WSET Diploma

2006 Ruffino “Riserva Dicale Oro” Chianti Classico Riserva

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep garnet, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, spice, oak, stewed red fruit, sour cherry, oak, dried herbs, cola, cedar, leather, smoke, prune
Mouth: dry, med+ bodied, high acid, med tannin, med+ flavour intensity, med alcohol, med+ length, sour cherry, spice, leather
All in all: Very good quality: the components are very well balanced. The high acidity is integrated with the concentrated and complex flavours. The length is long, but the alcohol was slightly imbalanced. Drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Identity guess: High-priced Chianti from Italy; 4 years old.
Is really: Premium Chianti Classico Riserva from Italy; 7 years old.

2006 Ruffino "Riserva Dicale Oro" Chianti Classico Riserva

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 5]

In theory I’ve never really been hot about Chianti.… read more

WSET Diploma

2011 Ruffino Chianti

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med+ ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, ripe red fruit, cherry, spice, black pepper, dried herbal notes, slight confected note
Mouth: dry, med bodied, med+ acid, med- tannin, med- flavour intensity, med alcohol, med- finish, cherry, red fruit
All in all: Good quality: despite simple characteristics and a relatively short finish, this wine had a well-integrated high acidity that provided structure wish fresh intensity. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: 
Mid-priced Chianti from Italy; 2 years old.
Crossed that out like a dingus and instead guessed: Mid-priced Beaujolais-Villages from France; 2 years old.
Is really: Mid-priced Chianti from Italy; 2 years old.

2011 Ruffino Chianti

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 5]

I always thought that tasting wines comparatively always helped – and it does – but the strength can also be a pitfall. … read more

Tasting

2011 Finca La Amalia “Dos Fincas” Malbec

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clean, med+ ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, youthful, bright bramble fruit, blueberry, blackberry, smoke, spice
Mouth: dry, med body, med acid, med coarse tannin, med alcohol, med length, savoury finish, lush
All in all: Good quality: balanced on the palate (except for alcohol), and has elegance. Although not a fruit bomb (which is common for many inexpensive Malbec), it’s missing complexity that would take it to a higher quality level. Drink now; not intended for ageing.

2011 Finca La Amalia "Dos Fincas" MalbecWhat an interesting little Malbec. For a grape that’s rising in popularity, more and more inexpensive fruity bottles are popping up all over the market. It’s not rare that I see the everyday folk looking for one, and sometimes customers look for another regular bottle instead of a Fischer Price-esque My-First-Malbec sort of dealio.… read more