Musto Carmelitano, Aglianico del Vulture, 'Serra del Prete', 2007
Thick black red colored. Unrevealing nose that shows a touch of lilly, arak liquor, otherwise pretty mute. This has to one of the first aglianico's I've tried that is devoid of any sweetness. Beyond flavors of berry-jam mash (as when you are making jam), there is nothing to cover the austerity. There is tremendous dry extract here that coats the palate, but the finish is like licking salt-coated basalt. Needs time in bottle to hopefully smooth out (3-5 years at least), and hope that the wine doesn't dry out. B 14%
Fontezoppa, Marche Rosso IGT, 'Dirosaediviola', 2008
Purple-violet red colored. A lightly floral nose with bitter stems and grapevines, red fruits. Wow! Acidity up to wazoo levels, finishes with bitterness, pomegranate pips and chalk dust. Light in body but having the characteristics of a bigger wine. Perfumey, but not sweet. Similar in some ways to a pelaverga or schioppettino. Pepper shows through on 2nd and subsequent days. Too young. But very good with food. [100% lacrima nera] B+/A-
Rhys, Pinot Noir, San Mateo County, 'Family Farm Vineyard', 2009
Tried because of the suggestion to 'drink now' on the inside mailer. Clear bright cranberry red color. Cherry, orange peel and a sweet spice component on the nose. Cherry, watermelon rind, cucumber notes on the aqueous feeling palate (somewhat watery tasting, as if the concentration is not up to the fruit), light talc on the finish. Not overdone at all, but a bit simple at the 60$ price point. 13.4% 2nd night doesn't show as nicely, less interesting. A-/B+
Cantine due Palma, Salice Salentino, 'Selvarossa', (Risierva) 2005
Dark black cherry colored. Sweet licorice, blackberry, balanced by a savory-earthiness. Very sweet, but the acid and earth keep this from being overdone, making this a fun pizza-picnic-weekday wine, esp. at mid-teen pricing. 14% A-
Le Chiuse, Brunello di Montalcino, 2001
A few years ago there was some small attention paid to this on certain internet wine boards as being a great BdM. Then, equally as fast as folks began pulling corks on these, it seemed nobody found a similarly good bottle. I waited to pull mine and (luckily) found the former. A pleasant old shoe stink upon opening, tasting old school, full of dried plums, dried rose petals...very autumnal in feel. Quite elegant, and reminding me of Costanti's Brunello. A- 14%
Aurelian Verdet, Nuits St. Georges, 2007
Light wash of a color, pretty typical of 2007. Pretty floral-spice nose. Cherry and red berry wash, with tannin from oak or grapes/stems noticeable on the finish. Nice, if delicate. B+/A-
Produttori, Barbaresco, 2006
Mentholated sweet cherry fruit, tannins clamp down on the finish, but not obtrusively so. Nose really not showing much at all, it's all palate action these days. Finish seems a bit clipped. Lighter and more approachable than I would have expected. Good. [Lot 9.097] A-