Thursday 31 December 2015

A Pinot Monday


A couple of weeks ago we had the years last tasting in our tasting group. HW poured the following wines for us, double blind as usual. An interesting lesson in Pinot styles from the US.

2012 Pinot Noir Elder Shally Loam, Lutum
This is really the new kid on the block, established 2011. It has a light, herbal, fine nose with notes of lingonberries, rasberry candy, liquorice and thyme. Very good. As far from a blockbuster you could come. A had it firmly placed in France and Burgundy.
The taste is medium bodied and pure with notes of herbs, raspberries, forest floor and rosehips. The fruit is a tad warmer on the palate than on the nose. Very good. A fine laid back sweetness. Should evolve nicely with 2-3 years in the cellar.
89p   (tasted 2015/12)

 
2012 Pinot Noir, Knez Winery
Another new producer to me, and this is a Winner. The nose is cool, fresh and nicely structured with notes of imaginary mix of blueberries and lingonberies alongside a fir forest, dusty earth, cigarr smoke and warm herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is young and racy with notes of dried strawberries, fir needles, cigarette ashes and herbs. The finish is long, lively and dry. This is fine. Will probably get even better with 2-3 years in the cellar.
92p   (tasted 2015/12)

2012 Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault, Hirsch Vineyard
A big, warm nose with notes of bakelite, raspberry jam, scorched earth and warm liquorice. Compared to the two earlier cool wines. this feels like a bruiser. There are nice things here but it a bit clumpsy.
The taste is young, tight and seedy with notes of ripe lingonberries, warm forest floor, bakelite and warm roses. The finish is medium long with a high acidity. A bit of bloodgrape in the end. A bit unfocused, wait and see.
84p   (tasted 2015/12)



2012 Pinot Noir Sebastiano Vineyard, Bonaccorsi
A fresh, juicy, peculiar (in a goodway!) nose with notes of unripe wild strawberries, smoke. rubber, dark fudge and fir. Very, very good in its own way. A nice intensity and refinement. Really fine.
The taste is young, tight and focused with ripe raspberries, lingonberries, salmiak, thyme and wood smoke. A long, caressing finish with a lovely acidity and a sturdy backbone, that guarantee that this will mature nicely.
93p   (2015/12)

2012 Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard, Williams Selyem
In the past I have had some remarkable bottles from Williams Seylem but the 2012 Bucher will not join these ranks. The nose is all over the place with lots of sweet raspberries and additional notes of resin, rubber tires, ski wax and raspberry liquorice. Big and rowdy.
The taste is big, warm and spicy with notes of raspberry truffles, cherry candy, undergrowth, pan fried herbs and some oak. The finish is long, juicy and steady. Ends very good. A bit of in-your-face Pinot but it grows on you. Very good, but again, I have tasted far better bottles from this producer.
88p   (tasted 2015/12)



2012 Pinot Noir, Merry Edwards
Again, a new producer to me. And this is a fine bottle of Pinot. The nose is warm yet focused with fine notes of raspberries, chocolate biscuits, forest floor and warm gravel. A creamy character. Very, very good. A meaty Pinot.
The taste is big and seedy with notes of raspberry coulis, liquorice, wood smoke, warm herbs and rosehips. The finish is long, firm and with a sturdy backbone. A very fine warmth. Very, very good. This is for drinking now and the upcoming 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2015/12)

Wednesday 30 December 2015

Drinking Tonight - 2012 Château le Puy

There has been some writing about this estate lately, but I haven´t tasted anything from them up to this point. The state monopoly had this vintage so I bought a couple of bottles. Time to test drive one.

2012 Château le Puy Emilien
A upfront, medium bodied nose with a large dose of barnyard, and not the kind where you see horses and oxen in front of you, but chickens instead. Even with a couple of hours in a decanter that aroma still dominate. But there are more, some red currants, cigarette ashes, road dust and a hint of saw dust also flows up from the glass. Interesting yes, good quality yes, but to my liking? No.
The taste is young, linear and tight with light red fruits in the shape of lingonberries and red currants with some additional notes of dusty earth, bakelite and dark, dark chocolate. Both the tannins and the acidity is very high and it ends on a bitter note.
Pure yes, ascetic yes, minimalistic yes, but where is the joie de vivre? Not in this bottle anyway. Given this blind, I´m not sure I have placed this in Bordeaux. A decent bottle of wine, but not my cup of tea. Would love to taste some old vintages, apparently the first vintage of the Emilien was 1917, I´m pretty sure they made wine more to my liking then... I will bury the rest of the bottles in the cellar and forget about them, maybe the not so attractive duckling will transform itself to a swan, given time.
82p   (tasted 2015/12)


