tasted 2011.09.12
Baglio Di Pianetto 'Shymer' 2009
Producer: Baglio Di Pianetto
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Apellation: IGT
Grape Variety: blend of Syrah and Merlot
cracked open another sample after the disastrous La Scolca Pinot Nero. medium ruby, with interesting nose of herbal tinged sweet black fruit - perhaps a suggestion of unripeness? more swirling reveals notes of blackberry preserves, prune, raisin, cinnamon and nutmeg. the palate is thick and fruity, suggestion bouquets of violet and exotic spices, rounded of with smooth tannin and good acidity. medium length finishing with quite a warm alcoholic sensation.
overall a palatable experience given the bad experience 15 mintues earlier, with an unusual blend and a catchy name. this however makes me miss the power and finess of Australian Shiraz... but with the past whole week of sampling good wines, i won't complain more.
tasted 2011. 09. 12
La Scolca Pinot Nero 2007
Producer: La Scolca
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmonte
Appellation: Monferrato Rosso DOC
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir)
mid autumn afternoon office sample tasting. medium minus ruby tending to garnet showing slight bottle age. the nose is very prominent of volatile acidity, revealing some sour cherry, wet grass, hint of leather, spices, but overall notes are weak and non-typical of pinot noir. the palate is armed with high acidity, with very slight undertone of lavendar, tea, game, and the fruit notes rather unnoticeable. the length is surprisingly short and watery...
a really huge disappointment from La Scolca, especially having tried their excellent Gavi. is it a wrong vintage, a wrong vineyard of Pinot Noir, or the delicate grapes not cared for well enough? it is really open for questions...
overall, not impressive. not at all.
tasted 2011.09.02
Ferrai Perle 2002
Producer: Cantine Ferrari
Country: Italy
Region: Trentino
Appellation: Trento DOC
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
a Friday afternoon pick-me-up at work thanks to my generous colleague. bright golden hue with fine persistent bubbles. on the nose it is obviously Chardonnay, with peach, apricot and slight citrus notes, autopytic characters of bread and yeast, rounded off by bouquets of elderflower and vanilla oak. swirling in mouth reveals its medium plus to high acidity backed up by the rich aroma already spotted in the nose, with the yeasty flavour even more prominent perhaps due to the bubbles. acceptable aftertaste which can be a little too rich.
probably not a cocktail or conversation sparkling. i wonder how it pairs with food? perhaps smoked salmon or cured ham like parma or salami. a slight disappointment from what i have been expecting, since the Ferrari Brut NV is one of my favourite in the company's portfolio!
or perhaps it was the experience with Majolini just a few days ago. over the past we we tried the Franciacortta Saten 2001 (100% Chardonnay) and the Franciacortta Electo 2005 (80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Nero, ie. Pinot Noir).
pardon me for the lack of detailed tasting notes. but these wine did give me the wow factors that i have been missing for long. they are just so much like a fine Champagne. the Saten 2001 might be a tad too 'oxidated' for some, but i just adore this complexity. and unlike the Ferrari Perle, the fruits and even honeyed note in both Majolini carried through very nicely, alluring you to come back for another sip again and again.
while i am on sparkles, i am quite looking forward to the Moet Wine Dinner on September 22 where i will get to try the Grand Vintage range. never a fan of Moet though... let's see how it goes.
