Ferrari Riserva Lunelli Trento DOC 2006: Deep golden yellow color; rich, varied aromas influenced by Austrian oak and seven years on yeasts/lees; richness and complexity of the nose carries to the palate; Continue reading “Ferrari Riserva Lunelli Trento DOC 2006”
Author: Gus Clemens
Leese-Fitch Chardonnay 2014
Leese-Fitch Chardonnay 2014: Golden color; apples and citrus nose; green melon, citrus, apple, vanilla, hint of oak on the palate; Continue reading “Leese-Fitch Chardonnay 2014”
Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013: Inky dark garnet color; rich cherry-plum, some vanilla, leather on the nose; tangy dark cherry, ripe berries, restrained oak, mocha, spice on the palate; Continue reading “Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013”
Nobilo Icon Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
Ruby color; cherry, spice on the nose; cherry, mocha, raspberry, blackcurrant tang, suggestion of toasty oak on the palate; well-behaved, silky tannins; medium-full body.
Fresh, very clean with balance and some structure, pleasant finish; a real achievement for the price, but that is what you expect from New Zealand today. And Nobilo is one of the reasons you expect that from New Zealand today.
Nobilo’s story begins in 1936 as war clouds gathered and Nikola Nobilo immigrated from Croatia to New Zealand. In 1943, Nikola planted his first vines, drawing on more than three centuries of family wine making experience. Nikola was early advocate for premium varietals, pushing New Zealand wine makers to compete with the world. He also fought New Zealand’s bizarre booze laws that prohibited wine being served with meals in restaurants (the United States does not have a monopoly on idiocy when it comes to alcohol-related law).
In the 1970s, Nikola pushed New Zealand into focusing on sauvignon blanc and pinor noir and played a leadership role in developing Marlborough as a wine region. For his efforts, Nikola was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1994.
David Edmonds maintains Nikola’s tradition today, using grapes from Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and other regions. Mega-wine company Constellation Brands owns Nibolo now, but regular readers know of my admiration of Constellation’s penchant for allowing acquisitions to continue to do what made them attractive to acquire in the first place. Very nice wine at remarkable price for pinot. $23
Nobilo Wines website
Second photo: Nikola Nobilo
Acinum Valpolicella Ripasso 2013
Ruby color with translucence; delightful dark fruit aromas on the nose; dark cherry, plum, blueberry, mocha, spice, blackcurrant tang; dry with robustly fruity flavors, medium body, velvety tannins, delicious. Continue reading “Acinum Valpolicella Ripasso 2013”
Xmas gifts
‘Tis season of giving, and what wine drinker would not like a wine-connected gift for Christmas? Continue reading “Xmas gifts”
Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo Rioja 2014
Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo Rioja 2014: Inky black color; red and black cherry, raspberry, cedar nose; cherries, blackberry, plum, some blackcurrant tang, licorice on the palate; Continue reading “Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Zaco Tempranillo Rioja 2014”
Domaine Follin-Arbelet Aloxe-Corton 2010
Domaine Follin-Arbelet Aloxe-Corton 2010: Exquisite ruby-burgundy color with translucence; rich, ripe cherry on the nose; bright red fruits, tart cherry, spice on the palate; Continue reading “Domaine Follin-Arbelet Aloxe-Corton 2010”
Bodegas Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2010
Bodegas Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2010: Inky ruby color; ripe red fruit, cedar on the nose; red and black fruits, raspberry, plum, cherry on the palate; Continue reading “Bodegas Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2010”
Ruffino Prosecco NV
Ruffino Prosecco NV: Light yellow-green color; peach, citrus, pear on the nose; peach, honey, lemon-lime, apple, pear on the palate; Continue reading “Ruffino Prosecco NV”