maandag 6 augustus 2012

Poggio ai Ginepri 2006

There is a first time for everything. Also for the famous Italian Bolgheri DOC, at the west of Siena, and home of the famous Super Tuscans.
Bolgheri should benefit from its location close to the sea and the fresh sea-air should give the wine some freshness and a saline taste. At least that was what I was hoping for.
When I bought this bottle at Esse Lunga I saw it as a preparation of opening my Sassicaia 2004 which is patiently waiting for the grand occasion I have been saving it for.
So, Knoert and I were ful of anticipation to taste this one!

The 2006 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah and 25% Merlot. Yet it doesn't taste French at all.
This Poggio ai Ginepri from Tenuta Argentiera is dark ruby with a purple sheen and heavy tears. The pronounced nose of dark red fruit gave us the promise of a good mouthful.

But when we tasted it, we were a little disappointed. The mouth was powerful, with very ripe, even a tinge over-ripe fruit but very smooth on the whole. The 14% alcohol was all in all well absorbed and I did enjoy the peppery aftertaste, but I found the wine a little heavy (the 30% Syrah?) and it had a dryness in the after-taste I didn' like too much.

I may have to blame Esse Lunga for their warehousing, maybe the wine had been exposed too long on their shelves or, 6 years were just a tit too far for this wine although it was reared on oak (225l barriques from France & Hungary) for 8 months.
But then I remembered it only costed 9.50€ and this bottle certainly had its merit. I'd love to try a younger vintage of this wine to compare.
Knoert hasn't finished his comentaries yet but will post them soon.