When it rains it pours. A bunch of reviews have come through lately on various imports.

Wine Companion Magazine – Oct/Nov 2012

 

92 points – Suavia Soave Classico DOC “Monte Carbonaire”, 2009

This is no shrinking violet, no dilute and watery thin Soave, this is Soave with attitude; the boquet is like sticking your head into a fresh hay bale, and then scoring a zest of Meyer lemon; the palate in unctuous and rich, full flavoured and weighty, with a long and ligering bitter almond conclusion; personality in keeping with how the Italians like to do things; forza.

90 points – Pierre-Bise Anjou VIllages AC “Sur Spilite”, 2009

The Loire valley is famous for its whites, but the reds are very interesting and this is just one example from a great producer; deep and dark in colour, almost inky, showing blackcurrant, tobacco and wet slate on the bouquet; the palate is all savoury interest with dense fruit, compact tanins and a little salty tang to the finish; if you are looking to step out of your comfort zone, this could e the wine for you.

89 points – Ceretto Dolcetto d’Alba DOC “Rossana”, 2010

Bright purple in colour and showing the typical pretty personality of a variety that provides pure pleasure; the bouquet is full of blueberry, florals and a little spice; the palate is juicy and direct, with a strong tannin backbone working in harmony with the fruit on offer; easy drinking and best enjoyed in the full flush of youth.


 

Gourmet Traveller WINE – August/Spetember 2012

2010 Marcel Deiss Pinot d’Alsace

Larger-than-life biodynamic vigneron Marcel Deiss produces rich, powerful white wines that are often blends of many different grapes. This is a mélange of all the pinots (blanc, noir, meunier, gris, etc) but is remarkably balanced and harmonious. It’s also super intense, like a big round blob of ripe, honeyed, spicy grape syrup gently squeezed between two slices of dry, lemon-washed slate. If you’re feeling indulgent, some foie gras would be an awesome match.

Max Allen


Decanter – Spetember 2012

Outstanding, 18.5(95) points – Suavia, Monte Carbonare, Soave Classico 2010

Let’s hear it for the girls! This Soave specialist, based at Fitta just west of Brognoligo, is run by three sisters of the Tessari family. Some 30,000 bottles of the 100,000 produced a year are made from 100% Garganega grown in mainly east-facing vineyards of the Monte Carbonare cru. Low yields and about 15 months on the fine lees before bottling give the wine sufficient concentration to improve in bottle and here we have a classic example of a fine Soave approaching full maturity.

ID ‘Pure aromas of pear, apple, vanilla and tangerine. The suave, smooth and deep flavours of yellow fruit. Finishes long and pure with balanced, mouthwatering acidity and a return of the ripe white fruit flavours.’

MG ‘Ripe, full, intense and nettley. Rich and full with developed flavours of pear, mint and basil. Pretty, lifted finish.’

JH ‘Elegant and bready with fresh, floral notes and the waxiness of a top Soave. The barest hint of spritz and some residual sugar for sure. A beautifl wine with layers of flavour. Really classy.’