23 February 2012 2010 Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto Colli Martani

2010 Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto Colli Martani

February 23, 2012 By

I had the pleasure of sipping this wine last week, first, paired with oysters on the half shell, then, with seared halibut atop risotto.  This grape was new to me and I loved it both as an aperitif and as a food-friendly wine.  Think – unoaked Chardonnay meets Sauvignon Blanc.

In the glass, it is golden yellow and just very pretty.  On the nose, it offers bright floral, fruity notes.  On the palate, there are layers of ripe honeydew melon, peach and papaya matched with a nice level of acidity.  The finish is long and dry.

At this price point, it is a great white that everyone will enjoy.

Pairings:  Sauteed halibut or cod. Raw oysters, clams or mussels.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Grechetto

Region: Umbria, Italy

Around $20

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

 

Filed Under: Grechetto, Italy, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
19 October 2011 2007 Antinori Tignanello

2007 Antinori Tignanello

October 19, 2011 By

Sampled this beauty at a tasting last week where it was poured alongside other stars and it was super.  This wine is considered the original Super Tuscan and it remains a top Italian wine.

In the glass, it’s medium garnet.  On the nose, it’s dense, rich and oaky.  There are aromas of ripe fruit, grilled bread and mocha with hints of fir, cracked black pepper and leather.  On the palate, it’s chewy with ripe, lush berries, chocolate and stone fruits.  Slight tannins on a long, smooth finish.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $79

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15 October 2011 2005 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino

2005 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino

October 15, 2011 By

I sampled this Tuscan wine at a recent tasting and it was one of my favorites, even against cult French and Californian wines.

On the nose, it has floral qualities and tons of raspberry aromas.  In the mouth, it’s lush, lightly jammy with ripe raspberries, offers spicy notes and is balanced and elegant.  This wine is more medium-bodied than full and it has a long, clean finish.  Really love it.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type: Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $175

 

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21 July 2011 2008 Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d’Alba

2008 Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d’Alba

July 21, 2011 By

Enjoyed this Dolcetto at an outstanding Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, NY called Locanda Vini e Olii where it was served as what I’ll call the house wine.

This wine from Piedmont is light-medium bodied and is a good option at dinner where it must be paired with various dishes.

On the nose, the 2008 Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d’Alba is fruity, a little musty and earthy. In the mouth, it’s not as light, fruity and sweet (Dolcetto translates to “little sweet one”) as this varietal typically is.  It’s more structured with a good amount of tannins with unexpected earthy, wild raspberry and smoky flavors.

Nice (and somewhat atypical), no-nonsense Dolcetto that should please a wide array of palates.

Around $17.

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18 May 2011 2009 Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto D’Alba

2009 Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto D’Alba

May 18, 2011 By

Friends asked what they could bring to one of my dinner parties and I simply said “wine to go with beef”.  To my good fortune, they brought this little gem.

In the glass, the wine is a bright garnet hue.  In the mouth, it’s rich with ripe berries, musky with nutty notes.  Brought on some bouquet garni elements on the medium, dry finish.

Wine Advocate: 90 Points.

Around $21.

 

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2007 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Campo San Vito – Villa Monteleone

May 9, 2011 By

Nearly black in color, this almost full-bodied Italian wine offers dark berries and herbal undertones on the nose and big, bright, spicy berry in the mouth.  Just layers upon layers of ripe fruit with a finish that lasts forever (or you wish it did).

Around $30.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
9 April 2011 2007 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba Ruvei

2007 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba Ruvei

April 9, 2011 By

When this wine was poured into my glass I had to let out a “wow” to the beautiful dark ruby hue.  On the nose, this affordable Italian wine is both sweet and spicy with bushels of wild strawberries.  In the mouth – wow again.  This Barbera is big, bold, woodsy with caramel notes and lush berries.  Was great alone, but fabulous with Arancini starter and my tomato-based seafood soup.  Can’t believe this wine’s only $17 retail.

Around $17.

Wine Spectator: 89 Points.

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24 September 2010 2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino

2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino

September 24, 2010 By

'04 Fattoria La Lecciaia

Enjoyed this wine last night paired with grilled prime rib and thought it was all you’d want in a Brunello: Big, beefy, silky, complex.  Noseful of black berries, jammy, earthy mouthful and long, slightly tannic finish.

Not sure how many Brunellos of this caliber can be found in this price range, but probably not many.

Around $35.

93 Points Wine Spectator

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2007 Pasqua Sagramoso Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore

January 4, 2010 By
Sagramose

Sagramose

Peppery, dark and a nice wine to pair with Italian foods, especially ones with red sauces.  Young with medium tannin and should be decanted before tasting.

Well-priced at around $20.

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2005 Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva

November 1, 2009 By
2005 Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva

2005 Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva

This big and rich Chianti was rated 91 by Wine Spectator and rightly so.  This wine features spicy and sweet layers and intense dark berry flavors.  The color of this wine is the darkest ruby.

Served half the bottle decanted and the other half not.  The wine out of the bottle was sharp but not unpleasant and made me glad that I decanted some of it.  The decanted wine show more velvety tannins and was smooth and delectable.

Successfully paired the 2005 Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva with bacon-wrapped filet mignon and it was a good match.  Not the first thing I’d think of pairing with it, but worked well none-the-less.

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