After Castano Hecula, here is another monastrell, one with a completely different style. This is a very contemporary interpretation of the variety
Great value, as usual – Castano Hecula Monastrell Organic 2020
Bodegas Castano’s Hecula is an old favourite of mine, yet this is the first time for me to taste the organic version. It’s a bit different compared to the previous vintages, I wonder if the winemaking has changed, too, not just the grape cultivation method.
Trinch! A Loire cabernet franc as bistro red
A low intervention cabernet franc from one of the pioneers of the style in the Loire Valley, Catherine and Pierre Breton. You could guess from the label that it’s meant to be an easy drinking red, and it thoroughly fulfils that promise.
Roberto Voerzio Barbera d’Alba Vigneti Cerreto 2011
On a recent blind tasting I could not place this on the map. It smelled Old World but not something from the North, neither one from the Mediterranean. I should drink more barbera, obviously.
Supermarket wines: Léo de la Gaffeliére Bordeaux 2016
A bit more than 6 years old and this little Bordeaux red is in a great form. That’s not common from such relatively cheap wines from other wine regions…
Péter Pince Tokaji Aszú 2017
It felt like Christmas when I opened this Tokaji aszú at the family lunch last Sunday. Just pure hedonism.
Great merlot from Hungary: Gere Solus 2006 from Villány
High end merlot was a thing in Hungary two decades ago, inspired by the great supertuscan examples if I’m not mistaken. Expensive big, beefy reds arenow mostly out of favor here as well, but that’s a different story. The Gere Solus was (and still is) one, if not the most coveted example of this style. And well, it’s amazing as a 16 year old wine.
Great aged cabernet franc from Hungary: Weninger 2006
For the lovers of Loire cabernet franc. Not for everyone because of the herbal notes, but this has class for sure. And this is a piece of the modern era of Hungarian wines, started almost from scratch 25-30 years ago. Continue reading
Beaujolais Cru beauty: Piron & Lameloise Moulin-à-Vent 2017
Brought this bottle to a tasting with friends, and everybody loved it. I’m not always as successful with Beaujolais Cru but this time it really shined. It reminds me to the 2019 Coudert Fleurie Clos de la Roilette, by the way. Continue reading
A great merlot from Tuscany: Máté Mantus 2002
Are you a fan of big Tuscan merlot? This is just beautiful. Continue reading