We had these two Italians last night at BacchusBadBoys tasting:
1. Olivi Pugnitello IGT: Toscana (14%; www.LeBuche.EU) LeBuche/Sarteano 2008: Very dark color; very strong plummy/blackberry/black cherry rather toasty/oak slight earthy/perfumed talc perfumey quite attractive nose; bit soft/lush/ripe strong plummy/black cherry/blackberry rather strong toasty/oak smooth/lush flavoor w/ modest soft/supple tannins; very long lush/ripe plummy/black cherry/boysenberry/jammy strong toasty/Fr.oak finish w/ some soft/ripe tannins; rather international in style and speaks little of Tuscany but quite a good red that resembles Syrah more than anything. $50.00
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2. Anselmet Fumin DOC: Valle d'Aoste (13.5%; eleve en fut de chene; 13.5%; L1.12FU) GiorgioAnselmet/Villeneuve
2011: Very dark/near black color; strong plummy/black cherry/black cherry cola/boysenberry bit Syrah-like slight earthy/dusty bit peppery/smokey very aromatic beautiful nose; lightly tart earthy/dusty strong black cherry cola/boysenberry quite Syrah-like some peppery beautiful flavor w/ ample ripe/bit hard tannins; very long lush/ripe slight earthy/peppery strong black cherry/blackberry/plummy light toasty/oak bit hard/rustic finish w/ ample ripe/lush/hard tannins; a beautiful rich/lush/ripe slightly international in style red that speaks quietly of the Valle d'Aosta.
$55.00 (Gom/MT)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Pugnitello: This is a variety of unknown origin found in Tuscany. It was originally discovered as a single vine in a vnyd SW of Montalcino. The owner had no idea of its oorigins. DNA has not revealed any relationship to anything. It was planted in the SanFelice Vitiarium in 1981 and then propogated into commercial plantings in the late '90's. It is regarded as an up&coming star in the Tuscany region. It is a grape they should be exploring in Calif.
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2. Fumin:This is an indigenous variety to the Valle d'Aosta. It is a sibling to them more common PetiteRouge of the Vd'A. In the '60's, it was recommended by the university viticulturists that the variety be abandoned. It was on the fast-track to extinction until it was rescued in the early '80's by a number of local growers. It is most often used in blends but mono-varietal Fumins are starting to gain traction. It is a grape they should be exploring in Calif.
Tom