| Central (Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, Lazio, Molise) |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Caldora Pecorino 2008 (Abruzzo) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
First Quench £11.50 |
Not very exciting |
4 |
| Cardeto Nero della Greca 2005 (Umbria) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
William Barber £13 |
100% Sangiovese, 12 month is French oak. Very tough at this stage, but the underlying quality is there |
5- |
| Antinori Casasiole Orvieto Classico Amabile 2007 11.2% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £6 |
Very pale green. Flowers and honey on nose. Off dry palate with ripe fruit, prickles of malic acidity, with flinty notes on finish |
5 |
| Il Pollenza Piux IX 2003 (Marche) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £18.00 50 cl |
Late picked, probably Trebbiano. Yellow colour. Honeyed nose. Swwet, cooked fruit, good acidity: some development |
5+ |
| Felasco Montiano 2000 (Lazio) 13.5% |
ONS 4.12.08 |
about £22 |
Merlot. Black-red colour. Ripe dark fruit nose. Good length and rounded, just starting to develop - needs time |
6- |
| Franco Todini Grechetto di Todi 2005 (Umbria) 13.5% |
IWD 21.10.06 |
Majestic £8 |
Pale. Honeyed nose. Good balance with some development - flowers. |
5 |
| - ditto - |
IWD 25.8.07 |
|
Pale. Very flowery nose. Neutral, balanced but unexciting on palate: aging fast? |
4- |
| Illuminati Riparosso Montepulchiano 2007 (Abruzzo) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Mondial £9.60 |
Well made but commerical |
4 |
| Umani Ronchi Pecorino 2008 (Marche) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Swig £11.50 |
Fruity but rather straightforward |
4+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| North East (Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Guilia) |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Alpha Zeta Ripasso di Valpolicella 2004 (Veneto) |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Liberty Wines £8 |
Moderate colour, fruity nose. Good structure and fruit, reasonable length and development. |
4+ |
| Alta Italia Pinot Noir 2005 (Trentino) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £6.99 |
Pale. Little nose. Thin palalte with little fruit or complexity |
4- |
| Antico Brolio Refosco del Penducolo Rosso 2004 (Colle Orientale di Friuli) 14% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Berry Brothers & Rudd £18.25 |
Fairly deep colour with some brown on edge. Rich black fruit nose. Well balanced, rich palate, with good length and some development |
5+ |
| Bacaro Pinot Grigio 2007 (Veneto) 12% |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Majestic £5.61 |
Pale. Hint of floal aromas. Good acidity but little flavour |
3 |
| Az Boscaini Carlo Zane Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2005 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Highbury Vintners £17 |
Good depth of colour and fruit, with some developing complexity |
5 |
| Cesari Lugana Cento Filari 2008 (Veneto) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Wimbledon Wine Cellars £13 |
95% Trebbiano di Lugana + Chardonnay. Floral nose, but otherwise rather neutrral |
4 |
| Cecilia Beretta Picaie Rosso Appasiamento 2003 (Veneto) 15% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Majestic £10 |
Like a Valpolicella ripasso, but with Corvina, CS & Merlot.Moderate colour. Some black fruit on nose. Fair fruit, good tannin, some length |
4+ |
| Brigaldara Amarone di Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) 16.5% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
The Sampler £18.99 |
Deep colour. Fruit and bitter aromas on nose. Off dry, fresh, fruity palate: finish has bitterness, dried fruit and volatile acidity, with a herby character coming.. Still plenty of fruit and acidity to allow aging |
6 |
| Cà del Pipa Amarone di Valpolicella 2001 (Veneto) 15% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
Majestic £16 |
Good colour. Bitter ripasso nose. Well balanced with good length and depth. Ready |
6 |
| Cà del Pipa Amarone di Valpolicella Le Vigne 2000 (Veneto) 13.5% |
IWD 27.6.09 |
Majestic £25 |
Good colour, some browning. Ripe and bitter fruits on nose. Well balanced, with a good depth and excellent length. |
6 |
| Cà del Pipa Amarone di Valpolicella Le Vigne 2001 (Veneto) 15% |
MENSA 12.8.07 |
Majestic £19.99 |
Reasonable colour. Red fruits and spice on nose. Well balanced ripe fruit and structure: reasonable length and development with some bitterness. |
5 |
| Cà del Pipa Amarone di Valpolicella Le Vigne 2003 (Veneto) 15% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Dark red. Red fruits and rich spices on nose. Authentic Amarone taste - fruit and acidity with bitter and vegetal overtones.: complex and long |
6 |
| Cantina di Negrar Amarone di Valpolicella Classico 2004 (Veneto) 15% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Waitrose £15 |
Modest depth of colour. Fruity nose. Rather like straightforward Valpolicella, with little Amarone character. |
5 |
| Castello di Butrio Pignolo 2003 (Friuli) 13.5% |
IWD 27.6.09 |
Berkmann (W) £11 |
Fairly light colour. Red fruit nose. Rather tannic, fruit drying out? |
4+ |
| Cescone Moratel 2004 (Trentino) 13.5% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Liberty £12 |
Merlot blended with Bdx and local varieties. Quite light, some browning. Mixed fruit nose. Soft fruit and spice, little tannin but some acidity: some length, but a rather medicinal finish |
4+ |
| Cescone Olivar 2005 (Trentino) 14% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Liberty £17.50 |
Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay (barrel fermented). Yellow colour. No nose. Very smoky and oaky on palate, with a sour lemon character and a hot and sour finish. Very aggressive. |
3- |
| Cantina di Negrar Soave Classico 2006 (Veneto) |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Majestic £6 |
very pale. Fruit and flowers on nose. Off dry, traditional style, with good fruit, balance and length |
5 |
| Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene NV 11% |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Majestic £10 |
Pale colour, coarse mousse. Light, flowery nose. Dry, light and flowery on palate |
4 |
| Connubio Amarone di Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) 15% |
GCS 7.9.07 |
|
