Steve Elder

Fontanafredda Barolo 2011

Pale ruby. Quite pleasant aromas of dried flowers and berries, with a touch of cedar. Med bodied, round with the tannins well resolved at this point. Restrained by pleasing.

Domaine Lafage Cuvée Centenaire 2014, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon

Montes Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Zapallar Coast

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage 2011, Douro Superior

Viticcio Chianti Classico 2012, Docg

This just isn't doing it for me. Nice enough aromatics -- spice, dried flowers -- but rather thin flavour profile. Second bottle, same impression.

Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2014, Côtes Catalanes

Lafage Côté Sud 2014, Igp Côtes Catalanes

Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Langhe Freisa 2014, Doc

Great little wine, driven by bright berry flavours, freshness and a nice hint of spice. A great not-Pinot wine for lovers of that grape

Miguel Torres Cordillera De Los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Maipo Valley

Castello Di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2015, Docg

Dark ruby, but starting to show some orange. Fairly reserved on the nose; suggestions of spice and earth tones. Medium bodied, crunchy ripe fruit with some tannic grip (not unpleasant). Reasonable concentration as you’d expect from a Riserva, but to my palate it doesn’t have the complexity you’d also expect and it’s not giving me the umami dance I look for in sangiovese. Decent length on the finish. Fair value, but not memorable.