Planeta Sicilia IGT La Segreta Rosso 2006 Black fruits, mintiness and a moderate amount of extract and some light structure make this an easy drink. 50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 5% Cab Franc grown at 100-250 metres, 9 tonnes per...
This flight shows two budget Island reds with different personalitites. Nero d'Avola also goes by the moniker Calabrese. Feudo Arancio Sicilia IGT Nero d'Avola 2005 This wine carries on value shown in the 2003. One of the class described the smell...
Southern Italian white table wines have improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade. As in other hot winegrowing regions, temperature control in the cellar is making the difference between wines that smell like nuts and varnish versus fresh...
Blandy's, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Malmsey nv This wine is quite consistent in displaying complexity, sweetness and balancing acidity. Again today's bottle wraps caramel and butterscotch into a good value fortified dessert wine. For me it makes one of...
Fratelli Revello Barolo DOCG 2003 This is the Revello's regional bottling and it's no slouch. Tasted earlier in the year, I wrote: spot on for the price, with new world styling of chocolaty oak and ripe fruit along with massive tannin and classic...
Barbera can deliver berry flavor with the acidity to keep up with acidic dishes. This flight featured two examples from either side of the Atlantic. The first time the California offering was from Seghesio. Tonight we line-up a wine from Jeff...
Gewurztraminer has its detractors out there, yet I remain a fan. This flight features two regions that embrace this variety, Mendocino County's Anderson Valley and sunny Alsace in the eastern reaches of France. Handley Anderson Valley...
Domaine Weinbach Alsace Reserve Pinot Blanc 2005 This is a gem. There is fresh citrus, stone fruit and floral notes to smell. In the mouth there is a moderate+ amount of acidity and the taste of citrus. This is a very refreshing Pinot Blanc. The...
Zenato Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2006 This regionally-labeled bottling has been a good value high-acid white. The 2005 emphasized citrus notes. The 2006 tasted in this class showed fruits ranging from citrus to tropical. There is a new world...
Meyer Family California Port nv This wine was described by one of the students as tasting like a 'rum raisin chocolate bar'. I can't improve on that. This wine has complexity, some palpable alcohol as in these wines from the Douro and the silky...