Tuscan blind tasting dinner.
2004 Agrapart & Fils Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne ‘Mineral’ – this was so young and relatively simple that I took it for a Prosecco! Clean with tons of acidity and mineral, but little complexity or flavour differentiation at this point.
1995 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Reserva ‘Bucerchiale’ – an earthy nose with hints of roses, warm entry with soft tannins, smooth and long, opened with time in the glass. V. good.
2001 Cecchi Spargolo IGT – lighter nose with some nice cherry, this 100% sangio wine had similar weight and tannin to the older Selvapiana. Very nice and no rush.
2004 Castelgiocondo Brunello – good colour, and nice nose, riper than the previous ones, a lively acidity on palate and good length. No rush.
2001 La Poderina Brunello – nose a bit restrained at first, but later showing tar and fruit, and a hint of capsicum, darker in colour and with mellow tannins and good weight.
2001 Fuligni Brunello – interesting slightly Rhonish funky nose, dark wine, some nice fruit on palate, lighter than the previous wine but tastier.
1997 Antinori Brunello Pian delle Vigne – fairly ripe, slightly sweet nose, smooth and elegant if not quite typically Brunello.
2001 Caparzo Brunello Riserva – nice nose of cherry and smokiness, with a hint of dirt, lots of soft tannin and very good length. More of everything including complexity, than the following wine.
2001 Caparzo Brunello – a little more funk to this nose and some typical cherry, with medium body and softer tannin, but a nice juiciness in midpalate, it lacked nothing but an element of complexity compared to the Riserva.