Community Review

Castello d'Albola Riserva 2008

Tuscany, Italy

Community Score: 4.6/5
Community Reviews: 1

Price: $23.95

Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 13%

Drink: Now

Julia Kelada rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

During the promotion of Chianti wines at my local liquor commission, I tasted this wine that has such a curious personality I knew instantly I had to try it out with different tastes. I'm not usually the type of person who likes to pinpoint a food group that the wine would best be paired with. First of all, our taste buds differ so greatly that when I notice the presence of red currants for example, another may say, no, poached raisins ..... You may likewise not need any food accompaniment to sit alongside your wine....BUT...and there usually always is one! This wine is amazing, even incredible with game, it is literally a marriage made in heaven !!!

I would recommend this wine to say , step outside the box and broaden your taste buds horizons. I personally think its a wine with a taste that I havnt as yet come across in this combination!

Initially on the nose it released tobacco, red currants, hedgerow and toasted butter.

On the palate, the mouth has a complex personality. It starts briefly with tart cherries, then wild blueberries and cranberries. A cardamom note stepped forward combined with a toast and leather tone. As the flavour holds court on your tongue there is a wet green cigar leaf note which actually is the component that draws you to want to taste these games flavours in your mouth. There are wonderful length tannins and I was ready to pour another glass!

This to date has been my most difficult wine to pinpoint in flavours, I truly hope I have not confused you to drink! But I loved the experience of stepping into a different direction.... I hope you'll join me with this one and raise a glass!

Bottoms up!
http://tipsyceliacdiva.com/

Read Natalie's Full Review

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Matilda Nieves Red Wine
Mencia 2020,
Ribeira Sacra, Ribera Del Duero D.O. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 327,178 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 327,178 strong:

Community Review