Rather dull in hue. Jammy nose. Palate rather unfocussed – little length or bitter amarone character |
4 |
| Copital de Roari Righetti Amarone di Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) 15% |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Bat & Bottle £15 |
Ripe bramble fruit, some tannins and bitterness. Relatively soft style with a good length finish. |
6 |
| Corte Giana Ripasso di Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto) 13.5% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Tesco £6 |
Moderate colour. Red fruit aromas. Reasonable fruit but a little astringent. Moderate length and depth. |
4 |
| Domini Veneti Amarone 2003 (Veneto) 15% |
IWD 21.10.06 |
Majestic £12.50 |
Good colour. Some nose. Quite sweet, structure has some bitterness: straightforward finish |
4+ |
| Garbara Cartizze 2007 (Veneto) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
about £25 |
Superior sparkling wine, with good mousse, some fruit character and moderate finish |
4+ |
| Franz Haas Lagrein 2005 (Alto Adige) 13.5% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Liberty £15 |
Modest colour fringing pink. Sour cherry nose. Cherry fruit but ripping acidity: quite long but very unpleasant |
3- |
| Franz Haas Manna 2005 (Alto Adige) 13.5% |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Liberty Wines £16.95 |
Oily, aomatic nose. Palate complex but undefined, soft and lacks acidity: fair length but no development |
4 |
| Franz Haas Pinot Bianco 2005 (Alto Adige) 13% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Majestic £10.99 |
Quite austere, good structure and reasonable finish |
5 |
| Hofstatter Cabernet Merlot Kirchegg 2003 (Alto Adige) 13.5% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Handford £14 |
Resaonable depth. Black fruit on nose. Palate reminiscent of a reasonable claret, with a good finish |
5 |
| Hofstatter Gewurztraminer 2007 (Alto Adige) 13.5% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Wine Society £10 |
Gold colour. Oily, rose petal nose. Off dry with fruit and acidity to balance: spicy, long finish |
5+ |
| Hofstatter De Vite Vignetti delle Dolomite 2007 (Alto Adige 13% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Wine Society £9 |
Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon etc. Very pale. Flowers and herbs on nose. Off dry and oily, with fruit hints and acidity under: not much finish |
4- |
| Edi Keber Friuliano Collio 2007 (Friuli) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Italian Wine Society £18 |
Well made, but rather lacking fruit |
5- |
| Lis Neris Fiore de Campo Friuliano 2006 (Venezia-Guilia) 14% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Berry Brothers £13.45 |
Pale yellow, not much nose. Slightly creamy palate with some citric acidity and a rather hot finish |
4 |
| Macalun Dindarello 2004 (Veneto) 11% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Oddbins £8.49 HB |
Muscat based. Some oxidation in colour. Grapy nose. Sweet palate, fairly straightforward. |
4 |
| Macalun Dindarello 2006 (Veneto) 11.5% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Oddbins £8.99 HB |
Sun dried grapes (Gargenaga?). Plae colour. Orange aromas. Medium sweet with balancing acidity and fair length |
5+ |
| Macalun Torcolato 2003 (Veneto) 13% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Oddbins £15 HB |
Late picked Vespaiolo grapes. Complex nose and palate. Quite sweet, with good structure and length and considerable development. |
6+ |
| La Marca Prosecco NV (Veneto) |
HASS 2.10.07 |
Waitrose £6 |
Pale colour, some fine mousse. Slightly flowery nose. Clean dry palate with ripe fruit and lemon acidity: stops a bit short. |
4+ |
| Masi Campofiorin 2004 (Veneto) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £8.99 |
Ripasso di Valpolicella style. Bright red. Some flowery development on nose. Rounded palate with good acidity and some development |
5+ |
| Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 2003 (Veneto) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £19.99 |
Deep colour. Backward nose and fruit, which is hiding under fine tannins: bitter and hot notes appearing on finish. Not ready |
6- |
| Meroi Picolit 2004 (Colli Orientale di Friuli) 14.5% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Berry Brothers & Rudd £39.50 50cl |
Deep yellow. Flowers and marmalade on nose. Fairly sweet, intense palate with excellent acidity: very long, huge depth and complexity |
7 |
| Muri-Greis Lagrein 2004 (Alto Adige) 13% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Bat & Bottle £12 |
Quite deep red with some browning. Cooked fruit and sweaty, volatile aromas. Fully ripe fruit is balanced by tannins and acidity: some length, starting to develop but dry at the end |
4+ |
| Nils & Magreid Pinot Grigio 2007 (Alto Adige) 13.5% |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Majestic £12.50 |
Pale yellow. Some oil on nose. Ripe fruit, oil and balancing acidity: fair length |
5 |
| Nussbaumer Gewurztraminer 2007 (Alto Adige) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Novum Wine (W) £15 |
Well made but rather young: rosepetal character is just starting to show - good balance and length |
6 |
| Pieropan Le Combare Recioto di Soave 2003 (Veneto) |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Liberty Wines £18.95 50 cl |
Gold colour. Rich, honeyed nose. Very sweet palate with dried fruit, caramel, glycerine and good acidity: very long with spices and pepper on end. |
6+ |
| Plozner Pinot Bianco 2005 (Friuli) 12.5% |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Bat & Bottle £7.75 |
Pale yellow. Slightly oaky nose. Good oak and acidity: quite long, some development. |
5- |
| Plozner Refosco del Peduncolo 2004 (Friuli) 12.5% |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Bat & Bottle £7.75 |
Moderate depth of colour. Red fruit nose. Hard, rustic palate with cooked fruit: moderate length with some spice, thinning in mid palate and ending with a medicinal finish |
3+ |
| Dario Princic Ribolla Gialla 2003 (Friuli) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Les Caves de Pyrene (W) £24.50 |
Deep yellow. Lots of oak tannins, rather rustic |
5- |
| Riff Pinot Grigio NV (Veneto) |
HASS 16.8.07 |
Tesco £6.99 |
Clean, oily and quite intense. |
4+ |
| Casetta di Ettore Righetti Ripasso di Valpolicella Superiore Classico 2003 (Veneto) 13.5% |
HASS 16.8.07 |
Majestic £9.99 |
