Category: Reviews

Nebbiolo Prima 2022, a great opportunity TO EXPLORE the magnificent wines of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero wine destinations – Filippo Magnani and Claudia Marinelli

Nebbiolo Prima has become an important event and now truly represents the very first opportunity to evaluate the new vintages of Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero the champions of Piedmont. This year, tasters and journalists had the opportunity to REVIEW 311 wines produced by 180 wineries.

The Unione Produttori Vini Albesi is a consortium, founded to promote the wines of the Alba region. The history of this consortium is linked in a twofold way to the same-named and unmistakable Albeisa bottle. For Nebbiolo Prima this year, the consortium has organized a limited tasting. This tasting includes four days of intensive work, all dedicated to one of the protagonists of the Italian wine scene and a milestone to discover Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero territories: Nebbiolo grape, the noble of Italian native grape varieties.

The name Nebbiolo derives from the Italian word “Nebbia” which translated means fog or mist. This is a challenging and sensitive grape that, in the right hillside spot (south-facing), expresses itself in a unique and beautiful complexity. It prefers a rich calcareous tufa-based soil – such as the ones in Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero.

All denominations and sub-zones were presented at the tasting blind: DOCG Barolo 2018 and Riserva 2016, DOCG Barbaresco 2019 and Riserva 2017, and DOCG Roero 2019 and Riserva 2018. THE wines were eloquent witnesses to the myriad facets of its incredible terroir.

 

 

 

 

 

Tasting report of Nebbiolo Prima 2022

Roero
Roero is located to the north of Alba town, in the province of Cuneo, on the left bank of the river Tanaro, between the plain of Carmagnola and the low hills of Asti.

Below are the tasting notes of Claudia Marinelli, a colleague of mine, who replaced me this year:

Tastings Roero DOCG 2019
Most of the Roero 2019 I tasted were fresh harmonious with good fruit and lively acidity.

Winery: Casetta Carlo – Montà
Wine: Roero Docg 2019 Fil
Pale ruby core with light purple hue towards the edge. The nose is fruity, with balsamic notes and a hint of fresh leather. Well structured body with medium alcohol and soft tannins well integrated with the fruit.

Winery: Ponchione Maurizio – Govone
Wine: Roero Docg 2019 Monfrini
Medium ruby-red. Intense flavour of dark cherry and light notes of china.
Medium acidity with discreet alcohol level and soft tannin. Fruity and spicy. Quite a long aftertaste.

Tastings Roero DOCG 2018 Riserva
Across the tasting of the riservas, I noted some wines with good freshness and preserved ripe tannins and good body.

Winery: Lorenzo Negro – Monteu Roero
Wine: Roero Docg Riserva 2018 S.Francesco
Colour ranging from ruby core to light garnet rim. Intense flavour of ripe plum with balsamic and hint of rose. Amble, with lively red cherry. Good structure with quite delicate tannins. Lovely wine.

Winery: Cascina Chicco – Vezza d’Alba
Wine: Roero Docg Riserva 2018 Valmaggiore
Deep ruby colour. Rich bouquet of blackcherry with hints of rosemary. Round, full body and warm. Pleasant. quite powerful tannins and long length. Lovely nebbiolo.

Barbaresco

The area of production includes the entire territory of the villages of Barbaresco, Treiso and Neive, plus part of the territory of the Alba municipality.

Tastings Barbaresco DOCG 2019
In general Barbarescos of this year turned out to be soft, fruity with good structure and balance. This is partly a reflection of the vintage which started cool and finished warm with nice weather during harvest.

Winery: Cascina Luisin – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2019 Asili
Bright with a deep garnet core. Pronounced flavour of blackcherry with scents of roses. Spicy notes of liquorice. . Good balance of body, fruit, acidity and velvety tannins. Long, vibrant, finish. An outstanding wine.

