Tasting Notes, Friday 6/24
- June 24, 2011
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Here’s what we’re tasting on Friday evening, June 24th!
ARGIOLAS COSTAMOLINO VERMENTINO 2009
The Italian saying “ars longa, vita brevis” means “art is long, life is short,” which perfectly expresses their love of leisure. A glass of this Vermentino is a great way to kick off good times. It’s fruit forward, but with a floral character complementing melon and fig aromas like those colorful uniforms adorning the Vatican’s Swiss Guard. Melon and citrus flavors stroll across your palate through the long, graceful finish. 88 points Jim Tobin. $13.97.
TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO TOSCANA 2009
Their kick back nature doesn’t prevent Italians from getting stuff done. Eyeglasses, the battery, the piano, the typewriter, the barometer, and of course the espresso machine were all invented in Italy. So was this Super Tuscan, showing earthiness, red and black plum flavors, big drying tannins, and the concentration of Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. 90 points Jim Tobin. $24.97 (off a regular price of $37.97).
LUCA MALBEC 2008
We move briefly to Argentina, the 5th largest producer of wine in the world, with over 1800 wineries. They’re famous for Malbec, of course, and this one will dance a Tango across your palate, seducing you with deep, dark, concentrated flavors and aromas suggesting ripe plums, spicy oak, grilled meats, coffee and tobacco. This rich, brooding Argentine received 93 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. $29.97.
FEUDO MACCARI SAIA NERO D’AVOLA 2008
The average Italian eats a half pound of bread a day and 26 gallons of wine a year. How can you blame them when they make wines like this one? The Saia is “a spicy red, featuring crushed black cherry, blackberry and plum notes that carry hints of licorice, vanilla bean, incense and earth through to the slightly grippy finish.” As full-bodied as one of Caravaggio’s models, and absolutely delicious. 90 Wine Spectator. $24.97 (regular $34.97).
FEUDO MACCARI MAHARIS 2007
The colors of the Italian flag signify three virtues: green = hope, white = faith, and red = charity. This wine is yet another virtue. Full yet silky as Caruso’s voice, it shows “concentrated, almost tarry black cherry and berry, with notes of rosemary and flowers… with a lemony acidity keeping everything fresh.” This is amazing, and gets even better and more complex with time and air! 91 Wine Spectator. $33.97 (off a regular price of $59.97)
ISOLA DEI NURAGHI BARRUA 2007
Two of the greatest explorers of all time, Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, were Italian. But we can explore the magic and mystery of Italian wine by sipping this Sardinian beauty. As luscious as Gina Lollobrigida, it boasts soft red berry and vanilla flavors, food-worshipping acidity, and stiff tannins that keep everything together through a finish as long as the Appian Way. 91 points Bill Tobin. $39.97 (off a regular price of $52.97).
FRISK PRICKLY RIESLING 2010
And finally to Australia! The first European settlers there drank more alcohol per person than any other community in the history of mankind. Impressive, and so is this tasty Riesling. It’s easy-drinking and “sweet but not cloying, with pear, peach and pineapple flavors on a clear, open-textured frame.” A perfect Summer quaffer. 88 points Wine Spectator. $9.97.