Smooth and round, with some tannin and acidity |
4 |
| Casetta di Ettore Righetti Ripasso di Valpolicella Superiore Classico 2004 (Veneto) 13.5% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Majestic £12 |
Moderate colour, red fruit nose. Rounded and well balanced, with a very good length and finish |
5+ |
| La Riva dei Frati Valdobbiadene Prosecco Frizzante NV (Veneto) 11% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Wine Society £8 |
Pale. Flowers and apple on nose. Crisp, aperitive wine, with little finish |
4+ |
| Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Valpolicella Amarone 2005 (Verona) 14.5% |
CLWS 23.7.08 |
Sainsbury £3.99 |
Moderate red, pale fringe. Some bittersweet cherry on nose. Very thin, and lacks character, length and bitter finish |
4- |
| San Leonardo Valagarina 1999 (Trento) 13% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
John Armit £25 |
Bordeaux blend. Odd nose – closed but with some volatile acidity. Not much fruit, excessive and volatile acidity on palate, lacking length or distinction. Too old? |
4- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
|
A better bottle. Good colour, fruity nose. Slightly sour on palate: delicate finish developing floral and cedar notes |
5- |
| Tieffenbrunner Kirchleiten Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Alto Adige) |
HASS 2.10.07 |
Waitrose £13 |
Some yellow. Gooseberry nose, some beetroot under. Moderate weight - ripe fruit and balancing acidity: starting to develop |
5+ |
| Tieffenbrunner Kirchleiten Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Alto Adige) |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
Waitrose £13 |
Pale colour,. Nose has herbs and gooseberrues. Estrained palate, with lemon acidity dominating fruit: good length but lacks complexity. Previous note suggests a year's aging. |
5- |
| Trattmannhof-Girlan Blauburgunder 2003 (Alto Adige) 13% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
about £17 |
Gamay from the local coop. Very pale. Little nose. Astonishingly sour, with little fruit or anything else. |
3- |
| Val d'Oca Spumante Extra Dry NV (Veneto) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
PLB Wines (W) £8 |
Very fruity |
4+ |
| Venica Pinot Bianco 2004 (Veneto Collio) 13% |
IWD 16.2.08 |
Handford £16 |
Pale colour. Fruity nose. Oily fruit and acidity on palate, good weight, but lacks depth and complexity |
5- |
| Via Cara Cuvee Brut NV (Trento) 12.5% |
IWD 21.7.07 |
Oddbins £6 |
Pinot Grigio. Dry, quite acceptable |
4+ |
| Vie di Romano Phere Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Friuli) |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Liberty Wines £22.95 |
Not much on nose. Off-dry palate with little fruit: fairly long finish with bitter and vegetal notes. |
4+ |
| Vigneti di Negra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2005 (Veneto) 15% |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderate red. Some ripe fruit on nose. Fair fruit on palate, strucutre mainly acidity: Fair length with some bitterness deveolping. |
5+ |
| Villa de Moreschi Pinot Grigio 2006 (Veneto) 12% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
Sainsbury £3.99 |
Some colour, very backward nose. Dry, flinty palate with oil and acidity but little fruit or length |
3+ |
| Villata I Communali Amarone della Valpolicella 2004 (Veneto) 14.5% |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £13.99 |
Black-red. Fiery on nose. More integrated on palate, with fine tannins, but rather thin on finish: lacks amarone bitterness. |
5- |
| Zeni Moscato Rosa 2005 (Trentino) 12% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Bat & Bottle £17.50 HB |
Moderate red with a brown edge. Mature grape nose., with pear drop hints. Rather coarse and syroupy, with cooked fruit, some acidity: rustic, bitter finish |
5- |
| Zeni Nosiola 2007 (Trentino) 13% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Bat & Bottle £11 |
Pale yellow. Some flowers and oil on nose, with apricots under. Quite ripe, seems off-dry, citric acidity but not yet in balance: rather thin and astringent on finish |
4 |
| Zeni Pinot Grigio Ramato 2007 (Trentino) 13% |
CLWS 30.7.08 |
Bat & Bottle £13 |
Fermented on skins. Pale pink. Hints of cooked fruit on nose. Little taste, almost completely neutral |
2 |
| Zeni Teraldego Rotaliano 2004 (Veneto) 13.5% |
CLWS 25.7.07 |
Bat & Bottle £13 |
Deep colour. Odd nose. Quite well balanced but not very distinctive palate; some tannin on finish. |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
| North West (Aosta, Liguria, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna) |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Bartemura Pinot Grigio 2007 (Lombardy) 12% |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Tesco £10 |
Very pale yelllow. Flowery hints. Well balanced but little flavour or finish |
4- |
| Umberto Cesari Liano 2003 (Emilia Romagna) 13.5% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Noel Young £17 |
70% Sangiovese, 30% CS. Reasonable depth. Black cherry nose. Tannins dominate soft fruit on palate: finish rather structured and warm |
5- |
| Umberto Cesari Tauleto Sangiovese Rubicone 2004 (Emilia Romagna) |
D |
Everywine £36 |
90% Sangiovese Grosso, 10% Buirsona Longanesi. Deep colour with oak browning. Rich fruit and oak on nose and palate: still tight on end |
6- |
| Pavia Pinot Grigio 2006 (Lombardy) |
HASS 2.10.07 |
Waitrose £5 |
Vey pale. No nose. Oil and acidity. Very short |
3+ |
| Tenuta Roveglia Lugana 2006 (Lombardy) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £6.95 |
Ripe fruit, but rather hollow on finish |
4 |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €8.50 |
Young red. Blackcurrent fruit. Rather angular on palate, with tannins dominating rather weak fruit: modest length, little development. Like all the Terre Rosse wines, aged in stainless steel with no oak. |
4 |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €20 |
Mature colour with a wide brown rim. Balance of fruit and tannin with good length and development |
5 |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Chardonnay 2007 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €8.50 |
Pale colour. Little nose. Well balanced and quite subtle, with little development |
4 |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Cuvee Giovanni Vallania 2005 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €9.50 |
