Pradalupo Roero Arneis 2009

15.0 / 20

Producer: Fontanafredda

Region: Roero

Country: Italy

An italian white made from Arneis - grown in Piedmont - this has a greenish tinge on the glass, with a bouquet reminiscent of sweet white fruits, some flowers and a faintly perceived mineral backdrop.

Feeling very fresh in the mouth, although it shows some rich, sweet fruits. But these are kept in place by a crisp, citrus-like acidity.

Dry and refreshing, the ending is also very interesting as it cleanses the palate in a remarkable way, leaving some lingering lemon notes.

A good wine for summer, to drink by itself or before meals.

Tasted on 2012-04-16

Attems Ribolla Gialla 2008

15.0 / 20

Producer: Attems

Region: Venezia Giulia

Country: Italy

A white from the Venezia Region, northern Italy, made exclusively with a local grape type - Ribolla Gialla, this white showed a light golden color, hinting at some evolution. Discreet and subdued in the nose, it showed some vegetable hints, along with some flowers and spices hiding in the background.

Soft bodied, again not showing a lot of expression in the taste, it shows some more evolution notes - an unctuous, honeyed feel that is balanced out by a lemony, fresh side. As time goes by, this citrus feel - along with some flowers - gains more momentum.

Definitely not one to age, hunt the more recent vintage as this wil probably make for a nice aperitif if drunk young.

Tasted on 2012-04-01

Pinot Bianco Schulthauser 2007

16.0 / 20

Producer: Cantina S. Michele

Region: Tirol

Country: Italy

This white wine from Southern Tirol was approached with caution since I was a bit afraid that, after four years, it had lost most of its freshness and appeal. Gladly, I was wrong since the wine is still showing a good deal of freshness and acidity.

Nose starts by giving off some smoke, a slight vegetable impression, some rocky, mineral notes and later opens to ripe white fruits and flowers.

The fruit comes along stronger in the palate, combined with a good, fresh acidity that make a good impression despite the relatively soft structure. A dry, lemony finish enhances the taste, although I think there are some lingering evolution notes in here.

Very good as it is, I wouldn't wait anymore to drink it.

Tasted on 2012-02-04

Korem 2005

17.0 / 20

Producer: Cantine Argiolas

Region: Sardegna

Country: Italy

A wine from the italian island of Sardegna, this is made from a blend of indigenous grape types: Bovale Sardo, Carignano and Cannonau. Bold, intense and concentrated, the nose shows signs of red fruits, some peppery impressions, a hint of a more vegetable side and an obvious influence from the oak it staged in - 12 months according to the producer.

Very powerful in the palate, with a lot of structure backed by hard, lively tannins, it has a fresh vibrant acidity that manages to integrate well both with the strong fruit notes and the still stronger oak/vanilla notes. This is a thick and dense wine where, after 6 years, the juicy red fruit one senses still hides behind an impressive wall of hard, but not unmanageable tannins.

This is still obviously growing in the bottle. Pretty good as it is, but it will probably grow a lot further.

Tasted on 2012-01-26

Barolo La Rocca e La Pira 2004

17.0 / 20

Producer: Roagna

Region: Piemonte

Country: Italy

I tasted one of the Barbarescos from Roagna last year and was very impressed. So i had high expectations about this, one of their Barolos from a highly regarded vintage.

Garnet/red in color, the bouquet is very intense, filled with leathery notes, spices, tobaco, wild flowers and beneath it all, a dash of red fruits.

On the first impact on the mouth, the high acidity and still strong tannins come through. Well structured, dry, quite austere, this is a classical old world wine, with a definite earthy, spices approach that leaves the fruit in the background. Long, persistent finish with notes of leather lingering in the mouth.

Due to the high acidity and hard tannins, I'd guess this will evolve for a couple of years. Actually, Wine Advocate indicates that the drinking window for this is 2014-2024 and, from this tasting, I believe the 3 year wait will be worth it.

Tasted on 2011-10-25

Barolo Marcenasco 2004

17.5 / 20

Producer: Renato Ratti

Region: Piemonte

Country: Italy

Light garnet in color with some brownish tinges on the edge, the bouquet is intense and full: flowers (roses), mixed with spices and some earthier notes - tar, maybe. Extremely powerful yet very balanced.

Amazing structure in the mouth, very lively tannins and a clear acidity. It's not fruit-driven at all, relying on a mix of spicier notes, some oaky notes and tying it up all together with almost a dried fruit feel. Great balanced and intense set finishing in a really long way.

Barolos are wines made to age for a lot of time and this one certainly showed that it is still an infant. Although being decanted for a couple of hours before dinner, it was still a bit closed and the tannins were still hard. But it will definitely cellar really well.

As with most italian wines, pair it with food. This is not a wine to drink by itself.

Worked perfectly along with a wild boar ragú, matching the complexity and richness of the stew flavors.

Tasted on 2011-04-25

Batasiolo Barbera d'Alba 2006

15.5 / 20

Producer: Batasiolo

Region: Alba

Country: Italy

As usual in these italian wines, the aromas start off with a earthy, mossy feel, backgrounded by wild red fruits, some spices and toast/oak.

