That isn't to say there wasn't talent there. Some of the ballerinas were very good, talented dancers, and although their talent shone out from the primary school level performance, they weren't enough to keep me in my seat for another hour or so. A few gems does not a good ballet make.
And neither do a few good wines. Some of the wines from one of the largest producers of Chianti, Sensi, passed my way this week and, on the whole, they were a disappointment. I would have hoped that such a large producer would have had a consistency of quality throughout their range, but it was not to be. I started with that grape that is renowned in Tuscany... err... Pinot Noir.
2009 Sensi Collezione Pinot Noir
Sweet fruit on the front of the nose with a slight farmyardy aroma mixed with some herbs. The palate has a little bitterness up front, but it is quite pleasant. It doesn't taste like a Pinot Noir, but what it does do is taste like a peasant Italian wine, which is a good thing. At seven pounds, this is a decent bottle of wine. Just don't go after it if you want a Pinot Noir. 6.5/10
2009 Sensi Collezione Sangiovese
A light, fresh, clean aroma with gentle cherry and some thyme. The palate again has lighter, soft fresh fruit and some liquorice flavours. Decent balance, and a nice, constant finish. Again, at seven pounds a decent drop. 6/10
2009 Sensi Collezione Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
This is a bit wrong. Some rotten fruit aromas, a bit musky and then a palate that is initially ok, but then gets very dirty and tangy. Poor showing. 4/10
2009 Sensi Chianti Dalcampo
Some sweet cherries followed by sour cherries and cloves. The aroma is quite nice, and then some ripe berry fruit, more sour cherry and then a bit of herb and earth on the finish. At eight pounds, it is impressive as it tastes of Chianti and is better than some of the more expensive competition. 6.5/10
2007 Sensi Chianti Reserva
It smells of sweet pig manure and the palate is like licking an ashtray. The finish tastes of stale milk. I didn't even score it I was that eager to move on.
2004 Sensi Vin Santo
Intially a brown sugar and honey aroma, then lots of wood. The palate has a salty element up front and then masses of wood flavours. Marmalade then gets thrown at you on the finish but there is no acid to clean up the flabby, wobbly sweetness. As a budget (£14) Vin Santo, it is passable. As a sweet wine at fourteen pounds it is beaten by many things half its price. 4/10
I grant you, this is just a smattering of wines from Sensi, but it would appear that the cheaper wines are honest and drinkable whereas the higher priced ones are leagues behind the competition. Maybe this is why everyone wants to see the Bolshoi, it is consistent quality throughout, whereas the Siberian Ballet is a bit like Sensi. A few bright lights in an otherwise am-dram production.
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