Chardonnay, tank aged three years. Some pale yellow. Hints of yeast on nose. Quite rich, fruit, well balanced, and developing some complexity |
5- |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Malavasia 2007 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €8.50 |
Late harvested and cold fermented to leave some residual sugar. Young, quite sweet, but little character |
4- |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Perditempo 2006 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €9 |
Young vines: 70% Merlot, 30% CS. Straightforward and fruity, but hollow in middle and finishes short. |
4- |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Petroso Merlot 2005 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €9.90 |
87% Merlot, 13% CS., tank aged 3 years. Moderate colour. Plum fruit. Some blackcurrant bite nd CS tannins on palate: good finish |
5+ |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Sauvignon 2007 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars €8.50 |
Pale colour. Soft, grassy nose. Fruit and rather green acidity on palate. Not very characteristic of grape |
4- |
| Terre Rosse di Enrico Vallania Vendemmia Tardiva di Malago 2005 (Colli Bologniesi) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
Ex-cellars |
Late harvest Rhine Riesling and malago. Spatlese style, finished dry, and tank aged. Pale. Some Riesling aromas, mainly flowery. Oily palate, with good acidity and some length. |
4+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Piedmont |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Araldica Albera Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2004 |
HASS 2.10.07 |
Waitrose £5 |
Modest colour, pale edge. Artificial stweed fruit nose. Cooked fruit, coarse tannins and acidity: hollow, simple, commercial |
4 |
| Araldica Albera Barbera d'Asti 2005 |
ONS 11.12.07 |
Waitrose £5 |
Dark purple. Bubblegum fruit on nose. Palate is badly out of balance |
2 |
| La Bella Moscato Passito |
|
|
|
|
| Gianni Brunelli 1998 (Brunello di Montalcino) 13% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
Majestic £35 |
Good colour with a brown rim. Red fruit and spice. Very good fruit, structure not quite in balance: some finish. Could improve |
5+ |
| Fontanafredda Barbaresco Costa Rubin 1997 |
HASS 2.10.07 |
about £22 |
Dull, considerable browning. Mature, woody nose. Secondary fruit and tannins on palte, with some further development on end. Old fashioned. Ready. |
5 |
| Gaja Darmaji 1988 |
HASS 2.10.07 |
about £80 |
95% CS. Black, very young looking. Blackcurrant fruit and hedgerow aromas. Fruit over very fine tannins - excellent balance: very long and complex. Still needs time: like a top Bordeaux |
7- |
| Gallina La Spinetta Barbera d'Alba 2000 |
HASS 2.10.07 |
about £33 |
30 year old vines. Full colour. Ripe dark fruits, leather and flowers under. Restrained, well-balanced palate: finish is elegant, developed and quite long. Ready |
6- |
| Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco 1999 |
HASS 2.10.07 |
about £40 |
Bright colour, ,lots of browning. Farmyard aromas with some fruit under. Lots of tannin over tarry fruit and acidity: long finish, starting to show some spice. Still needs lots of time |
6 |
| La Marca Prosecco di Conegliono-Valdobiadine NV 11% |
IWD 21.10.07 |
Majestic £9 |
Pale colour. Hint of yeast on nose. Dry, reasonable balance, straightforward. |
4 |
| Marks & Spencer Arneis 2006 (Langhe) 13% |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £6.99 |
Pale. Backward, slightly flowery nose. Fresh, with some fruit, but not much character or length |
4 |
| La Mora Barolo 2002 13.5% |
IWD 16.12.06 |
Majestic £15 |
Dark colour. Very tarry on nose and palate: fair legth but lacks interest on finish |
5- |
| Pio Cesare Barolo 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Philglas & Swiggot £42 |
Mature colour and nose, but still hard and undeveloped on palate |
5 |
| Prunotto Ochetti Nebbiolo d'Alba 2005 (Roero) 14% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £13 |
Moderate colour, some browning. Red fruit and old wood on nose. Firm tannins dominate fruit: quite astringent and volatile on end |
4 |
| Paulo Scavino Rossa da Tavola L2007B 13.5% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Justerini & Brooks (W) £8 |
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto etc. Reasonable young colour. Red and black fruit on nose. Balanced palate with a reasonable attack: finishes a bit thin and hot |
5- |
| Cantine Rocca Ripalta Barolo 2004 |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Sainsburys £14 |
Pale, browning red. Hints of black fruit. Very tannic, with a thin middle and little finish |
4- |
| Cantine Santa Vittoria Barolo 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
D&D (W) £14 |
Very tough and lacks fruit |
5- |
| Tesco Finest Gavi 2006 12.5% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Tesco £5.99 |
Good colour and fruit: off-dry, oily, some finish. |
4 |
| Tesco Finest Gavi 2007 12.5% |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Tesco £7 |
Yellow. Little nose. Slightly oily, some fruit and reasonable balance: hot on end |
4 |
| Tor di Vento Barolo 2003 |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £8.99 |
Dark. Violets and tar on nose. Lots of fine old wood tannin, some over-ripe fruit under: length is all tannin. Needs a lot of time. |
5? |
| Antonio Vallana Spanna Colline Novaresi 1998 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Richards Walford (W) £15 |
100% Nebbiolo. Mature colour, some farmyard nose. Well balanced palate with long, mature finish |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| South & Islands (Campagna, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria; Sardinia, Sicily, Pantellaria) |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Apollonia Valle Cupa 2001 (Salento, Puglia) 14.5% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Archway Wines £10 |
50% Primativo, 50% Negroamaro. Very dark. Black cherry fruit. Good attack, with fruit over fine tannins: good length, but hot on finish |
5+ |
| Argiolis Costera Cannonau 2007 (Sardinia) 14% |
CLWS 11.2.09 |
Highbury Vintners £11 |
(=Grenache) Young ruby. Fruit and vegetal hints. Rather hot on palate, with stalky tannins: fruit well underneath: modest legth hot and spicy finish |
4+ |
