GrapeScott

Picked a bottle of something I hadn’t ever tried before from the racks last night, and as I was extracting a long and high quality cork from the neck of it, I prayed I wasn’t committing vinocide. An intriguing nose: savoury, dried meats and spice, with cherries, stones, vanilla, nuts and black earth, and a touch of caramel. The palate was beautifully textured and structured, dark cherries and plums, tobacco, earth and meats. Great length with perhaps the acid showing a bit on the finish. Probably cost in the mid $80s. Drink 2010-2019. 92 points

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

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

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