Saina Nieminen
Saina Nieminen
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino 2004
I can't remember when I last had such an enjoyable Brunello. No oak that I can see. Bright and crunchy, palate-cleansing tannins.
Cosimo Maria Masini Nicole 2007
100% Sangiovese from Maremma. I can't recall another wine from Maremma that I have enjoyed so much (nb! post-2005 since they stopped using 10% Cabernet in '06). Like the Caprili, a fun bright, red toned wine, not shy on the fruit but not shy on the structure either.
Ridgeview Grosvenor 2006
UK fizz from Sussex, part of the same geological, limestone stratum as Champagne according to the producer's propaganda. Blanc de Blancs. Otherwise pure and a Champagne BdB lookalike, except the dosage seems a bit on the high side. At almost 30 this is expensive - but less so than Champagne of similar quality. Good. I might buy it on occasion.
Jos Michel Brut Ros NV
50/50 Meunier and PN. Wonderfully earthy as befits Meunier. Quite vegetal, too, and red in fruit so it smells like an earthy red Burgundy. Elegant mousse. Richish but crisp. Fun. And serious, too.
Riberach VdPdCtes Catalanes Thse 2006
Delightfully tight tannins, palate-cleansing like a Nebbiolo, though mostly Grenache. I think Garagiste hyped some other wine of Riberach a while back but all notes I have seen of it bemoan the presence of structure...
Boutari Santorini 2008
Assyrtiko. Crisp and citrussy. Bright, focused, unoaked, refreshing, but still rich (13,5% abv). Despite the hot climate, this retains its acidity very well. Nice!
I can't remember when I last had such an enjoyable Brunello. No oak that I can see. Bright and crunchy, palate-cleansing tannins.
Cosimo Maria Masini Nicole 2007
100% Sangiovese from Maremma. I can't recall another wine from Maremma that I have enjoyed so much (nb! post-2005 since they stopped using 10% Cabernet in '06). Like the Caprili, a fun bright, red toned wine, not shy on the fruit but not shy on the structure either.
Ridgeview Grosvenor 2006
UK fizz from Sussex, part of the same geological, limestone stratum as Champagne according to the producer's propaganda. Blanc de Blancs. Otherwise pure and a Champagne BdB lookalike, except the dosage seems a bit on the high side. At almost 30 this is expensive - but less so than Champagne of similar quality. Good. I might buy it on occasion.
Jos Michel Brut Ros NV
50/50 Meunier and PN. Wonderfully earthy as befits Meunier. Quite vegetal, too, and red in fruit so it smells like an earthy red Burgundy. Elegant mousse. Richish but crisp. Fun. And serious, too.
Riberach VdPdCtes Catalanes Thse 2006
Delightfully tight tannins, palate-cleansing like a Nebbiolo, though mostly Grenache. I think Garagiste hyped some other wine of Riberach a while back but all notes I have seen of it bemoan the presence of structure...
Boutari Santorini 2008
Assyrtiko. Crisp and citrussy. Bright, focused, unoaked, refreshing, but still rich (13,5% abv). Despite the hot climate, this retains its acidity very well. Nice!