Taylor Fladgate Porto Late Bottle Vintage 2000
Porty and pruny – w noticeable alcohol – true to type and sometimes the wine seems to have the alcohol integrated even better than usual. Bottled in 2006 in Oporto, by Taylor across in Vila Nova De Gaia. 20% $17.99 at Bottle Barn Taylor
Fonseca Porto 10 Year Old [...]

continue reading.....

Gran Sasso, Puglia, Primitivo IGT 2005
Tasted in May ‘08 this wine was blooming with brett and would repulse most consumers. A bottle tasted later in the summer proved to be a different animal. Oaky and earthy with new world fruit, an appropriate amount of acid to brighten the wine and some tannin. Thus it lacked [...]

continue reading.....

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG 2003
Tonight’s bottle showed some herbaceousness and tannic grip, as well as evolving fruit. The bottle opened earlier in the year showed classic cherry fruit and complexing earthiness with some evolution and stewed fruit. 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 4-5% Syrah and other grapes. Estate bot in Barberino Val [...]

continue reading.....

This flight pairs two of Italy’s well-known white grapes. Vernaccia from Tuscany and Vermentino from the island of Sardegna. Classically the Vernaccia has been described as crisp and full of minerality while the Vermentino was known for its broader, almost flat feel on the palate. Yet with better viticulural practices, reductive winemaking [...]

continue reading.....

Jocelyn Lonen Napa Valley Zinfandel Port 2004
This wine combines sweet fruit, an essence of chocolate and spirit.  One of the class affectionately described it as like a chocolate candy filled with liqueur,  ‘alcohol in an envelope of something sweet’. 100% Zin, sold out at the winery. P&B Napa 18.2% $21.99 (375) at Traverso’s Jocelyn Lonen

continue reading.....

This flight features 5 Zinfandel from 2001 to 2005 sourced from Napa and Paso Robles.
Eberle Paso Robles Zinfandel 2005
Like eating a sweet cherry pie, this wine combines rich fruit, glycerol and oak into a viscous delight.  Even with the high number, the alcohol is completely integrated at this point in time. This originates from the [...]

continue reading.....

Marsala is known the world over but like Madeira it often gets categorized as a mere cooking wine. This is unfortunate as the flavors can delight and since the wine is out of fashion, it’s price point is attractive.
Florio
Marsala DOC Fine Ambra Secco
Marsala DOC Fine Ambra Dolce
The former makes a nice aperitif in that [...]

continue reading.....

Cantine Rallo Moscato di Pantelleria DOC 2003
This is the second bottle of this vintage tasted this year.  The Muscat comes through (known as Zibibbo in this part of the world).  During the last tasting we placed it side by side with a Passito from Donnafugata and they made a nice contrast.  Both were delicious. The [...]

continue reading.....

Planeta Sicilia IGT La Segreta Rosso 2006
Black fruits, mintiness and a moderate amount of extract and some light structure make this an easy drink. 50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 5% Cab Franc grown at 100-250 metres, 9 tonnes per hectare, vertical trellis, all stainless, estate bot in Menfi (AG) 13% $15 at [...]

continue reading.....