Tried last night w/ dinner:
1. Avanguardia Ampio SierraFoothills RW (12.4%; Refosco+Carmine) 2012: Med.color; slight Refosco/black cherry/black cherry cola/blackberry rather herbal/Cab-like/rosemary somewhat earthy/loamy/root cellar/mushroomy bit ContraCosta-like some rustic/earthy rather interesting nose; bit soft slight tangy/metallic light black cherry rather earthy/loamy/mushroomy some herbal/CabFranc-like lightly spicy/cardamon/Indian spices interesting flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long slightly soft bit tangy/metallic light blackberry/black cherry fairly herbal/Cab/rosemary rather mushroomy/earthy/loamy/root cellar finish w/ light ripe tannins; reminds some of a light AltoAdige Lagrein, a bit of a Val d'Aosta Schiava; lots of earthy/loamy character that reminds of ContraCosta Mourv; not a lot of high-toned character you'd get from Refosco (maybe Mondeuse); quite an interesting drinkable rustic bit Italianate red at a good price. $22.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. I rather liked this wine quite a lot. This is the wnry of Rob Chrisman, whose focus is a lot on Italian varieties and blends. His Refosco was taken from cuttings he planted a number of yrs ago in his experimental vnyd down in TulareCnty. It came from FPS. Back then, they were distributing Refosco that was later found to be Mondeuse by DNA. So I expect this wine is actually Mondeuse rather than Refosco. Certainly the herbal/rosemary character is like that found in the Lagier-Meredith and the AtlasPeak Mondeuse of CortiBros.
Tom