Brunello di Montalcino 1995 – Casisano-Colombaio – Alc.13.5%. The bouquet was strangely muted and affected by a touch of “wet dog” odour which is happily less common than it used to be. The palate gave a gentle but very agreeable impression with medium light body, a certain fragrance, refined mature red fruit, mineral notes and enough firmness on the finish. This was enjoyable but I look for more than that from Brunello; 15.5/20.
Dão Flor das Maias 2005 – Quinta das Maias (cork branded with producer name but not on label) – Alc.14% - (€17), made from Toriga Nacional, Alrocheiro and Jaen. This is a full bodied gutsy wine with dense dark fruit having rose undertones, lively acidity, touches of liquorice, a polished patina and a firm tannic backbone. It is still a bit primary and raw but the producer’s claim of high ageing potential is credible and I would expect to see subtleties emerging in a few years time; 15.5/20 now with ++ potential.
AOC Valais (CH)Amigne Héritage 2005 (W) – Varone, Sion – Alc.13.5%. Amigne, like Petite Arvine (W), Cornalin (R) and Humagne (R), is an indigenous grape variety in Swiss Valais, where it is held in high regard (like the other three which I also admire). This bottle had languished in my cellar because of the difficulty I find in pairing sweetish styles. I would describe this as demi-sec (medium dry). It was medium light in body with some tropical fruit, an attractively burnished and slightly sweet undertow with smooth acidity, polished minerals and a finish crisp enough to avoid any cloying. I guess that this wine would have been much more vibrant when younger and fresher but it was still an enjoyable pairing for shrimps in a mousseline sauce; 15/20. (Postscript 24 hours later; the remains of the wine were oxidising and breaking up.)
Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet 2009 – Bottled in Belgium by Delhaize S.A. – Alc. 14% (€4). In the past I have mostly found the cheap and cheerful CDRVs from this source enjoyably good value in rather rustic way but this one wasn’t. Recognisably Rhône but rather lean and undernourished with prune overtones in its aromas and at unpleasant note a bit like asbestos towards the finish; 12/20.
Chianti Terre di Corzano 2007 – Fattoria Corzano e Paterno – Alc.14% (c.€12). This is robust full blooded Chianti with the generosity of a warm year, lively acidity, a touch of honest rusticity and a tangy bitter liquorice notes on the finish; 15/20+.
Rully 1er cru Les Cloux 1999 – H et P Jacqueson – Alc.13% was a lovely medium/light weight Burgundy at its peak beautifully focussed with pure Pinot fruit and cherry and kirsch hints, lively acidity, mineral touch, elegant shape on the palate and mature tannic support for the decently long finish; 16.5/20+++.