| Az Benanti Bianco di Casele Etna (Sicily) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Les Caves de Pyrene £13 |
100% Carricante. Well made but unexciting |
4 |
| Biondi Ciro Outis Etna Rosso 2004 (Sicily) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Selfridges £25 |
Good colour and nose. Very rounded fruity palate with good length |
6- |
| Candido Salice Salentino Riserva 2001 (Puglia) 13.5% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
Wine Society £5.79 |
85% Negroamaro, 15% Malvasia Nero. Quite a pale colour, with considerable browning. Old wood and some seconday fruit aromas. Thin, rather acidic palate: little fruit or complexity |
4- |
| Az. Ag. Cos Cerrasuolo di Vittoria Classico 2007 (Sicily) 13% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Philglas & Swiggot £17 |
60% Nero d'Avola, 40% Frappato. Cherry red with pink rim. Light strawberry nose. Elegant palate with some fruit; good length but slightly hot on finish. Lacks excitement |
5 |
| Feudo Maccari Saia 2006 (Sicily) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Euro Food (W) £15+ |
100% Nero d'Avola. Lots of fruit on nose and palate, but tight with oak tannins: very long, undeveloped as yet |
6 |
| Feudi San Gregorio Flangina 2006 (Campania) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £9.99 |
Green yellow. Rich, spicee and flowers nose. Grapefruit acidity still a little prominent on palate, but good oily fruit on finsih. Needs a little time. |
5+ |
| Firriato Harmonium Nero d'Avola 2005 (Sicily?) 15% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
about £20 |
Black-red. Some red fruit on nose. Rather rustic tannins overlie considerable fruit and acidity: powerful, but hot and coarse |
5- |
| L’Insolente 2001 (Sicily) 13.5% |
GCS 7.9.07 |
about £25 |
Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon. Badly corked and breaking up |
1 |
| Inycon Chardonnay 2005 (Sicily) |
CLWS 23.5.07 |
Tesco £4.50 |
OK commercial wine, slightly bitter, not much finish |
4- |
| Li Veli Morgan Alta Reserva Salice Salentino 2003 (Puglia) 14% |
CLWS 1.10.08 |
Negociosa Classico £19 |
Negroamaro. Very brown colour. Subdued, maderised nose. Sour with little fruit and a hard finish. Very old fashioned, or badly oxidised in bottle? |
3 |
| Marco Maci Salice Salentino 'Ribo' 2004 (Puglia) |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Big Red Wine £9 |
Purple-black. Little nose. Dry, modest palate: some length and elegance. |
4+ |
| Morella Old Vine Primitivo 2005 (Puglia) 15.5% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Berry Bros £37.50 |
75 yo vines. Some maturity showing. Black fruit and violets on nose. Ripe fruit and acidity with tannins under - long, intense fruit finish with some development (not subtle) |
6 |
| Cantine Nicosia Etna Rosso Fondo Filara 2006 (Sicily) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Vinexus (W) £15 |
80% Nerello Mascalese, 20% Nerello Mantellato. Round and fruit with some complexity |
5+ |
| Cantina del Notaio L'Autentica 2005 (Basilicata) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
|
Fortified wine made from Muscat and Malvasia. Pale gold. Grape nose. Well balanced sweet palate with some length |
5 |
| Pala Carbilis Vermentino 2006 (Sardinia) 13% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
Ex cellars £8 |
Pale yellow. Citric and apple blossom nose. Tart palate, with apple and lemon acidity: not much length |
4- |
| Pala Carbilis Vermentino 2007 (Sardinia) 13.5% |
IWD 18.4.09 |
Berkmann £7 |
Quite yellow. Flowers on nose. Off dry, balanced, some finish |
4+ |
| Pala Essentija Isola dei Nuragi Bovari 2005 (Sardinia) 14% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
Ex cellars £12 |
Quite dark. Hot, meaty, leathery nose. Hard palate with tannin and acidity – no recognisable fruit. Tight and hot on finish. |
4+ |
| Pala Triente Cannonau 2005 (Sardinia) 14% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
Ex cellars £9.50 |
Moderate colour. Hot fermentation cherry nose. Cooked fruits with some tannin and lots of acidity. Bitter finish. |
4 |
| Pezzo Morana Liveli Salice Salentino 2004 (Puglia) 13.5% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £15 |
Negroamaro grape. Good colour, neutral nose. Rich palate with reasonable balance and length but little interest |
4 |
| Piana del Sole Negroamaro 2003 (Puglia) 13.5% |
IWD 21.10.06 |
Oddbins £7 |
Spicy nose. Good fruit - acidity and tannin a little prominent. Reasonable finish |
5 |
| Piana del Sole Primativo 2003 (Puglia) 13.5% |
IWD 21.10.06 |
Oddbins £7 |
Ripe Californian nose. Dark fruits and acidity on palate: quite long. |
5+ |
| Planeta Alastro 2005 (Sicily) 13.5% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £12.50 |
Grecanico/Chardonnay. Pale gold. Oak, straw and butter on nose. Oily Chardonnay palate with enough acidity. Some length and complexity |
5 |
| Planeta Cerasuola di Vittoria 2005 (Sicily) 13% |
IWD 25.8.07 |
Handford £13 |
Nero d’Avola/Frappato. Reasonable colour, backward nose. Balanced but rather thin and short |
4 |
| Planeta Cerasuola di Vittoria 2007 (Sicily) 13% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Wine Society £11 |
Moderate red with broad fringe. Red fruit on nose. Fair fruit on palate, structure is mainly acidity: not much finish and rather confected |
4- |
| Plaenta Cometa 2005 (Sicily) 14% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £20 |
100% Fiano, planted 1996-98. Plae gold. Oak and melon on nose. Off dry, cooked fruit withbalancing acidity: fair length with some development but prominent alcohol. |
5- |
| Planeta Merlot 2003 (Sicily) 15% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £20 |
With 5% Petit Verdot. Vineyards planted 1985-2000. Black-red, some browning. Cooked plums on nose. Rather stalky green tannins dominate ripe fruit: good length but hot on finish. |
4 |
| Plaenta Moscato di Noto 2005 (Sicily) 12.5% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £20.00 50 cl |
Gold colour. Sweet grape nose. Sweet palet - ripe fruit with some acidity and a touch of botrytis: fair length but not very developed |
5 |
| Planeta Santa Cecilia 2000 (Sicily) 14.5% |
GCS 7.9.07 |
about £13 |
Nero d’Avola. Browning red. Mature nose. Good fruit, balanced structure, fair length and considerable complexity |
5+ |
| Planeta Santa Cecilia 2004 (Sicily) 13.5% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £20 |
