I made dinner while waiting for Betsy to return from city Sunday:
eggplant parmigiana, roasted chestnuts, and kale (I was determined not
to go to store, but to work on things from co-op box). Chose the 2005
Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. I know 2005 is supposed to be a
lesser vintage than 2004 or 2006 in Tuscany, and my vague feeling is
that all of central Italy is often the same. But in this case I think
I liked the '05 more than a recent '04, surprisingly a little more
tannin and heft. Red and black cherries, some earth, a very satisfying
"little" wine. Good acidity to standup to the eggplant parm (I was a
bit short tomatoes and supplement with sundried, which made a little
sweeter than norm), good length for level, tasty if not especially
complex. Retasted with veal Bolognese Monday, tannins were gone, still
a nice fresh sweet-berry red. B
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency