TN: Enoteca 100 - Italian Wine Tasting (109 TNs)

[Richard_Jennings]

ENOTECA 100 - ITALIAN WINE TASTING (109 TNS) - Donato Enoteca, Redwood City, California (11/7/2009)

Richard (photo by Gary Chevsky)

This was a first time event by a relatively new restaurant, in Redwood City, where I’ve had some good Italian meals. They have a serious Italian wine list, and asked some distributors, and some winery owners, to show their wines. Alongside over 100 wines being poured, Donato and his staff cooked up some tasty appetizers and other treats. In four hours, I managed to taste 109 wines, which was almost everything on hand. I’ve divided them up by category below.

A Nebbiolo-based wine from Lombardy was my WOTT: '05 Mamete Prevostini Valtellina Sforzato Albareda. Also stunning from Lombardy was the '05 Nino Negri Valtellina Sfursat. The best of the sparkling wines were the A.G. Ferrari Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Il Sogno di Annibale and the Il Calepino Brut “Fra Ambrogio.” The best of the whites were the '06 Movia Ribolla Gialla, '04 Valle Isarco Kerner Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler “Aristos,” the '08 A.G. Ferrari Il Bianco di Annibale, '04 Livon Braide Alte, '07 Poderi San Lazzaro Pistillo, '07 Quattro Mani Furlanski Tokaj Exto Gredic, and an old favorite, Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina.

There were two really good Barberas, ‘05 Ca’ Bianca Barbera d’Asti Superiore Chersi and '06 Bruno Rocca Barbera d’Alba. The best of the Barbarescos and Barolos were '05 Produttori del Barbaresco, '04 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Coparossa, and '04 Damilano Barolo Cannubi. The best of the Amarones was 1995 G. Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. The best of the Super Tuscans was the ‘06 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Promis (also the best vintage of that wine I’ve ever had, by far). The best of the other reds was an '05 Punica Barrua Isola dei Nuraghi, '06 Selvagrossa Poveriano and '06 Valle dell’Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

All in all, this was a fun event, with some great food, and some very good and interesting wines, along with many that were fairly mediocre. It’s great to see more Italian wine events in this area.
Sparkling Wines (White & Red)

• N.V. Ariola Lambrusco Grand Cru Emilia IGT - Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Emilia IGT
  Dark raspberry red color; tart plum, herbaceous nose; tight, tart plum, slightly herbaceous, menthol palate; short-medium finish (86 pts.)
• 2007 Bisol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Crede Brut - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
  Tart white peach, ripe lemon nose; tasty, tart white peach, lemon, mineral palate; short-medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• N.V. Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut - Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta
  Lemon, citrus, mineral nose; lemon, citrus, bready palate with depth and good acidity; medium finish (88 pts.)
• N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco di Conegliano Cuvée Brut - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano
  Nice tart apple, mineral, yellow fruit nose; tart yellow apple, mineral palate; short finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• N.V. A.G. Ferrari Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Il Sogno di Annibale - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene
  Very light yellow color; tart apple nose; tasty, light, tart apple, mineral palate; short-medium finish (90 pts.)
• N.V. Il Calepino Brut “Fra Ambrogio” - Italy, Lombardia
  Light green yellow color; earthy, ripe grapefruit, baked apple nose; tasty, tart yellow fruit, apple, mineral palate with a touch of honey; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2008 La Battagliola Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro - Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
  Berry, dried berry, herbal nose; berry, dried berry, herbal palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
• N.V. Lamberti Prosecco Vino Spumante Extra Dry - Italy, Veneto
  Mineral, earthy, apple peel nose; ripe apple, peach palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2007 Livon Collio Ribolla Gialla Fenis - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio
  Pale greenish yellow color; tart green fruit, herbal, oak nose; tart green fruit, herbal, oak palate; short finish (86 pts.)
• N.V. Ruggeri Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Gold Label - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
  Bright tart green fruit, cream, lime nose; tart green fruit, mineral palate; short finish (87 pts.)

White Wines

• 2008 Roberto Anselmi Soave Classico Capitelli - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
  Focused fresh cut lemon nose; tart lemon, tart peach, mineral palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2006 Bastianich Vespa Bianco Venezia Giulia IGT - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
  From magnum - oily, oak, floral nose; tart green fruit, vanilla, lime, mineral, juicy palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (45% Chardonnay, 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Picolit) (88 pts.)
• 2008 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio Trentino - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino
  Intriguing tart peach, stone fruit nose; oily textured, mineral palate with good acidity; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2008 Cantina Pedres Vermentino di Gallura Thilibas - Italy, Sardinia, Vermentino di Gallura
  Ripe lemon, mineral, bubblegum, apple nose; oily textured, mineral, tasty, tart green fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2008 Cantina Valle Isarco Grüner Veltliner Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler “Aristos” - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler
  Herbal, green apple, tart peach nose; herbal, green apple, tart peach, mineral palate; short-medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2004 Cantina Valle Isarco Kerner Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler “Aristos” - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler
  Very light yellow color; mineral, spicy, green apple nose; spicy, tart green fruit, green melon, lightly oily textured palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2007 Casale del Giglio Antinoo Lazio IGT - Italy, Latium, Lazio IGT
  Nice, oily, white fruit, acacia nose; tasty, oily textured, mineral, tart white peach palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2007 Coppo Langhe Chardonnay Costebianche - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
  Baked peach, almond, oak, vanilla nose; almond, tart white fruit palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2008 Donnafugata Anthìlia Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Peach, apple nose; tart apple, green fruit palate; short-medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2008 A.G. Ferrari Il Bianco di Annibale - Italy, Tuscany
  Light yellow color; deep green apple, mineral, mint nose; oily textured, mineral, tart green fruit palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2008 Bibi Graetz Casamatta Bianco Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Light green yellow color; tart green melon nose; oily textured, tart green fruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2004 Livon Braide Alte Vino da Tavola - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Vino da Tavola
  Very herbal, oak, oily, sherry nose; tart, oily textured, herbal, mineral, menthol, almond palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2006 Marisa Cuomo Costa d’Amalfi Furore Bianco Fiorduva - Italy, Campania, Costa d’Amalfi
  Bright yellow color; oily, mineral smoke nose; oily textured, peach palate; short-medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2008 Marotti Campi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Luzano Classico Superiore - Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico
  Mineral, lime, herbal nose; tart green fruit, mineral palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2006 Movia Ribolla Gialla - Slovenia, Primorje, Goriška Brda
  Medium golden peach color; almond, sherried, smoke nose; tasty, oily textured, almond, mineral palate with body; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2007 Tenuta di Nozzole Le Bruniche Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Mineral, tart peach, herbal nose; oily textured, tart peach, mineral palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2007 Planeta La Segreta Bianco Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Oak, herbal, mint, green fruit nose; tart green fruit, mineral palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2007 Poderi San Lazzaro Pistillo Marche IGT - Italy, Marche, Marche IGT
  Golden yellow color; oily, olive, deep lime, savory nose; oily textured, olive, herbal palate with depth and character; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2007 Quattro Mani Furlanski Tokaj [toh-kai] Exto Gredic - Slovenia, Primorje, Goriška Brda
  Big menthol, herbal, eucalyptus nose; oily textured, eucalyptus, mineral, intriguing herbal palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2007 Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina - Italy, Campania
  Mineral, white fruit nose; tasty, mineral, tangy white fruit, white peach palate with good acidity; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2007 Tenuta Rapitalà Piano Maltese Bianco Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Big mineral, green fruit, oak nose; oak, green fruit, mineral palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2007 San Michele Appiano (St. Michael-Eppan) Sauvignon Blanc Lahn - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
  Grassy, herbal nose; tart grapefruit, lemon grass palate with light oily texture; short-medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2006 Suavia Soave Classico Monte Carbonare - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
  Herbal, white fruit, oaky nose; oaky, tart white peach palate; short-medium finish (84 pts.)
• 2008 Terredora di Paolo Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra - Italy, Campania, Greco di Tufo DOCG
  Big, oak, quince, floral nose; ripe quince, herbal palate; short finish (86 pts.)
• 2007 Cascina Val del Prete Roero Arneis Luet - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero DOC
  Floral, light green fruit nose; light, tart green fruit, lime palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2008 Volpe Pasini Colli Orientali del Friuli Pinot Grigio Grivó - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Colli Orientali del Friuli
  Light lime, tart peach nose; mineral, tart peach, lightly oily palate; medium finish (89 pts.)

