Star quality
Elio Altare, Dolcetto d'Alba DOC 2006 The density of this wine is of the inky variety. There's tar and a sense of the forest in the nose. The mouth is amazing in that the tannin is there yet fully ripe, wrapping itself around a dense core of black...
PB and PG
Cantina Terlano, Alto Adige DOC, Pinot Bianco 2007 This wine has been consistently fresh and aromatic and the '07 is on form. Estate Bottled in Terlano 13% $19.99 at Traverso's and $15.99 at Bottle Barn Terlano McManis Family Vineyards,...
Singing sweetly in the Loire
Chateau Pierre-Bise, Quarts de Chaume 2004 Honey is the signature smell that jumps out of the glass with caramel and some noticeable but tolerable VA. When you think of the Sauternes model, it works just fine. There's also citrus, like fresh...
A touch of sweetness
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Champagne, Demi-Sec nv There are floral and candy notes to smell while the mouth has a smooth fruitiness accented by the touch of RS. The grapes behind this wine are 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier....
Good coop
Nicolas Feuillatte, Champagne, Brut nv There's a fruity, round expression to this bubbly. The house delivers moderate but fairly priced concentration for Champagne, as most multi-vintage blends have crept toward $40 and beyond. The grapes are 40%...
Some other French bubblies
Domaine J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux, Blanc de Blancs, Brut ,Tête de Cuvée, Méthode Traditionnelle nv There is candied fruit in the nose and a little sense of biscuits. The mouth is a bit hollow, low in concentration and not very acidic. Yet this...
Sicilian speciality
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
ndam and sicilia
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...
mnaa
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...
Island whites
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...