Gini is one of the top producers of Soave white wines from Northeastern Italy. This is 100% Gargenega grapes made from vines that are over 100 years old. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has a floral quality (yellow and white flowers) with a touch of lemons and a bit of minerality/salinity. Light to medium bodied. Good acidity. Nice, lean but firm texture. On the palate, the lemony notes come out more with a touch of minerality. Long finish. There is come depth and concentration. This is nice on its own but better with food. It would be great with a plate of past
This is 100% Nebbiolo from the Piedmont in Italy. This is a soft accessible version of Nebbiolo. Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries along with some mustiness, ash and mint. Soft texture but firm tannins. It comes alive on the palate with cherries and a hard cherry candy note along with a slight earthiness. Good acidity. Nice finish. Very open and drinking well. This was a hot vintage but the fruit is not raisined or under ripe. It drinks well on its own but will be better with food. A great choice for a weekday pasta or pizza night. Drink over the nex
I am a big fan of Costco/Kirkland wines. They often don't get the credit they deserve as people consider them "discount" wines, but it seems they are usually well done and from very good source. This one was tasted directly after tasting nice other Chiantis that were a couple of years of older and it showed just fine. It turns out that this wine is made by Baron Ricasoli, a quality producer in Chianti. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, slight dust, tea leaves and spice. Medium bodied. Good acidity. Light tannins. On the palate, this has br
This is from northeastern Italy. Ordered off the list at Eduardo's in Chicago ($70). Pop and pour, this is drinking well. Light golden in color with a touch of yellow. Clear and bright. The nose has red apples and a nice minerality. Medium bodied. Slightly oily texture. Good acidity. On the palate, this has some apples but is mostly about minerality. Tasty as well. This is very food friendly and went well with a spring pesto salad. Drink over the next few years.
Ordered off the wine list at Eduardo's in Chicago (Gold Coast) for $80. A nice find except that it was so young, it really should have been decanted. It is a blend of 56% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot. Deep ruby in color with some purple hues, mostly clear and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, tobacco, spice and char. Full bodied. Light to medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, there is some varietal complexity but this is very tight. It never fully opened as the bottle was drained. That said, it was enjoyable
From a 375ml bottle. This is 100% Sagrantino made as a desert wine. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black currants, and spice. Full bodied. Slightly sweet. On the palate, black currants, soy sauce and spice. Intriguing and a bit exotic. Long finish. This is nice on its own and would be nice with a piece of Biscotti. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.
This is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright. The nose is nice with cherries, dust, sandalwood and herbs. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, this has nice cherry fruit with some spice. Good finish. This is better with food and would work well with pasta with a red sauce. Drink over the next eight to twelve years.
