Saturday TNs: Three Italian "pizza wines", including the '04 Calabretta

[Bob_Hughes]

• 2004 Calabretta Etna Rosso - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (3/29/2014)
  A shade or two darker in the glass than the Terre Nere, but still translucent. Complex nose, with menthol, red fruits (raspberry?) and a smoky accent.

Very smooth and together; lengthy finish. Tannins are noticeable, but relatively integrated at this point. Really nice; I have been somewhat the skeptic when it comes to Calabretta, as I haven’t had a bottle of the 2001 yet that has wowed me like many other tasters, but this is quite good.

• 2011 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/29/2014)
  Slightly murky at the core, lightening to translucent ruby on the rim. Nice nose of menthol & cherry fruit.

A tannic bite on the finish, but other than that pretty smooth, albeit not overly complex. I like it, but will admit that I’m generally favorably disposed to what Felsina puts in the bottle.

• 2012 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (3/29/2014)
  Translucent ruby in the glass; nice red fruits on the primary nose (almost struck me as strawberry jam).

Focused - almost linear on the palate, with not a lot of flesh. Tannic bite on the finish. Not bad, and hard to argue with given the price for this entry-level wine.

Posted from CellarTracker

[Bob_Hughes]

They also go pretty well with Italian cheese, in this case a nice Testun al Barolo that I’m snacking on in between wines to “clear my palate” . The pizza will come later!