2013 Pakravan Papi Montescudaio Campo del Pari, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Reason to check out the sales bin at grocery stores and talk with the managers. This is an Italian (Tuscan) Merlot marked down from $45 to $30. Is it amazing? No. Is it a nice value and a chance to try a new wine? Yes. Purple in color. The nose has plums, slight chocolate and cherries. On the palate, this is not real ripe. Plums, black cherries with underlying hay and dry forest floor. Decent acidity. Nice finish. Food friendly. Easy drinking with a bit of depth.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2013

Le Marche's Le Terrazze: Bob Dylan, Chaos & Some Great Italian Wines

Le Marche (pronounced lay Mar-kay) is a region in central Italy that borders the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennines to the west. Le Marche borders Emilia-Romagna to the north, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio to the west, and Abruzzi to the south. The terrain is mostly hills and mountains once you get away from the coast. The area has a long history matching most of the historic conquests of Italy: it was occupied by the Gaul’s, colonized by the Romans, later it was invaded by the Goths and Lombard’s, then by Charlemagne. It was then mostly a papal state before finally being annexed in the mid-1800’s by the kingdom of Italy.

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2017 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, wine review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$45.00USD

This is from the Tuscan branch of Gaja, more widely known for their wines from Piedmont in northern Italy. It is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah, and 10% Sangiovese. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, sandalwood, slight chocolate and spice. Firm tannins. Full bodied. On the palate, cassis, black cherries, slight forest floor and chocolate. Long finish. This is tasty now but obviously young. It could use a few more years of cellaring and then drink for ten to fifteen after that. Nice on its own, this would w

2014 Tenuta San Guido Guido Alberto Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$45.00USD

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

2014 Villa Pillo Borgoforte Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

B+

This Super Tuscan blend has Sangiovese, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It retails for $15 which is a fair price. The nose is dusty with cherries. This is a relatively simple wine but good and easy drinking. There is a bit of an under ripe vegetal note but not bad. Good acidity. This would work nicely with pizza or pasta or at a local Italian place.

2017 Argiano Non Confunditur Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$18.00USD

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese which makes it a "Super Tuscan". It is, however, not expensive and truly a great value. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, baking spices and slight woodiness. On the palate, this is medium bodied. A nice backbone of acidity. It has a soft but inviting texture. Delicious red berry fruit with underlying dry earthiness. Medium finish. This drinks great on its own but is better with food. A great "pizza wine". It should be good for another five to seven years.

2013 Pakravan Papi Montescudaio Campo del Pari, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

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