2016 Saved Magic Maker Rose, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was consumed with a couple of my neighbors outside by the fire on a late Spring Day.  It was quite well received.  It is a blend of  Grenache, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese.  First, the bottle is very pretty with a silk screened label.  The wine itself is likewise pretty with an almost iridescent salmon orange color to it.  The nose is large with burnt oranges, some strawberries and slight cherries.  There is some alcohol on the nose too.  On the palate, this has a very nice texture.  Big fruit, mostly tart cherries.  Enough acidity to work with food but made just fine sip

2000 Terrabianca Campaccio Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

A blend of Cabernet and Sangiovese.  Bought on release and cellared by me.  Ruby red in color with purple swirls.  This is drinking quite well right now and at peak or just past.  The nose is great with dusty cherries, some cassis, a bit of dried fruit, and crushed dry tea leaves.  On the palate, this is layered and nice complex.  Not a huge wine but still plenty of cherry fruit layered with earth and forest floor.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  

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

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with cherries and sour cherries.  Good acidity.  Very food friendly.  Went great with an "Impossible" Burger.  Tart cherries, layered with forest floor.  Good finish.  This is still young and has some upside in terms of development.  Plenty of fruit with light tannins right now.  

2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Chianti doesn't get the recognition it deserves.  Some of the best Chianti's (and this is one of them) are as good as most Brunello's or most other wines.  Factor in price, and these are some of the great red wine values of the world.  This was opened and allowed to breathe for an hour.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very nice with dark cherries, some forest floor/tea leaves and a bit of tarragon.  On the palate, juicy acidity.  This went great with Grilled Polenta with a three pepper sauce.  Flavors of sour cherries, some black cherries with a bit of tea.  Nice finish.  This is just s

2016 Folonari Chianti, Italy, Tuscany - Wine Review

Score: 
85
Grade: 
B

This sells for about $7.  It certainly is an excellent value at that price.  A nice wine to order at a local Italian restaurant or buy for a party.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is clean with raspberries, and light black cherries.  Slight tea leaves.  On the palate, this is crisp and clean.  Cherried.  Nary a tannin.  Dry but a perception of sweetness.  Good acidity.  Works with food.  

1997 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

OMG.  This bottle was opened about 3 hours prior to drinking and decanted about 20 minutes prior (mostly for sediment).  I was just blown away.  I thought it would be good, even great, but it was amazing.  Purple/ruby in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is awesome.  Deep with plums, dark cherries, iodine, slight sandalwood and spice, lush earthiness with lush forest floor notes.  On the palate, this is fresh and vibrant.  Complex, layered and deep.  Dark cherries, earthiness, forest floor notes, slight tea with just a slight drying tannin (in a good way).  Great acidity.  Worked perfectly

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Another Great Sangiovese Wine from Tuscany

Some of the great wines in Italy, and the world, hail from Tuscany. Other articles have discussed Super Tuscans , and some of the great wines based on the Sangiovese grape including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino . In this article, another great Sangiovese based wine is explored: Vin Nobile di Montepulciano. The name of this wine can be confusing. Long ago these wines became the chosen wine of nobility hence the Nobile part of the name.

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