Shared this w/ John this afternoon:
1. AldoConterno DOC: Langhe (14%; EB; www.Massanois.com) Monforte d'Alba 2010: Very dark color; bit alcoholic/fumey strong spicy/Barbera/dried Italian herbs/fennel seed slight grapey/Dolcetto-like/licorice ripe/lush very attractive nose; quite tart/hard grapey/Dolcetto spicy/Barbera light floral flavor w/ light hard/round tannins; very long lush/ripe/rich grapey/Dolcetto spicy/Barbera/dried Italian herbs rather tart/hard finish w/ modest rough tannins; seems to be mostly a Dolcetto/Barbera blend w/ maybe a bit of Nebbiolo; quite a delicious if atypical Piemonte red wine; needs 3-6 yrs yet. $28.00 (KK)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Checked this out on the Conterno WebSite & it's a blend of Freisa/Cabernet/Merlot. I knew immediately from the color that it wasn't predominately Nebbiolo; though the hard tannic bite
suggested Nebb. So that would come from the Freisa. The grapey Dolcetto-like character must have come from the Merlot. I was unable to pick up any herbal Cabernet character in the wine, though. Just goes to show what I know.
Tom