Tag Archives: Italy

Cordero di Montezemolo Langhe Arneis 2021, Piedmont, Italy

07 Monday Aug 2023

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At the 32nd virtual wine tasting we started off with this Arneis, tasted chilled and at room temp.  The attendees found this wine to be pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Aromas and flavors of almond, pineapple, apricot, marzipan, peach and pear we evident in the chilled version.  On the palate- medium acidity and a medium (-) body that led to a short finish.  I scored it 11 points on our scale and would assign an 89 point technical rating.  The room temperature version was much more floral, but fruit-wise only the peach and pear notes came across the nose along with some honey and hazelnut.  On the palate it tasted fuller bodied and had some citrus notes by way of lemon peel in addition to pear.  I did not care as much for it at room temp- 9 points and its technical rating dropped to an 88.  For $20 it gets 3 stars from me.  Drink now with grilled fish or a shrimp salad.  Salut….

Milani 1985 Sangiovese Primitivo 2022, Puglia IGT, Italy

02 Sunday Jul 2023

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Deep ruby with hints of garnet- the depth of color coming from the Primitivo (Zinfandel) that is blended with the usually pale Sangiovese.  Medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV) and very little staining on the walls.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red cherry, raspberry, dusty bramble, violets and orange peel.  The palate is  slightly off-dry with juicy acidity and lithe tannins that are well integrated.  Medium body which is supporting the red fruit and fresh florals.  There is a hint of oak usage, perhaps used French barrels with the focus on freshness and verve.  This 89 point wine is going to go really well with our sausage laden pasta and Endive salad.  For $15 this is not a bad drop that gets 3 stars from me.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Marchesi Antinori Santa Cristina 2014, Chianti Superiore DOCG Tuscany, Italy

31 Wednesday May 2023

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Every so often I’ll buy a bin-end wine to hopefully give it one last shot at stardom.  This Chianti is pretty old and perhaps over the hill.  In the glass it is medium garnet with high viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose shows it’s age- stewed plum, baked cherry, dried herbs, porcini mushrooms, a touch of vanilla and coconut along with some coffee.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are pretty well integrated.  The fruit notes are somewhat subdued and center around tart cherry pie with some baking spices and vanilla.  The stewed/cooked nature of the fruit is not as pronounced on the palate as the nose.  The body is medium in weight and carries through to a shortish finish.  It’s not a bad drop all things considered as I only paid $11 for it.  List was originally $22.  As for a score- 88 points from me and a drink by 2024 window, it’s getting tired and the structure won’t hold up much more.  4 stars considering what I paid.  I found this Sangiovese online for $14 for current vintages.  Salut….

Grifalco della Lucania Daginestra Superiore Aglianico del Vulture 2018, Basilicata, Italy

27 Saturday May 2023

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Deep ruby/garnet colored, this Aglianico was an interesting turn for our virtual wine tasting group as not many had ever had this varietal.  Intense aromas of tobacco with blueberry, smoke, blackberry, tomato paste, lilac and pine were noted.  The palate was dry with high tannins, medium acidity, a full body (14% ABV) and had flavors resembling the nose.  A hint of ripe strawberry was also noted in addition to the florals, oak and black fruit.  A medium finish for this wine makes it a 90 point effort that gets 3 stars due to its $40 price point.  On our tasting scale- 14 points.  Drink till 2030 with food, it really needs some pasta to balance it all out.  Salut….

Fontanafreda ‘Ebbio’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Piedmont, Italy

13 Saturday May 2023

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Pale ruby colored with some slow moving legs (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cherry, roses, tar, cranberry, dried thyme, red licorice.  The palate is dry with high acidity and high tannins.  Medium to full bodied, this Nebbiolo has classic red fruit notes with dried herbs, red flowers and earthy tar nuance.  The finish is tart and medium in length.  This is a scaled down version of Barolo that is easier to drink when young- it begs for pasta dishes which is what I’m pairing it with.  It is very smooth and balanced with the high levels of structure that will reward some cellaring.  It gets 90 points from me and for $26 it gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

