Ann Finley has asked that I do a couple of ink reviews, and this is officially my first one. If you like this review (and those that follow -- see list at the end of this review), thank Ann for making the request. She asks so nicely that it’s difficult to say no.

I handwrote the ink review itself, but it's difficult to read from the photo -- even if enlarged. If you’d like a scan of the handwritten review and/or the swab/writing sample, then send a PM. Just note that scanned images do not represent the ink color well, which is why I took photos. (Sorry for the blurry quality!) For the sake of convenience, I’ve incorporated highlights of the handwritten review into this post and changed it a bit for readability.

First, the bottle... Although prone to tipping (especially if you’re not careful) the bottle is beautiful and a sight to behold. Best of all, it’s a practical design -- the mouth is wide enough for most pens, and the pen can be dipped deep into the bottle for easy filling.



Pen: Stipula Duetto (.5mm cursive italic by Richard Binder)*
Papers: Rhodia Pad (swab/writing sample) & Belfort Notebook (handwritten review)



*Thanks to Richard for fixing and regrinding the nib on the Stipula Duetto. The nib was mangled from being dropped on the kitchen floor. Most of all, thanks to CharlieB for taking the pen to Richard at the DC Supershow so it could be fixed and reground.




Ink Drying Time: Dries fairly quickly on this paper and on the Rhodia pad. Drying time isn’t instant but it dries faster than say, PR inks.

Feathering and Bleed through: No feathering or bleed through on this paper or the Rhodia pad. I’ve used this color on a Moleskine Cahier as well, but with mixed results. With the Duetto, I experienced no feathering or bleed through on Moleskine paper. I’ve also used this ink on regular 24lb-32lb copy paper at the office -- mostly for editing and marking up drafts. Again, no feathering or bleed through that I can recall.

Flow: Ink flows just right! -- particularly in this pen. I’ve used this ink off and on with the Aurora Mini Optima as well (with a stub italic reground by R. Binder), and it flows well in that pen too. It isn’t too wet or too dry...as I said, it flows just right.

Saturation: Not a highly saturated ink, but I’ve noted that it appears darker in the Aurora Mini Optima than in this pen.

Shading: Beautiful, subtle shading with this pen.

Other Inks Similar in Color: This ink reminds me of a lighter version of Caran d’Ache Sunset, but this looks rather unique on its own. It’s a subtle red color (therefore, not too harsh), but not really my idea of red wine colored ink.

Availability: Sold in bottles only -- both in the beautiful glass bottle and in the plastic travel-friendly ones.

Final Verdict: This one is a keeper!

Summary:
Ink Reviewed: Visconti Bordeaux
Pen Used: Stipula Duetto with .5mm cursive italic nib
Papers Used: Rhodia Pad and Belfort Notebook (with a comment as to ink’s performance on Moleskine Cahier)


UPDATE: By request, all photos in the original review have been reduced to 600 pixels wide. If you would like a hi-res photo, send a PM.

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Fantastic review! Love the detail, volume of info and great handwriting. This is very useful for me. Thanks!

Splendid report!! I like the colour of this ink and have a feeling another bottle of Visconti will soon grace my desktop!!

Many thanks!!

JD

Thank you.

Lovely review, lovely photos, lovely handwriting and of course, a lovely ink/bottle/colour combination.
If I could get that ink over here I would, I think I'm going to have to order a whole pile of Visconti ink in a big hit soon!!

I look forward to the rest of your reviews!!

Thanks for the timely review. I am thinking of picking up a bottle at the Dallas Pen show this weekend!

Superb review girlieg33k! Well done, and thanks!

Picked up a bottle at the pen show this last weekend. I plan to ink up my new Red Visconti Wall Street with it when things slow down this week!

Nie pen, nice ink and nice report!

I like the new shorn look, Handlebar!

great mini-review
love the look of the visconti bottles...kind of something out of the middle ages...
are they stable though?
or easy to tip over?

I have an old bottle of this and love the color! My bottle came with a bakelite base, but the bottle is the same shape. Strange that they don't include the base anymore.

I've got this one and agree with girlieg33k that this one is a keeper.

From everything I've seen so far, I'd rate girlieg33k as having most excellent discernment regarding inks, and I'll keep paying attention to everything she types.

The ink is great ! The bottle design is horrible!