WTN: Castello Montauto Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2007

Tuscany
Agr. Villa Cerna

Spicy and lemon on the nose.

Creamy, peppery, lemon, pear, orange and grapefruit rind, very clean and zesty.

A long, lemony, tangy finish.

Purchased at $15.95 (Canadian).

Sounds good, Bruce. Did it stack up well against other whites in that price range?

Sounds good, Bruce. Did it stack up well against other whites in that price range?

Interesting you should ask that Mike, because I was thinking about the price as I was drinking it and was toying with including something about this in my note. While it was a nice wine, I didn't think it showed the sort of depth or complexity to warrant the price. I would have been happier if it had been $12 or $13.

Thanks, Bruce. As you say, it sounds tasty but there's a lot of competition in the under-$15 range.

I didn't think it showed the sort of depth or complexity to warrant the price...there's a lot of competition in the under-$15 range.

You guys must be pretty lucky.

I can find delicious crisp Muscadet for $10-15, but it seems pretty difficult to get 'depth' and 'complexity' for under $20, if that.

Not to mention the fact that the better Muscadet cuvees are either pushing or past $20 these days, along with $30-plus kabinett..

Uggh..

Bear in mind that our definition of "depth and complexity" might not be the same. The point I was making was that the wine, while nice, was not much more than a tangy, peppery, lemony wine which I didn't think merited the price tag.

Bear in mind that our definition of "depth and complexity" might not be the same. The point I was making was that the wine, while nice, was not much more than a tangy, peppery, lemony wine which I didn't think merited the price tag.

Yes, our definitions may be different. And I understand your reaction, I don't want to pay anything for boring wine.

But, to me it seems that boring wine at $15 is increasingly the norm. While I may be able to find a few gems that outperform the price, they are the rarities that are probably (unfortunately!) undervalued. As opposed to all the other stuff not meriting the price tag.

Depends on how you look at it, I suppose

As always, Rahsaan makes me laugh.......But, to me it seems that boring wine at $15 is increasingly the norm.

You de man R!! Not much for $15 up here, plenty of boring wines for say...$20. When you gonna come up here?!!

When you gonna come up here?!!

Who knows?

Plenty of travel plans in Europe and the US for the next 6-12 months, but no mention of Canada, yet..

Bruce,

We picked up some 2006 Fugnano Vernaccia di San Gimignano when we visited San Gimignano last fall. It has a boldness and complexity as well as a nice, velvety finish that I don't find in some of the other Vernaccia's. At 8 euro I find it to be quite a good value. Even at 10-12 euro I would feel the same way. Definitely worth a try if you happen upon it.

At 8 euro I find it to be quite a good value.

Probably so. Although on the other side of that Atlantic that will retail for roughly $20.