We had these three Italian reds at Pig+Fig last night:
1. Podere Sassi Domani Lazio (11.5%; 100% Cesanese; SelectionNaturel/Ipswich/MA) PodereSassi/Tarano/Lazio 2022: Med.light color; quite fragrant/spicy/grapey/slight herbal/bit peppery bit rustic/earthy some complex almost Sangio-like very interesting nose; lightly tart very spicy/peppery/grapey/cherry/bit herbal bit dusty/OV light earthy/loamy/rustic some complex flavor w/ modest bitey tannins; very long very spicy/peppery finish that follows flavor; quite an interesting very spicy red that can use a few yrs of age; well priced at $24.00
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2. Due del Monte Dd'OC: Friuli Colli Orientali Rosso (13.5%; Merlot/CabSauvg/CabFranc blend; Benvenusa) Due del Monte/Cormons 2019: Fairly dark color; strong blackcurranty/Merlot/grapey slight herbal/spicy/peppery light toasty/oak some complex nose; bit soft lush ripe/Merlot/blackcurranty/grapey slight herbal/licorice bit earthy/dusty/OV/rustic some toasty/oak somewhat structured/tangy some complex flavor; very long structured finish that mimics flavor; quite an attractive & interesting rendition of Merlot. $36.50 (KK)
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3. Colleleva Dd'OC: Lacrima di Morro d'Alba (13.5%; KermitLynch) 2022: Very dark color; very strong rather pungent/licorice/peppery/LaC slight chocolaty/plummy/boysenberry fairly intense some complex lovely/interesting nose; ; lightly tart/tangy quite rich/lush pungent/licorice/chocolaty/boysenberry some earthy/dusty/rustic rather rugged quite interesting/complex flavor w/ ample rough tannins; very long/lingering finish that mimics flavor; a rather big/rugged/structured bit rough red that needs 2-6 yrs; a terrific rendition of LaCrima at a great price. $25.00
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More dinnencrick from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. The Sassi Domani is 100% Cesanese (Commune), Aged 8 mo. in concrete tanks. Cesanese is a grape that is indigenous to Lazio, but found in a few other places in Italy. It became semi-famous in the early 2000's when it was the primary grape in Sogno Uno. This was the debut wine for Savanna Samson, an American porn star that I used to date. We used to have very deep & serious discussions on the impact of the Higgs boson on Western Civilization before........
I'm not very familiar with many of the wines from Lazio. It makes a diversity of wines that I need to edumacate myself on. This wine is imported by Selection Naturel, an importer that specializes in natural wines. Both the Selection Naturel & the Sassi website say all the right things, echos the common mantra of natural wines, but, as is coming more & more common, refuse to label themselves as a natural wine. Hmmm...wonder why?? The wine showed no natty character whatsoever.
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2. I really liked the Due Monte Merlot. Not a grape I usually much care for but this was pretty atypical of most Merlots. Interesting that Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Friuli.
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3. LaCrima is one of my favorite grapes. It can sometimes resemble Syrah in character but not quite as aromatic. This LaCrima was one of the best I can recall having.
Tom