Category: Wine reviews

Introducing Filippo Magnani + Updates on Anteprime di Toscana

Filippo MagnaniIt is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce Filippo Magnani, wine journalist and wine travel expert (with expertise in the Italian wine regions) has joined our growing team as a regular contributor.

About Filippo Magnani

Filippo Magnani is a wine travel expert, with expertise in the Italian wine regions, and a wine journalist with his WSET Diploma.

Filippo graduated with a degree in Hotel and Tourism Management at the University of Economics in Florence, followed by an MBA in Hospitality Management at Brighton University (UK).

After working as an F&B manager in several global luxury hotels, he began the career in the world of wine in 1999 when, at the age of 26, he founded Fufluns, a travel boutique company specialized only in customized wine tours in Italy.

As an independent wine writer, he developed partnerships with various wine magazines such as Il Corriere Vinicolo, a trade wine review in Italy, Wine World Magazine, Liz Palmer’s website (www.liz-palmer.com), and his blog Tales Behind the Wine.

www.filippomagnani.it – www.fufluns.com

Filippo is also a member of the Circle of Wine Writers (CWW) and the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers (FIJEV).

He is currently attending Anteprime di Toscana this week to review the release of new vintages and previews of Tuscany, in the beautiful frame of Fortezza da Basso in Florence. Watch this space for Filippo’s reviews and photos! Coming Soon!

https://www.anteprimetoscane.it/

Filippo states” The only regret is that I miss many international colleagues and friends… I will keep you updated with some hints throughout this week and further you’ll find the detailed reports of the tastings on my personal blog “Tales behind the wine” and Liz Palmer’s website”

 

#montecucco #biancodipitigliano #candiacolliapuani #carmignano #chiantirufina #collinelucchesi #cortona #maremma #orcia #terredipisa #suveretowine #valdicornia #valdarnodisopra #primanteprima #AnteprimediToscana #vino #wine #winelovers #winetasting #instawine @filippomagnaniwine

 

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

 

 

Great Italian Wines [Master Class] Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties – Montepulciano & Aglianico

I attended the online Masterclass Series “Great Italian Wines – Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties” –  Montepulciano & Aglianico on Thursday, April 15th,  Part 3 in the series, and here is what I found out.

Montepulciano
Vines in Montepulciano have been cultivated since the late 1700s. Currently, Montepulciano is the second most widely planted varietal in Italy, just after Sangiovese, and is planted mainly in central Italy, predominantly in Abruzzo, as well as the regions of Marche, Molise. and Puglia.

The most famous Montepulciano wines come from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC. It is a high-yielding grape that thrives in the area of Abruzzo. Winemaking traditions in Abruzzo date back to the 6th century BC. Montepulciano is produced in each of Abruzzo’s provinces – L’Aquila (Capital), Chieti, Pescara, and Teramo – and over half of the 32,000 hectares of vines are planted to this varietal. This variety has a blue-purple skin colour; is late-ripening and thick-skinned yet produces wines with softer tannins and lower acidity.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo was designated a DOC in 1968 and requires at least 85% of the wine to be made with Montepulciano varietal and no more than 15% of Sangiovese.

Important to note – This is Montepulciano “The Indigenous Variety” NOT Vino Nobile di Montepulciano MONTEPULCIANO

Aglianico
Aglianico is considered to be the “Barolo of the South”, with the finest examples found in Basilicata and Campania. Basilicata is a region located in the instep of the “boot of Italy” which borders Campania, Puglia, and Calabria between the Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts.

Aglianico del Vulture DOC was established in 1971; 2,400 hectares are cultivated on volcanic soils from Mount Vulture.  Aglianico is the only permitted grape within this DOC. The best examples of Aglianico del Vulture DOC wines are grown between 350 to 500 metres above sea level.

The Aglianico varietal has a dark blue-black colour and is thick-skinned; is a late-ripening variety that can be harvested into November and is also low-yielding. This varietal also requires abundant sunshine and dry weather; thrives on steep slopes, high altitudes, and volcanic soils. These wines tend to be full-bodied, have good structure, firm tannins, and are age-worthy.

