30 October 2015
Served blind by, if memory serves, Oliver, who organized all the wines with the exception of the Solaia (note there would also have been a 2010 Solaia, but it was undrinkably corked). Anyone who knows me will realize I’ll try anything, but that I could think of more memorable ways of spending an evening than to compare a bunch of young modern-styled wines, especially when I’m the only one at the table not making any buying decisions. The wines didn’t exactly scream top vintage, by the way, if above-average overall, with the exception of course of the Solaia that wasn’t merely more mature (as one would expect), but practically beamed Italian sunshine.
Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d'Alceo 2010
Opaque purple. Reasonably well-integrated oak, mild acidity and tannin, a polished wine, easy to interpret. Medium length. Not a surprise insofar as this does tend to be a well-made wine in the context of comparative tasting, merely another wine I wouldn’t miss if I never had it again (admittedly a recurring thought at tastings like this). dp 91+/92(+?)
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2010
Ruby purple-red, somewhat less glossy and youthful. Comparatively mature fruit, some mulled wine spice and fruit, low-acid but drier tannin. dp 91(+?)
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Ornellaia 2010
Most youthful both in terms of expression and colour, livelier and glossier purple-red, much livelier fruit and tannin, not too oaky, some fresh licorice stick, if another stylish wine. dp 92+/93(+?)
Biserno 2010
Opaque purple-black. Much oakier both on the nose and palate, to the extent that it currently seems shortened by it on the back end. Quite firm. Some herb and dried mushroom. dp 88+/89(+?)
Marchesi Antinori Solaia 1997
Thanks to Christian. More mature purple-ruby. Lead pencil, some roasted herbs. Much more complex and apart from the fact that it must be older, no doubt from a superior vintage. Greater depth and expression, much longer. Enough sediment it could use decanting by now. Wine of the night, and not merely because it's mature. Pleasant surprise when its identity was revealed, best showing of the 1997 Solaia yet. dp 94
Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti