2010/9/25, @孔雀
未成年請勿飲酒
Three wineries and wine regions tody.
Fiore wine, from Siena, Chianti, Toscana.
Castelluccio, from Romagna wine region (north of Toscana).
Terra di Briganti, Campania, south Italy.
Chianti
Toscana, one of the most famous wine region of Italy. Here you can find very good super Toscana (IGT) and old style Chianti. For Chianti DOCG, wines require at least 75% Sangiovese, and can be blended with 0~10% Canaiolo and 0~10% Malvasia. If a Chianti uses more than 85%, it can labeled as "Chianti Classico".
Fiore Rosso 2009
Siena. 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. IGT. Two varieties are fermentated seperatedly for 8~10 days. Aging 3~4 months before bottling. And keep in bottle for 2 months before release.
Medium-deep ruby-purple.
Medium nose. Black cherries, leather, olive oil (increase), maple (turns into honey, and increases the density). Elegant nose.
Medium palate (mixed with sweet, acidity and bitterness). Light-Medium body. Medium tangering acidity. Black berries, grass, and coffee palate at the beginning, and turns into black cheries and raspberries. The palate is not very well structured after one hour.
Fiore Nero 2009
Siena. 90% Sangiovese and 10% of Canaiolo and Malvasia. DOCG. Yeast fermentation and malolactic fermentation in stainless tank. Aging 6 months and keeping in bottle for 3~4 months before release.
Deep purple.
Medium nose. Vanilla, black pepper, fresh mushroom, black cherries, light cream. After breathing, light raspberries, honey (increase) and flower(increase).
Black pepper and black berry fruits in palate.
Emilia-Romagna wine region and Castelluccio winery
Emilia-Romagna is north of Toscana, but not as famous as Toscana. The The grape varieties cultivated are Sangiovese in Romagna, Lambrusco in Emilia, and Pignoletto and white Albana in Bologna. The only one DOCG is "Albana di Romagna DOCG", which is upgraded from DOC in 1987, and it is the white wine made by Albana variety between Bologna and Rimini. The upgrade suffered a lot of controversy, because many wine reviewer did not agree the quality of Albana di Romagna is good enough. Well, one purpose of Italian's wine classification is protecting the native grape varieties and wines.
Castelluccio winery faces Adriatic sea(亞得里亞海), and is very close to Forli. Their estate covers about 50 hectares, but only 12 hectares are vineyards. Altitude is about 250 to 500 m. The majority of Castelluccio's wines are made by Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc.
Ronco de Re 2005
IGT. "Re" means "king" in Italian.
This white is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. But, interestingly, they use red wine making process to produce this white wine. Fermentation in 350L new tonneau barrel, and aging in French oak barrel for 10 months. And 10 months bottle aging before release. This special making process improves the flavors and complexities.
Pale to medium blonde with light green hue.
Melon, light honey tone (increase with the temperature going up), petrol hint, peach, longan.
Rich palate with tropical fruits, such as banana, mango. Besides, chewy texture with creamy barrel flavor, and ends with peanuts hint and tangerine acidity.
Ronco dei Ciliegi 2005
100% Sangiovese. IGT.
Vineyard altitude is about 320~340m. Fermentation in Stainless, and mature process is in 350L tonneau barrels for 10~12 months. Bottle aging is also about 10~12 months.
Deep ruby.
At the beginning, the nose is very wild and strong. Includes stone (decreases), leather, black cherry, light petrol (decreases), plastic pipe. After breathing, the nose turns into elegant sweet, includes mint, wood, cherries and burning candle.
The off-dry palate includes black cherry, raspberries, chocolate, espresso. But the palate feel is lighter than the nose.
Ronco dei Ginestre 2004
100% Sangiovese. IGT.
Altitude 300m. Fermentation in stainless. 1 year aging in 350L tonneau, and 1 year in bottle.
Pronounced nose shows lower tone style. Dried black mushroom. green pepper, mocha caramel machiatto (cocoa, coffee, and caramel). After breathing, pickled vegetable and chocolate.
Full body, dense palate. chocolate, blue berries, vanilla. Soda water with caramel (Pepsi?!).
Campania and Terra di Briganti winery
Campania region is located in the south part of Italy. The only DOCG is "Taurasi DOCG", which is upgraded from DOC in 1993. Taurasi DOCG requires 85%+ Aglianico and 3 years aging (at least 1 year in barrel, and at least 1 year in bottle before release).
Terra di Briganti (Briganti means "bandit"). Yes, the neighborhood region was occupied by bandits in late 19th century. But the bandits are very "tradition" and "nature", so the grape variety "Aglianico" was kept. The grapes of this winery are certified by Soil and Health Institute.
Sannio Aglianic 2007
100% Aglianico. Sannio DOC.
330m altitude. 18~20 days of skin contact. Malolactic fermentation in French barrels, and aging in barrels.
Deep purple.
Chocolate (increses), caramel (increase), rose (increases), Chinese anise (decrease).
Young tannins, black pepper, rotten wood (decreases).
Hot mouthfeel.
Martumme 2008
Similar to Sannio Aglianico. DOC.
The only difference is this Martumme 2008 takes at lease 6 months malolactic fermentation.
Deep purple, some residues (unfiltered).
Pronounced nose. Black cherry, mint, juniper (at bottom), lavender and rose (at top). Like AVEDA shampoo. XD
More smooth than Sannio Aglianico 2007, but still a little bit hot mouthfeel.
This one is my favorite today, and the reasonable price is so attractive. 😛
Beneventano Passito 2008
Passito means "late harvest".
100% Falanghina, IGT. Hand-harvest at the end of September, and left in small un-top barrels till late Dec. or early Jan. before fermentation. Ferment in large oak barrels, and then keep in stainless tanks before bottling.
Deep gold.
Medium sweet nose. Starfruit and honey.
Interesting palate. Starfruit, honey and celery. Good acidity ending.