Last night's tasting was Italian wines. (Well, except the starter, a Spanish Martin Codax Albarino.) We began the Italian wines with the 2006 Planeta Chardonnay, moved to the 2005 La Braccesca Bramasole Syrah, and then a 2001 Ruffino Cabreo Il Borgo Sangiovese/Cabernet Savignon. Next up was the La Massa 2003 Giorgio Primo, another Sangiovese blend, and finally an Amarone, the 2004 Allegrini Valpolicella Classico. All great examples.
The Planeta Chardonnay had an amazing color to start - deep gold. It had a noce of pineapple, apricots, and tropical fruit. The wine had quite a bit of oak, more reminiscent of heavily oaked California Chard than what I expected from the nose. 88 points from the Wine Advocate. It was priced a bit under $40. Probably wouldn't buy it again, but the color and nose were outstanding.
The 2005 La Braccesca Bramasole Syrah was earthy, possibly portobello mushrooms, showed tobacco and leather scents as well. The taste was good, some fruit, nice mouthweight. I've had it before and recalled a spicy Syrah component, but it wasn't present this time. Perhaps the time in the decanter made a difference - last time I had it I didn't give it time to breathe, and some of the volatiles may have blown off in the decanter this time. All in all, this time the nose was again the best component. I still have a bottle of this in my cellar. It's about $45, up from about 38 last year. Not sure I'd pay the new price. Maybe the exchange rate will be better by the next time they import...
A cigar humidor was the overwhelmingly obvious component of the next wine, the 2001 Ruffino Cabreo Il Borgo Sangiovese/Cabernet Savignon from Tuscany. A 70/30 blend, the Sangiovese obviously dominated the wine with the Cabernet giving it some structure. $42 to $47 at release. Both Spectator and Advocate agreed on a score of 91. I enjoyed it, but again, didn't buy it.
The 2003 La Massa Giorgio Primo was the second Tuscan wine of the night. It was an old world style in every respect. (I've had the 2004 and it was much more new world.) It's nose has tobacco, it's smokey, and most interesting it has distinct notes of cured meats. Others in the group suggested wet hay, pure barnyard, and other, umm, similar descriptors. Good laugh. I liked it, and when I had it side by side with the 2004 it was the one I liked better. It's about $75 to $80. They have another line thought that's about half the price or less and I like that one every bit as well. Again, I didn't buy. I liked the wine, but it doesn't fit my price/appreciation ratio.
The last wine of the night was an outstanding 2004 Allegrini Amarone Valpolicella Classico. The wine was fantastically smooth front to back, well integrated, beautifully made. 80% Corvina Veronese, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta. This is another that I've had a previous vintage, 2004 in this case, and liked the earlier vintage better - it had a mouthfeel of cocoa, with a great cocoa nose, coffee, and lots of dark fruit. This one had less of the chocolate/cocoa, but more dark fruit. It's rated 91 by the Advocate, compared to 92 for the 2003. I didn't buy this one either, again, price point for taste, and comparison to the earlier vintage made it an easy decision, but I regret not buying the 2003 as it's not available here anymore.
The Wine House in Manlius put together another excellent tasting, I had a great evening with friends, one of whom brought a nice selection of cheese and olives that complimented the wines. I had the opportunity to taste several wines I had last year in earlier vintages. I think my memory for wines is improving, as I had good ability to compare my expectations to the current vintages.
The Planeta Chardonnay had an amazing color to start - deep gold. It had a noce of pineapple, apricots, and tropical fruit. The wine had quite a bit of oak, more reminiscent of heavily oaked California Chard than what I expected from the nose. 88 points from the Wine Advocate. It was priced a bit under $40. Probably wouldn't buy it again, but the color and nose were outstanding.
The 2005 La Braccesca Bramasole Syrah was earthy, possibly portobello mushrooms, showed tobacco and leather scents as well. The taste was good, some fruit, nice mouthweight. I've had it before and recalled a spicy Syrah component, but it wasn't present this time. Perhaps the time in the decanter made a difference - last time I had it I didn't give it time to breathe, and some of the volatiles may have blown off in the decanter this time. All in all, this time the nose was again the best component. I still have a bottle of this in my cellar. It's about $45, up from about 38 last year. Not sure I'd pay the new price. Maybe the exchange rate will be better by the next time they import...
A cigar humidor was the overwhelmingly obvious component of the next wine, the 2001 Ruffino Cabreo Il Borgo Sangiovese/Cabernet Savignon from Tuscany. A 70/30 blend, the Sangiovese obviously dominated the wine with the Cabernet giving it some structure. $42 to $47 at release. Both Spectator and Advocate agreed on a score of 91. I enjoyed it, but again, didn't buy it.
The 2003 La Massa Giorgio Primo was the second Tuscan wine of the night. It was an old world style in every respect. (I've had the 2004 and it was much more new world.) It's nose has tobacco, it's smokey, and most interesting it has distinct notes of cured meats. Others in the group suggested wet hay, pure barnyard, and other, umm, similar descriptors. Good laugh. I liked it, and when I had it side by side with the 2004 it was the one I liked better. It's about $75 to $80. They have another line thought that's about half the price or less and I like that one every bit as well. Again, I didn't buy. I liked the wine, but it doesn't fit my price/appreciation ratio.
The last wine of the night was an outstanding 2004 Allegrini Amarone Valpolicella Classico. The wine was fantastically smooth front to back, well integrated, beautifully made. 80% Corvina Veronese, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta. This is another that I've had a previous vintage, 2004 in this case, and liked the earlier vintage better - it had a mouthfeel of cocoa, with a great cocoa nose, coffee, and lots of dark fruit. This one had less of the chocolate/cocoa, but more dark fruit. It's rated 91 by the Advocate, compared to 92 for the 2003. I didn't buy this one either, again, price point for taste, and comparison to the earlier vintage made it an easy decision, but I regret not buying the 2003 as it's not available here anymore.
The Wine House in Manlius put together another excellent tasting, I had a great evening with friends, one of whom brought a nice selection of cheese and olives that complimented the wines. I had the opportunity to taste several wines I had last year in earlier vintages. I think my memory for wines is improving, as I had good ability to compare my expectations to the current vintages.