Black-red. Bramble nose with hints of oak and spice. Ripe fruit balanced by tannin and acidity: good length, starting to develop a spicy character |
5 |
| Planeta Santa Cecilia 2005 (Sicily) 14% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Wine Society £20 |
Deep colour with a hint of browning. Red fruit and oak on nose. Ripe fruit and acidity on palate: long warm finish, not yet resolved |
5+ |
| Planeta La Segreta Bianco 2006 (Sicily) 13% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £9 |
Grecanico + Chardonnay, Viognier & Fiano. Yellow-green. Oil and straw on nose. Fruit and oil, with balancing acidity: good length |
5 |
| Planeta La Segeta Rosso 2006 (Sicily) 13.5% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £9 |
Nero d'Avola + Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Dull purple. Simple cooked fruit nose. Cooked fruit with gritty tannins: sour, unpleasant finish |
3- |
| Planeta Syrah 2004 (Sicily) 13.5% |
HASS 17.1.08 |
Carluccio £20 |
Planted 1999. Black-red with a pale fringe. Flowery nose. High acidity, green tannins and fruit under: rather disappointing length and finish |
4 |
| Academia dei Racemi Sinfarosa Primitivo 2007 (Puglia) 15% |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
Wine Society £10 |
Young purple. Sour cherries on nose. Palate is raw and tannic, with green fruit. Fairly long, rustic finish with spice and alcohol. Not very well made. |
4- |
| Angelo Rocca Montrale 2004 (Puglia) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £6.25 |
Syrah, CS, Negroamaro. Simple, fruity wine |
4+ |
| Angelo Rocca Nero d'Avola 2006 (Sicily) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £4.95 |
Good fruit with some structure: finish lacks fruit and is rather hot |
4+ |
| Angelo Rocca Rossa 1997 (Puglia) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £13 |
Negroamaro, 7+ years in old oak. Dull colour. Woody nose. Not much fruit: astringent finish |
4 |
| Angelo Rocca Torcelle 2004 (Puglia) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £22 |
Primativo: 5 years in cask. Dull nose. Woody, over-ripe fruit on nose. Porty on palate, with wood tannins throughout |
4+ |
| Cantina Settisoli Fiano 2007 (Sicily) 13% |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Tesco £6 |
Very pale green. Little nose. Neutral, dry palate |
3+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
ASDA £6 |
Different bottling. Pale yellow, slightly flowery nose. Crisp palate but hollow and lacks fruit: hot at end |
3+ |
| Solidea Passito 2004 (Pantalleria) 14.5% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £22.50 |
Muscat. Nose has cooked grapes and manure. Palate lacks sweetness and concentration. Not well defined. |
4 |
| Tasca d’Almerita Regeali 2005 (Sicily) 13% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
Ex cellars £8.50 |
Nero d’Avola. Palish red, maceration carbonique nose. Sour plum fruit, no tannin: unpleasant finish – sour and bitter |
3- |
| Tenute delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Caldera Sottana 2006 (Sicily) 14% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Justerini & Brooks £25 |
Nerello Mascalese. Light red. Meat and cooked fruit on nose. Structured palate with some fruit under - extremely mouth-drying. Needs time? |
4- |
| Terradora Fiano d'Avellino 2007 (Campania) 13% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Bought in Italy about £16 |
Some colour. Flowers and honey notes on nose and palate. Good balancing grapefruit acidity, with some length and depth |
5 |
| Terradora Taurasi 2003 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Winetraders (W) £20+ |
100% Aglianico, 2 years in French oak. Mature colour and nose, but the hard is still hard and rather unattractive |
5 |
| Terre di Vino, La Bella Moscato Passito 2006 11.5% |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Vinum £20 |
Pale gold. Strong grape and floral perfume. Sweet, but lacks intensity and balance |
5- |
| Tesco Grillo 2004 (Sicily) |
GCS 7.9.07 |
Tesco £4.99 |
Pale colour. Floral, almost Riesling nose. Light, dry, well balanced palate with modest length and some vegetal hints. |
4 |
| Tormaresca Masseria Maime Negroamaro 2004 (Salento, Puglia) 13.5% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £15 |
Dark red. Dark fruit and spice on nose. Rich fruit, highly extracted:and well balanced: finish has good length and is developing some savoury aromas |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Tuscany |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Poggio Amorelli Orocolo 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Italian Wine Merchant (W) £20+ |
70% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 5% Colorino, 9 months in oak. Dark purple. Plummy nose. Complex ripe fruits on balanced palate: excellent legth |
6 |
| Antigo Borgo di Sugame Chianti Classico 2005 |
HASS 18.10.07 |
Wine Discoveries £7.99 |
100% Sangiovese. Neither bottle right. Better one had a pale, dull colour. Cooked fruit and spice on nose. Stalky palate with thin fruit and little development. |
4- |
| Antinori La Braccesca 2003 (Vino Nobile de Montepulciano) 13.5% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
about £17 |
Very dark. Ripe fruit, farmyard and vanilla aromas – modern style. Good fruit with oak and a well balanced structure. Good length and development. Should improve over next few years |
6- |
| Antinori La Braccesca Achelo Syrah 2006 (Cortona) 14% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £9 |
Moderate red colour. Gamey, red fruit nose. Very dry palate, with rather green fruit and acidity: fair length, some pepper and alcohol on finish. Young vines? |
4+ |
| Antinori Donato Vino Liquoroso NV 16.5% |
IWD 21.10.06 |
Waitrose £9 |
Gold colour. Madierised nose. Quite sweet, some fruit, balancing acidity: some development - nuts and raisins |
5 |
| Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgeri 2003 13.5% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
about £45 |
60% CS, 30% Merlot. Very dark, some oak fringing. Cabernet nose with lots of new oak. Rich fruit, loads of tannin: very long starting to develop. Needs another 5-10 years. |
6 |
| Marchese Antinori Riserva 2003 (Chianti Classico) 13.5% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £14 |
Quite deep colour. Some black fruit aromas. Lots of fruit, with structre still showing: long finish with some astringency. Needs time |
5+ |
