Grosjean, Vallee d'Aoste, Torrette, 2005 Color of dull glyceriny light opaque red. Very floral aromas of rose and light red fruits, echoes on the palate but fulls full of glycerin. Rather indescript wit ha plodding finish, a bit diffuse and clumsy. Some black pepper and black mustard seed on the bitter finish, the 12.5% alcohol shows through in clumps like spreading clay soil. B-/B
Viviani, Valpolicella 'Campo Morar', 2001 Had such high hopes for this one. Medium cherry red colored. Minty cherry licorice stick nose. Cherry and minty-redcurrants with termite-chewed chokecherry wood dust tannin on the end, old elderberry along with spices on the finish. Good, (B+), but a $37 pricetag does not make for a good QPR, and the 14.5% alcohol gets to you after 2 glasses.
Marcarini, Barolo 'Brunate', 1990
Tawny maroon-orange rind color. Very light scent of faded petals kept in a wooden clothes chest drawer, some light cedar and dried blood orange rind. Light cherrywood flavors with smooth pomegranite seed tannins. About fully mature, and much better than an earlier bottle several years ago. high B+
Felsina, Chianti Classico Riserva 'Rancia', 2000
From a 1/2 bottle. Dark black cherry colored. Menthol, licorice and cherry nose, still a bit shy upon opening but drinking much better than a bottle on release, gaining a sweet roundness and bottle polish. Good acid level here. A-
Grosjean, Vallee d'Aoste, Fumin, 2004
I'm deciding I don't like Grosjean wines very much, having had much better luck with the lineup from Les Cretes. Spicy floral red fruits, but with a medicinal finish and acidity that cuts like glass. Slight glycerin on the end. Pass.
Terrabianca, Toscana IGT, 'Campaccio', 1999
Deep black cherry. Smoky plums and black cherry with a touch of pine sap on the nose. Sweet black cherry with licorice and smoky earth topped with grilled portobellos. Still a youthful showing, but in a beautiful place right now. A-
Bruna, Riviera Ligure di Ponente, 'le Russeghina', 2004
Dull grey-gold color. Aromas of cement mix, dull oxidized herbs, and pear eau de vie. This has a dull, languid feel to it, with a vague herbal wash and non-stainless carbon steel (like the knives that turn black with use) toward the end. 100% pigato. Like a cross of arneis and vermentino without the freshness of the later. B+