Had a wine tasting the other night and wanted to share my thoughts as someone still figuring out this whole wine thing. Here’s the lineup, how they paired with the food, and what I thought:
1. Emidio Pepe (Trebbiano d’Abruzzo)
This was the first wine, paired with an artichoke salad. It was fresh and crisp, with green apple and lemon vibes and this creamy, nutty thing going on. I liked it, but artichokes are tricky with wine and made it taste a bit off. Still, a nice way to kick things off.
2. Kurni (Oasi degli Angeli)
Served with meat tartar, and honestly, this was a powerhouse. Super ripe plums, blackberries, and a bit of chocolate—it was bold and rich. The only wine that felt ready to go right after opening. That said, I think it came out too early. This is a wine that would’ve killed it later in the lineup with something hearty like roasted lamb or a slow-cooked dish. Amazing, but it felt like it got wasted early.
3. Testamatta
This one was elegant and kind of artsy. Fresh flowers and berries on the nose, and the taste was smooth, silky, and a little spicy. It felt lighter compared to the others, but in a good way—like a breather in between the bigger wines. Definitely classy and balanced.
4. Massetino
Paired with a tomahawk steak, and wow, what a combo. This wine had dark chocolate, coffee, and ripe blackberry vibes. It was rich, velvety, and luxurious—just what you’d want with a big, juicy steak. Probably my favorite pairing of the night, though I do think it needed more time to open up to fully show off.
5. Tignanello
This one felt too young for me. It had cherries, tobacco, and leather going on, which I liked, but it just didn’t feel like it had fully come together yet. Definitely has potential, but it needed more time (both in the bottle and in the decanter).
6. Château Pontet-Canet
Smoky, woody, and full of blackcurrants. This one had a nice structure and was smooth, but I think it needed more air to really open up. By the time I got into it, it just felt a little muted compared to the others.
7. Casanova di Neri (Brunello di Montalcino)
This was the last wine of the night, and by then, my palate was kind of shot. It had that classic Brunello cherry and earthy thing going on, with a nice warm spice, but it definitely needed more time to breathe. It felt like it wasn’t getting the love it deserved being served so late.
Overall Thoughts:
• The Kurni was my favorite, and it was spot on right after opening—ready to impress!
• The Massetino with the tomahawk steak was killer, but it needed more time in the decanter to really show off.
• Honestly, all the wines (except the Kurni) needed more air to fully develop. The Tignanello especially felt too young, and even the Casanova di Neri at the end could’ve used more time.
What do you guys think? Anyone else find that some of these big reds just need way more air time?
by jezza_87
6 Comments
I’m not great at tasting notes, but I hope this helps a little if you’re into these wines Like me
Wow. Do you need more friends?!
I’ve had that Kurni. It’s a fruit bomb and taste like an Italian Zinfandel to me
Emidio Pepe Trebbiano is one of my favourite wines. Had a 2014….I still think about that colour and the taste!
Of all the wines that are out of my reach,there are a handful,the more historic ones as opposed to the fad driven ones,that I would absolutely love to try and Tignanello is on that short list.. Stunning lineup.
You have 7 nice friends