Tuesday 29 December 2015

R.I.P. Lemmy - I Console Myself With A Bottle Of 1945 Château La Tour Bicheau


One of the greatest has past on. I remember the fírst time I saw Motörhead live. It was in my home town in the beginning of the 80´s. This was before any regulations about sound volyme, and I remember that my rib cage vibrating when Lemmy played his base and sang:

"Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud"

Since then I have seen concerts with them about 7-8 times and everyone has been a real treat. Lemmy was a true bringer of good times, great songs and some memorable qoutes:


But, in the end he was Killed By Death.

1945 Château La Tour Bicheau
Lemmy´s birth year and what a vintage to be born in. This Graves needs some time in the glass to come around. When it does it displasy soft notes of dried red and black currants, forest floor, root vegetables, old leather and gravel. Fully mature and maybe then some. A bit thin in the middle. But still delivering some low keyed joy.
The taste is mature and dry with notes of red currants, bakelite, cigarette ashes, gravel and some dog fur. The finish is medium long, dry and holding up well. All in all, a nice tribute to Lemmy.
83p   (tasted 2015/12)

 
Some other Motörhead highlights:
Damage Case
Orgasmatron
Metropolis
The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
In The Name Of Tradegy
Sweet Revenge
and of course
Motörhead

Sunday 27 December 2015

2011 Croft Vintage Port


You need some Port to sip on over the holidays. I opened this two days ago and have drunk about half of it by now.

2011 Croft Vintage Port
The nose is bottomless deep and very tight and concentrated with stunning notes of figs, dark chocolate, mashed nuts, sweet violets, dark ginger, melted asphalt and flowers. A very fine perfumed note. It evolves nicely over the two days I have tasted it and becomes denser yet fabolous sweet. This has a long future ahead ot it. Great wine.
The taste is just brilliant with a lovely concentration and notes of raspberry truffles, dades, warm gravel, pan fried nuts and liquorice. The finish goes on and on and on. There is lots of young, perky tannins but they are hardly noticable behind the wall of sweet fruit. A gorgeous mouth feel. Just wonderful. Will probably drink beautifully for the next 50 years...
95p   (tasted 2015/12)

Another stunning 2011, here are notes on Taylor & Fonseca. The 2011 seems to be all that is has raved up to be. Too bad I will be 100 years old (and probably dead...) when they will become mature...

Saturday 26 December 2015

1997, 1999, 2001 Rosemount Estate Shiraz


These bottles came in a mixed case I bought a while back. I remember the Rosemount Shiraz as a uncomplicated wine back in the days. But I have never tasted any that have had this amount of cellar time. Lets see what time have done with these.

1997 Rosemount Estate Shiraz
The 97 has a mature, round nose with notes dried black berries, sweet liquorice, raw rubber and some burning leafes. A bit loose around the edges but still hanging in there. Actually quite good.
The taste is big and warm with notes of ripe blueberries, dark cookie dough, moist earth and some toothpaste. A medium long finish that ends dry. It is even somewhat perkier on the palate. Very good.
84p   (tasted 2015/12)

1999 Rosemount Estate Shiraz
The nose on the 99 is muffled, with notes of dry asphalt, dried black fruits, balsam vinegar and cooked root vegetables. A bit lean and, frankly, boring.
The taste is big and compact with notes of dry black fruits, diesel oil, liquorice, and hot gravel. There is not enough fruit in the medium long finish. Too dry and angular.
71p   (tasted 2015/12)

2001 Rosemount Estate Shiraz
A big, upfront, juicy nose with notes of ripe blue- and blackberries, tar, mint and warm gravel. Good. Rasberry liquorive. Fully mature but holding well. This is really good in its candid style.
The taste is big and relatively concentrated with notes of ripe blackberries, toothpaste, warm herbs, asphalt and raspberry chocolate. The finish is long and warm. This is drinking fine and I wouldn´t mind some more bottles of this.
87p   (tasted 2015/12)


Friday 25 December 2015

The BYO Bottles On The Evening We Tasted 1811 Malvasia Cândida

We got together in our monthly tasting group and bought a bottle of 1811 Malvasia Candida.
We thought that we should taste some more wine on the evening in question, so we arranged a BYOB tasting before we got to that oldie.
This is how it went. All wines tasted double blind, except the ones we brought and the 1811.

