Super Italians: Vintage Wines Ltd, Monthly Thursday Tasting

Super Italians
February 17th 6:30 pm
First Third Thursday Tasting for 2005 at Vintage Wines. This one written up as:
We will explore several regions of Italy using some of the top new releases. This is bound to be a great tasting.

The wines were tasted single blind. And I took great care to make sure that I did not know the order that they had been poured, even though the two attractive young ladies seated at my table continually asked me questions about the wines. Wine tasting is such a difficult job. I bet Parker has people looking over his shoulder all the time!

Albino Rocca Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi 2001 $59.99USD
Cherry red with a slight orange/brown edge. Somewhat closed with pepper, caramel and alcohol notes. Medium weight with good acidity and mouth drying tannins. Not a lengthy finish. Did open up with time. 2, 2, 3.8. 9.8 = 17.6/20 (92 WS)

Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2000 $56.99USD
Cheery red with a slight orange/brown edge. Very earthy with additional aromas of licorice and banana. Medium weight with better balance than the first wine. Good acidity and pronounced tannins. Not a lot of flavor on retronasal. 2, 2, 4.2, 9.8 = 18.0/20 (93 WS)

E. Pira Barolo Cannubi, Chiara Bochis 2000 $79.99USD
Cherry red with pink edge. Another earthy wine with aromas of cola and bananas. Developed an herbaceous aroma and a boot polish character with time. Medium weight with good balance and structure. Plenty of acidity and certainly not lacking in tannins. Flavors carry through on retronasal. 2, 2, 4.1, 10.1 = 18.2/20 (96 WS)

Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric 2000 $79.99USD
Cherry red with orange/brown edge. Notes of cola, pepper and alcohol. Medium weight, well balanced with good acidity and mouth drying tannins. Excellent retronasal. 2, 2, 3.9, 10.3 = 18.2/20 (94 WS)

La Spinetta Barolo Campe Della Spinetta 2000 $109.99USD
Cherry red with orange/brown edge. Notes of cola, pepper, ripe banana and a hint of ethyl acetate (VA?). Soft entry, well balanced with pronounced tannins on the finish. Excellent retronasal. Very impressive wine. 2, 2, 4.3, 10.3 = 18.6/20 (98 WS)

Fratelli Revello Barolo Vigna Gattera 2000 $54.99USD
Cherry red with pink/orange edge. Aromas of cola and pepper. Soft entry. Big tanninc finish with big acidity as well. Flavors carry through on retronasal. 2, 2, 4.1, 10.1 = 18.2/20 (95 WS)

Dal Forno Romano Veneto Valpolicella Superiore 1999 $88.99USD
Dark cherry with red edge. Very open and spicy with cloves and a rich cola aroma. Develop a dried tea leaves character with time. Excellent structure. Soft entry with pronounced tannins on the finish and an excellent retronasal. 2, 2, 4.5, 10.6 = 19.1/20 (91 WS- Argh, who cares. What does the Wine Spectator know!)

Freudi di San Gregorio Campania Serpico IGT 2001 $64.99USD
Dense cherry red. Initially closed. Opening to vanilla oak, blackberry and chocolate. Developed a tea leaf character with time. Slightly sweet on entry with pronounced tannins across the palate and refreshing acidity to the finish. Flavors carry through on retronasal. 2, 2, 4.3, 10.2 = 18.5/20 (98 WA) Hmm, apparently I have not been Parkerized!

Ca' de Rocche Amorone Della Valpolicella Classico “La Bastia” 2000 Approx $50USD
Cherry red with a slight orange edge. Initially just very dusty/musty oak. Developed a pepper character with time. Very soft entry and soft tannins. Slightly sweet across the palate and the flavors do not reveal much on retronasal. 2, 2, 3.6, 9.8 = 17.4/20

I knew there was one high scoring Parker wine in the group and if asked I would have said that wine number 7 was it. But I don’t think that influenced my score as this really is a very nice wine. I’m just not sure I would pay $89USD for it. I'm not sure I'd pay the money asked for any of the wines, although most are excellent wines and will reward cellaring