Duca di Castelmonte, Marsala DOC, Fine Sweet I.P. nv This is caramel and Christmas pudding in a warm glass. Bottled in Marsala 17% $10.99 at Traverso’s

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Baglio di Pinaetto, Sicilia IGT, Cembali, Nero d’Avola 2004 Unfortunately this bottle was corked. The grapes were sourced from the Noto region of Sicilia. 14% $36 at Traverso’s Baglio di Pianetto
Cusumano, Sicilia IGT Sagana 2005 There’s plenty of raisined fruit to smell. The mouth is vibrantly acidic, with tar, earth, tannin and again the raisins [...]

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Argiolas, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Perdera 2006
There’s a sense of sweet oak and brown spices in the nose. There’s palpable acidity and red fruit flavors with a little bit of ripe tannin finishing the frame. The grapes are 90% Monica, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo grown in the Perdera vineyard at an elevation [...]

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Argiolas, Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Costamolino 2007 The current vintage is just as vivaciously New World in appearance as the previous vintage.  There’s plenty of perfume and citrus fruits with ample acidity to top it off.
Notes from the ‘06 vintages: Just one week ago I opened a bottle of this same vintage and noted [...]

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De Conciliis, Paestum IGT Donnaluna, Aglianico 2004 There’s a sense of cola and black fruits and this grape’s tannic grip, on the astringent side of the road. I really tried to give this wine a fair shake but it just doesn’t have enough stuffing to keep up with its very astringent profile. 13.5% $15.49 [...]

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Tormaresca, Puglia IGT, Neprica 2007 The grapes are 40% Negroamaro, 30% Primitivo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Estate grown and bottled in Minervino Murge 13.5% $9.99 at Traverso’s Tormaresca
Torreguaceto, Vino Rosso da Tavola 2003 Bottled by Racemi in Manduria 13% $19.95 at Traverso’s

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Maculan, Veneto Moscato IGT, Dindarello 2006 There’s the sweet smells of orange blossom and ginger and a thick while vibrantly fruity palate - delicious. The grapes are all Muscat from the Dindarello Vineyard in Breganze. The grapes are dried for 6 weeks after harvest and the wine is fermented in stainless, 157 grams/litre RS. [...]

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Mastroberardino, Greco di Tufo DOCG, Nova Serra 2006 There’s a nice toasty character in the nose . In the mouth there’s a nuttiness along with lemon peel and lemony acidity. This wine offers complexity without being clunky. 100% Greco grown in the Commune of Tufo. P&B in Atripalda 12.5% $17.99 at Traverso’s Mastroberardino

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Falesco, Lazio IGT, Pomele 2003 Lots of raisined fruit and alcohol in the nose and fresh sweet berries in the mouth - perfect for a lightly sweet berry dessert as there is refreshing acidity to balance the residual sugar. 100% Aleatico from the Pomele estate and 10% RS though it does not seem to be [...]

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In this flight we see two tiers of wine from Nicodemi.
Nicodemi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2006 There’s tar and black fruits mingled with a bit of cheese rind and earth in a very tannic profile. This wine features a pronounced sense of the horse saddle - yet it works in a rustic way. Estate bottled in [...]

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ColleStafano, Verdicchio di Matelica DOC 2007 Minerality and stones fruits come out in the nose. The mouth is refreshing and fruity like peaches with the acidity of a lemon - nice. The grapes are organically grown. Estate bottled in Castelraimondo 13% $15.99 at Traverso’s ColleStefano
Belisario, Verdicchio di Matelica DOC, Vigneti del Cerro 2005 Tasted last [...]

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Fontana Candida, Frascati DOC, Superiore, Secco 2006 There’s a light sense of herbs and flowers in the nose and melons after about 15 minutes. The mouth is rather light on flavor and acidity with a bit of heat. Bottled in Monteporzio Catone 12.5% $7.69 at Bottle Barn Fontana Candida
Castel de Paolis, Frascati DOC Superiore 2005 [...]

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Selvapiana, Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina DOC 2001 Raisins and a spiritous character in the nose. The mouth features caramel and toffee and a subtle sweetness that would make it best consumed by itself after dinner in the cold of winter in front of that roaring fire. Estate bottled in Rufina 13.5% $46.99 at Bottle [...]

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Tenuta Argentiera, Bolgheri DOC Poggio Al Ginepri 2006 There’s a light earthiness and a sense of brambles in the nose. The mouth is soft and easy drinking with leather, a moderate amount of tannic grip and acidity. Estate bottled in Castagneto Carducci 14% $25.95 at Traverso’s Argentiera
Casanova della Spinetta (La Spinetta), Toscana IGT, Il Nero [...]

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Sergio Mottura, Orvieto DOC 2006 There are fresh tropical fruits and garden herbs in the nose. The mouth is rather broad with moderate acidity and a little warmth and a bit of astringent grip - a little disappointing. The grapes, Procanico, Verdello and Grechetto, are farmed on 123 hectares since 1292 and certified organic - [...]

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Cantina Terlano, Alto Adige, Gries, Lagrein, Riserva DOC 2004 This is still a baby with ample structure and notes of tar and earth. There’s a sense in which this reminds me of a young and reductive Northern Rhone Syrah. Let this one sit for 5 years or pair with salame and cheddar for dinner this [...]

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Barbolini, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC nv The Barbolini family bought the vineyards in 1966 along the Giardini road that climbs up from Modena toward the mountain pass at Abetone. White earth soils, Grasparossa is a Lambrusco clone; style is typically dry to off-dry while the Lambrusco Reggiano made from 2 other clones is typically [...]

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