1999 Cuvée Alain Thienot, Thienot
A fine nose with notes of ginger, toast, chlorophyll, crushed rocks, some smoke and milk chocolate fudge. Floral. Very, very good. A touch of maturity.
The taste is cool and fine with notes of toast, gravel, yellow apples and butter cookies. Very good in a lighter style. A fine mousse.
89p   (tasted 2015/11)


1999 Cuvée de la Vigne aux Camins, Thienot
The finer cuvée from Thienot, made in 3.950 bottles, sports a racy, stony nose with notes of grey pears, lime peel, lemon liquorice and some gun powder smoke. Deep and refined. This is really good.
The taste is young, tight and elegant with notes of lemon peel, dried flowers, crushed rocks and candied orange peel. A long, intense finish with a salivating acidity. Great.
93p   (tasted 2015/11)

2008 Chassagne-Montrachet La Romanée, Fontaine-Gagnard
I love the wines from Fontaine-Gagnard, and this bottle was no exception from the rule. The nose is broad and concentrated with notes of caramel, summer flowers, warm gravel and fudge. Very deep.
The taste is tight and intense with notes of candied lemons, flint, dried flowers and butter bisquits. A long, structured finish. Good body. A handsome wine.
94p   (tasted 2015/11)


 
2009 Chevalier-Montrachet, Philippe Colin
As good as the Gagnard is, it has to stand in the shadow of this almost perfect creature. The nose is ripe and creamy yet with a stunning balance and freshness, with notes of lemon cream, pan fried nuts, matchbox, butter cup flowers and slate. Elegance in a glass. Just stunning.
The taste is mouth filling yet light on its feet, with fine notes of candied lemon peels, summer flowers, sweet minerals, dry fudge and cold butter. The finish is counted in minutes. This is a truly fine bottle of wine.
97p   (tasted 2015/11)

2002 Sancerre Jadis, Henri Bourgeois
This is a Sancerre in a different shape. The nose is big and spicy with notes of dried yellow fruits, almond paste, forest smoke and some oak. A deep, high nose. Rich.
The taste is big and steady with notes of creamy yellow fruit, oil cloth, apricot purée and sunwarm rocks. Some oak in the long, balanced finish. No real signs of maturity. Opulent and very good.
90p   (tasted 2015/11)


2007 Barolo Brunate Le Coste, Giuseppe Rinaldi
Turning over to the red wines, this beauty was on of two fine bottles. The nose is young and seedy with notes of resin, red cherries, dried strawberries, Christmas spices and porcini. Very structured. This is fine. A lovely warmth to the fruit.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of spices, veal stock, red cherries, bay leaves and mushrooms. The finish is long and with a healthy dose of ripe, raw tannins. Needs time. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2015/11)




2003 Côte-Rôtie d´Ampuis, Guigal
The second bottle displayed a big, herbal, warm nose with notes of lightly peppered meat, blueberries, rose petals, balsam vinegar and the scents of a petrol station in a distance. Very, very good.
The taste is broad shouldered and warm with notes of ripe blueberries, sweet coffe, meat stock and violets. A very fine ripe mouth feel. Long and intense. Very, very good. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2015/11)

1936 Château Rayne-Vigneau
A deep, cool, mature nose with notes of dried peaches, band aid, matchbox, wax and dry saffron. A fine laid back maturity. Very good. A fine dried up sweetness.
The taste is round, rich and intense with notes of dried apricots, band aid, orange peel and oil cloth. A long, fine finish with a nice dryness. Very much alive and kicking.
88p   (2915/11)


1959 Rivesaltes, Domaine de Rombeau
Earlier this year I tasted the 1956 from this producer. The nose on the 59 is large scaled and intense with notes of candied orange peels, assorted nuts, petrol, raisins and the fine aroma of a Wunderbaum...
The taste is big and fiery with notes of cooked sweet coffee, dark chocolate, candied orange peels and detergent. Large and very warm. Medium long. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2015/11)


