Italy
945. Braida di Giacomo Bologna, Ai Suma Barbera d’Asti, 1998
David brought me this on my 40th, and it was drunk a few weeks later. Originally a whiter label, but it took time to …
931. Giovanni Rosso, Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba, 2010
Bought as a palate calibration wine for the morning of Paper 2. Certainly a modern interpretation, but in terms of ripe and pure fruit, …
914. Villa Cafaggio, Cortaccio IGT Toscana, 2004
From a blind tasting practice paper I set, this is a pure Cabernet from the Chianti Classico zone. Not sure I’d have placed it …
898. Fèlsina, Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva, 2010
And this was a classic Riserva, with more marked, fine-quality oak and deeper black cherry. Mid-deep garnet with a hint of rim brick. Dark …
897. Barone Ricasoli, Brolio Chianti Classico, 2011
A lovely, and I think classically-styled Chianti Classico. Mid-deep ruby. Clay-earth minerality, cappuccino oak and cedar. Fresh and dried red cherry. Herbal lift. Medium …
885. Fabiano, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, 2010
Apart from the 10X label invasion, this exam example was a textbook Ripasso. Dried cherry and prune fruit. Broad, cedary aromatics. Touch of spice. …
845. Frescobaldi, Castello di Pomino Benefizio Pomino Bianco Riserva, 2011, 2012
A split half-dozen courtesy of Planet of the Grapes, with both the 2011 and 2012 vintages. Planting them side-by-side, both were modern styles of …
841. Graci, Etna Rosso, 2011
I am now convinced by Etna Rosso. I get why people are raving about it. It’s a unique style, and in Nerello Mascalese, Sicily …
829. Carbone, Stupor Mundi Aglianico del Vulture, 2009
Great packaging, with a fantastic label. Sadly corked. A real pity, because tasting ‘beyond’ the taint, it appeared to be a deep, complex Aglianico …
826. Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Etna Rosso, 2012
My first Etna Rosso, and I immediately understood what all the fuss is about – weird and wonderful! I still don’t get Etna Bianco, …