Almare Spritz, Pompelo Rosa

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

The origins of the Italian Spritz date back to the late 1800s when German soldiers found the local Italian wines too strong. The soldiers added a “spritz” of water to the wine to create a lighter beverage. Using 100% Glera grapes then infused with botanicals, bitter herbs, and flowers, the addition of pink grapefruit and a little carbonation creates a delightful sparkling beverage low in alcohol just in time for the summer months. Slightly sweet with light grapefruit, there is just a hint of bitterness on the finish.

2019 Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  On the nose black cherries, dust, some cherries and tea leaves.  Medium bodied.  Silky texture.  Black cherry fruit with some underlying forest floor.  Tight and tannic.  This seems riper than other vintages but also seems very closed.  Eventually it opened up after a couple of hours in the glass.  Maybe hold for a couple years and drink for ten after that.  It will work better with food.  Maybe Potato Tortelli would be a nice match young.  

2019 Antinori Chianti Classico Villa Antinori Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is earthy/sweaty socks along with cherries and slight anise.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, cherries and tea leaves.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  There is a nice depth as well.  Nice on its own, but better with food.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It would work well with Braised meat and pasta.

2020 Antinori Chianti Classico Marchese Antinori Riserva Tenuta Tignanello, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a "dusty attic" quality to it along with cherries.  Light bodied.  On the palate, light tannins.  Cherries turning a bit candied on the finish.  Good acidity.  This is a bit lighter in style but still true to its Chianti roots.  Better with food than on its own.  This would be nice with a creamy Tuscan Chicken dish.  

2017 Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is earthy with cherries, sandalwood and smoke.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries with some char.  Nice finish.  This wine will work better with food.  A great choice with a plate of pasta.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2021 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Chardonnay Bramito della Sala, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a Chardonnay from Umbria..  While I have its big brother, this was my first time trying this bottling.  Hay/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with gun powder, lemons, slight grapefruits and butterscotch.  Full bodied.  Creamy texture.  On the palate, lemon cream and toast.  Good finish.   Certainly some oak here, but not as much as its big brother.  This drinks easy and is a good value for people who like a slightly oaky Chardonnay.  Drink over the next few years.  

NV Ruffino Prosecco, Italy, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$11.00USD

A very nice way to start an evening especially with a crowd.  Silvery/green in color, clear and bright.  A nice mousse with medium bubbles.  On the nose, an effervescent lemon/lime quality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is dry with minerality and lime notes.  A bit of lemon hard candy on the finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with most foods.  Drink now.  

2018 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

Perhaps the top Chianti, and certainly better than most Brunellos.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, hints of anise, smoke and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is versatile and delicious.  Cherries, forest floor and char with strong acidity.  Long finish.  This is still young but will drink well for another twenty years.  If drinking soon, give it some air.  This is made for food and while nice on its own, is better with food.  Pizza or pasta would be great, but this will also work well with braise

2010 Sant'Appiano Monteloro Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This Super Tuscan is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, spice and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with smoke and forest floor notes.  Good finish.  This seems to be at maturity although it may still develop a bit.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  A nice match with grilled pizzas.  

2010 Renieri Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$315.00USD

Having tasted this back in 2010, it was nice to revisit this.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  Lovely nose of cherries, sandalwood, black cherries and tea leaves.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherries with underlying forest floor.  Nice finish.  Still on the youthful side but starting to show some maturity.  Complex and deep.  Tightly layered.  This should drink well for another seven to fifteen years.  Very nice with a pasta with tomato vodka sauce.  

Pages