Winery: Pertinace – Treiso
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2019 Marcaini
Bright, deep garnet colour. The nose rich in blueberry and forest floor perfumes. Nice, vibrant entrance in the palate. Medium body and harmonious structure with dried prune and liquorice. Quite a long aftertaste

Winery: Castello di Verduno – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2019
Intense and brilliant garnet colour. Pronounced intensity of dark cherry and plum with spicy notes of liquorice and hint of wisteria. Medium plus acidity, full-body wine with firm tannins and toasty light notes at the end. Excellent wine.

Winery: Musso – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2019 Rio Sordo
Medium garnet core, paler towards the edge. The wine displays intense floreal notes mixed with balsamic scents and overtones of graphite. The palate expresses ripe fruit with a hint of vanilla. Good acidity, firm tannins and long finish. I really like it.

Tastings Barbaresco DOCG 2017 RISERVA
I found a wide range of great wines, showing high intensity and complexity of aromas. I have tasted well balanced wines with body and rich in fruit.

Winery: Socré – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2017 Riserva Roncaglie
The colour is deep garnet with a compact rim. Intense bouquet of cherry with notes of violet. Scents of spices, tobacco and rhubarb. A dry, full body wine with good sapidity, well balanced structure and medium ripe tannins. Elegant.

Winery: Produttori del Barbaresco – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2017 Riserva Ovello
Deep garnet core with ruby tinge. Intense bouquet of black cherry and leather. Good structure with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol and leather overtones. Velvety tannins, well integrated with the fruit. Juicy finish.

Barolo
Barolo is made in eleven ‘communes’ or village territories: Barolo itself, La Morra, Monforte, Serralunga d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto, Novello, Grinzane Cavour, Verduno, Diano d’Alba, Cherasco, Roddi.

Tastings Barolo DOCG 2018 (taster Claudia Marinelli)
The 2017s showed ripe fruit and good structure with great aromatic intensity. A sufficient level of acidity guarantees freshness to almost all wines. In general, I tasted good wines that proved the hard work of the producers during an uneasy season.

Winery: Ratti – La Morra
Wine: Barolo Docg 2018 Conca
Medium garnet core with narrow tawny rim. Great nose with ripe plum, balsamic notes with hints of liquorice and rhubarb. Slight notes of leather. Medium body with ripe red fruit and freshness. Moderate coarse tannins. Elegant , long finish. Great potential.

Winery: Fratelli Barale – Barolo
Wine: Barolo Docg 2018 Castellero
Bright with intense garnet core and paler rim. The wine displays red fruit and cytrus notes mixed with hearty overtones. Exuberant and full body in the palate, elegant fruit and exuberant tannins. Long, fresh finish. Very good wine.

Winery: Giacomo Fenocchio – Castiglione Falletto
Wine: Barolo Docg 2018 Villero
Medium garnet red turning slightly twarny. Pronounced bouquet of blackcherry, dried prune and leather. Overtones of coconut and the scent of incense. Lovely palate, deep fruit with firm tannins. Long finish.

Winery: Giuseppe Rinaldi – Barolo
Wine: Barolo Docg 2018 Brunate
Brilliant, deep garnet colour with compact rim. Various and intense aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and tobacco. Rich in structure, with persistent ripe fruit well balanced with the firm tannins. Fresh long finish.

Winery: Conterno Fantino – Monforte d’Alba
Wine: Barolo Docg 2018 Castelletto Vigna Pressenda
Clear, deep red garnet colour. Intense flavour of dark cherry and prune. Light notes of eucalyptus and rhubarb. The mouth is dense with medium soft tannins and toasty hints. Elegant wine with long and juicy aftertaste. This is an excellent wine.

Tastings Barolo DOCG 2016 Riserva (taster Claudia Marinelli)
In general, the wines were balanced showing good ripeness and discrete alcohol level. Averagely rich in tannins with long finish. To me these riservas showed great potential.

Winery: Cavallotto – Castiglione Falletto
Wine: Barolo Docg 2016 Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe
Intense garnet red colour with pale tawny reflections. Complex nose with intense flavour of dark cherry, leather and china. Fragrant, with juicy palate with lively acidity. Discrete alcohol level and soft tannins. Long finish. Really good wine.

