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 of 650 feet. The wine is aged for 5-6 months in French oak. 13.5% $12.99 at Bottle Barn
Chiarito, Mendocino, Fox Hill Vineyards, Negro Amaro 2003
There’s alcohol and liquer-like fruit in the nose, smelling a bit like a late harvest Zinfandel with a bit of fortification. The mouth is driven by the fruit with underlying burn from the alcohol and a note of the grape’s characteristic bitterness. I wouldn’t buy this again. The wine was aged for 16 months in French oak. P&B in Ukiah 15.3% $29.95 at Traverso’s Chiarito
Feudi di San Gregorio, Taurasi DOCG 2003
The nose is really closed at this point, except for some black pepper. The mouth is full-flavoured with plenty of structure and the taste of black pepper and the earth with a bit of cheese rind that won’t be for everyone – very long and concentrated. The grapes are 100% Aglianico. P&B in Sorbo Serpico 13% $39.99 at Traverso’s Feudi
