Blind tasting lunch notes.
2011 Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino – a notably grapefruit nose, fairly full body and lovely citrus fruit flavours – great value.
2011 Guado al Tasso Vermentino – a more subtle lemony nose, less weight in the mouth and on the acidic side at the end.
1970 Bilbainas Vina Pomal – this mature crianza Rioja was showing an old pinot noir colour and a slight maderisation in the nose that heralded advanced age. The nose eventually added a caramel component, and the wine was fine at the end with a pleasant sweetness, but it was hollow in the middle, showing tar and oak but zero fruit.
2001 Pellissero ‘Long Now’ Langhe – a very new world style blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera. Dark, with a nice warm fruity nose, soft tannins and a very tasty end, but it could have come from anywhere in the world.
1997 Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Lamaione – merlot aged in French oak, and another international wine (from my cellar this time). Warm slightly sweet plumy nose with nutmeg hints, medium body, with softy tannins and medium length. I thought it was a tad to the simple side, though pleasant.
1999 Moris Farms Avoltorre – a single vineyard Morellino de Scansano, made from 75% Sangiovese, 20% Cab Sauvignon, and 5% Syrah, with for 18 months in French barriques. We seemed to be in an IGT frenzy! Good dark colour, some earthy fruit in the nose, more cherry fruit on palate, fairly long dry finish. Good.
2001 Vergelegen Estate Wine – a rather Bordeaux style nose with a green hint, and very spicy. Medium to full bodied with ample fruit.
1998 Aldo Conterno Barolo – this regulare showed quite well, with a medium Burgundian colour, nice strawberry once you swirled it to open it up, and soft tannin with good acidity at the end. Not my style as much as the more traditional wines but nonetheless enjoyable.
1997 Farineto Bongoverno – corked
1990 Grahams Quinta dos Malvedos Port – medium colour, ripe sweet nose without the heat I’d noted when I tasted it about 3 years ago. Medium body, mild tannins, long sweet fruit and cocoa finish. Very presentable.
Some of us went back to my place to visit after the lunch and of course I had to be a good host and open one more bottle.
2002 Guado al Melo – this Bolgheri IGT is cab, merlot and cab franc. Quite ripe nose with soy notes, ripe on palate with medium length, this is fully mature and should be drunk up.