Masi Agricola Spa S. Ambrogio
Nectar Campofiorin Rosso Verona Corvina Blend 2010
83/100 Entry level Masi, non-DOC IGT even though some of the grapes are Appassimento and they call it a “Supervention”, these more recent vintages have not overly impressed me, not what the older ones have been. However at €12.5 it is certainly above the rest in the bracket.
It has a fruit forward sour cherry, spice nose with oak, little too much sweetness, maybe the appassimento. The palate is initially overly dry without good integration or mouthfeel and has a shallow backend. After 90 minutes it does grow together, rounds and fills out to a better experience and earns 3.5 stars. — 11 years ago
Croce di Febo
Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sangiovese 2010
Croc di Febo Amore Mio Vin Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva 2010
90 pts I need to drink more of this Sangiovese DOCG full stop.
This organic one is only made in the best vintages and is pure pleasure. Aged 2 years in French barriques and 1 in cement, it does needs an hour to open and then has super velvety tannins. The nose freely gives cherry, balsamic and smoky dark chocolate. The palate is congruent, full yet mouth watering, coasting into a full long finish.
Tremendously enjoyable, heart warming and a most definite repeat .
— 9 years ago
Condado de Oriza
Crianza Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2012
83 pts A basic Ribera but it has that wonderful typical fruit aroma and palate and paired with food, a chili cheeseburger in this case. Simple as you expect from a Crianza but quiet enjoyable with food.
— 9 years ago
Bodegas Vetus (Grupo Artevino)
Toro Tempranillo 2012
87 pts When nothing in the list is jumping out at you and something is required to cope with Indian food, dependable Toro! Cinnamon Kitchen in London is Indian but not as you expect it, its not all about lashing of sauce so leave the Cobra beer alone and pair with wine.
Buckets of fruit on the nose and palate, soft and round without being weak like a lot of good Toro’s. Thoroughly enjoyable . — 9 years ago
Shane Grennan
86 pts I was expecting fairly significant results from a 10 year old Chianti Riserva from what was a very good vintage. Yes there are elements which have blended together and clearly have wonderful elements of age, however I was quite surprised with lack of back end integration and depth/complexity.
Didn't seem faded, or overly aged, but maybe just not a great example.
Great Chianti is reminiscent of Brunello which this isn't. — 9 years ago