Winery: Brezza Giacomo e Figli – Barolo
Wine: Barolo Docg 2016 Riserva Sarmassa Vigna Bricco
Deep garnet core with paler rims. Pronounced intensity of ripe plum and prune with overtones of cinnamon and nutmeg. Lovely ripe blackcherry in the palate. Well-integrated into a medium body with round, fine tannins. Fresh and sapit finish.

I really wish to thank you to Liz Palmer, who
kindly proposed me to participate and report on the Nebbiolo Prima 2022,
representing her website together with Claudia Marinelli.
See you in Piedmont!

#Alba #Piedmont #nebbioloprima2022 #winetasting #winecompetition #barolo #barolowine #nebbiolo ##piemonte #wine #italy🇮🇹 #madeinitaly #winetasting # #italianwine #itallianwinelovers
#Barbaresco #Roero #winetrade @albeisawines #travelling #winetravels

Preview Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021 — by Filippo Magnani

Wine, history and tradition all mixed in this extraordinary wine region!

The “Anteprima” preview of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, usually held in February , was postponed to the 17th and 18th of May. Another great effort by another Tuscany’s consortium, opening their doors to international and Italian journalists. We were summoned to the beautiful town of Montepulciano, in the heart of the village, inside the suggestive Medici fortress where the Consorzio del Vino Nobile and the Enoliteca are located. You can feel the history above your head, surrounded by art, soft hills, vineyards and monuments! Extraordinary. 

The event, this year, is unique in its kind since the Consortium reserved for us a surprise! Indeed the preview was an opportunity to not only to evaluate actual vintages on the market such as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018 and the 2017 Reserves, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC 2019 but also to present the exciting new type of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano; the denomination “Pieve” which will hit the market as early as 2024.

12 subzones and additional geographical units, represented by different Pievi (churches). The idea behind the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Pieve”, came from a scientific study which required the consent and collective participation of all the wine producers.

The Pieve originally was a church-owned building in charge of many duties, functioning not only as a church but also as a small hospital and as the village municipality. It is a name that will be a path between the past and future, intertwining the old culture and local winemaking with the international future and innovative production techniques. The grape blend will be tied to Sangiovese (also locally known as “Prugnolo Gentile”) and complementary native only Tuscan varieties allowed by the Consortium, with grapes exclusively produced by the producers and coming from vines that are at least fifteen years old. Another important factor is the implementation of an internal commission within the Consortium composed of oenologists and wine technicians. These experts will be delegated the task of assessing the characteristics that correspond to the specification before the required legislative steps.

Such interesting wines will represent the quality of this magnificent territory holding a precious history.

 

 

 

 

on my radar

                                      Winery:  Bindella – Tenuta Vallocaia
Wine:   Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018 
Ruby core with rims. Intense bouquet of cherry with balsamic overtones and slight scent of black pepper. Lovely entrance, round with ripe fruit, medium body. Firm, velvety tannins with a long finish. I like it ! 

 

Winery: Dei
Wine:  Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018
Ruby core with narrow light garnet rim. Intense nose of ripe plum and notes of rhubarb and new leather. Powerful structure with ripe red fruit, fragrant with well integrated silky tannins. Elegant with a long finish. Lovely wine. 

 

Winery:  Poderi Boscarelli  
Wine:  Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018
Brillant, ruby red with compacted rim. Pronounced flavour of cassis and violet. Spicy with overtones of leather. Full bodied with quite bright acidity. Well balanced with rich red fruit and elegant tannins. Harmonious finish. Charming wine with ageing potential.  

Winery:  Poliziano
Wine:    Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018
Ruby colour turning slightly purple. The nose expresses flavours of red fruit and rhubarb with a hint of mint. The palate is balanced with notes of ripe cherry and prune. Dry and fragrant, with soft tannins and long persistence.                                               Full body with a nice end.  Great wine. 

Winery:  La Ciarliana
Wine:   Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018
Clean with a deep ruby core. Lovely aromas of ripe plum with a touch of vanilla. Blackcherry in the palate with a light toasty scent. Full body with round, sweet tannins. Fresh and harmonious finish. I like it ! 

 

Winery:  Salcheto
Wine:      Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018
Bright with paler reflections. Pronounced flavour of red cherry, wild blueberry and balsamic notes and anice. Rich and well structured, good balance of body, fruit, acidity and velvety tannins. Lovely wine. 

 

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2017 Riserva
[wines 15 reviewed]

The Riservas 2017 turned out to be rich and ripe with intense fruit. The wines showed good structure, sweet tannins, and a discrete alcohol presence. 

on my radar

Winery:  Tenuta Valdipiatta
Wine:  Vino Nobile di  Montepulciano Docg 2017 Riserva
Deep ruby core, paler on the hedge. Complex nose with flavours of dark cherry, prune and chocolate. Juicy palate with good acidity, discrete alcohol level and soft tannins. Fragrant and long. I like this wine! 

Winery:  Tenuta della Talosa
Wine:     Vino Nobile di  Montepulciano Docg 2017 Riserva
Brilliant deep red. Attractive bouquet of strawberry and violet mixed with spicy notes of black pepper. Full body with lots of red fruit in the center palate with smoky scents on the back. It expresses harmony with velvety tannins and long, fresh finish. Lovely wine. 

Winery:  Le Berne
Wine:  Vino Nobile di  Montepulciano Docg 2017 Riserva
Brilliant, deep ruby core with violet hues. Intense flavour of black cherry and liquorice with overtones of lavender and new leather. Fragrant entrance with discrete alcohol and ripe fruit. Sweet, velvety tannins and quite long aftertaste. Harmonious, charming wine.

Winery:  La Braccesca
Wine:   Vino Nobile di  Montepulciano Docg 2017 Riserva, Vigneto Santa Pia
Colour ranging from deep ruby core to lighter rim. It shows a lovely bouquet of ripe plum, violet and chocolate with a hint of tobacco. Full body with lively acidity well integrated with rich red fruit. Silky tannins with elegant finish. Great wine. 

 

THE 2020 HARVEST 

The year 2020 was defined by four key periods; germination from the 28th of March to the 19th of April; flowering from the 22nd to the 31 May; fruit ripening between the 21st of July and 21st August and the harvest which began on the 15th of September. Heavy rains interfered with harvesting operations, and in some areas of the appellation they continued without interruption. For this reason, the harvest was extended until the first week of October to avoid botrytis infections and a drop in yield quality. The wines of 2020, when tasted, demonstrated intense colors, a fine varietal aromatic expression and structure that is supported by medium acidity and tannins. On an analytical level, one can detect normal values of intensity and color tone, acidity, pH, extracts, and total polyphenols. The alcoholic grades are medium to high. Balance and elegance are keywords to describe the eccentricities of 2020 wines.

Montepulciano 

Near the city of Siena, Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G., Rosso di Montepulciano D.O.C and Vin Santo di Montepulciano D.O.C, are exclusively made within the city limits of the town of Montepulciano, near the city of Siena. We are talking of a territory that has been a wine production zone for centuries, witness to not only the progress in cultivation techniques but also of the geopolitical impact on those “noble” hills. We have known these hills as a wine territory since the 17th century. It is a place that captured the attention of elite and noble families of Tuscany and was recognized as one of the finest red wine areas of the region. Vino Nobile has been one of Italy’s most esteemed wines for centuries, though it has been eclipsed in recent times by other Tuscan wines. The turning point was 1980 with the birth of the Consortium. In the last 15 years, the consortium has made enormous efforts to elevate the production in Montepulciano. Only in the recent decades Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has witnessed amazing growth in terms of winemaking techniques and quality. Today, the roughly 70 producers of Montepulciano believe that the Sangiovese produced in this district can top the levels of excellence of the other Tuscan icon wines.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
International Markets

Always a big “Thank You” to my colleague, and friend, Liz Palmer !

 

Filippo Magnani

JeT 2020 Wine Launch [Castello Di Montepo]

What a lovely surprise – I received a personal letter from Jacopo Biondi Santi and Tancredi Biondi Santi announcing the launch of their JeT 2020 vintage – what a nice touch!

Here is a unique backstory on this wine.

