by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2007 | Italy, Tuscany
Biserno, Insoglio del Cinghiale IGT 2005 Last weekend I tasted the 2004 vintage of this wine and it was supple, warm and loaded with oak. The 2005 is a similar animal – very approachable and more New World in style than the traditional Italian wines against...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2007 | Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 2001 Earlier in the year one bottle was corked while the second was fine. That bottle was very complex, silky and evolved with a little less acidity than I expected, making it ready to drink without delay. Today we opened three bottles,...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 30, 2007 | Chianti Classico, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG 2003 Tonight’s bottle showed some herbaceousness and tannic grip, as well as evolving fruit. The bottle opened earlier in the year showed classic cherry fruit and complexing earthiness with some evolution and stewed fruit. 85%...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 30, 2007 | Italy, San Gimignano, Sardegna, Tuscany, Vermentino, Vernaccia
This flight pairs two of Italy’s well-known white grapes. Vernaccia from Tuscany and Vermentino from the island of Sardegna. Classically the Vernaccia has been described as crisp and full of minerality while the Vermentino was known for its broader, almost flat...
