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Paul's Most Recent Articles...

Timeless Gavi...
Added by Paul Caputo on 14 Oct 2019

There are few serious wine collectors clamouring to stockpile Gavi. Why would they? The Cortese grape is known for its simple, drink-early freshness, not for its ability to mature and certainly not for its capacity to deliver complex wines that merit being hidden away in the cellar for years. Ask around the wine world and you’d be hard pressed to find someone prepared to put Gavi in their list of age worthy whites. Sure, they’ll enjoy a glass or two as an aperitif, but momentous wine it is not.

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The Legacy of Moscato di Siracusa
Added by Paul Caputo on 1 Sep 2019

Tomasi di Lampedusa’s colourful and evocative portrayal of the creeping, sleepy decline of the Sicilian aristocracy offers a romantic backdrop from which to consider one of the island’s more sluggish DOCs…

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The Evolution of Kamnik's Ten Barrels Syrah
Added by Paul Caputo on 20 Aug 2019

In modern wine making terms Macedonia is still a very young country. It only gained independence as recently as 1991, and with little history of quality focused producers before this, there is no legacy of fine wines for us to turn our attention to when seeking to understand today’s wines.

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Recently Tasted Wines


Skopje “Ten Barrels” Cabernet Sauvignon
Skopje “Ten Barrels” Cabernet Sauvignon
Château Kamnik, Skopje, North Macedonia
2009
Cabernet Sauvignon (100%)
“Very French in style, an intensive nose of black fruit, cedar, spice and tobacco is quickly overtaken by decadent, succulently ripe cassis on the palate with a clobbering hit of spice and tannin.”
86 Paul Caputo
Salice Salentino DOC Riserva
Salice Salentino DOC Riserva
Cantine Cosimo Taurino, Puglia, Italy
2010
Negroamaro (90%) Malvasia Nera (10%)
“Historically this is one of the iconic wines of Salice Salentino. On the nose is shows classical notes of red and black berry fruit, black pepper and a touch of wild herb. The palate is equally traditional, with a fleshy, unpretentious mouthfeel and with almost ten years of age to it the fruit has taken on layers of complexity - evolved fruit with a sense of leather of smoke.”
88 Paul Caputo
Salice Salentino DOC “Le Pozzelle”
Salice Salentino DOC “Le Pozzelle”
Candido, Puglia, Italy
2018
Negroamaro (95%) Malvasia Nera (5%)
“On the deeper side of the rosé spectrum, Le Pozzelle is one of the region's classic pink wines. Ripe strawberry character with floral notes as well a subtle touche of rosemary. Fresh, with faint hints of apple, bitter herb and sea salt as well as plenty of red berry fruit. Finishes dry and balanced.”
88 Paul Caputo
Langhe DOC “Netta” Nascetta
Langhe DOC “Netta” Nascetta
Anna Maria Abbona, Piedmont, Italy
2018
Nascetta (100%)
“Complex aromas of herb on the nose, sage in particular; the palate shows ripe fruit in a rounded and polished style. Vinified in stainless steel to retain freshness. Long, elegant finish. Refreshing acidity.”
90 Paul Caputo
Salento IGP “Patriglione” Negroamaro
Salento IGP “Patriglione” Negroamaro
Cantine Cosimo Taurino, Puglia, Italy
2011
Negroamaro (100%)
“Grapes are left to hang on the vine for a while longer. The result is a rich wine with concentrated notes of black fruit. Big style, but well made nevertheless. Explosive, full of ripe fruit, sweet spice and the trappings of extended oak ageing. Tasting it eight years down the road there are some tertiary notes of earthy mushroom coming through but this is still very fresh. Lots of acidity and tannin to protect it for another decade (or two). Finishes dry, with a note of mint riding a wave of warm alcohol. A bit on the 'ripe' side for me personally, but still a very impressive wine and a fine advert for the region.”
90 Paul Caputo
Salento IGP Negroamaro Rosato
Salento IGP Negroamaro Rosato
Cantele, Puglia, Italy
2018
Negroamaro (100%)
“Deep colour. A structured rosato designed for food partnerships. A nose of strawberry and raspberry with a slight note of exotic stone fruit. Quite complex. Some mineral character integrated with fresh, racy acidity. The finish is reasonable; certainly refreshing and good value.”
88 Paul Caputo