  • This wine was created out of passion and innovation
  • The initials “JeT” represents Jacopo and Tancredi
  • This wine was developed with oenologist Donato Lanati after 3 years of research
  • The Sangiovese Grosso “BBS11” clone is the innovation of the Family – an off-the-skin vinification at low temperatures
  • This variety is typical of the Tuscan Maremma’s territory

Soil: coarse-grained Galestro

Altitude: 300 – 500 metres a.s.l.

Variety: Sangiovese grosso BBS11 100%

Tasting notes

This elegant rose from Castello Di Montepo is pale blush and soft rose in colour; it exhibits freshness with the intensely of fruit and floral notes which all transforms on the palate; impressive structure, well-balanced through to a long lingering finish.  Delightful!

91/100

#CastellodiMontepò #natura #Maremma #castello #Toscana #italianwine #italianwinelover #terroir #winemaking #winelovers #wineglass #CastellodiMontepò @castellodimontepo #winery #awardwinning #Tuscany #winemaker #Jetrosé #Sangiovese #rosèallday #JacopoBiondiSanti #TancrediBiondiSanti

Nebbiolo, a milestone for exploring the magnificent wines of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero wine destinations [Part 2] – Filippo Magnani

Nebbiolo Prima 2021 is an important tasting that embraces the wine areas of Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero, the champions of Piedmont. Considering this particular period, my colleague Filippo Magnani was very fortunate to participate in the 25th edition, hosted by Albeisa at the end of March 2021.

Part 2 continues ….

Barbaresco 

The area of production includes the entire territory of the villages of Barbaresco, Treiso and Neive, plus part of the territory of the Alba municipality.

Wine denomination DOCG

(controlled and guaranteed designation of origin)

Grape Minimum ageing Released on the market 
Barbaresco Docg100% Nebbiolo26 months, of which 9 in woodfrom the 1st January of third year after the harvest
Barbaresco Docg Reserve100% Nebbiolo50 months, of which 9 in woodfrom the 1st January of fifth year after the harvest

 

Tastings Barbaresco DOCG  2018  (57 wines reviewed)

Overall the Barbaresco’s this year turned out to be soft, fruity with good structure and balance. This is partly a reflection of the vintage which started cool and finished warm with nice weather during harvest.

 

 

 

On my radar:

Winery: Giuseppe Cortese  – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2018 Rabajà

Deep garnet core with ruby tinge. Intense bouquet of black cherry and prune with note of rhubarb. Good structure with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol and leather overtones. Velvety tannins, well integrated with the fruit.

Winery: Pasquale Pellissero – Neive
Wine:  Barbaresco Docg 2018 Bricco San Giuliano 

Bright, deep garnet colour. The nose rich in blueberry and forest floor perfumes. Nice, vibrant entrance in the palate. Medium body and harmonious structure with dried prune and liquorice. Quite a long aftertaste.

Winery:  Cascina Alberta – Treiso
Wine:  Barbaresco Docg 2018 Giacone

Medium garnet core, paler towards the edge. The wine displays intense flavour of cherry, balsamic overtones and light earthy notes. The palate expresses ripe red cherry, blackberries with a hint of vanilla. Good acidity, firm tannins and long finish. I really like it.

My pick:

Winery:  Cascina Morassino  – Barbaresco
Wine:  Barbaresco Docg 2018 Ovello

Intense and brilliant garnet colour. Pronounced intensity of dark cherry and plum with spicy notes of liquorice. Medium plus acidity, full-body wine with silky good tannins and toasty light notes at the end. Excellent wine.

Tastings Barbaresco DOCG  2016 RISERVA   (15 wines reviewed)

I found a wide range of great wines, showing high intensity and complexity of aromas. I have tasted well balanced wines with body and finesse, signs of an excellent vintage with long and constant ripening of the Nebbiolo.

On my radar:

Winery: Albino Rocca  – Barbaresco
Wine:  Barbaresco Docg 2016 Riserva Ronchi

 The colour is deep garnet with a compact rim. Intense bouquet of cherry with floral notes of violet. Scents of spices, tobacco and fig. A dry, full body wine with good acidity, well balanced structure and medium ripe tannins. Elegant.

