drinking fine. Leather, dried black fruit, pencil shavings, and a carpet of fine remaining tannin made for a nice pairing with simple grilled meat with mushrooms. Gave it an hour or so of air, but probably could have used a little more -- as so often happens, it seemed to really unfurl after another hour in the last glass or so. Excellent drinking experience -- but if you have these, I'd plan to consume soon.
Red
11/8/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
90 points
Evolved, with some significant age expression. Dried black fruits, saddle leather, black olive, moss, smoke. Holding its own, but structure is starting to fall apart -- time to drink these up. :: Chez Fernand, Paris 11/2013
Red
11/8/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
89 points
Unfiltered light medium ruby color, ripe red cherries, roses, and baking spice on the nose. Gulpably structured, with light tannins and mouth-filling fruit and acidity. Not the greatest Drouhin I've ever had, but quite nice for the price in France (pricier in the US). Drink sooner than later. :: Chez Fernand, Paris 11/2013
White - Fortified
11/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
A gently sweet dessert wine, with notes of golden apple, caramel, and some oxidative nuttiness. Elegantly aged and integrated. No trace of Muscat aroma here (although that's the traditional grape for wines from this region), so I suspect this is some other blend, possibly grenache blanc. Would make a great blue cheese pairing, or with any fruit or caramel-based dessert. :: Spring Restaurant, Paris 11/2013
Red
11/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Black fruit, grilled meat, smoke, with nice violet undertone. Fairly prominent oak and modern in style. Muscular and robust on the palate, heavily structured. 13% alc. Drinking acceptably now, but could use 5 years to mellow. Pair with brisket, game, or other grilled meats, olive tapenade. :: Spring Restaurant, Paris 11/2013
Red
11/5/2013 - defigio wrote:
86 points
Ripe red fruit on the nose, a little leather. Not much spice, meat, or animal. Simply constructed, easy drinking. A basic, modern St. Joseph syrah for early drinking. :: Paris 11/2013
White
11/5/2013 - defigio wrote:
87 points
Light pear and peach, buttercup and yellow flowers, fruit cocktail water. Clean, gentle, feminine, round. :: Paris 11/2013
White
2010 Elian Da Ros Coucou Blanc Côtes du Marmandais White Blend (view label images)
11/2/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
89 points
Very pale/clear straw color. Nose of lemon pith, honey, green grass. Fresh and energetic on the palate, M+ acidity with weight and a touch of creaminess from the Semillion in the blend. Might have some barely perceptible RS. Paired with sushi.
Red
10/16/2013 - defigio wrote:
88 points
Unfiltered, cloudy garnet color. Ripe red fruit (more sour on the palate), red plum, leather, black pepper and indian spice. Earthy minerality, no evidence of oak. M acid, and M very mealy/chalky tannins. M+ body/alc. Pair with duck, pork belly, or something fatty to break up the chalky tannins.
Red
10/17/2013 - defigio wrote:
88 points
Filtered transparent garnet color. Tart red fruit, red currant, black cherry. Dry earth, touch of spice from oak. Bright acidity, medium gentle tannins, but simple drinking. Needs food. Good summer red, or pair anytime with lighter pasta, simple cheese and charcuterie.

A step down from this producer's main Il Frappato Sicilia release, simpler and half the price. Not built for aging, carpe diem.
Red
10/11/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
91 points
Appearance: Cloudy/unfiltered medium ruby, a little subtle oranging at the rim. M+ visc.
Nose: Overripe red and black fruit, blackberry and black cherry, raw beef, a little bramble and rocky minerality. Black pepper, and a little clove spice.
Palate: Bigger and nicely ripe on the palate, huge red fruit, red plum. Mouth-filling, with M acid and M- gently aged tannins. M+/H body/alc. (a touch hot), M length. Super-delicious, elegant and gulpable 10-year-old Syrah from a MS winemaker. Pair with pork with fruit reduction, caramelized pan-roasted vegetables.
Red
10/5/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
(No formal notes) Decanted 1-2 hours. Youthful and still tightly wound, but great red fruit, lively tannins, and overall great structure. Cellar for another 2-3 years (tasted Oct 2013). Should be excellent 2016+
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
10/8/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Unfiltered ruby red color, little rim variation, M viscosity. Nose: Ripe red and black fruit, blackberry and cherry, light smoke and toast, purple flowers, herbs de provence. Palate: Tart red fruit, plums, herbal spices, dried flowers. M gentle tannins, M acid, M alc/body, good length. Round in the mouth. Nicely balanced, and carrying its age well. The best Rhone of the evening.
