2020 Pope Valley Sangiovese Brut Rosé, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This had been purchased at the winery.  First time trying a sparkling Sangiovese wine.  Deep salmon pink in color.  It has a nice mousse with small to medium bubbles, clear and bright.  The nose is nice if not expected.  Green apples with slight rhubarb and strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, apples, and slight strawberry notes.  Moderate finish.  A pleasant wine that will work better with food than on its own. Drink now.

2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

It is always a real treat to drink this wine.  The price has gone up quite a bit in recent years but for the quality, it is still fairly priced.  One hundred percent Sangiovese from Tuscany.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful with black cherries, cherries, sandalwood, black olives and spice.  Full bodied.  Still very firm tannins.  On the palate, this is showing some early maturity with flavors of black cherries, cherries, tea leaves and spice.  Long finish.  This still has another ten to fifteen years on it for well stored bottles.  Delicious on its own, this would

2013 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$88.00USD

This is Sangiovese from Tuscany.  Gorgeous wine.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, some black cherries, spice, tea leaves and slight worn leather.  Full bodied.  Strong acidity.  Light to  medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Complex and layered.  Flavors of cherries, forest floor and char.  Long finish.  This begs to be drunk with food.  Pasta with a nice meat sauce and some cheese and bread would be perfect.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2010 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$160.00USD

Impressive showing for this wine which seems to be just getting close to peak.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dried cherries, forest floor and balsamic.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this has layers of complexity.  Cherries, dried cherries, dried leaves, and spice.  Complex.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Lovely on its own, but better with food.  What's your favorite mushroom pasta dish?  It went well with a creamy mushroom pasta.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2004 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This seemed to be at peak.  Ruby in color with a touch of bricking, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, some dried cherries, slight sandalwood and tea leaves.  Medium bodied.  A good backbone of acidity.  On the palate, some depth and complexity.  Flavors of cherries, sandalwood and char.  Nice finish.  This needs food to really shine.  It would work great with pasta or pizza and I enjoyed it with Eggplant Rotini.  Drink up.  

2016 Fattoria La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Very nice showing for this wine if on the young side.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, anise, slight tea leaves, and a bit of char.  Medium tannins but smooth.  Full bodied.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, ripe, black cherry fruit with some anise and smoke.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  Drinking well now and should continue for ten to fifteen more years.  It was excellent with Eggplant Rotini.  

2009 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

What a great wine.  Unfortunately, the price has caught up to the quality on these, but it is still worth the occasional splurge.  I had originally tried this on release at the winery, it has really developed nicely since then.  I believe it is 100% Sangiovese, but could not verify that.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black cherries, baking spice, some dark chocolate, and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black cherries with slight forest floor and plenty of char.  Wonderful texture.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is great on its

2000 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color, mostly opaque and flat.  The nose is classic older BDM.  Black cherries, cherries, dust, tea leaves and dirt.  Still firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries with cigar/ash and some forest floor.  Very smooth texture.   Long finish.  At or just past peak but drinking quite well.  Drink over the next few years.  Great on its own, this would be better with food.  Pasta with a Bolognaise sauce would be good match.

2015 San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Poggio Rosso, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$71.00USD

Gran Selezione is the top level of Chianti wines.  This vintage, 2015, was an excellent vintage in Chianti.  And, this wine meets the high expectations those factors create.  Purple in color, with ruby swirls.  The nose is interesting with black cherries, cherries, saw dust and a strong streak of black olives.  Great acidity.  Firm tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is complex and deep while also delicious.  Black cherries, some cherries with slight tea leaves and char.  Long finish.  Still young, this should get better but drinking nicely now.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen

2019 Lungarotti Torgiano Rubesco Sangiovese Colorino Rosso di Torgiano, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is a blend of 90 Sangiovese and 10% Colorino from central Italy.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, with some cranberries and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, plums, slight chocolate and spice.  Clean.  This drinks easy.  Nice on its own, this is very food friendly.  A nice plate of pasta would work well.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Great value.  

Pages