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