In the mouth, a good dose of acidity, as expected - the five years since the vintage have not been enough to tame it. The taste is driven by tertiary flavors, spices and that earthy feel surpassing the fruit impressions. It's an average-bodied wine, finishing with an average length finish, leaving a nice spicy aftertaste.

Were this to be more complex both in the nose and in the mouth and I think it would definitely shine. As it is, it's a good, honest wine that will go along well with a heavier tomato based pasta dish.

Tomato based pasta dishes will do nicely here, balancing the acidity of the wine.

Tasted on 2011-03-09

Raimonda Barbera d'Alba 2006

15.0 / 20

Producer: Fontana Fredda

Region: Barbera d'Alba

Country: Italy

Garnet coloured, the bouquet emphasizes the spices, vanilla mixed together with earthy overtones. Fruit is kept to the background in a set that did not impress me that much.

In the mouth, it is a rounded, tamed wine - specially if you contrast it with younger Barbera d'Albas. Controlled acidity and a good persistence, but the flavors seem to be hiding. It comes along as just another wine, without much flair or personality. Or maybe it is just too subtle for my nose and tongue.

Tasted on 2010-11-15

Barbaresco Pajè 2003

16.5 / 20

Producer: Roagna

Region: Barbaresco

Country: Italy

This 7-year old wine helped my completely uninformed thesis that italian wines must wait at least some years in the bottle before being drunk.

Garnet with some brownish tinges, the aromas point undoubtedly to an italian wine: spices, tobacco and a earthy, tarry quality that is miles away from any fruit bomb. It's a polished, elegant nose showing a mature, sophisticated wine.

The taste confirms the balance and elegance of the wine, with all the parts coming together to form a really well made whole - the acidity is balanced, already tamed with the age, wood perfectly integrated into the wine, polished yet present tannins that give structure and strength to the wine. The finish is long and persistent.

The producer says this Barbaresco can last up to 50 years. I'm not sure about the time frame but it certainly will grow and last for some years. But right now it is an immensely pleasurable wine.

Given the structure of the wine, I would pair it with tomato based pasta dishes. Or a ragu. Yes, a slow meat stew would be brilliant with this wine. Must try it.

Tasted on 2010-08-11

Greco di Tufo 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Macchialupa

Region: DOCG Greco di Tufo

Country: Italy

Greco di Tufo is a grape variety found mainly in Southern Italy (near Naples, as far as I know). Apparently, it was introduced in the region by the ancient greeks.

From a more recent vintage, this wine from the Macchialupa winery greets the taster with a very citrus aroma - pineapples, along with some vegetable notes (lemongrass, maybe). Not overly exuberant, the aromas are very pleasant and point to a fresh, lively taste.

And it sure is fresh. High acidity, along with some fresh fruit notes - which are restrained by the wine's acidity - make for a unordinary taste. The finale is long, with a smoky aftertaste that lingers for quite some time.

An unusual wine - for my taste, at least - that's worth tracking down. Still have another bottle from this producer from another unknown grape - Falanghina. Can't wait to taste it.

Tasted on 2010-08-07

Dolcetto d'Alba 2008

16.0 / 20

Producer: Batasiolo

Region: Alba

Country: Italy

Italian red wines fascinate me. All the ones I have tasted - and I fully realize I have tasted very few and know very little about italian wines - felt like they needed a lot more ageing before being drunk. I enjoy that immensely, since it goes against the ready to drink as soon it's bottled majority.

Dolcetto d'Alba is, supposedly, an easier, readier to drink wine. Even though it is in fact easier than the Barbera from the same brand, it still is big on tannins and acidity - at least for my uneducated taste.

Starting with a nose filled with red fruit and earthy, musky fragrances backed up by some spices, in the mouth it is an acid, tannin filled wine showing off some red fruit. The finish is medium-long, leaving a slightly bitter aftertaste . It's, like most italian reds I've tasted, a food wine - It's made to be drunk at lunch or dinner... and to provide a lot of pleasure during the meal.

I wouldn't drink this wine without food. Pair it with italian food (surprise) - pasta dishes with tomato sauce would do great due to the wine's acidity.

Tasted on 2010-06-23

Villa Vescovile Gewürztraminer 2008

15.5 / 20

Producer: Villa Vescovile

Region: Trentino

Country: Italy

An italian Gewürztraminer, well made with lots of tropical fruits in the nose. A light, almost sweet impression in the mouth, backed up by a clear, crisp acidity and a faint mineral touch on the background. Overall, a solid, honest example of what the variety has to offer

I would pair this with some mildly sweet asian food. I think this would do great with dim sun or other southeastern chinese dishes. It would also do great as an aperitif by itself.

Tasted on 2010-06-17

Santa Teresa Frascati 2008

15.0 / 20

Producer: Fontana Candida

Region: Lazio

Country: Italy

Frascati is the most common white wine to hail from the Lazio region, around Rome. It's a light, fresh wine and this is a good example. Starting with the flowery aroma, although with slight boiled fruit overtones, indicating some evolution has already started and continuing with the fresh, dry and brief finish, with citrus notes. It's definitely a wine to taste young, as this one from 2008 already showed signs of evolution both in aroma and taste, but still a very fresh wine, perfect for a late afternoon drink.

By itself as an aperitif or maybe with delicate taste grilled fish

Tasted on 2010-05-17