Rose

• 2008 Falesco Vitiano Rosato Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT
  Medium pink color; cherry, menthol nose; cherry, plum, menthol palate with tang; medium finish (86 pts.)

Barberas

• 2005 Ca’ Bianca Barbera d’Asti Superiore Chersi - Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d’Asti Superiore
  Deep berry, mulberry, oak nose; deep berry, mulberry, oak, menthol, anise, black fruit palate, with depth; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2005 Cascina Ca’Rossa Barbera d’Alba Mulassa - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
  Appealing berry, blackberry, vanilla nose; berry, blackberry, vanilla palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2007 Cascina Val del Prete Barbera d’Alba Serra de Gatti - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
  Deep berry, oak nose; simple, deep berry, oak palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2006 Bruno Rocca Barbera d’Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba
  Smoke, black fruit nose with depth; tasty, black fruit, smoke; meat jus palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Barbarescos, Barolos and Nebbiolo-based

• 2004 Alessandro Anzivino Gattinara - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara
  Berry, mineral, tart plum nose; tart berry, plum, mineral, dried fruit palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2006 Cascina Ca’Rossa Langhe Nebbiolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
  Oak, berry, black fruit, anise nose; berry, black fruit, anise palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2005 Carlo Giacosa Barbaresco Narin - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Redolent plum, dried berry nose; plum, dried berry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Black fruit, dried berry, tar nose; sexy, black fruit, dried berry, tar palate; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)
• 2005 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Herbal, tar, lavender, berry nose; herbal, tar, lavender, berry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2004 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Coparossa - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Bacon, black fruit, tar nose; very tasty bacon, black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)
• 2004 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Light medium cherry color; dried cherry, herbal, sage nose; tart red fruit, light medium bodied, menthol palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2004 Damilano Barolo Cannubi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Fabulous roasted meat, smoke, lavender nose; roasted meat, smoke, lavender palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2004 Luigi Baudana Barolo Sori Baudana - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Deep herbal, berry, black fruit nose; herbal, berry, black fruit, tar, oak palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2005 Angelo Ferrio Roero Cascina Ca’Rosso Audinaggio - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero DOC
  Plum, berry nose; plum, berry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2005 Mamete Prevostini Valtellina Sforzato Albareda - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina
  Intriguing, dried orange, dried berry, anise nose; sexy, delicious, berry, tar, dried orange, dried berry, anise palate; medium-plus finish (96 pts.)
• 2005 Nino Negri Valtellina Sfursat - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina
  Dried berry, herbal, smoke, tar nose; sexy, dried berry, herbal, smoke, tar palate; long finish (95 pts.)
• 2004 Travaglini Gattinara - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara
  Dried berry, tar, anise nose; dried berry, tar, anise palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2004 Cascina Val del Prete Nebbiolo d’Alba Vigna di Lino - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d’Alba
  Black fruit, herbal, oak nose; black fruit, herbal, oak palate; medium finish (87 pts.)