Red
9/26/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Bright ruby, generous nose of red cherries, raspberry, baking spice. Big, ripe, red fruit on the palate, but not candied. Super elegant structure. Gentle tannins, M+ acidity, M body/alc (13.5%?). A cherry-fruit-driven, generous, and gulpable new world pinot. (New York Vintners, 9/25/13)
Red
1995 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
9/26/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
94 points
From magnum: Well-rounded fruit, cassis, ripe red berries, blackberry. Some cedar or pencil lead. Satin tannins at this stage, mouth-filling structure. Beautiful. (New York Vintners, 9/25/13)
Red
9/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Great condition and fill. Nose of dried currants and black fruit, leather, and organic earth. Great balance of remaining fruit and earth on the palate, tannins and acid still in good balance. Good value for an older California cab. Very nice, but drink up by 2018. :: Matt's birthday 9/6/2013
White
9/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
94 points
A little musty and unfriendly on opening, but after an hour yielded a beautiful lemon, honey, and baking spice concoction. Perfect acidity, ripe citrus fruit still leads, with plenty of power on the palate. A gem. :: Matt's birthday, 9/6/2013
Red
8/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
91 points
Big, ripe, round, red fruit. Licorice, violets, a very pretty nose. Roundly structured, with a silky mouthfeel indicative of its Rayas pedigree. A little hot (14.5%?) alcohol in the balance, but a delicious and hedonistic grenache. :: Lafayette NYC
Red
8/29/2013 - defigio Does not like this wine:
85 points
Underripe dark fruit, plum skin, dry earth, and stemminess on the nose. Decent structure, but the underripe quality of the fruit makes this tart and unappealing after the first glass. Pairing with food (jamon bocadillo, goat cheese) didn't help it.
Red
8/29/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
90 points
Fruit-driven for a northern Rhone, with ripe raspberry, red plum, and some significant barnyard/brett on the nose. Lightly spicy. Round in the mouth, gently structured (just M acid and M tannin), not a challenging bottle but drinkable and well-made. Pair with herbal sausages, mushroom risotto. Good candidate for a Thanksgiving wine. :: Lafayette NYC
White
8/26/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
90 points
A complex and energetic blend. On the nose: golden apple, beeswax, some oxidative qualities. On the palate, lots of orchard fruit skins, marcona almonds. Waxy/chalky mouthfeel from skin contact and some oxy funkiness, this wine isn't for everyone. Significant impact and grip to pair with richer dishes: garlic butter potatoes, stronger cheeses, spinach ravioli with roasted pine nuts.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
8/26/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
91 points
Dark and dense, with typical Rhone syrah notes: smoke, black fruit, some meatiness. No notable barnyard or brett. Nicely structured, with M/M+ tannins suitable for pairing with beef filet, roasted fingerlings, and béarnaise sauce. Bold but crowd-pleasing, excellent value for the price.
Red
8/23/2013 - defigio wrote:
91 points
Pronounced smoked meat and salami on the nose, and a good dose of brett. Red and black fruit, purple flowers, and black pepper. Palate is equally smoky and meaty, spicy, with sour fruit and significant acid. Tannins are quite soft. Medium body & alcohol, long and complex finish. A nice cote rotie, but the fruit might be fading, and the structure is possibly falling out of balance at this point in its lifecycle. Although it's still drinking well in 2013, it seems this is falling past its prime. Drink up. :: Veritas NYC 8/23/2013
Red
7/8/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Ripe black fruit on the nose, a little jammy, with organic earth, pepper, tobacco, and beef jerky. Significant NFO. Round and silky on the palate, with excellent balanced structure. :: Syrah From Three Continents Tasting 7/8/2013
Red
7/8/2013 - defigio wrote:
89 points
Very dark color, black center. Ripe red fruit on the nose, with beet, pencil lead, cedar. Juicy and ripe red fruit on the palate, very rounded texture. Some (25%?) NFO. M/M- acid, M+ tan, M body/alc (14.5%), M finish and complexity. Well made, but a little round and opulent, immature and lacking personality. Maybe time will help it along. :: Syrah From Three Continents Tasting 7/8/13
Red
7/9/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
91 points
Appearance: Clear, translucent med garnet color with oranging rim, M visc.
