Friday, February 20, 2009

A few Italians. Some for now, some for later.

2003 Jacopo Biondi-Santi Montepaone Toscana IGT - Pretty & vibrant ruby red color. Very fragrant nose of boysenberries, currants, and ripe black cherries. Some earth and soy. This has a very mid weight mouth fell, but is elegant and super classy. Some crème de cassis and framboise. Tight tannins and nicely balanced, this has a very long and pure finish. I really enjoyed this. Got it on my 2009 short and getting shorted list of wines to obtain. Nice now but will age gracefully for a few years. 92/100

2003 Il Greppone Mazzi (Ruffino) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Light in color, but never judge a wine by color alone. This is big and super structured. Amazing density and purity. Lots of black and red fruits (leaning to the former). Some red cherries, some black berries, some dark currant and some raspberries. Some earthiness and a touch of newly rubbed leather. This has an ultra pure mouth feel that has tannins to spare. Amazing. This needs 5 years in the bottle. A very long and fruit filled finish completes the package. One of the nicest young Brunellos I have ever had. 92/100

2005 Cantine Leonardo da Vinci Chianti Classico Riserva - Darkish purple in color. A clean and pure nose of rose petals and blackberries. The palate shows an elegantly well structured and beautiful bright fruit profile of blackberries and black cherries. The mouthfeel has a depth of purity rarely encountered in young Chianti Riservas, at least for me. I truly love the accessibility of this one. It has great acid and tannin balance that really pushes forth toward an elegant and fragrantly heady finish. Wow. Enjoy this one now with a nicely prepared Veal Saltimbocca or hold for a bit. Needs to be sampled to be believed. One of my perennial favorite Chiantis. 92/100