This week, we have three Italians, showcasing a Tuscan blend, an ancient white, and a Piemonte Dolcetto.
Barone Ricasoli
Casalferro 2006
Although I should know better, I couldn’t resist an early
peak at this now five year old Super
Tuscan. A blend of Sangiovese (70%) and Merlot (30%), the wine spends 18 months
in French oak and is definitely a modern style Chianti wine. It had a while in
the decanter, but could have done with longer as it continued to improve in the
glass over the evening. The oak is prominent on the nose, along with berry and
floral characters. The palate is a mixture of sour cherry and cranberry, with a
little earth and chocolate peeking through. Nice structure and mouthfell, I’ll
be doing my best to enjoy my remaining bottles over the next five years or so.
Terredora di Paolo
Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra 2009
The Terredora winery, based in Campania, makes a wide range of wines
including this excellent single vineyard white from the Greco bianco grape. Apparently
named for its introduction by Greek colonists nearly 3000 years ago, along with
its preferred locations around the town of Tufo, the grape can produce aromatic yet
weighty wines showing a nice mineral streak. Terredora have produced a winner
here, with a well balanced wine marrying a backbone of acidity, good palate
weight with stone fruit and a dry, almost nutty finish.
Giovanni Manzone Dolcetto d'Alba Le Serra 2008
The winery's website might suggest they're on the modern side in Piemonte, but perhaps it is Giovanni Manzone's son, Mauro, who is responsible for the very flash internet site. Giovanni is well known as a respecter of the region's history, going so far as to make a small production run of a white from the rare Rossese Bianco grape. The Dolcetto from the La Serra vineyard has plenty of old school about it too, with some tar and violet aromatics, plenty of structure and weight, and a slightly grippy finish. Definitely a wine to take you into winter, rather than a slightly chilled summer red.
Previous week.
Previous week.
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