Brunellos, Chiantis and Sangiovese-based

• 2004 Fattoria dei Barbi (Colombini) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Tart plum, black fruit, tar nose; tart plum, black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2004 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Berry, plum nose; berry, plum, black fruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2006 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
  Black fruit, tar, herbal nose; black fruit, tar, herbal palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2004 Castello di Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Blackberry, berry, smoke, herbal nose; blackberry, berry, smoke, herbal, tar palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2004 Col d’Orcia (Cinzano) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Nice berry, dried berry, herbal nose; berry, dried berry, herbal, menthol palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2008 A.G. Ferrari Il Rosso di Annibale - Italy, Tuscany
  Tart plum, herbal, oregano nose; tart plum, herbal, oregano palate; medium finish (96% Sangiovese) (82 pts.)
• 2004 Giovanna Ciacci Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta di Collosorbo - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Smoke, roasted meat, oak nose; smoke, roasted meat, oak palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2003 Fattoria La Lecciaia (Pacini) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Plum, berry, spice nose and palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
• 2004 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
  Berry, dried berry, black fruit, anise nose; berry, dried berry, black fruit, anise palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2004 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  Intriguing deep menthol, black fruit, dried berry nose; dried berry, black fruit, plum palate; medium-plus finish (94 pts.)
• 2007 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Rosso di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
  Herbal, plum, oak nose; herbal, plum, oak palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2006 Querceto di Castellina Chianti Classico L’aura - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
  Berry, plum nose with depth; berry, plum, mineral palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2005 Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
  Menthol, plum nose; menthol, plum palate, on the dull side; medium finish (86 pts.)
• 2003 San Vincenti Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
  Berry, plum, oak nose; berry, plum, oak palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
• 2007 Tenute Silvio Nardi Rosso di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
  Plum, berry, menthol, tar nose; plum, berry, menthol, tar palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)

Amarones and Corvina-based

• 2005 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
  Olive, herbaceous plum, menthol nose; herbaceous plum, olive, black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
• 2003 Nicolis Angelo e figli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Ambrosan - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  Plum, berry, menthol, black fruit, charcoal nose; nice, concentrated, berry, plum, anise, black fruit, baked plum palate; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 1995 G. Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  From magnum - black fruit, tar, smoke, anise nose; rich black fruit, tar, smoke, anise palate; medium-plus finish 93+ pts. (93 pts.)
• 2006 Le Salette Valpolicella I Progni Ripasso - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella
  Smoke, charcoal, charred meat nose; smoke, charcoal, charred meat palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2004 Venturini Massimino Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  Rich, black fruit, oak, tar, licorice nose; black fruit, oak, tar, licorice palate; long finish (91 pts.)

Super Tuscan Blends

• 2006 Badia di Morrona Taneto Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Black fruit, menthol nose; black fruit, menthol palate; medium finish (50% Syrah) (88 pts.)
• 2006 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Berry, black fruit, charcoal, tar nose; rich, berry, black fruit, charcoal, tar palate, best vintage I’ve had of this wine; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2006 Casale del Giglio Mater Matuta Lazio IGT - Italy, Latium, Lazio IGT
  Herbal, black fruit, tar nose; herbal, black fruit, tar, dried berry palate; medium-plus finish (85% Syrah, 15% Petit Verdot) (91 pts.)
• 2004 D’Isanto & D’Isanto I Balzini Black Label Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
  Black fruit, herbal, tar nose; black fruit, herbal, tar palate; medium finish (Sangiovese and Merlot) (87 pts.)
• 2006 Luce La Vite Lucente Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Rich berry, menthol, plum nose; rich berry, menthol, plum, blackberry palate; medium finish (blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon) (90 pts.)
• 2006 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Black fruit, berry, vanilla nose; black fruit, berry, vanilla, tart plum palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2006 Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Poggio Alla Badiola Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Oaky nose; oak, more oak, black fruit palate; short finish (79 pts.)
• 2006 Mazzoni Rosso - Italy, Tuscany
  Black fruit, plum, charcoal nose; black fruit, plum, charcoal, menthol palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2005 Querceto di Castellina Podalirio Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Berry, plum, black fruit, blackberry nose; berry, plum, black fruit, blackberry palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2006 Tenuta di Biserno Insoglio del Cinghiale Bibbona Maremma Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana IGT
  Menthol, plum, herbaceous nose; herbaceous plum, menthol, tart berry palate, Bordeaux-like; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot) (90 pts.)
• 2005 Agricola Titignano Lago di Corbara Salviano Turlo - Italy, Umbria, Lago di Corbara
  Menthol, plum, dried berry nose; menthol, plum, dried berry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) (90 pts.)

