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Blinding tasting cortese
Cortese is a difficult wine in blind tastings due to its generic “white wine” attributes. In practice
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Dirupi Rosso di Valtellina Nebbiolo 2018
From Valtellina in the far north of Lombardy and varietally labelled as nebbiolo. It’s a “Rosso”, so in theory an earlier drinking wine. It proves to be a very good nebbiolo after initially not appearing it had plans to amount to much. Aromas of strawberry compote and even raisined fruit blew off, showing a true […]
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La Val Dei Preti Roero Riserva 2017
From Roero in the north of Piedmont in Italy, this is a good nebbiolo from La Val dei Preti. It has aromas of herbs and camphor. The palate is dry and its primary features are its high (but not very high) acidity and chalky medium-high tannins. The alcohol is 14.5, there is medium length and […]
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Castellari Bergaglio Fornaci Gavi 2019 Wine Review
This wine review is of Castellari Bergaglio’s Fornaci 2019 Gavi. I taste few Gavi, so my expertise is modest on this wine style made from the white cortese grape variety in Piedmont. It resembles its textbook descriptions, perhaps being slightly more aromatic than some, with aromas of florals and green apple. The palate is dry, […]
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Brezza Dolcetto d’Alba 2019
Bottled with an unusual glass stopper and a very short capsule, this dolcetto d’Alba from Brezza is a joyous wine that opens to aromas of fresh raspberries and savoury cherries. Medium to firm tannins add texture and interest to the palate, and the alcohol is a modest 12.5. This is a delicious dolcetto that is […]
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K. Martini & Sohn Südtirol Alto Adige Sauvignon 2016
This is a sound sauvignon blanc from Alto Adige in far northern Italy. It has a restrained aroma, for sauvignon blanc, of minerals and green capsicum. The acidity is the principal feature of the palate, presenting as high and razor like. The wine weighs in at 13.5abv, which its medium body does not give away. […]
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San Filippo Lo Scorno Rosso di Montalcino 2017
This sangiovese, a Rosso di Montalcino, has aromas of earth, cherry and a slight funkiness. The palate is full bodied and approachable now. Overall, this presented as a modest if pleasant wine, certainly with no angles, but I expected more depth and complexity at this price. Rating: Acceptable. Price: $50s. Abv: NA. Website: https://www.sanfilippomontalcino.com/estate.html. […]
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Felsina Chianti Classico 2017
This is an orthodox expression of Chianti Classico that would be a good choice for a blinding tasting. It has a refined aroma of licorice and earth. The palate has high acidity, medium tannins and medium length. Perhaps lacking some stuffing, but elegant and pleasant. Ready to drink now and over the next 5 years. […]
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Luccarelli Negroamoro 2018
A negroamoro from Puglia in southern Italy, this wine opens to an extravagantly rich nose of spices, garrigue and pepper. The palate is full bodied and the fruit savoury, with medium tannins. Raisin and currants emerge with air. Suitable for current drinking and good value at $15. Rating: Good. Abv: NA. Price: $15 . Website: […]