Morellino di Scansano DOCG, Toscana

Italy
March 23rd, 2009
Morellino si Scansano DOCG
Toscana
La Mora
2007
Producer: Cecchi
13%

The color of this wine is ruby red with purple hues. It seems intense at the bottom of the glass, yet is transparent enough to make out lettering where it lets the light pass through. It is viscous in body with slow even tears.
Rich red ripe berries emerge from the glass. The smell of luscious jams, like blackberry, a suggestion of fresh violets, followed by a faint woodsy, mushroom scent, and some black pepper spice. This is a fairly complex wine.
It is dry, and warm in the mouth, and fairly smooth. The balance between the acidity and the mineral content is almost perfect…the fresh acidity is at first noticeable, but then the spicy pepper kicks in and then the warmth of the alcohol, each bringing balance to this wine. It is a fairly tannic wine. The sensations last for over 7 seconds giving it length and persistence in the mouth. It is fairly intense and of very good quality. It is medium bodied –and ready to be appreciated paired with barbequed steak, pork chops with lots of salt and pepper. This is a really nice wine to bring to a barbeque and would be robust enough for a winter wine, and fresh enough to drink in the summer.

Hungarian Tokaji - 3 puttonyos

Hungary
Date: March 21st, 2009
Crown Tokaji Aszú
3 puttonyos
2001
Tokaj Kereskedohaz Zrt.
13%

The wine I’m about to describe is one that I think illustrates harmony and balance in a wine. Two weeks ago at my sommelier course, I learned how Hungarian Tokaji is made. The following Sunday, as luck would have it, I was served this wine for the first time while having Sunday lunch at my friend’s home. I was thrilled to be able to use my fresh knowledge to enlighten my hosts whether they wanted it or not.
The color of this Tokaji in the glass was a brilliant, medium amber with golden yellow hues. The color itself was a beauty to behold. Its consistency was viscous with slow, thick tears. The nose is intense and complex with the first scent being alcohol, followed by peach, caramel and a fresh citrus smell. I did not expect the smell to be so fresh. I was curious as to what this wine would taste like, and I expected sweet because of the addition of 3 “puttonyos” of botrytised grapes.
The taste is sweet, but counterbalanced with an unexpected fresh acidity. Surprisingly it is not a wine that coats the palate with sweetness, but leaves it feeling clean. It is smooth and full-bodied, fairly intense in the mouth and somewhat persistent with the warmth of the alcohol, and the sweet/sour sensations. It was a wine in perfect balance, with a freshness that will allow it to age for some time.
We had this wine with a typical dessert from Sorrento – Le Delizie di Sorrento. The lemon in the dessert was also in perfect harmony with the wine, and the freshness of the wine cleansed the palate from the creaminess of the dessert.
Le Delizie di Sorrento and Crown Tokaji Aszú make a lovely couple.