Category Archives: Piemonte

Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin 2004

Posted on March 31, 2009 by RJ

Moccagatta, Barbaresco, Bric Balin 2004 There’s a classic sense of licorice in the nose burnished by the sweetness of oak. The structure is a whopper like you would expect yet the extract is there, keeping up with the structure – … Continue reading →

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Azelia Barolo Margheria 2004

Posted on January 20, 2009 by RJ

Azelia, Barolo, Margheria 2004 In the nose there is black licorice, fresh black fruits and raisins. This highly structured wine is made to age yet the ripeness would allow you to drink it now with a dense chunk of cheese … Continue reading →

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La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti 2007

Posted on November 20, 2008 by RJ

La Spinetta, Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Bricco Quaglia 2007 This is a personal favorite from the legend. I was blessed to meet Rivetti before the skyrocket to fame. This wine remains an affordable way to taste some of this estate’s expertise. … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet | 4 Comments

Across Italy

Posted on October 21, 2008 by RJ

Vietti, Langhe DOC, Nebbiolo, Perbacco 2005 Spot on with black licorice and a wallop of tannin. Estate Bottled in Castiglione Falletto 13.5% $26.99 at Traverso’s Vietti Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005 There is a pleasant combo of earth, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chianti Classico, Italy, Langhe, Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Sangiovese, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Star quality

Posted on October 16, 2008 by RJ

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, … Continue reading →

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Piemonte specialty

Posted on September 16, 2008 by RJ

Banfi, Rosa Regali, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG 2007 This ’07 is perfectly fresh with plenty of flowers and fresh strawberries. Serve this with fresh berries after dinner to match the sweetness. The ’05 tasted one year ago was sweet and with … Continue reading →

Posted in Brachetto, Brachetto d'Acqui, Italy, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment

Charge!

Posted on August 26, 2008 by RJ

La Spinetta, Barbaresco DOCG, Vigneto Starderi 2004 The previous vintage was a concentrated, oaky heavyweight, still in its infancy when tasted in late ’07. This ’04 smells of sweet oak and New World fruit. Again we see a tannic monster … Continue reading →

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Italian classics

Posted on August 19, 2008 by RJ

Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005 There’s loads of acidity and the taste of cherries. The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Estate bottled in Barberino val d’Elsa 13% $17.99 at Traverso’s Paneretta Andrea Oberto, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chianti Classico, Italy, Langhe, Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Sangiovese, Tuscany | Leave a comment

The diversity that is sparkling wine

Posted on July 23, 2008 by RJ

J, Russian River Valley, cuvee 20 nv Clean, fresh, fruit, tasted at the winery in May. This wine has the zip of fresh green apples. The base wine is from a recent vintage with 25% oak-aged reserves adding to the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet | Leave a comment

Sparkling the world over

Posted on July 16, 2008 by RJ

La Morandina, Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2007 The ’07 is just as vibrantly fresh and full of orange blossoms as the previous vintage. There’s lots of residual sugar and the light body and freshness that you expect in Moscato d’Asti. P&B … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Moscato d'Asti, Piemonte, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry, Sparkling sweet | Leave a comment