Italy

• Abruzzo
• Alto Adige
• Apulia
• Basilicata
• Calabria
• Campagna
• Emilia-Romagna
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia
• Liguria
• Lombardia
  • Franciacorta
• Marche
• Molise
• Piedmont (Piemonte)
• Sicily
  • Mt. Etna
• Trentino-Alto Adige
• Tuscany
  • Brunello di Montalcino
  • Chianti
• Umbria
• Valle d'Aosta
• Veneto
  • Prosecco
  • Soave
• Sardinia

Sadly, this was corked.  

What a delicious white wine.  Apparently, this producer was the first 100% Arneis wine back in 1972, but this was my first time trying it.  it captured our whole table's attention.  Silvery gold in color with some green swirls.  The nose has pears along with slight lemons and vanilla cream.  With a bit of air, a floral quality emerges.  On the palate, this has a great slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  There is a an underlying minerality with some pear fruit.  Clean finish.  This probably will last five to seven years, but its best drinking is in the next couple of years to enjoy its fr

OK.  So when we did this tasting, we had six Chianti's.  I went thru the lineup.  Then we invited friends over and about ten more people tried the wines.  I revisit them that night, the next night and finish on day 3.  This was almost the unanimous wine of the night.  If it was labelled Brunello or even a Super Tuscan, i think the scores would have been higher.  Of course, there is always something that says the best Chianti's can't score that high.  I have never subscribed to that philosophy as producers like Felsina and Fontodi deserve higher scores.  Well add this one to the list.   A bl

This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Colorino.  Purple with ruby swirls.  It is very tight on opening but with air opens to black cherry fruit.  The nose is easy and enjoyable.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru.  This seems ripe and has an almost cough syrup quality to the cherry fruit.  A bit of anise on the finish.  Firm tannins.  This is concentrated but seems more about fruit than a typical Chianti.  That proved to be a good thing in a tasting.  It will be interesting to see how this ages from here.  It seems like there is room to improve over the next few years.  It sho

Terrific vintage.

This is a 100% Sangiovese wine that utilizes certified organic grapes.  And, of course, 2016 is an excellent vintage for Chianti.  This wine is superb.  The cork was quite tight and took some effort to extract.  The wine is deep garnet in color, purple at the core.  Mostly opaque and dark.  On the nose this has big black cherry fruit, slight black licorice and just of touch of earl grey tea.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  Plenty of black cherry fruit with cherries.  It is still somewhat tight and young.  Firm tannins.  Long finish with an interesting anise note.  This will need a

This was quite good.  In general, 2011 is a good, not great vintage in Chianti, but this was very good.  It is a very classic Chianti for all of the right reasons.  Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes.  Medium/dark ruby in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose is very nice.  It is earthy with macerated cherries and fresh cherries along with a sweaty note.  Sort of a rustic Tuscan quality.  On the palate, this has bright cherries over a forest floor.  Very firm tannins.  Long finish.  It was tasted and about half consumed, then a neutral cork inserted and left over night on the counter.  Better o

My first time trying his producer and I am impressed.  it is 100% Sangiovese with 13% abv.  Ruby in color, with just a hint of orange/brown.  The nose shows a very slight oxidation.  Not sure if that is age, style or the cork, but not enough to be an issue.  There is also a slight volatile acidity.  Again, not enough to be an issue.  In fact, the two together gives this wine an impression of being just a bit older than it is, but it is still drinking well.  Finally, the nose also has cherries and a warm, earthy forest quality to it.  On the palate, this has a very nice mouthfeel.  Medium ta

This is just coming into maturity.  A bit earlier than expected and that's why its good to check in on wines every so often (or read others tasting notes).  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  A very pretty perfumed nose of cherries, black cherries, menthol and slight tar.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with char/smoke and a slight candied note.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is just starting to enter its prime drinking window and should be here for the next ten to fifteen years.  It might still improve a bit.  This will be great with pasta in a

This was a new wine for me.  It was very good, but also very unique and interesting.  The back label said it is made in the style of Nebbiolo that was consumed in the 17th and 18th centuries.  It is lighter, crisp, and with a light fizz.  Ruby in color, a bit frothy, but clear and bright.  Too dark to be a rose, but very light for a red.  On the nose, this has nice cherry fruit along with a slight sandalwood note.  Very energetic on the palate with good acidity.  The cherry flavors carry thru.  Slightly effervescent.  Not too unlike a quality Lambrusco but perhaps more bass tones (if that m