| Antinori Tignanello 2000 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
about £40 |
80% Sangiovese, 20% CS. Thick colour. Plum nose. Fine tannins and acidity balance ripe fruit: quite long but not much development. |
5+ |
| Antinori Tignanello 2004 13.5% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
about £50 |
85% Sangiovese + Cabernets. Very dark. Tight, extracted nose with cherry, vanilla and pepper. Very young on palate – fine tannins dominate fruit: long, elegant but undeveloped finish. Needs 10 years? |
5+ |
| Antinori Tignanello 2005 13.5% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £37 |
Good depth of colour with a pale rim. Red and black fruits on nose. Intense fruit, fine oak tannins and acidity: huge spicy finish |
6+ |
| Villa Antinori Bianco 2007 12% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £7 |
Very pale. Some flower aromas. Dry, citric palate with little finish |
4 |
| Antinori Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2003 16.5% |
CLWS 22.8.07 |
about £19 (50cl) |
Amber colour with pink hints. Madierised nose with nuts and apricots. Well balanced palate with nutty fruit: good length. |
5+ |
| Banfi Belnero 2005 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Bibendum £13 |
85% Sangiovese, 12% CS etc, 14 months French oak. Moderate colour, fruity nose. Attractive, rounded palate with some development |
5+ |
| Banfi Chianti Classico 2003 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
Majestic £8.50 |
Moderate colour, some browning. Cherry nose. US oak and stalky tannins, fruit a little green: not much length and rather hollow. |
4- |
| Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2003 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
Majestic £11 |
Richer nose. Ripe fruit balanced by oak tannins and good acidity: some length, still hard on end. |
5 |
| Castello Banfi Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Majestic £30 |
Browning red. Ripe fruit. Palate is still tannic and needs time to develop |
5+ |
| Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 2000 13% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Tesco £15 |
Slightly corked on nose. Astringent palate. Some finish but rather unpleasant. |
1 |
| Banfi Summus Sant' Antimo 2005 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Bibendum £20+ |
40% Sangiovese, 40% CS, 20% Syrah, 20 months in French oak. Good colour and nose. Iintense, balanced palate with great length, starrting to develop |
6+ |
| Ten Tos Bruna Baroncini Brunello di Montalcino 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Euro Food (W) £20 |
100% Sangiovese. Good colour and fruit, but only moderate concentration |
5 |
| Ten Tos Bruna Baroncini Morellino di Scansano Rinaldone dell'Osa 2008 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Euro Food (W) £6 |
100% Sangiovese. Odd, pale, sweet and fruity red - no real quality |
4- |
| Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico 2007 13.5% |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Waitrose £10 |
Good colour. Cherries on nose. Ripe fruit balanced by acidity: moderate length but still a little tight on finish |
5- |
| Az Ag Canetto Vino Nobile di Montepulchiano Riserva 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Thorman Hunt (W) £21 |
90% Sangiovese + Canaiolo, Mammalo - 30 months in French oak. Good colour. Lots of fruit and depth, but still unbalanced and undeveloped. Should be excellent |
6- |
| Carpineto Farnito Vinsanto di Chianti 1992 15% |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Everywine £30 (50cl) |
60% Trebbiano, 40% Malvasia - 14 years in chestnut and oak. Pale gold. Madierised nose with fruit and nuts. Off dry, strong acidity. Not particularly attractive. |
5- |
| Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2000 13% |
GCS 7.9.07 |
|
Showing some age. Little nose. Palate is a little dull and astringent. Have we caught this in a dumb patch? |
4 |
| Cecchi Litorale Vermentino 2006 (Maremma) 12.5% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Waitrose £8 |
Flowery nose. Palate has acidity rather than fruit: not much length |
4 |
| Ceppaiano Alle Viole 2005 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Bibendum £8 |
85% Sangiovese, 10% CS, 5% Merlot: 6 months in oak. Well balanced but lacks concentration. Budget Super-Tuscan from a lesser year |
5 |
| Ceppaiano Violetta 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Bibendum £13 |
90% Sangiovese, 10% CS, 12 months in oak. Reasonable colour. No nose. Very tight palate, with complexity on the end. Might develop. |
5+ |
| La Ciarlianna 2001 (Vino Nobile de Montepulciano) 14% |
IWD 21.10.06 |
Majestic £13 |
Good colour. Rich fruit on nose, with some oak. Acidity and oak balance ripe fruit on palate: reasonable finish and development. |
5+ |
| Collemattoni Rosso di Montalchino 2003 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
Lea & Sandeman £14 |
Rather dull. Woody cooked fruit nose. Over-ripe fruit on edgy palate: finish out of balance and varnishy. Marked as faulty. |
1 |
| I Colombiao di Cencio, I Massi Chianti Classico 2000 13.5% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Lea & Sandeman £22 |
10% CS. Dark colour. Blackcurrant notes on aroma. New World ripeness and concentration of fruit, overpowering structure. Long finish |
5+ |
| I Colombiao di Cencio, Monticello 2002 13% |
CLWS 15.8.07 |
Lea & Sandeman £15 |
CS/Sangiovese/Syrah. Thin fruit and rather bitter – no real varietal character |
5- |
| Dei Sancta Catarina 2000 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
Lea & Sandeman £20 |
50% Prunolo, 30% CS, 20% Syrah. Rich cherry and blackcurrant nose. Lots of tannin above serious fruit: long finish starting to show some spice. Needs time. |
5- |
| Riccardo Falchini Vernaccia di San Gimigiano 2007 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Berry Brothers £9 |
Quite pleasant and well balanced |
5 |
| Fontodi Chiant Classico 2006 14% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Liberty (W) £18 |
100% Sangiovese. Medium red with little fringing. Cherry nose. Rich, well balanced palate with a good attack and finish. Will develop. |
5 |
| Il Futuro 2000 13% |
GCS 7.9.07 |
|
Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Good colour. Red fruit nose. Some ripe fruit with a firm, tannic structure. Not very developed on finish. |
5 |
| Gaja Magari 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