 My pick

Winery: Cascina Luisin – Barbaresco
Wine: Barbaresco Docg 2016 Riserva

Bright with deep garnet core. Pronounced flavour of blackcherry with scents of roses. Spicy notes of liquorice. Rich in structure and strong freshness. Good balance of body, fruit, acidity and velvety tannins. Long, vibrant, finish. Outstanding wine.

Barolo 

Barolo is made in eleven ‘communes’ or village territories: Barolo itself, La Morra, Monforte, Serralunga d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto, Novello, Grinzane Cavour, Verduno, Diano d’Alba, Cherasco, Roddi.

 Wine denomination DOCG

(controlled and guaranteed designation of origin)

Grape Minimum ageing Released on the market 
Barolo Docg100% Nebbiolo38 months, of which 18 in woodfrom the 1st January of fourth year after the harvest
Barolo Docg Reserve100% Nebbiolo62 months, of which 18 in woodfrom the 1st January of sixth year after the harvest

Tastings Barolo DOCG  2017  (202 wine reviewed)

The 2017s showed ripe fruit and good structure with great aromatic intensity. A sufficient level of acidity guarantees freshness to almost all wines. In general, I tasted good wines that proved the hard work of the producers during an uneasy season.

 

 

On my radar:

Winery:  Mauro Molino  – La Morra
Wine:  Barolo Docg 2017 Bricco Luciani

Medium garnet core with narrow tawny rim. Great nose with ripe plum, spicy notes of liquorice and rhubarb. Slight notes of leather. Medium  body with ripe red fruit and freshness. Moderate coarse tannins. Quite a long finish.  I really appreciate it.

Winery:  Cascina Ballarin  – La Morra
Wine:  Barolo Docg 2017  Bricco Rocca

Bright with intense garnet core and paler rim. The wine displays ripe red fruit and floral notes of violet with hearty overtones. Exuberant and full body in the palate, elegant fruit and velvety tannins. Long, fresh finish. Very good wine.

Winery: Enrico Serafino  – Serralunga d’Alba
Wine:  Barolo Docg 2017 Meriame

Medium garnet red turning slightly twarny. Pronounced bouquet of black cherry, dried prune and fig. Overtones of coconut and the scent of tobacco.

Winery: Conterno Fantino – Monforte d’Alba
Wine:  Barolo Docg 2017 Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra

Brilliant, deep garnet colour with compact rim. Various and intense aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and chocolate. Rich in structure, with persistent ripe fruit well balanced with the soft tannins. Fresh long finish. I like it.

Winery: Oddero  – Castiglione Falletto

Medium garnet core, paler on the rim. The nose shows beautiful flavour of blueberries. Spicy with a hint of mint. On the palate is elegant with overtones of black cherry and fig. Dry, medium plus body, silky tannins and a long finish. Great wine.

My pick:

Winery:   Poderi Luigi Einaudi – Barolo
Wine:   Barolo Docg 2017 Cannubi

Clear, deep red garnet colour. Intense flavour of dark cherry and prune. Light  notes of eucalyptus and hint of pepper. The mouth is dense with medium soft tannins and toasty hints. Elegant wine with long and pleasant aftertaste. This is an excellent wine.

Tastings Barolo DOCG  2015 Riserva  (31 wine reviewed)

In general, the wines were balanced showing good ripeness and discrete alcohol level. Averagely rich in tannins with long finish. To me these riservas showed great potential.

On my radar:

Winery:  Bric Cenciurio – Barolo
Wine:  Barolo Docg 2015 Riserva Coste di Rose 

Intense garnet red colour with pale tawny reflections. Complex nose with intense flavour of dark cherry, liquorice and cinnamon. Fragrant, with juicy palate with present acidity. Discrete alcohol level and soft tannins. Long finish. Really good wine.

Winery: Silvano Bolmida – Monforte d’Alba
Wine:   Barolo Docg 2015 Riserva Bussia 

Deep garnet core with paler rims. Pronounced intensity of ripe plum and prune with overtones of tabacco. Lovely ripe blackcherry in the palate. Well-integrated into a medium body with round, fine tannins. Fresh delicious finish.