Montepulcianos

• 2005 Poderi San Lazzaro Grifola Marche IGT - Italy, Marche, Marche IGT
  Black fruit, berry, tar nose; black fruit, berry, tar, menthol palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2007 scarpone Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Tribute - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
  Reduction, herbal, oak nose; tart, reduction, herbal, charcoal palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
• 2008 Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vigne Nuove - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
  Carbonic maceration, pepper, black fruit nose; simple, black fruit, pepper palate; medium finish (86 pts.)

Other Reds

• 2004 Baglio di Pianetto Ramione Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Berry, menthol, blackberry nose; tasty, berry, menthol, blackberry palate; medium finish (50% Nero d’Avola, 50% Merlot) (91 pts.)
• 2005 Càntele Primitivo Salento IGT - Italy, Puglia, Salento IGT
  Black fruit, plum nose; simple black fruit, plum palate; medium finish 86+ pts. (86 pts.)
• 2006 Feudo Maccari Nero d’Avola ReNoto - Italy, Sicily
  Oak, nutmeg, plum nose; oak, nutmeg, plum palate; short-medium finish (83 pts.)
• 2007 Azienda Agricola Graci Etna Etna Rosso - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC
  Black fruit, oak nose; black fruit, oak palate; short finish (81 pts.)
• 2004 Les Crêtes Pinot Noir Valle d’Aosta Vigne La Tour - Italy, Valle d’Aosta
  Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; poised cherry, sous bois, rose nose; tart cherry, sous bois, roses palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2007 Luigi Giusti Lacrima di Morro d’Alba - Italy, Marche, Lacrima di Morro d’Alba
  Menthol, dried berry, lavender, black fruit nose; menthol, dried berry, lavender, black fruit, tart berry palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2005 Odoardi Savuto - Italy, Calabria, Savuto
  Big herbal, black fruit, menthol nose; herbal, black fruit, menthol, oregano palate; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2005 Palari Faro - Italy, Sicily, Faro
  Charcoal, dried berry, black fruit nose; charcoal, dried berry, black fruit palate; short-medium finish (83 pts.)
• 2005 Palari Rosso del Soprano Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Tart berry, roses, tar nose; tart berry, roses, tar palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2006 Pecchenino Dolcetto di Dogliani Siri D’Jermu - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dolcetto di Dogliani
  Plum, berry nose; plum, berry, black fruit, tar palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2006 Planeta Santa Cecilia Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Oak, berry nose; berry, raspberry, blackberry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
• 2005 Agricola Punica Barrua Isola dei Nuraghi IGT - Italy, Sardinia, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
  Unusual menthol, dried black fruit, berry nose; rich, berry, black fruit, plum, mineral, charcoal palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2005 Re Manfredi Aglianico del Vulture - Italy, Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture
  Black fruit, olive, herbal nose; black fruit, olive, herbal palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2007 Renzo Castella Dolcetto Diano d’Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Diano d’Alba
  Cherry, menthol nose; tart cherry, menthol, mineral palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2008 Sassotondo Ciliegiolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  Tart cherry, menthol, mineral nose; tart cherry, menthol, tart berry, mineral palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
• 2005 Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva - Italy, Sardinia, Cannonau di Sardegna
  Dried berry, tar, menthol, berry nose; dried berry, tar, menthol, berry palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2008 Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT - Italy, Calabria, Calabria IGT
  Tar, black fruit, oak nose; tar, black fruit, oak, dullish palate; short finish (82 pts.)
• 2006 Selvagrossa Poveriano Marche IGT - Italy, Marche, Marche IGT
  Menthol, plum, berry nose; rich plum, berry, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2006 Valle dell’Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria - Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria
  Dried berry, tar, black fruit, lavender nose; tasty, dried berry, black fruit, lavender palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2007 Viticoltori De Conciliis Aglianico Donnaluna Paestum IGT - Italy, Campania, Paestum IGT
  Black fruit, oak, herbal nose; black fruit, oak, herbal, licorice palate; medium finish (85 pts.)

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