Masi, Campofiorin, 2013

A gift from John & Susan, a deliciously full bodied, mellow fruity wine.

Masi describe it as “nectar angelorum hominibus” or Nectar of the Angels for Men and this 50th anniversary 2013 vintage doesn’t disappoint.

from their website

Rosso del Veronese IGT

Full bodied, smooth and velvety, but approachable and versatile in its food pairings. Combines simplicity with style, strength and majesty.

This is the original Supervenetian created by Masi in 1964 and internationally recognised as a wine of “stupendous body and complexity”, the prototype for a new category of wines from the Veneto inspired by the Amarone production method (Burton Anderson). Its own production method was described by Hugh Johnson as “an ingenious technique”.

Campo Viejo, 2013

Shane Bartley brought this as well as Ae, Anji & Sophie. Robbie and Valerie joined us too for Lunch.

A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The Campo is as reliable as ever.

Marquis de Riscal, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013

I like their Reds and this Sauvignon was a first – crisp and clean.

 

img 0425

Paulita, Winemakers Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Chile

Acceptable enough, soft sweet fruit.

‘Bottled for Febvre at Alzey germany’. Nondescript bulk wine from Chile. 

Wineonline Pot Luck using Febvre liquidation stock so thankfully we won’t have to face up to it again.

Los Acilates, Palacio Quamado, 2013, Alvear

A pleasant find – a dinner party guest bring – from South West Spain in the DO Ribera del Guadiana

image14

image23

http://www.alvear.es/index.php/es/component/k2/item/105-palacio-quemado-los-acilates-2013

graf josef, gruner veltliner, 2013

Delicious, light, fruity wine from Austria.

Crisp as a tayto, I can only imagine how refreshing this would be on a warm summer’s day.

Bull’s Blood 2013 – in praise of a good table wine

Sangre de Toro 2013 Torres

Tasty, Warm, Fruity, Oakey, a consistently good, well made wine.

New smart Front and Back label designs and the plastic bull glued to the side of stelcap, perhaps to draw your attention away from the screwtop.

Excellent party wine: we served this to our English and American guests at New Year’s Eve. A slight bit of sediment.

Maretti, Langhe 2013

The BBC visited the new Richmond Portobello Restaurant for the annual Christmas Dinner myself, Robbie, John and Ian took the Window table and chose this belter from the small but carefully curated wine list.

On presentation, it looked liked a classic French Pastis bottle which promised hints of liquorice and spice and the Maretti didn’t fail to deliver.

A super Barbera, this is a blend of 70% Barbera and 30% Nebbiolo, sourced from vineyards in the Barbaresco and Barolo terroirs.

Washed down my excellent gnocchi specially created by the head chef – our friend and occasional Golfing partner David O’Byrne – who dished up a super spread

All in all a great night; service, food and wine. Though perhaps we won’t sit in the Window again!

image31

image4

Reserve de l’Aube 2013

Another bauble from the wineonline.ie bin end case.

The Ink dark colour would suggest a mouthbuster hit but delivery is quite reserved. A light, slighty gritty, fruity cloying taste. Not unpleasant and perhaps more Merlot than Syrah in the blend. Good party wine.

Bottega Prosecco

Tony Hodges introduced this on his weekend visit.

A great weekend starting with a visit to the Fishshack for supper. Having narrowly avoided a trip to Mountjoy (sold out!) we then visited Ryans of Parkgate Street, Collins Barracks, The Weston for Tea, The Abbey and had a nice meal in Nicos.

The prosecco, described as Il Vino dei Poeti was lovely, fresh with soft bubbles and almond nut.

http://www.bottegaspa.com/en/articolo.php?id=1106

This was the house wine in Nicos, a 2013 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Cerulli Spinozzi.

image15

image25

http://www.cerullispinozzi.it/en/prodotto/montepulciano-dabruzzo/

Reliable background music to the super food.