My pick:

Winery:  Fenocchio Giacomo  – Village: Monforte d’Alba
Wine:   Barolo Docg 2015 Riserva Bussia 90 

Brilliant, deep garnet core with pale tawny rim. Intense bouquet and aromas of ripe cherry with spicy notes of rhubarb and scents of leather. Well structured wine with high acidity. Beautiful aroma of blackcherry and velvety tannins. Elegant with long finish.  I love it.

Filippo Magnani – Wine Writer, DipWset, Wine travel expert in Italy

I want to thank you Liz Palmer, who

kindly proposed for me to participate and report on the
Nebbiolo Prima 2021, to represent her website

See you in Piedmont !

#nebbiolo #winewriter #winetravel #Italy #italianwine #Barolo, #Barbaresco #Roero #FilippoMagnani #NebbioloPrima2021 #Piedmont #Italianwinelovers #winelovers #instawine #winetasting #NebbioloPrima #winetasting #redwine #italy @filippomagnaniwine @albeisawines

 

 

The Top Wines from Global Riesling Masters 2020

One of the favorite grapes of the true wine connoisseur, Riesling comes in many types, from sparkling to dry, from medium to sweet. Here is an analysis of the results and a list of all the medalists from the 2020 competition.

If you want proof of Riesling’s versatility, then look at the spread of top medals in this year’s competition. Held for pure Riesling only, there were many entries for sparkling wine, dry still wines, medium-dry and sweet ones, including an outstanding Icewine at the end of the tasting. It shows that not only can Riesling be used to make a wide array of wine styles, but in each case, it can achieve excellence. This is rare in the wine world, where noble grapes tend to create something exceptional in one or two styles, with only Chenin Blanc, and perhaps Furmint, being other grape varieties that of that are capable of yielding excellent sparkling, dry and sweet results.

CRISP FINISH

At higher prices, there were two brilliant Rieslings from Domaines Schlumberger, representing a pair of Alsace grand crus: Saering and Kessler, with the former showing a touch riper peachy fruit, honey and tangerine, and the latter more pear and apple, along with chalk and salt characters on its crisp finish.

Germany was the source nation of the final Gold in this sweetness category, with the powerful Rheingau Grosses Gewachs Riesling from Weingut August Eser, loaded with apricot richness, a touch of sweetness, and a stony, dry, lime-fresh finish.

The rest of our outstanding wines came at higher sweetness levels, notably the Riesling Rotschiefer from the Mosel’s Weingut Sorentburg, with peach and strawberry, a whiff of kerosine, and a persistent clean citrus note.

The final wine of the tasting turned out to be another Master. It was layered with fruit flavors from mango to apricot, along with dried apple and raisins. It was unctuous too, with almost 190g/l of sugar, but offset by a tangy freshness. It had the characters of great Icewine, which we later learned it was, and from Canada’s Andrew Peller Estates.

The 2020 competition was judged by David Round MW, Patrick Schmitt MW and Patricia Stefanowicz MW in December at London’s 28°-50° Wine Workshop & Kitchen. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding in their field received the ultimate accolade – the title of Riesling Master.

“After a glorious day of judging the Riesling Masters in 2020, it is difficult to understand what is not to love about the Riesling grape variety. This great grape shows its range of styles beautifully, far beyond its ‘homeland’ of Germany, Alsace and Austria. Dry Rieslings can sometimes appear ‘acidic’ or ‘stretched’. Not this category here. With just a tiny bit of residual sugar and ripe fruit, these wines have purity of citrus flavors, ranging from lemon-lime in the Clare Valley (Australia) through tangerine to orange zest (Eden Valley, Australia). Apple, pear, honey and minerality are more apparent in the wines from Germany or Alsace. Many of them have a lovely accent of lemon or orange blossom adding interest.” Patricia Stefanowicz MW

Here is the link which features all the medalists from this year’s competition.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/01/the-best-wines-from-the-global-riesling-masters-2020/ 

Source:  Drinks Business