Manni Nossing Kerner Sudtirol Eisacktaler 2020, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

02 Tuesday May 2023

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Medium lemon colored with medium to high viscosity even though it only sports a 13% ABV.  The nose has intense aromas of Meyer lemon peel, papaya, white flower, grapefruit, orange pith, mineral notes and petrichor.  The palate is dry with high acidity and some upfront bitterness. The acidity is piercing with a refreshing quality that leads into the citrus and tropical fruit flavors.  Florals are abundant with white flowers and geranium alongside orange blossom.  The body is medium (-) and leads to a long finish that is citrus focused with a hint of phenolic bitterness.  This is my first foray into the Kerner varietal, I like it.  This bottle runs $30 and gets 92 points from me.  I am going to pair it with Jamaican Curry Goat- I believe the acidity will balance the spicy dish nicely.  5 stars, drink till 2025.  Salut….

Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT 2009, Tuscany, Italy

19 Wednesday Apr 2023

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A murky, deep garnet colored with some light staining and medium viscosity legs (14% ABV).  The nose is stupendous- pronounced intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, vanilla, baking spices, cedar, tobacco, cassis, crushed violet, white truffle, baked black cherry- it’s over-the-top.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are polished and very fine grained.  Full bodied, this blend of 75% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc gives me flavors of cassis, blackberry and black cherry along with the secondary and tertiary notes I got on the nose.  It all turns a touch tart on the mid-palate, something Old World wines tend to do.  The silky mouthfeel is smooth and leads to a long finish that is layered and delicious.  The cassis and vanilla lasting for an eternity.  This wine has matured beautifully for me and I’m proudly serving it with Pappardelle and Meatballs- it’s my birthday week after all so I can do what I want.  95 points from me for this $ 175 bottle makes it a 5 star treat.  Salut….

Felice Abbona & Figli ‘Abbona’ 2020, Barbera d’Asti DOCG, Italy

07 Friday Apr 2023

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Deep ruby colored with a brownish tinge and medium viscosity tears (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this wine has medium intensity aromas of red cherry, red raspberry, dried herbs, a gamy note and some licorice.  The palate is dry with high acidity and low tannins, kinda crisp.  The body is medium (+) and I get red fruit flavors and licorice.  The gaminess returns on the back end alongside tart red cherry.  It is a food-friendly wine from the Piedmont that is quite bracing in it’s acidity yet has a nice freshness to it.  Made from the Barbera grape, this will pair well with rich pasta (obviously!) as well as grilled pork chops or even Moussaka.  It runs $20 and gets 89 points from me making it a 4 star effort.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Belvino Pinot Grigio 2022, delle Venezie IGT, Italy

29 Wednesday Mar 2023

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Pale platinum colored with copper highlights and low viscosity (11% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of pear, green apple and grapefruit zest.  The palate has medium (+) acidity and a light body.  Confirming the fruit flavors are the same but with slightly bruised pear and the apple is yellow in color.  Medium length finish that is crisp.  86 points from me for this $6, (yes – six dollars) bottle of refreshingly crisp and light wine makes it worthy of 5 stars.  Stock up for the  hot summer!  Drink now.  Salut….

Renieri Invetro Toscana IGT 2018, Tuscany, Italy

10 Friday Mar 2023

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Deep dark purple color with medium legs (14% ABV).  The nose of this Sangiovese, Merlot and Cab Sav blend has some exotic dark fruit aromas- mulberry, boysenberry, elderberry with vanilla, coffee bean, baking spices, eucalyptus and camphor (yup).  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and finely grained medium (+) tannins.  The body is full and the flavors echo the dark berry notes I got on the nose.  I’m missing the pungent camphor but I get oak influence by way of vanilla and baking spice.  The wine retails for $18 and got a big score.  I’m thinking 91 points and 5 stars.  Tonight- it’s pasta with meatballs, sausages and meat sauce- this will pair beautifully.  Drinking window till 2026.  Enclosed by a glass stopper btw.  Salut….