Delamotte Champagne Blanc de Blancs n.v.

This time I made three of a kind, as three bottles, even half convinced me; moreover the type - blanc de blancs - which is considered the house’s specialty.

With white grape coming from 4 villages Gc - Oger, Cramant, Avize and Le Mesnil sur Oger - is not peregrine to expect fireworks, but unfortunately for me, this time it was different.

About the smells, I place them, not so much in the territory "delicate", but rather in the evanescent/fugitive. Excluding a good freshness, a discreet touch of white flowers and a faint hint of citrus - lemon more than anything else - what is missing is the backbone of a bdb with all the trimmings – that is the ambition of this bowl – namely the chalk, which in this case should roll out the nostrils.

All these weaknesses are, unfortunately, plenty of matches in a buttery and mineral remotely sip, untied and torn between confused sour feelings and decomposed dosage.

I want to think I was unlucky with these 3 bottles.

Domaine Des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Terres Chaudes 2010

Thierry Germain, owner of the Domaine, with this ball, it makes me change my mind, about the Cabernet Franc. Maybe I needed it, and it often happens that they are precisely the French “cousins” to make me feel a bit 'less stupid, since some argues that "only fools never change their minds."

This Cab-Franc, in purity, affecting the eyes, nose and palate. A ruby bright, striped with purple, dividing the nasal parterre among splendid fruity sensations and strong minerality. So, off with wild berries - red currant, strawberry and blueberry - a juicy cherry, with flowers - violet and broom - and, as mentioned, a really intense mineral frame.

The mouth is fresh, accurate and comprehensive. Wealth in greed and poverty in tannins, trigger sips enthralling, that recall, one by one, the characters mentioned above, while the minerality is more sharp and stony. Flavor and long finish round out the goodies of the palate.

Yes Thierry, you convinced me on Cab-Franc, but you're not stupid, and you're raising the bar, with the euros, damn.

Trapet Père & Fils Bourgogne Blanc 2011

I am not part of the "ABC" rank - Anything But Chardonnay - indeed, I love this cépage, even better when it comes from an election territory as Burgundy. Even though this is a very simple Appellation Régionale, here is already class.

A beautiful golden crystal clear, green tint, a butter nose and delicate white flowers - wisteria and hawthorn - the fruity fraction recalling the peach and pear, with pleasant spicy and mineral nuances.

The taste is elegant, good acidity, and even a soft wire, with the white fruit more in vogue, which also explores exotic territories - mango and pineapple – while a thin mineral imprint, gains in volume, very thoughtful of flint aromas. It ends, not very persistent, however toute en finesse, about buttery and acacia honey memories.

Very delicate pampering, from a Burgundy affordable for all budgets.

Terre di Toscana 2016 | Lido di Camaiore

The Una Hotel Versilia, at Lido di Camaiore (Tuscany), will host the nineth edition of Terre di Toscana, on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th february.

A real full immersion in the excellence of Tuscan wines production, which will be attended by 130 producers, with more than 600 wines for tasting.

Also, as usual, the show cooking pavilion “Golosizia”, which will see, six chefs at work, 3 on Sunday, 3 on Monday.

The list of companies, wines tasting and the full program, by consulting the website Terre di Toscana and following their social pages fb and twitter.

Not to be missed.

Ca’ Viola Bric du Luv Magnum 2005

You know the magnum size has always another step, much more than the 75 cl. bottle.

It is a blend, from old grapes of Barbera (95%) and a bit of Nebbiolo. Maceration of 25 days and then barriques e tonneaux for about 16/17 months.

The acidity beats still hard, conversely the wood passage was absorbed, I'd say pretty good, just some nuances of vanilla, while no barb about the color scheme, yet compact ruby with purple veins.

The nose is very fresh and has a great deal of fruit - strawberry, cherry and blackberry - a slight spicy nod, joined, as mentioned, a light touch of vanilla, but lacking of consistent mineral stamp.

In the mouth it is vertical, relentless acidity, with determined fruity and decisive character, but also prevalent and a tannins charge still powerful.

Sip calls sip, unstoppable, thanks to this acidity, creating dependency. Structure but also balance, for a closing by strong balsamic reminders.

San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico 2012

I dedicate these mouthwatering sips to those - few, I assume - they never had a chance, or better, the luck, to get in touch with this Chianti Classico, that most classic you cannot.

In this bowl - blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% of Canaiolo – you can find a lot of quality and Tuscany to the core.

The nose attacks still fresh and tangy, with the fraction fruity - orange and cherry, raspberry and strawberry - occupying nasal grasslands, interrupted, so to speak, by classic spice and minerals raids, combined with hints of underbrush.

The speech does not vary on the palate, although the "weights" distribution changes and, in recognizing greater value to minerals and also floral aspects - violet and pink - relocates the pleasant fruit expression within a more balanced picture.

The acid-tannic element is fully inserted, within a sip, which not only demonstrates cleaning of aromas, but also complexity and draw length.

Glass by glass, I find myself, with an empty bowl, but stamped, consistently, by touches of red orange, tobacco and cinnamon.