2019 Villa Spoiano Chianti Colli Fiorentini - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti (5/1/2025)
Notes after following a glass over an hour open. About 60% opaque ruby color with some chunky sediment at the end. Light to medium intensity bouquet and flavors of firm strawberry, cherry, light oak (French, me thinks) and a little garden herb and black pepper. The mouthfeel is lower in weight and body than I expected from 14%abv., which I count as a plus. Tannins are rather grippy but not stealing the show in any way. Short to medium persistence through the finish. Could still smooth out and improve with more cellar time.
For $15, a very nice wine. 5+11+14+8= 88 (88 pts.)
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wonderful thread…
tonight i opened the uva de vida sol del 19 which is a 70/30 blend of graciano and tempranillo from castilla la mancha that is fermented in stainless and aged for 2 years with no added sulphites. certified demeter and bio as well as member of nicolas joly’s renaissance des appellations. very dark and saturated, somewhat opaque appearance with a bit browning at the rim. the nose is far more delicate with lovely florals, both preserved and fresh fruit accented by a hint of spicy soil tones. an impressively dense core of fruit veering in the direction of black cherry and blackberry that is perfectly kept in balance by a surprising amount of acidity. tannins are gentle, the 14.5% is hidden well and the wine is absolutely clean. not a usual selection of mine so i cannot speak of typicity, etc but a hell of a wine for the princely sum of $17.99 + tax.
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Presently drinking a 2021 Herdade do Esporao Colheita.
This is a wine from cork country, but also Touriga and Verdelho country. The varietals used are both local and not: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga, Aragonez and Cab Sauv. Esporao’s excellent website describes the wine in terms of “ripe fruit” on the palate and “elegant and persistent” finish. There’s a pdf for just this vintage. There’s also some truth in their advertising: I’d describe it more in terms of indeterminate ripe fruit on the nose, with a rustic, grippy, juicy mouth and earthy finish. I’m not about to wax on about qpr, but pretty decent for the $20 I paid.
It sounds like you fortunately drank this on a Fruit Day
i drank it over three days and the wine remained more or less the same. no mouse or other deviant characteristics developed. tannin ever so slightly more present by the end but still a very approachable wine. seems like the vinification choices paid off.
Moving beyond Italian whites, this evening one from Croatia is going down very nicely indeed.
But now back to Italian whites. This one is very widely available in the US at ~US$15 and is absolutely solid year after year as a very nice everyday wine.
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Had this within the past couple weeks. Hall of fame QPR.
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This is a very decent crisp everyday rosé for ~US$15 or less in Europe (and Hong Kong). Sadly, not widely available in the USA according to WineSearcher Pro.
Yet another very decent Italian white working well as a crisp aperitif this Friday evening. It seems that various vintages from 2020 to 2024 are widely available in the USA at prices from US$9 to US$19 (according to wineSearcher Pro).
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2022 Vajra Rosabella Rosato
Tartly sweet strawberries dominate the fruit. Mouth coating minerality. Finish and aftertase pleasantly combine the two . Different. I like it.
I have to ramp up my opinion of this wine . . . We had a glass last night and finished the bottle tonight with a mixed fish dinner. The wine was so enjoyable with our meal and paired especially well with the sockeye salmon. Had some strength from what I think is Nebbiolo . Very recommended!
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I’m sorry to sound like a broken record, but again, an excellent Italian white for the win! This one cost me ~US$12.50 here in Hong Kong. Sadly only a couple of suppliers, and maybe of earlier vintages in the USA.
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Italy is a great source of lovely white wines and has such a diverse offerings that there are always more to discover.
-Al
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2024 Henri Bourgeois “Petit Bourgeois” Sauvignon Blanc ~$15
Many yesterdays ago, before we met a proper Sancerre, we used to enjoy this bottling as almost a house white. We seldom drink it now, but this 2024 is very good. Worthy of being called a baby Sancerre IMO, with all the elements I enjoy, spoken softly, but in great balance. Very recommended.
A Citra red was the first wine I ever bought by the case, during grad school.
Making a change from Italy, this evening a really nice Spanish white, which WSPro tells me is available fro US$17 and up in the USA.
Love Bodegas Frontonio. His Garnacha-based wines are delicious, the Telescópico, Microcósmico, and the higher end ones I forget the names of. Aragon is a cool region and I’m happy there are more wines from there popping up in the US.
My local shop has this Mandirola Derthona Timorasso on closeout for $19.99, which is the lowest price I’ve ever seen for a Timorasso. It was a precise, well-made Timorasso that definitely punches above $20. Should back up the truck at this price.
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Where?
Providence, RI