2009 Gini Soave Classico

Source: Sterling

Consumption Date: 3/30/2014

Notes: Fine aroma of chalky minerals, white flowers, apples, and nuts.  Full bodied with broad notes of ripe apple and white grape and distinct notes of flowers, minerality, and rich nuts (almond/hazelnut).  Moderate finish of fruit and nuts with a distinct acid mineral tang.

This is about what I would have expected from this wine, although it is perhaps a bit more full-bodied than expected.  Enough body and flavor to be interesting and enjoyable without being truly fine.  The nutty note without the sometimes associated bitterness is a pleasant surprise.  Could stand a bit more acidity/brightness.

Value: Good to very good

2000 Damilano Barolo 'Cannubi'

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 2/22/2014

Notes: Pleasantly aromatic with lots of cherry fruit and hints of roses and forest floor.  Dense flavors of dark cherry fruit with some earth and hints of tar and leather.  Long finish of milder fruit, plenty of earth, and a slight mineral hint.  Intensely tannic, especially on the finish.

This wine has been something of a disappointment (especially compared to the Mascarello Monprivato I had recently).  While pleasantly aromatic and suggestive of a truly fine wine, this wine is, in fact, very dense in flavor and without enough complexity to make it really interesting.  However, the main issue is that the tannins are simply overwhelming.  They coat the entire mouth and obscure any elegance suggested by the aroma, to the point that the wine is almost undrinkable by itself (hopefully it will fare better with pan seared veal chops).  This simply does not provide the experience I am looking for when I drink fine wine.

Value: Below average

2010 Fattoria Zerbina Albana di Romagna Secco

Source: Suburban

Consumption Date: 2/21/2014

Notes: Surprisingly aromatic (though not intense) with apple, pineapple, and wet chalk notes.  Pleasantly acidic with succulent notes of apple fruit, white grape, and a hint of almond and a crisp mineral underpinning.  Mild finish of tangy fruit and minerals.

Although this is not a “serious” wine by any means, it is remarkably fresh, fruity, and compelling for a wine that receives little respect from the experts.  This is very much the type of wine I am looking for in an everyday Italian white, with enough character and complexity to keep it interesting.  Should also be excellent accompaniment to pasta.

Value: Very good to excellent

1999 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo 'Monprivato'

Source: PJs

Consumption Date: 12/28/2013

Notes: Fantastic ethereal aroma of flowers, truffles (perhaps), and a hint of tar, along with other notes I can’t identify.  Full rich body with an fine depth of dark cherry fruit with more floral, truffle, and earth notes along with a faint hint of tar and an enticing acidity with subtle mineral notes.  Finishes long with more fruit, earth, truffles, and mineral acidity with a nice framing note of dry wood.  Moderate tannin.

This is my first Barolo in quite some time and it has been a great surprise and a tremendous pleasure.  A wine like this makes it easy to see how people can become obsessed with Barolo.  As soon as the cork was out of the bottle, the tremendous perfume and promise of this wine was apparent.  The first sips bore out this promise and it has continued with each sip.  This wine has a pleasing complexity with a unique, penetrating aroma and flavor that are nearly beyond description.  An interesting combination or richness, elegance, and weightiness.  Easily the most memorable and enjoyable wine I have had in some time.

Value: Excellent

2009 Lazio Bianco IGT 'Coenobium' (Monastero Suore Cistercensi)

Importer: Rosenthal

Source: Suburban

Consumption Date: 12/4/2013

Notes: Deep golden yellow color.  Mild floral and citrus aromas (orange blossom?) with a hint of wet stone.   Full-bodied with mild citrus (more orange than lemon) and almond notes with some wet stone minerality.  Moderate finish with similar notes, perhaps with the almond/nutty note more prominent.

This is a pleasant, if somewhat unremarkable Italian white.  The color and full body were unexpected, but pleasurable, as was the orange citrus character (though mild).  Not enough acidity to make the flavors pop and the wine racy and exciting.  Should be a good accompaniment to simple pasta, but not interesting enough for further contemplation or exploration.

Value: Average

1998 Domaine Fourrier Chambolle Musigny

Importer: Rosenthal

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 10/17/2013

Notes: Moderate aroma of spice and earth.  Full bodied with a rich, intense earthiness with suggestions of mushrooms and truffles along with a distinct spiciness and hints of dark cherry and raspberry fruit.  Finishes long with more spice and truffly earthiness.  Moderate plus tannins.

This is a pleasant re-introduction to the pleasures of red wine, and specifically Burgundy, after a long absence.  While it has not produced the Burgundian experience I had hoped for, this wine is not without interest.  While lacking in the “funk” department and holding little fruit, it is still rather intense considering its age.  This intensity, in the form of earth and spice, is not altogether unenjoyable, just different from what I expect of Burgundy and especially this appellation (even considering that it is a village level wine from a not especially renowned vintage).  However, the hint of truffles has proven to be a pleasant surprise.  Probably would have been more enjoyable at a younger age, presumably with more fruit for better balance.

Value: Average

2008 Cantina Valtidone Ortrugo (Colli Piacentini)

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 8/17/2013

Notes: Mild nutty, grassy aroma with hints of white grape and apple.  Mild flavors of tart lemon/green apple with an enveloping nuttiness and a hint of minerality.  Moderate finish of musky fruit with a hint of bitterness and a tangy mineral note.

A simple Italian white with decent character for the appellation/price, but not much depth or complexity.  Still it should be a decent accompaniment to pasta in cream sauce.  Met, but did not exceed expectations.  Might have been better (brisker and fresher flavors), if drunk younger.

Value: Good