(R) Carpineto: "Castaldo" Chianti 2011, from Greve in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Smell
Early: Ripe plums
Later: Ripe plums with a growing presence of vanilla

Taste
This Sangiovese blend opens quite light and fruity, due to minimal time on skins. The predominating flavours are of ripe red fruits, such as plums, cherries and to a lesser extent, prunes and spices. The mouthfeel remains medium-light, as soft tannins slowly accumulate. Admittedly, I expected this to deteriorate once opened & to finish in overbearingly strong flavours of prune and spice with a sour finish. Rather than deteriorating, this Chianti has revealed notes of vanilla and the sort of strawberry flavours associated with great Kiwi Pinots. Through the entire bottle, this wine has held remarkable form as a medium-light fruity wine that would go very well with a duck, light steak or maybe an Italian meatball dish.

Tale
The most important and most recognised appellation within Tuscany is Chianti, where wines are typically made of Sangiovese, with a portion of Canaiolo amongst other red & white grapes. The Carpineto winery was founded in 1967 as a partnership between a first-generation oenologist/winemaker from north eastern Italy (Giovanni Carlo Sacchet) and a southern Italian with winemaking heritage (Antonio Mario Zaccheo). Giovanni and Antonio were convinced their mutual adopted homeland of Chianti could produce much greater wines than were available at the time & through adopting modern viticultural & winemaking techniques, they proved themselves right.

Composition
≥75% Sangiovese
≤25% Canaiolo & friends

Price: $13
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.carpineto.com/en/index.aspx/Chianti%20Castaldo/10/22/31
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_901766

(W) Dr. Loosen: Blue Slate Riesling 2010, from Bernkastel, Mosel Valley, Germany

Smell
Early: Freshly cut green apples with oily hints of kerosene
Later: Apples are overtaken by floral notes

Taste
This lightly straw coloured wine has an unsurprisingly gentle mouthfeel that shows a mixture of freshness through apples and pears, and maturity through hints of honey. The wine is well balanced between semi-sweetness and a crisp, lingering acidity. With a little time some pineapple develops to accompany the apples and pears.

Tale
The Loosens are considered one of the finest Riesling producers in the world. This is significantly helped by being based near Bernkastel in the Mosel Valley, with neighbours like Joh. Jos. Prüm. After spending over 200 years in the Loosen family, the winery had descended into a hobby of a political family by the time it fell into the hands of Ernst Loosen in 1988. Ernst had previously been destined for a career in archaeology & upon turning his attention to the winery, realised the vines planted entirely of Riesling were on original roots and incredibly old, with an average age of 60 years. Ernst travelled the world to meet the winemakers behind great wines in order to discover what makes a great wine & has stayed true to his goal of producing the best Rieslings possible. This particular Riesling is named after the slopes along the Mosel, which consist predominantly of blue slate. The Blue Slate is Dr Loosen's entry level offering and is a fantastic example of an affordable and well crafted wine.

Price: $19
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:  ☆☆☆

http://www.drloosen.com/
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_329567

(R) Marqués De Riscal: "Próximo" Rioja 2009, from Elciego, Álava, Spain

Smell
Early: Soft oaky dark cherries
Later: Slightly sweet plums & cherries

Taste
This Spanish blend opens with woody and slightly spicy sour cherries and a moderately dry mouthfeel. With time in the glass, the woodiness is subdued & replaced by tannic astringency (dryness) and a softer bramble berry fruitiness with everpresent spices lingering.

Tale
Founded in 1858 near the town of Elciego in the Rioja appellation, the winery has slowly expanded to include vineyards from the Rueda and Toro appellations. Nevertheless, almost 3/4 of the vines grow within the Rioja region and all the grapes are developed into original, fresh and elegant wines that are easy to drink, with 60% of production destined for the export market.

Composition (2010 composition)

Tempranillo 93%

Graciano 5%

Mazuelo 2%

Tempranillo 93%

Graciano 5%

Mazuelo 2%

Tempranillo 93%

Graciano 5%

Mazuelo 2%

93% Tempranillo
5% Graciano
3% Mazuelo (Carignan)

Price: $10
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.marquesderiscal.com/vinos_detalleeng.php?id=25
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_355668