John Armit £22.50 |
50% Merlot 25% CS, 25% CF. Young colour. Black fruit on nose. Intense, but needs time to develop |
6 |
| Isole e Olena Cepparello 2005 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Majestic £45 |
100% Sangiovese. A surprisingly light version of 'Super-Tuscan' style. Modest colour. Backward, oaky nose. Some rich fruit but still unbalanced |
5 |
| Isole e Olena Vin Santo 2000 13.5% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Philglas & Swiggot £32.50 HB |
Dark amber. Lively yet maderised nose, with caramel and walnuts. Sweet fruit excellently balanced by acidity: extremely long and complex |
7 |
| Monte Bernardi Chianti Classico 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Richards Walford (W) £13 |
95% Sangiovese + Canaiolo, 20 months oak. Good, youngish Chiati |
5+ |
| Monte Bernardi Sa'etta Chianti Classico 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Richards Walford (W) 20+ |
Excellent colour, cherry nose. Well balanced and intense, already quite developed |
6+ |
| Monte Bernardi Tzingana 2005 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Richards Walford (W) £20+ |
45% Merlot, 20% CS, 20% CF, 15% Petit Verdot. Young colour, some black fruit on nose. Rather tannic, with some fruit under. Moderate length |
5 |
| Monte Bernardi Tzingana 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Richards Walford (W) £20+ |
Good depth of colour, fruity nose. Well balanced palate with some richness: long but little development |
6- |
| Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino 2000 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
Waitrose £20 |
Good colour with some browning to rim. Dumb nose. Oak and tannins dominate fruit: develops acidity and is rather out of balance. Will it come round? |
4+ |
| Castello della Paneretta Torre a Destre Chianti Classico 2003 13.8% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
The Sampler £17.49 |
100% Sangiovese. Dark. Red berry fruit, Structure still dominates, but there is quite a lot of development on finish. In transition? |
5 |
| Nistiri Vin Santo NV |
CLWS 28.1.09 |
|
Amber colour. Considerable madierisation has left little nose or fruit. |
4 |
| Orma Bolgeri 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Euro Food (W) £20+ |
50% Merlot, 30% CS, 20% CF. Deep colour. Rich black fruit on nose and palate, quite acidic but only fine tannins: very long and starting to develop |
6 |
| Passioni Vernaccia di San Gimigiano 2008 12.5% |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Majestic £10 |
Pale. Little nose. Rounded and slightly oily with balancing acidity and some length |
5 |
| Querciabella Camartina 1997 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
about £47 |
50% CS, 50% Sangiovese. Red and black fruits on nose. Lots of fruit and new oak: very long, with spicy and earthy hints. Near peak. |
6+ |
| Querciabella Chinati Classico Riserva 1995 13% |
CLWS 15.7.09 |
Helen Verdcourt £18 |
Broad brown rim. Ripe, mature nose. Ripe fruit and balancing acidity, with some maturity on finish |
5 |
| Tenuta di Riseccoli Petit Verdot 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Wineaux (W) £10 |
Deep colour. Very fruity, with a well balanced palate and some finish |
5+ |
| Tenuta di Riseccoli Saeculum di Riseccoli 2001 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Wineaux (W) £20 |
40% Sangiovese, 40% CS, 20% Merlot, 18 months in French oak. Some browning, little nose. Palate is still rather hard - overripe fruit and oak - some length, but drying out on end |
5 |
| Tenuta Rocca di Montemassi Sassabruna di Monteregio di Massa Marittima 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Zonin (W) £13 |
80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 10% Strah. Good colour and nose, but a bit tight on palate - long finish dominated by acidity |
5 |
| Castello Romitoro Brunello di Montalcino 2004 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Wineaux (W) £22 |
Young, red fruit nose. Exceptional depth of fruit, with balancing tannins and acidity. Extremely good |
6 |
| Castello Romitorio San' Antimo Rosso 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Wineaux (W) £30 |
60% Sangiovese, 20% CS, 20% Canaiolo: 14 months in French oak. Deep red. Fruity nose. Very good balance and intensity, with some development on long finish |
6+ |
| Ag San Felice Pugitello 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Boutinot (W) £30 |
Tough and lacking in fruit at this stage |
5 |
| San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baoncole 2004 14% |
CLWS 29.7.09 |
Ballantynes £24 |
97% Sangiovese = Canaiolo. Medium red with some oak browning. Cherry fruit. Intense palate with rich fruit, oak tannins and acidity under: not really ready, long but undeveloped |
5+ |
| Sassicaia 1996 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
about £120 |
70% CS, 10% CF, 20% Merlot. Moderate colour, some browning. Nose has some stalky hints. Not much fruit - palate has fine tannins and acidity: long and complex but rather astringent finish. |
5 |
| Selvapiani Chianti Rufino 2003 14% |
M&S 6.9.07 |
Marks & Spencer £17.99 |
Big wine in the Super-Tuscan style. Very deep colour, just starting to age. Very tight nose. Tannic palate with masses of cheery fruit under. Great length. Needs lots more time (a half-full bottle was still opening up three days later) |
6 |
| Sette Ponte Crognolo 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Euro Food (W) £15+ |
90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. Good colour, some cherry on nose. Lots of oak hiding fruit on palate: good length and potential |
6- |
| Sette Ponte Oreno 2006 |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Euro Food (W) £20+ |
40% Merlot, 40% CS, 20% Sangiovese, 16 months new oak. Deep colour. Nose mostly vanilla. Tight palate with fruit under, but astringent to end |
5+ |
| Al Tesoro Mediterra 2007 (Bolgheri) |
DIWT 9.7.09 |
Liberty (W) £13 |
40% Syrah, 30% Merlot, 30% CS: soil in Bolgheri doesn't suit Sangiovese. Quite light weight and colour: palate is balanced, but slightly hollow. |
5+ |
| Vernaccia di San Gimigiano 2005 |
NWB 7.2.07 |
Majestic £7 |
Yellow. Flowers, honey & oak on nose. Clean, grapefruit and oak palate: reasonable length. |
4+ |
| Villa Banfi Pinot Grigio 2004 12.5% |
IWD 21.7.07 |
Tesco £6 |
Rather bland. |
3 |
UK Wineclub