This is very belated, as I realized I never posted these notes here. I was asked to do an end of the year wine tasting for our honors program students. I chose Italians, because we have a campus in Florence where students can spend a semester, which is very popular with the honors program students. I wanted these to be wines that represent the range of Italy, are easily found in stores and restaurants, and that would actually be affordable for students. It was a huge success, and even before the tasting was over the students were asking what we will do next year (the answer is France, stay tuned).
Carpene Malvolti, 1868 Extra Dry, Prosecco Superiore, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene NV
$14. Pear, lemon curd, land lots of mineral. Full bodied, with a wonderful, creamy texture. 3.5 Stars [5/5/18]
Bollini, Pinot Grigio, Trentino 2015
$11. Pear, lemon, honey, mineral, and a touch of hint of sweet grass. Full bodied, with a wonderful, honeyed texture. 3 Stars [5/5/18]
Masciarelli, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2015
$9. Black cherry, plum, cola, mineral, and a bit of white pepper. Full bodied, with a wonderful, succulent texture. A lot more structure than one expects from a modestly priced Montepulciano; perhaps the best Montepulciano I’ve had, and a smashing value. 3 Stars [5/5/18]
Pico Maccario, Lavignone, Barbera d’Asti 2016
$11. Black cherry, black berry, and raspberry, with black pepper, and mineral. Full bodied with spicy texture, and lots of tannin. Fairly serious structure and acid tone. Impressive, especially for the relatively modest price. Should age nicely for another 5 years or so. 3 Stars [5/5/18]
San Felice, Chianti Classico 2015
$13. Black cherry, blackberry, plum, orange rind, tabacco leaf, earthy herbs, and black pepper, all with notes of violets. Medium-full bodied, with excellent succulent/savory texture. 2.5 Stars [5/5/18]
Castello Monaci, Piluna, Primitivo, Salento 2016
$11. Blackberry reduction, raspberry, meaty currants, a hint of sweet raisin, orange rind, a touch of tobacco leaf, and mineral. Full bodied, with very nice sweet/succulent texture. 3 Stars [5/5/18]
Santi, Solane, Ripasso, Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2015
$12. Blackberry, a hint of blueberry, currant, tarry mineral, chocolate, and a hint of raisin. Intense body with succulent texture and great acid tone. 3.5 Stars [5/5/18]
Scagliola, Primo Bacio, Moscato d’Asti 2016
$12. Candied pear and honey, with some good mineral depth. Medium bodied, sweet and frothy. Not as good as Moscato d’Asti can be, but delightfully frivolous in that way that only Moscato d’Asti is. 2 Stars. [5/5/18]