Wines Tasted

Torre Dei Beati Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2018
Varietal: 100% Montepulciano (organic)

Deep, violet-ruby red in colour; elegant nose with complex blackberry fruit, hints of spice and mint; on the palate ripe red berries and earthy notes; well-structured with refined tannins through to a long finish. This is an elegant interpretation of Montepulciano.
—-
Score: 90 points

Grifalco Aglianico Del Vulture 2018
Varietal: 100% Aglianico

Ruby red in colour; the nose is generous and elegant; fresh and preserved red berries, enriched with balsamic note and mineral notes; the palate is bold and full-bodied with lovely red and black cherry and earthy flavours; structured tannins; good acidity lengthens the deep defined finish.
—-
Score: 91 points

@italchambers @trueitaliantaste @cavinonawine #trueitaliantaste #extraordinaryitaliantaste #iffoodcouldtalk #indigenousgrapevarieties #greatitalianwines #aglianico #BarolooftheSouth #Montepulciano #winetasting #instawine #winelovers #Italianwinelovers

Nebbiolo, a milestone for exploring the magnificent wines of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero wine destinations [Part 1] – 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, I have been very fortunate to participate in the 25th edition, by Albeisa, end of March.

Albeisa, Unione Produttori Vini Albesi, is a consortium, founded to promote the great wines of the Alba area to the world. The history of this consortium is linked in a twofold way to the same-named and unmistakable Albeisa bottle. For Nebbiolo Prima this year, they have majestically organized a limited tasting, setting restricted policies to be able us to review the wines in total security.

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 translates to fog or mist. A challenging and sensitive grape that, in the right hillside spot (south-facing), expresses itself in a unique and beautiful complexity. It prefers rich calcareous tufa-based soil – such as the ones in Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero.

At the tasting, all the Nebbiolos were presented blind, in five glasses at a time. We reviewed 336 wine of different denominations: DOCG Roero 2018 and Riserva 2017, DOCG Barbaresco 2018 and Riserva 2016, DOCG Barolo 2017 and Riserva 2015.

Tasting report of Nebbiolo Prima 2021 

Roero
Roero is that section of land 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.

Wine denomination DOCG

(controlled and guaranteed designation of origin)

Grape Minimum aging Released on the market 
Roero Docg95% Nebbiolo

5% other

non-aromatic red grape

20 months, of which 6 in woodfrom the 1st July  of second year after the harvest
Roero Docg Reserve95% Nebbiolo

5% other

non-aromatic red grape

32 months, of which in 6 woodfrom the 1st July  of third year after the harvest

Tastings Roero DOCG 2018  (15 wines reviewed)

Most of the Roero 2018 that I tasted were fresh, harmonious with good fruit and quite long finish.

On my radar:

Winery: Bric Castelvej – Canale
Wine:    Roero Docg 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pale ruby core with light purple hue towards the edge. The nose is fruity and dynamic with a hint of pepper. Well structured body with medium alcohol and soft tannins, a bit light at the end. Good wine.

 

Winery: Lorenzo Negro – Monteu Roero
Wine: Roero Docg 2018 Prachiosso

 

 

 

 

 

Medium ruby-red. Intense flavour of red plum and notes of violet. Medium acidity with discreet alcohol level. Fruity and spicy. Quite a long aftertaste.  I like it.

 

My pick:

Winery: Deltetto – Santo Stefano Roero
Wine: Roero Docg  2018 Gorrini

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brilliant red ruby colour.  Distinctly rose floral nose mixed with hints of dark cherry and fresh coffee. Full-bodied with pleasant red notes developing on the palate. Medium tannic structure. Light toasty finish. Charming wine.

 

Tastings Roero DOCG 2017 Riserva  (16 wines reviewed)

Across the tasting of the riservas, I noted some wines with slight dominant alcohol content although in general, the wines preserved ripe fruit and good acidity.

On my radar:

Winery: Malvirà – Canale
Wine:  Roero Docg Riserva 2017 S.S. Trinità 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colour ranging from ruby core to light garnet rim. Intense flavour  of ripe plum with balsamic notes of mint. Hint of vanilla. Fresh with lively red cherry. Good structured with quite delicate tannins. Lovely wine.

 

Winery: Cascina Chicco  – Vezza d’Alba
Wine: Roero Docg Riserva Valmaggiore 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep ruby colour. Rich bouquet of blackcherry with hints of violet. Round, full body and warm. Quite powerful tannins and long length. Lovely nebbiolo.

 

My pick:

Winery: Cascina Ca’ Rossa –  Canale
Wine:  Roero Docg Riserva Mompissano 2017 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colour is medium ruby with a compact rim. Pronounced intensity of ripe red fruit mixed with notes of chocolate and tobacco. Full body wine with good freshness. Present delicate tannins and quite long aftertaste.  Great wine.

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

I want to thank 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 @filippomagnaniwine @albeisawines