Tuesday 22 December 2015

Pâté & Burgundy

A grass widower on this evening, I prepare a plate with three different pâté´s - pheasant, rabbit and mushroom - , some nice bread, a glass - Riedel Sommelier Burgundy mind you - of Burgundy, a good book, my favourite wing chair, and a live concert with Styx playing in the background - life is good! :-)

2008 Givry 1er Cru Clos de Cellier Aux Moines, Domaine Joblot
A deep, young, foresty nose with fine notes of dark strawberries, fir tree, veal stock, fresh mushrooms and some liqourice. Still on the young side of things. A touch of bakelite. Rosehips. Very good. A fine sweetness to the fruit. This has potential.
The taste is firm and focused with notes of red cherries, dried raspberries, gravel, mushrooms and a hint of dark chocolate. Some broad tannins that show themselves in the long, dry finish. This works very well with the fat in the paté´s - the rabbit is the best match. Very, very good. But I will wait at least 3 years before opening the next bottle.
91p   (tasted 2015/12)


Sunday 20 December 2015

A Late Sunday Lunch With A Bottle Of 2001 Clos de l´Oratoire


With a tender fillet of pork, red cabbage coleslaw and a mustard sauce, I opted for a bottle from  Stephan von Neippberg empire.
Clos de l´Oratoire was bought in 1991. The estate is 10,3 ha big and the vines grow on Fronsac molasse covering a layer of sand with a clay subsoil. The wine consists of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc and it gets 18 months in 80% new wood.

2001 Clos de l´Oratoire
This beauty has a dense, taut and focused nose with notes of ripe plums, ashes from a wood fire, black currant jam, forest floor and some dark coffee aromas. A very fine depth. A few signs of maturity but this has a long way to go. Really, really good. Opens up nicely throughout the evening.
The taste is finely tuned, velvety yet with a good backbone, with notes of plums, black currants, woodsmoke, dried figs and coffee powder. The finish is long and balanced. Very, very good. A lovely sweetness to the fruit. This will get even better with 5+ years in the cellar.
92p   (tasted 2015/12)

 

Friday 18 December 2015

1964 Birthday Bordeaux

For my birthday, after the Champagne, I poured two bottles of 1964 - one must have some birth year wines on the table for ones birthday!

1964 Château Pontet Canet
The Pontet Canet shows of a fine, laid back, mature nose with notes of red and black currants, old leather, autumn leaves, fresh stables and some saw dust. Fully mature and there is some tobacco in the background. Very good. Holds well all evening long.
The taste is tight, mature and dry with notes of dried up black currant jam, cigarette ashes, old leather and dusty earth. A medium long finish with a fine dryness in the end. Went perfectly with the Fillet of beef Provençale served.
88p   (tasted 2015/12)

 
1964 Château Chasse Spleen
I had high hopes for this, after last bottle I had (although from another negociant). But sadly, it didn´t live up to my expectations. The nose is big but rather compressed with notes of scorched earth, plums, old tobacco and some iodine. The nose is a tad dirty, but it is not corked in any way. The scent doesn´t blow of with air.
The taste is big, mature and warm with notes of dried black currants, hot earth, dry leather and some asphalt. Long, warm and a bit four squared. The dirty aroma on the nose doesn´t come through in the taste. Slightly cooked. May have been handled poorly years back.
71p   (tasted 2015/12)

1982 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano & 1982 Chianti Rufina - Two Riserva´s

Well, you have to have something for lunch, right? I opened these two to go with a BLT with a hefty dose of truffle mayo. Yummmy!

1982 Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano Riserva, Agricoltore Chianti Geografico da Vecam
This bottle comes from a cooperative that 17 wine growers started in 1961. Now they are 200 partners, more info here.
The nose is lovely with lot of different autumn aromas with additional notes of dried cherries, cigarette smoke, violets and dried herbs. A very fine maturity. A bit subdued but in a refined way, Very, very good.
The taste is cool, mature and dry with notes of lingonberries, red cherries, gravel, herbs and dry liquorice. A fine, laid back finish with a dried up sweetness and a nice warmth. I think I caught it in the knick of time, from here it will only get more dry and hollow. A great match to the BLT.
89p   (tasted 2015/12)


1982 Chianti Rufina Riserva, Fattoria Selvapiana
The nose is a bit stifled at first and it never really lifts, but there are some nice notes of black cherries, warm gravel, dusty tobacco and old leather. A bit rustic.
The taste is mature, warm and dry with notes of dried cherries, dried herbs, warm gravel and old dusty chocolate. The finish is medium long and very dry. Went ok with the BLT but a bit too dry on its own.
78p   (2015/12)

Sunday 13 December 2015

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2007 Prestige de la Cave Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Michel Genet

You got to open something nice when you turn 51, right? I loved this one when I tasted it
eight months ago, and bought a couple of bottles. Time for another test drive.

