Anyone know the '01 Turriga?

Went to Sam's this weekend since we were in Chicago and went looking for good Italian wines that may not be available in St. Louis. The guy there insisited I get the '01 Turriga for $60. I usually don't pay that much for a wine I have never had so need some info. Was this rec because it was such a good wine or because he saw a sap that would pay $60 for a wine they had on the self and not moving? It appears to get very good comments from GR but that may mean a big juicy new world style. When should it be drank?
Walt

Walt, these can age, but 60-bucks for decent grenache (this is mostly - something in the neighborhood of 95% - cannonau, Italian for the grenache grape), you could find something else. Sometimes you can find older vintages of this for around $40-45 or so, and it should age well. I'm still sitting on a 1998 of this and have had a previous one from the 90's that was rather nice, if different from a Chateauneuf-du-Pape. If I recall correctly, it had a little more polish to it with a more Italian aromatic profile to it (dried herbs instead of garrigue). So, to answer your question: is it worth trying? Yes. For $60? Uh....no.

Hope this helps.

Mark

Walt, these can age, but 60-bucks for decent grenache (this is mostly - something in the neighborhood of 95% - cannonau, Italian for the grenache grape), you could find something else. Sometimes you can find older vintages of this for around $40-45 or so, and it should age well. I'm still sitting on a 1998 of this and have had a previous one from the 90's that was rather nice, if different from a Chateauneuf-du-Pape. If I recall correctly, it had a little more polish to it with a more Italian aromatic profile to it (dried herbs instead of garrigue). So, to answer your question: is it worth trying? Yes. For $60? Uh....no.

Hope this helps.

Mark

Mark,
Yes it helps. At least I now know to hold it for a few years. Never said it was a deal but did a wine search and at least found that I could have paid more. I only bought one bottle so I will chalk it up to education. I am just getting tired of Bordeaux, Rhone and Cabs. Italy is a fun place to look at for different flavors but fortunately most of what I buy are in the $15-25 range in Italy.

Given current exchange rates, $60 is a fair price for Turriga, a wine which makes Italian top-ten lists with great regularity. It is worth remembering that Turriga, the brainchild of Antonio Argiolas and consultant Giacomo Tachis, represents the absolute top of the Sardinian wine world. Originally released in 1988, Turriga still has not reached the outer limits of its ageing potential. Burton Anderson recommends serving it with the traditional Sardinian celebratory accompaniment: roast suckling pig.

Enjoy!

It is worth remembering that Turriga, the brainchild of Antonio Argiolas and consultant Giacomo Tachis, represents the absolute top of the Sardinian wine world.

Agree, although Cantina Santadi's "Terre Brune" (a Carignano del Sulcis) might want to claim its share of space at the top.

Nice to see your opinion on aging, too, Dave. I have two bottles of the '99 Turriga that I've been finding difficult to resist.[/quote]