So this wine geek walks into a bar...errr...TraderJoe's. Tosses a few staples into his basket and head's for the checkout stand. He casts this sidelong glance to see what friends are over there loading up on TwoBuckCheck. Holy $hit...from 50' away, what does he spy...but Gaja floorstacked...w/ a large price tag of $14.49. Warp speed 10 over to the wine department. He feverishly grabs a btl and scrutinizes the label closely. Hmmmmmm...instead of the white letters of "Gaja" on the black band, it merely says "Barbaresco". Well...close enough. Everything else is a dead ringer for Gaja...but the fine print reads "Co.Tra.Pro.Soc.Coop.Agr/CastigloneFalletto", whatever the heck that means. Is this a knock-off wine, or something from Gaja?? Couldn't resist, so grab a btl and try that night w/ Susan:
1. CheStoria DOCG: Barbaresco (14%; L7341 09.14) Co.Tra.Pro.Soc.Coop.Agr/CastigloneFalletto SantiniFineWines, SanLorenzo/CA 2003: Med.dark color; rather classical/older/Nebb bit tarry very light floral/violets bit vague fruity somewhat hot nose; fairly soft slight bitey/tannic light earthy/tarry little floral or fruit rather dull flavor; med.short light tarry/Nebb little fruit or floral somewhat bitey/tannic/astringent finish. $14.49
_____________________________
Angelo would be peeved if he didn't get a BloodyPulpit:
1. Obviously (I presume) a Gaja knock-off. The label is a dead-ringer for a Gaja, except the paper is a dull/matte finish instead of the Gaja glossy. But, surprise/surprise, the wine actually speaks of a slightly aged Piedmonte Nebbiolo. Not quite the "tongue-in-vise" character of many Piedmonte Nebbiolos, but the smell is pleasant enough. A bit dull on the palate, but I've done far worse for $14.50. Not a very exciting wine, but if you have to drink a Nebbiolo and a Piedmonte wine w/ your pizza, this one is not a bad choice. It had the correct necklabel and must have passed the DOCG tasting panel...maybe not w/ flying colors, but passed nonetheless. I'll not revisit this wine, though.
Tom