Archive for the ‘Tuscany’ Category

Castello Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2006

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Castello Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2006

I asked Anthony to toss a random bottle in my last dozen from Boccaccio Cellars and this is what he chose. Good work too, because it was delicious and interesting. A big nose, with lots of stuff happening at the same time – dark cherries, plums, vanilla, dried herbs, tobacco leaf and a touch of balsamic. At this point I should disclose that I nicked the last descriptor from Gary Walsh’s note, and that’s because he’s spot on. The palate is big and quite tannic, with lurking fruits, good intensity and bags of potential. A wine to contemplate if you open it now, but really needs a few years tucked away somewhere cool.

Rated : 92 Points
Tasted : Nov09
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $60
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2012-2020
Source : Boccaccio Cellars
Website : Castello Monsanto

Posted in $50 to $100, Italy, Notes, Price, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment »

La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova 2005

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova 2005

A blend of Sangiovese and Colorino. The name means “the black one”, and refers not only to the deep dark colour of the wine, but also to how the old-timers in Tuscany like their red wine. A dark red in colour. The nose is elusive, and after 4 or 5 hours I was beginning to lose my patience, but I did note coffee beans, sarsaparilla root, sweaty leather saddles, red peppercorns, hard woody spices and old gruyere cheese. The palate needs some time to reveal itself, but when it did it showed liquered red cherries, black cherries and leathery earth with some savoury dryness. Not exactly Sangiovese as I was expecting it, but it is quite pleasant and certainly profited from some accompanying food. Oh, and the stinky edge was a touch distracting. Drink over the medium term.

Rated : 89 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $48
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2012
Source : Wine Emporium
Website : La Spinetta

Posted in $20 to $50, Italy, Notes, Price, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Varietal/Style | 2 Comments »

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Le Volte 2002

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Volte 2002

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A very dusty nose – it needs a good vacuuming – cedar, red fruits and a little bit stinky. The palate also showed dry red fruits, with dried meats and a metallic twang, and a certain amount of rusticity, with cleansing acid on the finish. The tannins are pleasant, and it looked better on the second day, but that dryness pervades the wine – perhaps it is a style thing or perhaps it was left for too long in the cellar. Not quite a road trip across the Nullabor, but make sure you have some cheese, cured meats and good bread on hand.

Rated : 84 Points
Tasted : Nov08
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $22
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2008-2008
Source : Cellar
Website : Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

Posted in $20 to $50, Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Notes, Price, Tuscany, Varietal/Style | 2 Comments »

Cerro del Masso Chianti 2004

Tuesday, August 14th, 2007

Cerro del Masso Chianti 2004

I was wandering the aisles of Dans on the weekend looking for stuff to fill a 6 pack with. Just to get the discount you understand, and this wine, from what I believe is a good Chianti vintage, caught my eye. This label did confuse me a little though, but I think the producer is a firm called “Carlo Antonini and Cerreto Guidi”.

A glass at lunchtime suggested cherries, leather, a bit of spice and earth. Quite lightly bodied, with coy fruit and a leathery dryness. It was also quite short, and had a tinny bitterness on the finish. Well 5 hours later it had fleshed out, with sweet fruits and dusty cherries, bark, and only a hint of bitterness. A wine with some generosity, but perhaps a bit simple.

Rated : 83 Points
Tasted : Aug07
Alcohol : 12.5%
Price : $17.95
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2007 – 2010
Source : Dan Murphys

Posted in Italy, Notes, Tuscany | No Comments »

Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2004

Saturday, June 30th, 2007

Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2004

This is my second bottle of this wine. I think I might have consumed my previous bottle too quickly, so I gave this one a good decant. Though I must say that it is slightly disquietening opening a bottle of wine at 8 o’clock in the morning; at least there weren’t any brown paper bags in the vicinity.

A blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. Quite a savoury and persuasive nose, with dark cherries and undergrowth, some leather and dusted cherries, fine clean earth and spices like oregano and savoury. The palate is savoury too, with cherry fruits and blacker fruits too, dry spices, fine and dusty tannins, and a charming acid spine. A wine with some depth of flavour, perfectly suited to the winter climate in Brisbane, and really everyone should have a few bottles of this in the cellar.

Rated : 91 Points
Tasted : Jun07
Alcohol : 13.0%
Price : $33
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2007 – 2014+
Source : Boccaccio Cellars
Website : Castellare di Castellina

Posted in Italy, Notes, Tuscany | 1 Comment »

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2004

Friday, September 15th, 2006

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2004

A medium/light red in colour. The nose shows red fruits, dried herbs, a bit of pepper and gunsmoke. It is almost medium weight, with sour cherries and herbs, some savoury richness and good length. The finish is drying with some good acid. A bit more oomph than the 2003, and it has improved overnight. A pleasant wine, a good food wine; I just wish it was $20 per bottle.

Rated : 87 Points
Tasted : Sept06
Alcohol : 13.0%
Price : $34
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2006 – 2009
Source : Boccaccio Cellars

Posted in $20 to $50, Italy, Notes, Price, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Varietal/Style | No Comments »