WINE COMMENTARY
SUPER TUSCANS PLUS..... - July 12, 2008
SUPER TUSCANS + More goodies from Tuscany including two stunning syrahs from La Braccesca and Le Pupille’s rock-star Saffredi! Tenimenti Angelini Simposio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2003 (86) Smoked cherries dominate an inviting nose as warn leather notes creep into the side. On the attack a massive wave of black and red cherries mixed with strawberry marmalade crash the palate. A bracing streak of firm acids and soft tannins round out the finish. Well done and a serious crowd pleaser, this restaurant friendly wine will continue to improve thru 2010. $32.00 TreRose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2004 (87) The focused yet seductive nose of unripe raspberry, cola, and black plums is enticing which leads to this middle-weight contender packing a wallop of black fruits in the mouth. Excellent balance shows-off the juicy acids that support an otherwise fruit filled wine. Enough of a spine to hold up with wild game, I would love to pair this up with some slow roasted pork shoulder. Will improve thru 2010. $28.00 Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2004 (86) Dried flowers meld beautifully with wild berry and mocha aromas on the nose. The attack launches a tightly wound, chewy tannin laden, onslaught of briary and leather notes wound into blackberry and cola fruit. Rather austere and clearly in need of food, it will improve thru 2009. $35.00 Il Faggeto Pietra del Diavolo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005 (87) A rather expansive nose of red and black plums coupled with hints of ash invites the drinker into a grippy cauldron of red apples, black cherries, black peppercorn, and tar. This is a terroir driven wine that will be appreciated by traditionalists who want the “look and feel” of an earthy wine with a spine. This solid effort will improve thru 2009. $26.00 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005 (88) Although they make a reserve vino nobile that is completely tricked out and stunning, the nose of Poliziano’s entry level effort is a pure example of focused fruit love; red cherry and black pepper taking the lead. In the mouth, there’s more of the same with black plum, ripe black cherries, and sottobosco blending to make a luscious effort that is textbook clean and refined. Always and excellent wine, it will improve thru 2010. $40.00 La Sala Chianti Classico 2006 (89) Dusty black cherry, roasted plum, and hints of smoky caramel flood the nose. On the palate, you’ll find a seamless and concentrated attack of impeccable balanced red and black fruit and a finish that goes on forever. A full bodied effort whose balance is just as impressive as the creamy mouthfeel, chewy tannic structure, and long finish. This is serious, classically-styled chianti classico that will improve thru 2010. Excellent! $24.00 (Vignaioli Selections) Chianti Classico Riserva 2003 (91) Wow! What a nose. Coffee bean, mushroom, red bing cherry, and smoked red plum aromas weave a seductive web in the nose while on the attack, it’s all sottobosco, leather, and smoked ripe blackberry. This is a massive wine that with an hour on decanting will prove itself at any table. A fine wine indeed that will show its best thru 2010. $30.00 Fattoria Il Castagno Chianti Classico 2005 (85) On the nose, wild strawberry blends with unripe black fruits and hints of white pepper. The attack is soft yet penetrating with tannins that are as silky and soft as you’ll find in the zone but I’m looking for a bit more intensity. This is an elegant classico whose silky style will be welcome will grilled chicken and pasta dishes. Improves thru 2009. $26.00 Chianti Classico Riserva 2003 (89) Mango, wild berry, cinnamon, roasted black plum and leather come together to form an exotic nose that leads to a well integrated full-bodied attack of blackberry, sottobosco, and leather on the palate. A stunning traditionally styled wine that saddle up next to a steak and smile. Excellent wine that will improve thru 2010. Well done! $39.00 Tenuta di Ghizzano Il Ghizzano IGT Toscana 2006 (87) I really like this effort from Ghizzano! A blend of 80% sangiovese with merlot as the partner, sports a nose of pure concentrated black plum and dried rose petals wound into a beautifully orchestrated mouthful of black fruits dancing hand in hand with hints of leather and tar. Absolutely delicious tank fermented wine modern wine that will charm alone or cozy up nicely with a roasted chicken. Impeccably balanced, it will improve thru 2009! $18.00 Veneroso IGT Toscana 2003 (87) A blend of 60% sangiovese with 40% cabernet sauvignon added in, the aromas are a chocolate and candied apple wonderland that moves quickly into a velvety blackberry and crushed black pepper tango. Plenty of powerful oak aged charm and grip will appeal to lovers of the new school, internationally styled Tuscan wines. The cabernet, even at 40%, makes its presence more than known on the long finish as does the new oak. $30.00 Nambrot IGT Toscana 2004 (90) Based on merlot at 70% with the rest dosed with cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot this inky hued effort is immediately appealing boasting a nose of blueberry extract and hints of vanilla (from new oak) ash and0020up on the back end to help you through the half-minute long finish. This is a big wine that will improve thru 2012 but would saddle up nicely next to a braised game dish immediately. Solidly structured impressive wine! $49.00 La Braccesca Achelo Syrah IGT Cortona 2006 (91) Muscadine, dried flowers, and tar mix with black pepper on the wine’s seductive nose. In the mouth there is an attack of concentrated and focused black fruit that is both attractive and dense with the wine’s power sneaking up underneath. Exceptional focus and purity of fruit, this is a steak tamer that will improve thru 2011. Strong clarity and focus for a grape that can many times end up all over the board in Italy. Well done! Bramasole Syrah DOC Cortona 2004 (91) The nose of toffee, blackberry jam, and hints of coffee bean burst out of the glass which is the perfect prelude to this vanilla and black fruit bomb that is well supported by silky tannins and a long elegant finish. The new oak is well integrated but present from start to finish and fans of modern, fruit filled wines won’t be able to get enough. A beauty that will improve thru 2011. $38.00 Santa Pia Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2004 (88) Aromas of vanilla, blackberry, and hints of coffee bean intertwine to create a blackberry frappacino in the nose. In the mouth, the creamy attack of ripe red and black fruit, dominated by black pepper and black raspberry, forma long and silky tunnel to the back of the throat. Sexy wine that will pair well at the table with roasted meats and will improve thru 2010. Well done and aims to please immediately. $35.00 Ruffino Sette Ponti Crognolo IGT Toscana 2006 (88) Brooding nose of red and black fruits intermingle on the nose but the hook-up is on the palate with a straight and structured shot of black fruit gets corralled into a wiry spinner of succulent acid and juicy tannins. Though it will improve thru 2011, I like this wine young where it shows its clarity, purity of fruit, and focus. Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia IGT Toscana 2004 (88) It’s all about the wine’s gorgeous aromas as the cabernet franc rears its head and barks on the black and red laden aroma nose. In the mouth, the high-toned baked apple, balsam, and black raspberry fruit sings and bows out gracefully over a long finish. Nice effort but rather simple though it will improve thru 2012. Principe Corsini Tenuta Marsiliana IGT Toscana 2004 (90) New oak and vanilla dominate the otherwise black fruit-driven nose. There is a shockingly high amount of fruit that has been extracted from the grapes and then balanced quickly by chewy tannins and textured tannins. This wine was “made” in the cellar no doubt, but it will find its fans as the black fruit and oak levels have been balanced perfectly to craft an impressive wine. $54.00 Cabreo Il Borgo 2003 (89) Cedar and black pepper are supported by black raspberry and sottobosco at the nose while on the palate the wicked attack of black fruit and tobacco shoots through with laser guided focus and precision. This is a big, highly structured effort that will readily invite food to help tame its moderately aggressive tannins. This will need some time to show everything brooding underneath and should be ready to pony up to a braised wildebeest from 2010-2013. A blend of 70% sangiovese and 30% cabernet sauvignon, this is a huge wine and not for the faint of heart. $40.00 Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano 2005 (88) Good morellino always has plenty of “funk” in its aromas and this is no exception as the earth, black cherry, red plum skin, and cola aromas dominate the beautifully amped lush nose. The attack is no disappointment as the chocolate hints are lifted by the wave of blueberry and frutti di bosco flavors that penetrate evenly on the palate offering up plenty of creamy mouthfeel. Highly drinkable and offering plenty of structure, this will make for an excellent value in the market and will improve thru 2010. Well done! $18.00 Poggio Valente Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2003 (86) A fragrant nose of dried flowers and red zinger tea is offered on the nose while the attack is laden with ripe red fruit, leading with crabapple. However, the finish is a bit tired but there’s enough here to show acceptable balance and improvement thru 2009. $44.00 Saffredi IGT Maremma 2004 (93) The nose reminds of a broodingly young Napa cabernet sauvignon as the cassis and ripe blackberry aromas swarm the nostrils. The concentration on the attack, powerfully layered with chocolate, balsam, lead, and black plum extract, is downright staggering as extract levels must be through the roof. Though, through it all the balance and a seductive mouthfeel is maintained all the way through the marathon finish. This is an impeccable wine that will not only improve through 2015 but is a pleasure to drink now. Outstanding effort and a benchmark for the zone! $102.00
|
