I met some friends on Saturday afternoon for some wine. The theme was Tuscany. All wines served blind over a few hours with breads and cheeses.
1999 Ciacci Brunello Di Montalcino
Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is tight with cherries and tea. On the palate this is layered with cherries and anise, more black cherries on the finish. This is a very nice wine but needs some time. Starting to open up but I would wait a few more years. 50+4+12+18+7=91
2001 Sane Felice Vigorello
45% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries and prunes. Great juicy texture. On the palate, black raspberries and dried tea leaves. Firm tannins. Nice finish. Still young but a nice wine showing some complexity. 50+4+13+18+7=92
2004 Antinori Tignanello
Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with some funk, black cherries and cassis and a bit of anise. Full bodied. This is young but opulent. Sweet fruit; black cherries and red currants. Lots of tight layers. Tannic. This needs time but is outstanding. 50+4+13+18+8=93
1997 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura
I would be shocked if this was 100% Sangiovese. That said, this is a great wine. Purple in color with some ruby at the rim. The nose has tobacco, musty attic, cherries and cassis. On the palate, this is soft and complex with cassis, cherries, leather. The finish has some anise and cough syrup. Plays out more like a left bank Bordeaux wine with ten years of age. A very nice wine but typicity? Not there. 50+4+13+18+7=92
2004 Il Molino de Grace Chianti Classico
Ruby in color with some slight purple hues. The nose has cherries and black olives. Full bodied. On the palate, sweet cherries. Some heat and mild tannins. Got better with air. A very nice wine. 50+3+12+17+7=89
2004 La Fornace Rosso di Montalcino
Ruby in color with slight purple hues. Mostly clear and bright. The nose is earthy and slightly gamey with anise and cherries. Tannic. On the palate, this has cherries, dark cherries. Nice wine. Finish is a bit clipped. 50+4+12+17+6=89
2007 Luciano Brunni Vernacci di Sangrimignano
Golden/hay in color, clear and bright. The nose has minerals but is tight. On the palate, this is sweet with red apples and pear. Seems to lack some definition. Others may have liked this better, plus it arrived late so it was hard to adjust after some reds. 50+3+11+16+5=85
2007 Toppe Gaia Greco
This was a sales sample apparently open 24 hours. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is sweet with a Lilly’s of the valley scent. Medium bodied. Minerals and slightly thin on the palate. It was probably better yesterday. 50+3+11+15+5=84
2007 Garafoli Monte Reale
A Sangiovese from the Marche. Opened 24 hours. The nose has cherries and grilled meats. On the palate, cherries. Nice and easy to drink. Nothing special but at the right price, good for a party. 50+4+11+16+6=87
2003 Donna di Rango
No idea about the varietals, I am guessing more Sangiovese. Ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose has cherries, grilled meats and spice (kind of peppery). On the palate, this has cherries and raspberries. Some spice. It is a bit thin but also had been opened 24 hours. 50+3+11+15+5=84
2004 Garafoli Piancarda Rosso Conero
Opened 24 to 48 hours. This was a surprise. 100% Montepulciano. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries and some leather. Full bodied. Complex. No sign of oxidation. This is kind of pricey for what it is at $20 Ohio, but I will be purchasing some. Better than most MdA’s. I am told they have an amped up oak version that I would like to try but am leery of. This bottle was excellent QPR though. 50+4+12+17+7=90