Le Fraghe Bardolino Classico- Wine Tasting 9

Name:  Le Fraghe Bardolino Classico

Variety: Rondinella and Corvina

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Vintage Year: 2018

Price: $20

Winery Review: "Bold. Medium tannins. Not too dry. Medium in acidity. Notes of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry with a hint of clove, oak, and vanilla. Easy to drink. Smooth on the palate. Best paired with pasta and lamb."

Wine Folly: "The word 'Classico' on labels is most commonly used to signify the original boundaries of a wine region" (pg. 251). "The regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia have cooler climates and the warmer areas are influenced by the Adriatic Sea. Reds offer more fruit (although still elegant) and the best white wines are found in the hills, such as the Soave grape, Garganega" (pg. 248). 

My Review: This bright pinky red wine has a really soft present blueberry and raspberry smell with small touches of black cherry and black pepper. When sipped, the cherry and strawberry jammy taste is quite bold. Despite the winery review stating that the wine carries medium tannins, I thought the tannins were soft and supple. After the initial fruit flavors, the wine packs a surprising black pepper and earthy oaky secondary flavor wave. I really enjoyed the black pepper flake flavors but, was turned off by the lingering balsamic vinegar aftertaste it left on my tongue and lips. This isn't surprising though, as I do not reach for balsamic vinegar in my day-to-day life. This wine is one of the more complex wines I have tried and, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to identify some specific flavors. Overall, I give Le Fanghe's Bardolino Classico an 7/10. 

I had this on its own with no food. In my last glass, I had the pleasure of finding tartrate crystals that were a little off-putting to see. If I purchase this wine again, I will be sure to decant it as there were a decent amount of tartrate crystals at the bottom of the bottle. 

Cheers,

Morgan