WTN: Trying to understand Sangiovese
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:57 pm
Life surely has its mysteries. Why do we wage war? Why is there hunger in the world? Why is there shortage of water? Least of these worries: why doesn't Otto care for Sangiovese, though it should be a grape that he ought to adore?
I thought that with the grapes earthy, red toned, acidic nature it should be just the grape for me. But no. So far no luck. But today, I did get one wine that I truly loved (which will reinforce the idea that I just don't get Tuscany, for most, I guess...)
Poggerino Chianti Classico 2003
Rather spoofy and raisiny. It seems to be true Sangiovese underneath, so maybe a victim of the vintage?
Poggerino Chianti Classico Bugialla Riserva 2000
Spoofy, raisin-soup. Well? Maybe still a victim of the vintage as I haven't really liked any 2000s I've so far had? Don't know. This one didn't seem to have any Sangio character to it.
Poggerino Prima Terra 2003
50/50 Sangio/Merlot. Sickly sweet. Yawn. Anonymous and international.
Le Trame Chianti Classico 2002
Bloody brilliant stuff! I guess since I fall in love with a wine from perhaps the worst vintage in the area, I really do not understand the wines. But this rocks! The nose is pleasantly shitty, red toned, vegetal. The palate is fruity, red toned, perfectly harmonious, showing the weak vintage in being a bit watery, but still amazingly the aftertaste is very, very long. Lovely stuff. I will gladly order a case of this. And I haven't evcer bought a case of anything except Musar!
Giorgio Primo Chianti Classico 2001
Apparently this is some sort of cult stuff, and costs about 70€ now. Well, it tastes like it. Blueberry juice, spoofulated, and frankly of little interest.
Montesodi Chianti Rúfina 1988
There were some issues as to how this was stored. The nose was dead. I was ready to pour it away as there was only marmite and rye bread on the nose. The palate was utterly lovely however: red toned fruit, fine acidity, well structured but resolved. A delight on the palate. A shame about the nose. I've recently enjoyed the 1993 quite a bit.
Lamborghini Campoleone 2000
Again a 50/50 Sangio/Merlot blend. And again, totally spoofy and "modern" and boring. Yawn. Oh, BTW this was served blind and the note was written as I sensed it (minus the blend bit, of course). I don't want to hear that I am trolling because of this.
Noble One 2002 Botrytis Semillon
A fun Aussie sticky at the end. I brought this, so I knew what it was - not blind IOW. Massive botrytis, intensity and sweetness, but little elegance. Quite fun, but I really don't think this is a "grand vin".
I thought that with the grapes earthy, red toned, acidic nature it should be just the grape for me. But no. So far no luck. But today, I did get one wine that I truly loved (which will reinforce the idea that I just don't get Tuscany, for most, I guess...)
Poggerino Chianti Classico 2003
Rather spoofy and raisiny. It seems to be true Sangiovese underneath, so maybe a victim of the vintage?
Poggerino Chianti Classico Bugialla Riserva 2000
Spoofy, raisin-soup. Well? Maybe still a victim of the vintage as I haven't really liked any 2000s I've so far had? Don't know. This one didn't seem to have any Sangio character to it.
Poggerino Prima Terra 2003
50/50 Sangio/Merlot. Sickly sweet. Yawn. Anonymous and international.
Le Trame Chianti Classico 2002
Bloody brilliant stuff! I guess since I fall in love with a wine from perhaps the worst vintage in the area, I really do not understand the wines. But this rocks! The nose is pleasantly shitty, red toned, vegetal. The palate is fruity, red toned, perfectly harmonious, showing the weak vintage in being a bit watery, but still amazingly the aftertaste is very, very long. Lovely stuff. I will gladly order a case of this. And I haven't evcer bought a case of anything except Musar!
Giorgio Primo Chianti Classico 2001
Apparently this is some sort of cult stuff, and costs about 70€ now. Well, it tastes like it. Blueberry juice, spoofulated, and frankly of little interest.
Montesodi Chianti Rúfina 1988
There were some issues as to how this was stored. The nose was dead. I was ready to pour it away as there was only marmite and rye bread on the nose. The palate was utterly lovely however: red toned fruit, fine acidity, well structured but resolved. A delight on the palate. A shame about the nose. I've recently enjoyed the 1993 quite a bit.
Lamborghini Campoleone 2000
Again a 50/50 Sangio/Merlot blend. And again, totally spoofy and "modern" and boring. Yawn. Oh, BTW this was served blind and the note was written as I sensed it (minus the blend bit, of course). I don't want to hear that I am trolling because of this.
Noble One 2002 Botrytis Semillon
A fun Aussie sticky at the end. I brought this, so I knew what it was - not blind IOW. Massive botrytis, intensity and sweetness, but little elegance. Quite fun, but I really don't think this is a "grand vin".