Nose: Baked red fruit, organic earth, forest moss, dried clove. American oak.
Palate: Sour dark cherry, red fruit, baking spice, earth. Significant oak influence. M+ acid, M tannin, M body/alc., M finish (though a lot of complexity disappears quickly). Balanced, but I'd like to see this again in 5 years after it has a chance to integrate a little further.
2 people found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
7/3/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
91 points
This was still alive and kicking in 2013: Bright and fresh red fruit still there, albeit some development and VA at this point. Moss, dried flowers, leather. The minerality, acid, and overall structure has generally held up well, I was surprised. A nice example of aged cru beaujolais. It's making its exit, however -- drink by 2014.
Red
7/3/2013 - defigio wrote:
91 points
Ripe cherry and black raspberry fruit, damp forest floor, dried green herbs. Nicely structured with M+ acid, M soft tannins, balanced M alcohol, M+ finish. A nice rustic Brunello, and typical of the 2004 vintage. Pair with veal ragu, roasted pork, red sauces. :: Popped and poured at Charlie Bird NYC. Softened noticeably over an hour.
Red
6/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Translucent light ruby color. Big, ripe red fruit, spice, a little dried herb. Surprisingly low acid here, and delicate fine tannins. Well-balanced, but lacking some of the muscle that I expect from sangiovese. Pair with lighter Italian dishes, this is not a big, bold brunello. Drinking nicely now and will continue to improve for 5-10 years. (Drink 2013-2023)
Red
6/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
93 points
Subdued on the nose, gentle black fruit, warm organic earth, a little smoked salami. Mellow structure for its relative youth (tasted 2013), M+ acid, M+ round tannins, M+alc/body (14%). Built to age gracefully, lots of opportunity for excellent development over time here. Drink 2018-2030
Red
6/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
93 points
Beautiful ripe red fruit, salami, spice, barnyard. M+acid, M+tannin, M+alc/body, rich and lush texture throughout. Long and pleasant finish. Needs several more years (or 10) to round out, but my favorite bottle of the day for future potential. Drink 2020-2040. One to cellar by the case. A classic, rustic, spicy, and perfectly-structured brunello. :: IWM Brunello Tasting 6/29/13
Red
6/30/2013 - defigio wrote:
89 points
Juicy red fruit, a little toffee, purple flowers. Not very forthcoming on the nose. On the palate, more fruit, spice, vanilla. More modern style production, french oak. M+ acid, H tannin. Drops away in the middle and short on the end, a bit too much bitterness in the back. Competent wine, but there are better options in this price range. :: IWM Brunello Tasting 6/29/13
Red
6/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
92 points
Big red fruit, leather and spice. Hugely structured, with a velvety texture up front and long pleasing finish. High tannins here and some mighty acid, will benefit from several more years in the bottle and will drink for decades (drink 2018-2030). Traditional brunello production style, likely slavonian oak. Great brunello in this price range, with a lot of future potential. Definitely makes me want to try the Riserva from this producer. :: IWM Brunello Tasting 6/29/13
Red
6/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:
90 points
Lean, bright cherry, barnyard. M+ acid, M tannin. Good quality Rosso from a great brunello producer. Early drinking, 2013-2018. :: IWM Brunello Tasting 6/29/13
Rosé
N.V. Frank Cornelissen Susucaru 5 Sicilia Nerello Blend, Nerello Mascalese (view label images)
6/21/2013 - defigio wrote:
86 points
Bright light ruby color, quite dense for a rosé. Unfiltered. Big juicy cherry and strawberry fruit, orange rind, some rocky minerality. No sign of oak. Nice texture, M+ acid. Quirky and unusual, but delicious -- would make a tremendous sangria.
White
6/30/2013 - defigio wrote:
89 points
(No formal notes) Baked apple, light citrus. Nice limestone minerality, sensitively oaked, lively acid, and pleasing finish. A relatively simple white Burg for early drinking (2013-2018). Pair with shellfish, roasted potatoes.
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