Then we moved on with two bottles of 1964 Bordeaux - notes in another post.

2007 Prestige de la Cave Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Michel Genet
A deep, wonderful, broad nose with notes of lemon cream, Lily of the Valley, sautéed crayfish shells, milk chocolate fudge and lavender. Very fine. I used the term "understated elegance" the last time I tasted it and that is spot on this time around.
The taste is large scaled but with a fine definition and style, with notes of candied orange peel, butter cookies, flint, dried flowers and a touch of coffeee latte. A long, intense finish with a fine acidity. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years. I am glad I have more.
93p   (tasted 2015/12)

 

Saturday 12 December 2015

Drinking Tonight - 2013 Pouilly-Fuissé La Roche, Bret Brothers

To go along a creamy, hearty Jerusalem artichoke soup and a chunk of mature Beaufort, I opted for this Chardonnay. I have had great experiences of the 2010, although I have finished all my bottles of that vintage. Time to try the new vintage on the block.

2013 Pouilly-Fuissé La Roche, Bret Brothers
The three year younger La Roche is a beauty, but it doesn´t reach the heights of the 2010. The nose is young, focused and deep with notes of candied orange peels, expensive soap, butter cookies and sage. Some matchbox aromas after a while. Very, very good.
The taste is broad and tight with fine sweet yellow fruit and additional notes of slate, fudge, butter cup flowers and milk chocolate. Long and fine with a nice mouth feel.. A good acidity. Should evolve well during the upcoming 3+ years.
91p   (tasted 2015/12)


Friday 11 December 2015

Some Nice Mature Wines

A couple of weeks ago Mikke invited to an impromptu tasting dinner. Great as always with some fine mature wines. Most of the wines came from Divino (https://vintagewines.be), a Belgian merchant that has lots of older wines, and is run by a very nice guy. The first time I was there, not only did he pick me up at the train station, he also openend a, albeit minor, 64 Bordeaux - that's service!
All wines tasted double blind.

2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Ni & Ro
The first wine was not that mature though. But nice! I don´t drink Sauvignon Blanc from Switzerland that often. The nose is young, sprightly and greenish with notes of elderberries, minerals, flint and some perfumed scents. Very good.
The taste is fresh and pure with notes of freshly cut grass, white currants, cucumber and elderberries. A medium long finish with a salty note. Very good.
87p   (tasted 2015/10)


We then were presented with three decanters and the guessing game began, and we of course nailed every one...
1996 Chablis Les Clos, Joseph Drouhin
The first one in this flight shows of a deep, mature, warm nose with notes of fudge, parsnip, earth and a hint of coconut. Very good. A fine warmth. Fully mature on the nose.
The taste is broad, soft and mature with notes of ripe peach, caramel, dried apricot and earth. Medium long and dry with a fine warmth. Drinking well on this evening.
88p   (tasted 2015/10)



1996 Meursault Perrières, Joseph Drouhin
The next Drouhin is less mature, with fine notes of lavender honey, melted butter, assorted nuts and smoke. Very balanced and fine. Deep.
The taste is also big and somewhat mature but compared to the Chablis is more structured, the acidity is higher and the length is better. Lots of dried orange peel, fudge, cap gun smoke and peach. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2015/10)



1996 Meursault Charmes, Bitouzet-Prieur
This Charmes is a real charmer! The nose is the freshest of the three, with fine notes of lemon cream, matchbox, candied orange peel, dried flowers and lots of slate. Refined and focused. Very, very good.
The taste is intense and focused with notes of lemon cream, bonfire, dark fudge and flowers. A very fine structure. A long, handsome finish with a great acidity. I need to get hold of some bottles from this producer!
94p   (2015/10)

