WTN 1997 Alessi Arcibaldo "Supertuscan"

Keyed up and my asthma was bothering me, so I decided to post the wine notes from tonight, focusing on tonight's star (for me)

Cab/Sangiovese blend. Didn't note the percentages, but I recall 60% Sangio and 40% Cab???

A textbook example of why I am turning more and more to Italy for my wine drinking pleasure. Of course, I still love some California wines and many French wines, but Italian wines at all price points just bring a smile to my face. This is at the pricier end of the market ($45 on sale)but imho worth it. WOTN for many of us.

(I also served a William Harrrison Rutherford Red Bordeaux blend that showed a too much oak tonight (maybe it needed more decanting, because the oak was not as dominant when tried at the winery last month???) and a quite primary Bordeaux Superieur wine that was tasty but simple=but did open nicely )

Jet black color with some bricking. A lovely, lovely nose of leather and earth, but there is still a strong hint of cherry from the Sangiovese. Also, for such a big, rich, earthy wine, there is a nice kick of acid that makes the wine drink well with food (pasta in cream sauce was no problem for a dining companion, and it was mighty fine with my hunk of red meat)

A lot of money, but I will probably continue buying this wine. ****+

Brian,

I noticed that you mentioned your asthma, and I was wondering if you've ever experienced any increased symptoms in conjunction w/ drinking red wine? I understand that the verdict is still out regarding the histamines in red wine and how much of an effect they have on the bronchial system, but I have noticed that when I have a chest cold, red wine will intensify my cough.

Oh, and I agree with you on the italian reds. Still trying to branch out, especially towards the french (and I really do enjoy some spanish reds) but I always seem to come back to Italy. Really want to try a few more of the southern varieties, which I've heard are quite good too.

K: Not the culprit here. A nightclub which, despite the little paper signs taped on the walls, featured a fine haze of smoke in the air. With a show by The Abyssinians, what can you expect?

My asthma is caused by California, not red wine. It predates by a decade my recent passion for the juice of the vine and is actually becoming less of a problem over the years. Still. It's March, everything is in bloom, and I had spent three hours on my bicycle earlier that day.

(Shouldn't have mentioned it, but I thought the posting at 4:00 a.m was wierd )