Trivento at Oxford

As mentioned in my main blog I mislaid my tasting notes for the gorgeous Trivento wines presented by Ben.

Jackie has kindly forwarded a copy of his notes:



Casillero del Diablo Devil's Collection White 2012

85% Sauv Blanc, 10% Chardonnay, 5% Gewurztraminer. Medium intensity aromas of pea pod, lemon, herbaceousness and a hint of Gewurz rose water. On the palate, tastes like Sauvignon Blanc with a little extra body, but also does taste a little flabby and bitter with the Chardonnay and Gewurz components. Can see what they are trying to do, but lacks a little character here. Perfectly decent for weekday drinking though.

Cono Sur 20 Barrels Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Much more aromatic than the first one, lots of citrus zest and ripeness, even peach aromas. This is coupled with grass, pea pod and herbaceous aromas, typical of Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful nose indeed. Palate however, doesn't quite match up. Intensity of aromas carry over, but lacks a little body and there is still some bitterness on the finish. I might be biased here as I don't really like Sauvignon Blanc, but its a very good example of its kind and certainly worth drinking seriously.

Bonterra Chardonnay 2012, Mendocino, USA

Barrel fermented and aged in old oak. Ouch! Oak overwhelms fruit here I'm afraid, vanilla, cream, a little peach and white flowers here. Palate also seems over the top with lots of oak derived flavours. Full bodied and alcoholic, this is the kind of white wine I wouldn't buy or really like drinking at all.

Cono Sur Bicycleta Pinot Noir 2013

Sweet, ripe cherry and strawberries on nose. Some wood spice, this is good Pinot Noir minus the complexity and made into a decent everyday drink. Very light on the palate with good acid and fruit intensity, but has some bitterness and herbaceousness on finish. Other than the bitter finish, a nice drink. At the price, very good value.

Trivento Reserve Malbec 2012

Blackcurrants and plums, very ripe, even somewhat porty. This bursts out with fruit on the nose. Also has some cinnamon and cloves. A wine that welcomes you with its fruit, but isn't too complex. This actually spent 6 months in French oak but doesn't feel it at all. Deep, dark, full bodied and fruity with ripe and smooth tannins, this is a fun wine for parties and barbeques. Very good value especially at its offer price.

Trivento Golden Reserva Malbec 2011

Deep brooding, even inky in the glass and on the nose. Blackcurrants, plums, cinnamon, cloves, woodiness, even some iodine(savouryness) and tobacco. 12 months in French oak. On the palate, lots of structure and acidity. Lots of tannin as well, but of the ripe and smooth variety. Fruit and flavour intensity is good as well and it has an opulent texture. Just lacks that little bit of extra complexity to make it great. Good value even at full price.