Pieropan makes some amazing Soave wine from the Garganega grape. This one is dry and works quite well at the table. Light golden in color. The nose has slight under ripe peach, some honey and a bit of spice. On the palate, this is dry. Crisp acidity. Peaches and honey carry thru but more about the minerality. Nice texture. Drank over two days without any change. Has a decade left easy.
Some wine regions get a but of short shrift. How great can a Soave be? Isn't it just a simple white wine? Well, truth be told, they can be outstanding. And this one is. Golden in color. The nose is great with melons and peaches but also a crisp minerality that while not at the forefront, gives great structure to the aromas. On the palate, this is almost seamless. How can that be? That descriptor usually comes into play for wines well above the $100 mark. Lots of minerality. Not sweet but almost sweet; probably just under the threshold. Some peach and melon. Nice finish. Drinki
This was cool. Although made in 1958 it had a screw top. Metal on glass with no visible o-rings, etc. The wine was a bit oxidized but really drinking quite well. It is fortified. Brown in color, somewhat like Vin Santo. On the nose, this was like a liquified Tootsie Roll. Chocolate, slight raisin, confectionery sugar. Nice. on the palate, this is fun. Chocolate candy with good acidity, a bit of caramel. Slightly sweet. Nice finish. Way above expectations and this seems like it has plenty of life left. Well done.
Wow. Great wine. Pop and pour, this got better or at least kept opening up all night. Purple in color with a ruby rim. Gorgeous nose of cassis, cigar box, nutmeg, and cherries. On the palate, this has great layering that unwinds in the glass. Cherries, cassis, earth and tobacco. A nice backbone of acidity helps it work well with foods. Delicious but complex. If still youthful, not too far from peak but at least a couple of decades of life left. Long finish.
This was drinking quite well although it has years left. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is very nice with black cherries, cedar, chocolate and cigar box. On the palate, this is youthful but ageing well. Layers of cherries, black cherries and tobacco. A nice back bone of acidity. Good finish. This can be drunk along but shines with food. Obviously Italian food but really a wide variety. Probably about 5 years from peak and should be there for 8 to 10.
In later vintages, this carries the Gran Selezione designation. This is one of, if not the top Chianti. It is better than most Brunellos. Of course, it costs more than most Brunellos too. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. What a great nose. A bit smokey with cherries, macerated cherries, some forest floor/tea leaves and slight spice. Still tight and tannic on the palate. It opens in the glass to show cherries, spice and black cherries. This needs time for sure, maybe another three to five and it will be good for a decade or maybe two after that. This is a great wine that can equal
This is a relatively unknown red from northeast Italy that you should know. Made from the Lagrein grape. This is much more serious than most wines utilizing that grape. Deep ruby/purple in color. The nose has dark cherries, spice and a bit of pine. On the palate, this has black cherries and cherries. Very rich fruit but also a great backbone of acidity. Would work well with a wide variety of foods. Some tannins, this is still young and has a few more years until peak. Should have another 10 to 15 years in it.
Light silvery gold in color. The nose is nice with great minerality. Also some pears. On the palate, this is slightly oily. Nice undertones of minerals. Some apple/pear. Good acidity. Nice finish. This would work with a wide variety of lighter to medium foods. Drinks surprisingly well on its own too. A bit pricey for an Arneis but this is one of the better ones. $30 retail.
This is a dessert wine made from Groppello, Marzemino, and Moscato Rosa grapes in Lombardy, Italy. It does not appear to be available in the US at the moment (sadly). 10% Alc and sold in 500ml bottles. What a treat. Deep salmon in color. The nose has oranges, simple syrup, pine and malted milk. Slightly sweet on the palate but with a great backbone of acidity. Lots of minerality along with some nice fresh strawberry notes. Slight tannins. A long finish. This is meant to be a dessert wine so food pairing can be an issue. This would be great with fresh fruit or a lighter fruit tar
Light green gold in color. The nose has minerals and limes. On the palate, a wet rock quality. Good acidity. Oily texture. Very food friendly for lighter/medium weight foods. Nice finish. This retails for around $17 and is a very nice value. While it might drink well for a few years though, the freshness will probably disappear by next summer, so I would drink soon. This would be great for fall clambakes!
