Notes from another Italian dinner put together by Johnny for no reason at all.
Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - From Argentina. Sweet. A bit light. Charred wood and cherry. Soft and ready to drink. Good.
Donna Olga Brunello di Montalcino 1999 - My contribution. Medium bodied. Dried fruit, smoky, tarry, Chinese preserved plum. Sweet-sour. Seems light for Brunello. Tannic in the finish but ready to drink. Good but I expected more.
Dr. Loosen Dr. L 2006 Riesling QbA MSR - Extremely light with a bit of spritz. Grapey, lemon-peel, lychee. Drink this instead of water. Nice enough but doesn't even come close to the '05 St Urbanshof QbA we had last Saturday.
Gancia Prosecco di Valdobiadenne Silver Label - Appeared to be an NV but can't be sure. Dry, light lemony. Very clean and refreshing. Good sparkler.
Torres Vina Esmeralda 2005 - If I remember right, Muscat and Gewurztraminer. Semi-sweet. Light. Watery. Lacked body. I've enjoyed this before but not showing well in this tasting.
Gancia P. Rose - Pinot Noir. A blanc de noir sparkler. Heavy. Abrupt finish. Clumsy wine.
Allegrini Palazzo de la Torre 2000 - Badly oxidized. Too bad since I love this wine.
Tormaresca Masseria Maime Negroamaro Salento 2003 - Graphite. Juicy. Sweet. Medium-bodied. A great drink. Outstanding stuff and by common consensus the best wine of the night although it doesn't taste Italian at all. Very modern, New World in style. Made by an Antinori subsidiary.
Sandhill Three Small Lots Program Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2004 - From Okanagan BC. 48% Sangiovese, 37% Barbera, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light-colored wine. Fruity nose. Sweetish. Modern. Lacks body and a bit simple. Any varietal character is lost in this mess.
Selby Sweet Cindy 2000 - Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc in a Sauternes style according to the back label. Sweet, burnt sugar. More Germanic than Sauternes in style I thought. Very good, though.
Gancia Prosecco Gold Label - Similar to the silver label Prosecco but a rougher wine. Also a bit short.
Gancia Asti Mondonovo 2006 - Grapey. Not too sweet. Very light. Elegant Asti. Too light to drink with dessert. Better sip this by itself.
Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2002 - Dry but lots of fruit. Tannic but already good to drink. My number 2 red of the night.