Winter is coming. In the meantime autumn is taking it’s time and I’m happy with that. It like leaves falling, misty mornings, butternut squash, plums and apple crumble. I like the idea of fireworks and bonfires, if not the reality. I like wearing autumn colours and snuggling up under a blankie with a good book. I also like the fact that it’s a good time to start drinking redder wines.
This Passimento was from Majestic and had been sitting around waiting for a day when something autumnal was the perfect choice. The wine is a rich red colour with good, colourful legs. It smelled fruity, nothing too specific, autumnal fruit and something a bit leathery. There was also a bit of a balsamic kind of zip of volatile acidity (I know I’m supposed to think that’s a fault, but I do kinda like it).
It was dry with a medium acidity boosted a bit by that balsmic flavour. The tannins were ripe and smooth. It had a medium full body, the part dried grapes add a bit of depth to the mouth feel.
It tasted of cooked, stewed fruit, I couldn’t identify individual fruits, it was more of a cherry pie, blackberry crumble mash up with a bit of something that wasn’t quite cinnamon. That’s a good flavour for me. There was also something a bit Marmite like, an umami flavour that could just as easily be Bovril, another good taste to me.
At £9 a bottle I thought this was reasonable value from Majestic who now sell single bottles in store which is nice, although I tend to opt for mixed cases delivered to the door.