Just returned from a one week vacation at the cottage. Books, beer and, of course, wine.
Le Tobele Ripasso Valpolicella 2008
Veneto
Dark red in the glass.
Spicy, cherry fruit, smoky, chocolate on the nose.
Thick and weighty in the mouth, spicy, red licorice, raspberry, cherry, currants, a mild bitter bite, Christmas cake spices, juicy, silky, chocolate, quite rich.
Lghtly mouthwatering, raspberry on the fairly long finish.
Purchased at $15.95 (Canadian).
Baglio Di Pianetto "Shymer" Syrah-Merlot 2008
IGT Sicilia
Purple in the glass.
Rich chocolate, spicy, floral on the nose.
Light to medium weight, silky, smooth, black cherry, chocolate, spicy, very soft, intense, rich, floral, good acidity.
A little drying, chocolate-mocha on the long finish.
Delicious.
Purchased at $15.95 (Canadian).
Vina Aljibes Syrah Rosado 2010
Chinchilla de Montearagón, Albacete
Light red-cranberry in the glass. Darker than most roses I have seen.
Earthy, floral, spicy on the nose.
Medium bodied, red apple, raspberry, cherry, refreshing, smooth, rich, good acididty, floral. Rather full-bodied for a rose.
Floral notes, light cherry, raspberry on the mouthwaterining finish.
Quite impressive.
Purchased at $12.95 (Canadian).
Leone De Castris Messapia Verdeca 2009
IGT Salento
100 per cent Verdeca
Bright yellow in the glass.
Lemon, crisp and clean on the nose.
Medium weight, rich, lemon, citrus rind, peppery, good acidity, clean, juicy, spicy, a hint of honey.
Lemon, peppery on the mouthwatering finish.
Purchased at $14.95 (Canadian).
Carte Noire Rose 2010
AC Côtes de Provence
Saint-Tropez
A blend of Grenache and Syrah.
Light salmon pink in the glass.
Apple on the nose.
Light to medium weight, crisp, refreshing, apple, raspberry, good acidity, a hint of honey.
Mouthwatering, clean, lightly bitter on the finish.
Paolo Leo Riserva Salice Salentino 2006
Puglia
A blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia.
Very dark red in the glass.
Spicy, smoky, cherry on the nose.
Thick, tangy, tart acidity, black cherry, chocolate, a bitter streak, viscous, floral, juicy, creamy, tarry, quite rich.
Chocolate, cherry, with some light bitterness on the finish.
Delicious. Better when lightly chilled.
Purchased at $14.95 (Canadian).
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV
Disgored in 2009
Light yellow in the glass.
Good mousse. Lots of fine bubble streams.
Yeast, nutty, toast on the nose.
Medium weight, nutty, light lemon, green apple, clean, good acididty, mouthwatering, very toasty, rich, refreshing.
Nutty, mouthwatering and toasty on the long finish.
Firesteed Pinot Gris 2009
Oregon
Light yellow in the glass.
Spicy, light honey on the nose.
Medium weight, very spicy, lemon, pear, a hint of peach, orange, ruby grapefruit, honey, bright, citrus rind, juicy, very fruity, a little candied.
Lemon on the mouthwatering finish.
Purchased at $14.95 (Canadian).