October 20, 2011 – Tuscan Abbondanza Tasting, with a couple of Umbrian wines, The Wine Bottega, Boston, MA
Another very good tasting put on by the Wine Bottega staff, with a really eclectic mix of Tuscan wines here, even if my WOTN was from Umbria. As Bea is a huge favorite at the Bottega, it does not surprise me in the least bit that they threw in a couple of their wines as an added bonus.
Prices are for the day of the tasting.
2009 Azienda Agricola Altura di Famiglia Carfagna Ansonaco dell’Isola del Giglio IGT Maremma Toscana
Pale “orange” wine made from Ansonica (Inzolia) on the island of Giglio, off the Tuscan coast. Medium-bodied, lightly tannic, lightly round, bone dry, well balanced, with good underlying acidity. Earthy, mineral, with notes of tangerines, orange blossoms, citrus zest, and spices. Excellent. $45.
2007 Azienda Agricola Altura di Famiglia Carfagna Rosso Saverio dell’Isola del Giglio IGT Maremma Toscana
A field blend of about 30 grapes, both red and white, including Canaiolo, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Grenache, Aleatico, Uva di Spagna (possibly Alicante Bouschet?); Mammolo, Corinto Nero (Korinthiaki); Nero Calabrese (=Nero d’Avola); Trebbiano Nero, Malvasia (not sure if it is Malvasia Nera or a white variety); Pizzutello (Cornichon Blanc); Moscatellini and Moscatelloni bianchi e neri (various Muscat varieties); Biancone Giallo, Empolo Grecanico (some subvariety of Garganega, perhaps?), and Procanico.
Full-bodied, smooth, lightly sweet; well structured, with moderate underlying acidity. Tastes of cherries, mixed berries, and red currants, with pronounced earthy/spicy/mineral notes. Excellent; needless to say, a very unique wine. $65.
2006 Pieve de’Pitti Chianti Superiore DOCG “Cerretello”
90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, and 5% Malvasia Nera. Medium-bodied, lightly round, with smooth tannins, and good acidity. Earthy, with mixed berry, herbal, and spice notes. Very good. $18.
2006 Azienda Vitivinicola Il Conventino Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
85% Prugnolo Gentile, with the balance Canaiolo, Colorino, and Mammolo. Moderately full-bodied, moderately tannic, with good underlying acidity; shows notes of mixed berries, plums, earth, and spices. Excellent. $32.
2008 Azienda Vinicola Collemattoni Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Medium-bodied, lightly tannic, well balanced, with good underlying acidity; mineral/spicy, with mixed berry and slightly gamy notes. Very good. $27.
2008 Tenuta di Trinoro Rosso IGT Toscana “Le Cupole”
45 % Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Moderately full-bodied, moderately tannic/acidic; distinctly earthy for a Tuscan Bordeaux blend, with cherry, plum, and dark berry notes. Very good.
2004 Tenuta di Trinoro Rosso IGT Toscana “Tenuta di Trinoro”
83% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot. Sappy dark fruit nose. Full-bodied, lightly sweet/lightly oaky; smooth, structured, with flavors of dark berries, plums, balsamic vinegar, and juniper. Has some interesting aromatics, but I have mixed feelings about this one, especially given the price of $135.
2007 Azienda Agricola Montevertine Le Montevertine IGT Toscana
90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, and 5% Colorino. For some reason, I always used to think that this was 100% Sangiovese.
Medium-bodied, moderately structured, with good underlying acidity; more mineral, with cherry and mixed berry notes, and a hint of smoke. Very good/excellent. $43.
2007 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) Chianti Classico DOCG “Le Trame”
90% Sangiovese; the rest made up of Colorino, Foglia Tonda, and Mammolo. Full-bodied, moderately tannic, with good underlying acidity; quite approachable, with cherry, berry, and earthy notes. Very good/potentially excellent? Think that I liked the 2006 just a bit more, though. $41.
2005 Azienda Agricola La Pieve Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Supposedly, this is the smallest estate in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Full-bodied, tannic, with good underlying acidity; a more traditional style of Brunello, with somewhat meaty dark fruit notes, accented by minerals, earth, and spices, Should develop nicely. Excellent. $59.
2007 Antica Azienda Agricola Paolo Bea Rosso San Valentino IGT Umbria
A blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Sagrantino. Spicy/mineral nose. Full-bodied, moderately structured, approachable, with smooth tannins; shows very earthy/mineral, rather high-toned, mixed berry and lightly peachy notes. Excellent. $32.
2004 Antica Azienda Agricola Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG Secco Vigna Pagliaro
Full-bodied, more structured, nicely focused and balanced, with good underlying acidity. Mineral/earthy, with notes of dark fruits, mixed berries, leather, and white pepper. Excellent/outstanding – perhaps the best that I have had yet from Bea?. $86.
2006 Azienda Vinicola Piandibugnano Aleatico di Toscana IGT “Nanerone”
From 500 ml bottle. Full, moderately sweet, well balanced, smooth, with notes of dried berries, currants, and black cherries. Very good. $27.