Holidays in ITALY!
January 4, 2019
1. 2014 Adriano Marco e Vittorio Basarin Barbaresco
Fèlsina's 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia bristles with energy, with veins of underlying acidity that give the wine its focus & drive. Dark red cherry, plum, rose petal, herb & licorice are some of the signatures. Most of the Fèlsina Chianti Classicos are defined by their dark fruit & savory notes, but the Rancia is also wonderfully bright & lifted from start to finish while staying very much true to the house style. Today, the Rancia gives the impression it will unwind at a glacial pace. I imagine most bottles of the 2013 will be drunk before the wine truly enters its prime. Rating: 96+ The Wine Advocate
2. 2013 Cascina Nuova Barolo Azienda Agricola Cogno
Aromas of dark berries, flowers & truffles. Full-bodied, super-integrated & refined. Great texture & a fantastic finish. Don't miss this. So approachable now but will be great for years in the future. Rated 97 James Suckling
3. 2012 Antica Enotria Nero Di Troia Puglia IGT
This wine is a characteristic & quintessential expression of the territory, deep ruby red colour with violet nuances & an intense & elegant bouquet of ripe fruit, spices & a pleasantly toasted taste. On the palate, the wine is soft with the correct freshness & tannic edge. Winery
4. 2012 Davide Carlone BOCA Grignasco
Boca is in northern Piedmont, the Alto Piemonte, & boasts high elevations & breathtaking wines. This is a hidden gem of the region & this bottle is nothing short of magical on the palate with aromas of flowers, earthy berries, moss & all-around deliciousness. Quite a stunner with many years of life ahead. Astor Wines
5. 2012 Antica Enotria Negroamaro Puglia IGT
Colour: intense ruby red; Aroma: red fruits (plum & cherry), delicate balsamic (mint ) & spicy (licorice) notes. Flavour: balanced, soft & with good acidity. Structured body, delicate tannins. Winery
6. 2015 Remo Farina Valpolicella Ripasso
Farina skillfully balances traditional & modern techniques to produce this pure, authentic, delicious bottling of 50% Corvina, 20% Rondinella & other grapes including Corvinone, Oselta & Molinara. The wine shows elegant, bright & dried red fruits, medium body & bright acidity. This benchmark wine is one of the best Ripassos you'll find at this price. Rated 90 VinChicago
7. 2014 Antico Sigillo Primitivo Di Manduria
There's a rich, mouthfilling quality to this medium-bodied red, offering a velvety mix of spiced cherry, mulberry & herbed olive, with accents of mocha & graphite. Plush tannins show on the juicy finish. Drink now through 2021. *Top 100 of 2016, Smart Buys* Wine Spectator
8. 2008 Cupertinum Copertino Rosso Riserva Apulia
Brick red & dense, Copertino has seductive aromatics of blackberry, spice, maduro cigar leaf & smoked meats. It is medium-bodied & surprisingly complex, displaying wellintegrated layers of leather, wild berries, cedar, tar, vanilla & soft spices. The long finish lingers with dried cherry & port-like nuances. Wine.com