41 Highlands Black Granite Red Blend 2020 This was Wine Enthusiast #1 Top 100 Best Buys and I have to agree, it’s great drinking and exceptional value- rare these days!! This is a blend of 45% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 15% Malbec, 10% Syrah, 10% Merlot and reflects in the glass. This is what IContinue reading “Paso Does It Again, and Something special from Italy.”
Category Archives: Italian Wines
From the Cellar … Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2007
Ripassa and Ripasso’s are synonymous and are considered to be baby Amarone’s and about a third to half the price. Great news if you like the style but are budget focused. I’ve tried many different producers and many different vintages and when I found this in my cellar last week, I thought of the MoroccanContinue reading “From the Cellar … Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2007”
Campo al Mare Bolgheri Rosso 2020.
Another great example of an Italian wine made from grapes varietals not native to Italy. This is a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet, 15% Cab Franc, and 5% Petite Verdot sourced from the Bolgheri DOC on the western edge of Tuscany boarding the sea. This region was a hidden gem until the 1990’s whenContinue reading “Campo al Mare Bolgheri Rosso 2020.”
Three Italians I Met This Week.
Question of the day: Is it even possible to get an elegant Italian Beauty that over delivers, rated 99pt from an excellent vintage for under $100? How about $65. Allow me to introduce you to … Castiglion Del Bosco Brunello Di Montalcino 2016. This 100% Sangiovese is sourced from the 42 hectare Capanna vineyard facingContinue reading “Three Italians I Met This Week.”
The Biggest Mistake People Make
….. about Italian wines is they only focus on the classic Italian varietals. Nothing wrong with that if you don’t mind missing out on some great wines. I’m here too tell you that Italy makes great Cabernet and this is a wonderful example. With an understated label it’s easy to pass over this wine onContinue reading “The Biggest Mistake People Make”
Something Special From Italy
Fontanabianca Barbaresco 2019. Made from the Nebbiolo grape grown around the village of Nieve, in Piedmont and is part of “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” which translates to “the most beautiful villages of Italy”. It’s a group of small Italian villages of historical interest and well worth a visit if your every in the region.Continue reading “Something Special From Italy”
Three More Interesting Wines from this weeks offerings.
Masseria Liveli Passamante 2019 The vineyard the grapes are sourced is next to a forest called Passamante which drew its name from couples that would sneak off for amorous rendezvous there. Pass meaning to pass by and amante meaning lover and quickly became known as the Forest of Lovers. An inspiring name for an inspiringContinue reading “Three More Interesting Wines from this weeks offerings.”
Buglioni Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 ‘Il Bugiardo’
Il Bugiardo means the Liar in Italian. In 1993 Alfredo Buglioni bought the old farmhouse of his dreams situated in the heart of Valpolicella along with 4 acres of vines- all classic local red varietals including Corvina, Corvinone, Molinara and Rondinella. Fast forward to 2000, Alfredo, his son Mariano and with the help of anContinue reading “Buglioni Valpolicella Ripasso 2017 ‘Il Bugiardo’”
An Italian couple- – a couple you will want to invite over!
Every wonder when your planning a dinner party, who the perfect couple is to invite, I’m suggesting these might be the one’s. Illuminati Riparosso- Montepulciano d Abruzzo 2018 Nicola Illuminati started the Winery in 1890 and has been in the family ever since making wine for 130 years. I guess that means they have itContinue reading “An Italian couple- – a couple you will want to invite over!”
Time For a Little R&R- Italian Style.
We’ve all had a challenging 18 months and I think it’s time for a little R&R, Italian style, so pick your favorite chair and open one of these beauties and enjoy the day go by. Despite coming from different, but equally great producers, both these wines come from the Piedmont Region in North Western Italy.Continue reading “Time For a Little R&R- Italian Style.”
Vine to Table 