Some notes from a recent tasting...
Pinot Grigio 2002, Schiopetto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Clear pale lemon, green hints. Clean youthful nose of lemon/lime zest, floral overtones. Dry, light-medium bodied, good fruit intensity in the lime/grapefruit vein. Finishes with cleansing acidity.
Good, if slightly overpriced.
Blanc de Rosis 2001, Schiopetto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Clear medium yellow/green. Clean youthful aromatic nose of ripe apple and white peach, with floral nuances (apple blossom). Dry, medium bodied, very good fruit intensity, slightly creamy palate of custard apple, guava and lychee.
Very good. I particularly liked the aromtics of this wine.
Rolando 2001, Bricco Maiolica, Piedmont
Clear medium lime/yellow, touches of gold. Clean nose of pronounced intensity showing some development, dominated by custard apple and white peach. The medium bodied palate is slightly creamy, again showing white peach, pear and well integrated oak. Good acidity.
An interesting blend of Chardonnay (80%) and Sauvignon Blanc (20%) that reminds me slighty of Penfolds 94A Chardonnay (which also had a dash of Sauvignon Blanc in the final blend).
Vigna Tecc Dolcetto 2001, Einaudi, Piedmont
Clear bright medium-deep crimson core, cerise at the rim. Clean youthful nose of ripe cherries and kirsch, hints of marzipan. Dry medium+ bodied palate (quite high glycerin), slightly jammy blueberry/briar fruit. Finishes with fine tannins and pleasant cleansing acidity.
This is a very drinkable modern Dolcetto.
Barbera dÂ’Alba 2000, Bricco Maiolica, Piedmont
Double decanted several hours prior to being tasted.
Clear deep purple, verging on black (almost opaque). Clean youthful nose of ripe cherry, aniseed and licorice. On the palate, dry, full bodied, very good fruit intensity, specifically dark plum and morello cherry, together with licorice. Fruit, acid, tannins and alcohol are well balanced.
A modern style Barbera that just (and only just) manages to avoid being over the top. The wine is very mouthfilling (quite high glycerol), was matured in small oak, and the deep colour suggests a fairly high level of extraction. It is a nice wine to drink, but perhaps doesn't have the same affinity with food as slightly more reserved Barberas may.
Costa Grimaldi Barolo 1998, Einaudi, Piedmont
Decanted several hours prior to tasting - this wine transformed remarkably in that time.
Clear medium garnet, fading towards the rim. Clean somewhat developed nose of medium intensity showing rose petal, tar and bubblegum. The palate is dry and full bodied, with ripe cherries, leather and tar. Finishes with firm tannins and cleansing acidity.
Super wine giving just an inkling of its wonderful potential. Will be great in 10+ years.
Moscato dÂ’Asti 2001, La Ghersa, Piedmont
Clear pale lemon with lime tinges, large bubbles. Clear youthful floral nose, also showing fresh apples. Medium sweet fresh palate, again showing crisp fresh apples, with the sparkle cleaning the palate.
Good, if not particularly complicated wine to enjoy with summer pudding or pavlova.
Cheers
Phil