Tuscany

Another very nice Chianti carrying the Gran Selezione designation which came about in 2015 and is the highest designation of quality in Chianti.  Of course, not all wines carrying this designation are created equally.  This is purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is interesting with red apples and sour cherries also some balsamic vinegar and slight tea leaves.  On the palate, this still has medium tannins.  Cherry and sour cherry fruit with a bit of damp forest floor.  Slight port like notes of sweet alcohol on the finish but not enough to be an issue.  Overall, a very tasty Chi

Along with Fontodi, my two favorite producers in Chianti.  For under $20, this is a great value.  Deep garnet in color.  The nose is dusty with high toned cherries.  Perhaps a slight touch of volatile acidity but for me, it lifted the aromatics and was not a problem.  On the palate, cherries, sour cherries and light tannins wrapped around forest floor notes.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will probably not improve but it is drinking quite well and should hold at this point for at least a decade.  It will go great with Tuscan foods so think pastas but also pizza.  

From one of the best producers of Chianti and in Tuscany, this wine was showing great.  It kept improving all night long.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has dusty cherries with some tea leaves and a bit of spice.  On the palate, slight tannins.  Lots of concentrated cherry fruit.  Medium bodied.  Very nice acidity.  Almost a smoked cherry flavor on the palate which is very interesting along with fresh cherries and a bit of tea.  Good acidity.  This wine should continue to improve for a few years and be good for another ten to twenty after that depending on your tastes.  It is very food fr

This is the second label of Sassicaia.  It is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.  Tasted at a tasting with more Sangiovese grapes did not help this wine.  Nor did the fact that this was from a not very good vintage in Tuscany and many of the others were from better vintages.  Still, this wine was a favorite of some.  Deep garnet in color.  The nose has tart cherries, some cassis, some tobacco and green bell pepper.  On the palate, the tannins are fully resolved.  Good acidity.  Slightly bitter cherries with some forest floor.  Short finish.  It is a good reason to drink wines

This is a very nice Sangiovese from Tuscany and from a good vintage.  Garnet in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and a bit of soy.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Nice sour cherry fruit over a bit of forest floor.  Slight complexity, this should continue to develop a bit more.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  It is ripe and has an almost sweet quality about it but not.  This will work with a wide variety of food.  Obviously pasta and pizza are go to dishes.  This might get a bit better but should last for another five to seven years if well stored.  

An interesting white wine for a reasonable price.  Gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with a sort of creamy lemon vanilla note along with a bit of honey and slight pears.  On the palate, this has a lemon candy quality.  Not sweet but heading in that direction.  Then the finish has a bit of almond turning bitter at the end.  There is some acidity but not as much as typical for VdSG.  This went well with food although heavier foods would over power it.  A nice value but probably should be consumed within five years of vintage.  

This is one of the great wines of the world.  This is a Bordeaux blend made in Tuscany.  2015 was an excellent if quite ripe vintage.  All of that ends with a wine that is no where close to being ready to drink.  It doesn't matter how young you like your wines, this needs time.  If I had to drink a bottle now, i would decant it for a week.  It is tight, brooding and a monster.  That said, it will eventually be a tremendous wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cassis, coffee, spice and slight tobacco.  On the palate, there was a fierce wall of tannins.  Juicy black cherry fr

This is the best that Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has to offer.  At age 15, it is still young and really needed some air time to open up.  Better than most Chianti's and many Brunellos.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is great with cherries, tea leaves and spice.  On the palate, a great backbone of acidity.  Lots of juicy cherry fruit layered tightly with forest floor notes.  Medium tannins.  Long finish.  This really needs some food to soothe both the tannins and the acidity.  Pasta or Pizza would be great but it can stand up to meat dishes as well.  

This was purchased on release ($30) and stored.  It is drinking well now and a good value if not trying to source it now.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, tea leaves, spice and slight roasted herb.  On the palate, this has nice acidity and begs for food.  Went great with Eggplant Parmesan.  Lots of juicy cherries with a slight raisin note.  Good finish.  Probably at peak but still has some time left.  

Consistently one of the better BdM's out there.  2012 was a good year if not stellar, but this wine was singing.  Pop and pour, it took about an hour to open up and was good to go.  Garnet in color.  The nose has cherries, tea leaves, and slight spice notes.  On the palate, this has slight tannins.  Nice cherry fruit.  Showing slight layering of fruit and forest floor.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods and really begs for food.  It is still on the youthful side bu no baby.  It won't get better but should mature nicely for the next decade.  Drink anyti