Luigi Einaudi Barolo Terlo 2009

Transparent dark red with light brown rims. First nose has green notes like chives, anise then licorice gets the scene with leather. Blueberry notes are dominant in the mouth with a high acidity, which makes this wine crispy. in time the mouth gets a fruity structure. Medium bodied with nice, integrated tannins, following a moderate final with a touch of vanillin and gets closer to the balance in the glass after some time. 90/100 39,70/75cl/February 2014

Farnito Camponibbio 2007 (Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon)

A Super Tuscan style wine. The color is opaque, dark ruby red with purple rims. The first nose is extroverted, it has baked fruits then blueberry, raspberry, fruit jam and slightly blood come to the scene. An almost perfection in balance at the palate, it is like chewing a bunch of dark forest berries in the mouth. Extremely fruity palate is a great fun with a medium to full body. The fruity final is quite long. Tannins are significant but integrated. A very easy, pleasurable drinking with a nice and surprising satisfaction of velvety texture. A wine of moment, not necessarily something to eat together, this wine might be enjoyed just reading a book together or consumed enjoying the night with a special person. Non-spicy cold cuts like Prosc.Parma might be a pair if needed. Decent price/quality ratio. 92/100  28,50€/75cl/February 2014

Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Sagrantino 2008

Slightly transparent, dark ruby red with purple rims. The nose is a big surprise for a Sagrantino, it is extremely fruity and elegant, blackberry and blueberry followed by a slight rustic touch, a hint of leather. The nose is a great fun, I can spend my hours with sniffing this complex structure of aromas. In the mouth, the fruity background continues with strong tannins. Tannins are strong, little bit astringent but integrated and delicious. This beautiful velvety Italian has a medium to full body. It has a relatively masculen palate for its elegant, feminine nose. It is also possible to get hints of vanillin during the joyful final, which is long and pleasant. It might fit to red meat stews and cold cuts, or just, I would also love it to drink, enjoying the night reading my book. Delicious, complex structure, characteristic. Its a wine for nice moments. 92/100. Not available in Finland.

Domenico Clerico Barbera d'Alba Trevigne 2006 (Barbera 100%)

Dark ruby red with light red rims. The nose is dominated by baked fruits, a hint of licorice, blackberry and cassis. In the mouth, strong, sharp tannins with a little bit astringency. Full bodied. The after taste has a touch of vanilla and chocolate. One of my favorite regions, one of my favorite varieties... A very pleasant wine by a good producer, like the Villa Matilde Taurasi... These are serious stuff... Not available in Finland.

Tasted among some other wines during a blind tasting.

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

Villa Matilde Tenute Alta DOCG Taurasi 2008 (Aglianico 100%)

Dark ruby red with purple rims. A very fruity nose, red forest berries among jam-like baked fruits notes with a small touch of woodiness. Sweetish in the mouth, in the mid palate, there is a nice touch of clove. The tannins are harsh, a typical Italian rusticity there is. The strong fruity structure is made up by the tannin and a character. This full bodied wine had a nice, long final with a satisfaction smile on the consumer´s face... Not available in Finland.

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

Engel Crémant d'Alsace Chardonnay Brut 2011, France (Alcl 12,5%) An Outstanding Sparkling

Before telling more, to say, an outstanding, surprising sparkling.

Light golden coloured, first nose has fresh cut grass and spring flowers, second nose gives out stone fruit notes like peach for example. Overall the nose is very rich of fruits, I had not so much time to think about the aromas one by one, but I can say, the nose is very complex. As it is a Cremant style of sparkling, it is very "big" in the mouth, filling, well structured and has it´s own character. As a sparkling, the acidity you look for is right there and satisfying but what surprised me about this wine is, even though it is a sparko, the buttery characteristics of Chardonnay is right there too. The buttery feeling and acidity together, both combining well and not disturbing, not shading each other. The final is long, warm and delightful with very soft notes of minerality giving itself like the wet pebble stones. This wine is also an Organic Product to keep an eye on.

Do not buy this wine for getting drunk with friends during a party, that means spoiling a bottle of good-quality. This is a serious wine which should be drunk at home or a nice picnic meeting of good friends or family. If you want to buy something precious for your friend´s birthday but do not have enough money for a well-known Champagne wine, do not go for cheap Champagnes and just grab this bottle of Cremant, especially if your friend has a knowledge of wine, this will be a surprising, nice gift. 92/100 Price: 16,99€/75cl/March 2013

PS: I will be writing on this blog about a tasting event of this producer organized by the importers, on the next days.

Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo 2008, Italy (Nebbiolo 100%, Alcl 14%)

Dark transparent ruby red with orange rims. First nose has extremely raisin, then honey, fresh baked cake, rose and vanillin. Second nose comes with blueberry, mulberry, chocolate, cloves and some tobacco. Very rich and intense in the mouth. I would call it balanced if the tannins are not that strong. They are extremely strong and this is a great wine to experience what astringency is. It is an extremely astringent wine but it is felt after some time during the long final, so still the quality of wine makes me feel like keeping the wine in my mouth for some time to enjoy, before swallow. There are blackcurrant, red apple, raisin and licorice aromas in the mouth with a hint of leather. The strong tannins of that full-bodied wine can handle strong dishes too. It is a serious wine. This DOCG Barolo is highly recommended to consume with Mozart, a touch of "Le Nozze di Figaro", tested and proved. I would prefer it to enjoy by drinking without food. Good wine even though seems like too early/young to open a Barolo. 91/100 Price: 27.50€/75cl/March 2013

Guigal Cotes Du Rhone 2009, France (Syrah 45%, Grenache 52%, Mourvèdre 3% Alcl 14%)

Opaque, dark ruby red, the rims are purple. The nose is woody and of course possible to get red forest berries. But damson is there too. In the mouth, still damson is the dominant aroma, then plum and acidity is satisfying. Oaky notes like smoke comes out with swirling and some leather is possible to find. The spicy complex characteristics of Syrah and Grenache are definitely well performed in this bottle, with a high acidity. Fruit, acidity, oak, different aromas in a complex structure, everything is there for a good balance. This medium to full bodied lovely juice is not so special, not so close to perfection but definitely a great table wine with a warm moderate final by the alcohol. Anything you expect from a producer like Guigal, is in this bottle. I am not as professional as able to give drinking windows but I think this wine can wait  for some years without losing any strength, but not too long. For the next 5-6 years can be still very tasty, who knows maybe even better. The internet page of the producer says that it is possible to age 20 years. Interesting length for a table wine... Also the internet site has different grape percentages than given on ALKO´s internet site. With a great price-quality ratio, this wine is a great daily wine which can accompany to a big variety of relatively strong (not too strong!) dishes, mostly red meats, game and stews. If you think that French table wines are a bit overstated, this wine can change your mind. Enjoy it during a dinner with friends or family, as I did both, or even with some very light cheese, just enjoy the wine. Especially if you got lost in those hundreds of different bottles in the same price category in ALKO. Also I suggest you to learn about Guigal´s production methods and process. Interesting things wait you there.  92/100 Price: 12.98€/75cl/February 2013

May your glass be filled with happiness.

Verrocchio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2010, Italy ( Corvina 70% Rondinella 30%, Alchl 13.5%)

Rims are crimson as a young wine and gets darker purple through the middle. First nose is very rich of aromas, intense and satisfying. The aromas like fresh fruits such as peach and cherry leave the stage to berry aromas after swirling, like raspberry, blackberry and a bit of leather follows them too. Vanillin is also sensed after some time and that can be a good hint for oak. This medium bodied wine loses nothing of fruity structure in the mouth, very rich and balanced. Even though the tannins create a bit dryness in the mouth, it does not effect the overall balance. With really low senses of tobacco and thyme come out during you enjoy the wine with a  relatively high alcohol content. But the alcohol is not breaking the balance. Tannins and alcohol do not fight against the fruit. You have a possibility of having different aromas in the nose slightly, for ex. green pepper in this almost elegant wine with a sweet-ish moderate final which makes you smile. A joyful day with friends or even alone while reading your book, this wine would be your accompany. I think it would fit a variety of dishes from white to red meats, fried or barbecued, as well as charcuterie and tapas/meze styles bites. Do not be afraid of cooling your wine for a while (usually people do not cool their red wines and also in Finland quite much restaurants serve reds very warm), especially this fruity one. No potential to age. When you decide to drink, no reason to decant, just drink as you open. 90/100 Price: 12.90€/75cl/January 2013 (Photo by Alko)