by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2009 | Italy, Primitivo, Puglia
Layer Cake, Puglia IGT, Primitivo, a.k.a. Zinfandel 2007 The nose features cooked fruit and vanilla while the mouth is light and soft. Bottled under Stelvin. 13.5% $12.99 at Bottle Barn
by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2009 | Cabernet Franc, Italy, Merlot, Tuscany
Tenuta di Biserno, Toscana, Insoglio del cinghiale IGT 2006 There’s a sense of France in this wine from Tuscany, with black fruit, an herbaceous edge and tannic grip. The grapes are Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This winery is shepherded by Lodovico and...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 7, 2009 | Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Siro Pacenti, Rosso di Montalcino 2006 The fresh cherries come through in the nose with a New World freshness. In the mouth however, is the structure you expect, plenty of acidity and tannin – nice. The grapes are all Sangiovese Grosso, vinified in stainless and...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 30, 2009 | Alto Adige, Gewurztraminer, Italy
Elena Walch, Alto Adige, Gewurztraminer 2007 Let this current vintage air a bit as its a little stinky at first. With time the roses that you expect emerge. Though the wine is dry, the body is big and viscous, low in acidity and very textbook Gewurz. P&B in...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 29, 2009 | Italy, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
Il Conte d’Alba, Moscato d’Asti DOCG nv This wine smells of ginger and flowers while in the mouth it is sweet and lightly fizzy. It’s almost perfect except for a bit of TCA which unfortunately is adding a bit of wet cardboard and astringency....
by Ray Johnson | Aug 13, 2009 | Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
La Spinetta, Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Bricco Quaglia 2008 Heaven in a glass, with plenty of flowers, lovely sweetness, light effervesence and freshness all day. This is a personal favorite from the legend. I was blessed to meet Rivetti before the skyrocket to fame. This...