Time to move on for the first flight of reds.
1983 Corton, Charles Viénot
The first wine is nicely matured with soft notes of reed beets, rose petals, dried orange peels and dried up strawberry jam. Not that deep but very satisfying. Fully mature.
The taste is mature and dry with notes of dried raspberries, rowanberries, earth and old leather. The finish is medium long, warm and fine. A fine dryness in the end. Very good.
88p   (2015/10)



1983 Charmes-Chambertin, Duroché
The second wine is more alert with a nose full of sweet mixed red fruits and additional notes of bakelite, dried herbs, crayfish and forest floor. Deep and complex. Some maturity. This is fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried strawberries, herbs, chocolate covered raspberries, undergrowth and dried flowers. A long, finely tuned finish. Really good and will keep for 7+ years.
93p   (tasted 2015/10)



1983 Bonnes-Mares, Domaine J. Mugnier
Bottle nr 19 out 1,264 made. A big, warm nose with notes of (over)cooked root vegetables, stale Coca-Cola, moist undergrowth and old leather. A touch blowsy. Some blood and iron after a while. Good.
The taste is big and steady with notes of root vegetables, iron, fried herbs and old leather. Better structure on the palate. A nice warm backbone. For drinking now though.
85p   (tasted 2015/10)

Next flight!
1970 Château L`Eglise-Clinet
Corked! "#%%¤#"¤%&



1970 Château Beauséjour, Duffau-Lagarosse
A mature, somewhat foursquare nose with notes of red currants, dry tobacco, burnt plastic and dusty earth. A bit flat. Fully, or really overmature.
The taste is mature, dry and angular with notes of red currants, bakelite, earth and dry leather. Good with food but too dry on its own.
77p   (tasted 2015/10)

1970 Château Calon-Segur
The last wine is a winner though! It has a deep, restrained yet powerful nose with lovely notes of cool black currants, fresh stables, pipe tobacco and dried plums. Very, very good. Almost fully mature but reveals lot of sweet fruit still.
The taste is tight, medium mature and velvety with notes of black currant jam, tobacco, plums and some rosemary. Long and balanced. A very fine mouth feel on this. Easy to drink sip after sip. For enjoying now and the coming +10 years.
93p   (tasted 2015/10)



A bottle of 2001 Villa Fidelia, Sportoletti was opened as a finish but after tasting these mature, soft wines it felt like a bruiser. Good though (87p).

But it wasn´t over yet - we were encouraged to make a wish for a final bottle and the votes on Champagne won.
1996 Blanc de Blancs, Launois
A soft, elegant with notes of dried lemon peel, old wrinkled yellow apples, milk chocolate and a touch of Belgian Lambic beer. Restrained. Fully mature. Very good.
The taste is mature and soft with notes of yellow apples, dried yellow plums, earth and dried flowers. A medium long finish with a good acidity. Soft and mature. A fine ending of a great evening!
88p   (tasted 2015/10)


Thursday 10 December 2015

Just Bought


One more 1945 arrives. It will join these (among others):
1945 Château Belair
1945 Château La Tour-Marbuzet
1945 Cru Cantemerle

I foresee a nice tasting in my future... :-)

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Two Tuscan 1993´s

I keep extolling the virtues of the 1993 vintage, especially when the wines comes from Piedmont and Tuscany. And I keep on drinking them!

1993 Montesodi, Frescobaldi
A mature, round and fine nose with notes of sweet cherries, liquorice, violets and warm earth. Some rosemary infused meat A fine maturity. Warm gravel. A soft feeling but a nice one.
The taste is mature, dry and medium intense with notes of dried cherries, liquorice, dried rosemary and meat stock. A medium long finish with a nice dry ending. Lots of dried herbs after a while. Very good and fully mature.
87p   (tasted 2015/11)


1993 Etrusco, Cennatoio Intervineas
This is the first vintage of Etrusco. I tasted the 1997 a couple of years ago and liked it a lot. And with the 1993 I can only say - likewise!
The nose is big, tight and upfront with notes of black cherries, dark chocolate, sweet rosemary, black tea and warm Tuscan gravel. Very, very good. Deep and fine. Almost fully mature but still shows vibrant fruit.
The taste is big, focused and mouth filling with notes of black cherries, chocolate covered cherries, bonfire, warm gravel and sweet violets. The finish is long and structured with some nice dry tannins. This is really good and it is no hurry to drink the remaining bottles I bought. For 15 Euro a piece... Again, the 93´s delivers.
91p   (tasted 2015/11)