Italy
WHITE
La Prendina Veneto
Pinot Grigio 2009 . . . . . 11.99
88/100 - Our score.
Year after year this is one of the finer examples of
Pinot Grigio. Fresh as can be, with good concentration, a touch
of spice and a long, clean lime-filled finish.
Cantina del Taburno
Falanghina 2009 . . . . . 11.99
90/100 - Our score.
Falanghina is an ancient grape variety that produces
richly textured, medium-plus bodied white wines. This one
comes from Cantina del Taburno, a large co-op
in the Campania region in southern Italy that is known
for making extremely distinctive wines at
fantastic prices. This brand new release is incredibly fresh,
giving plump stone fruit flavors of peach and nectarine with notes
of yellow flowers, honey and salted white
rocks. It is very tasty and should be consumed often!
Kofererhof
Alto Adige Kerner 2009 . . . . . 19.99
91/100 - Our score.
Kerner is a relatively obscure white grape variety
that is grown primarily in Germany and northern Italy. It is a genetic
crossing of an even more obscure red grape
called Trollinger with the well known white grape
Riesling. This bottling from the well regarded Alto
Adige producer Kofererhof is highly aromatic, showing
intense flavors of mint, fresh herbs, orchard blossoms and fruits with
a rich and creamy texture. It is dry, with
lively acidity balancing out the body and forward
flavors. A unique and wonderful white that will pair
well with hearty Thai and Indian cuisine, and will be drinkable
for another three or more years.
DESSERT
Santa Lucia
"Gazza Rubina"
Aleatico 2005 . . . . .
375 ml. 12.99
A wonderfully esoteric Italian dessert wine for nearly half-off the
typical retail price!
90/100 - Our score.
90/100 - Wine Advocate. "The 2005 Aleatico Gazza Rubina from Santa Lucia is an
exotic, quirky dessert wine. High-toned aromatics meld into sweet candied
cherries, medicinal herbs and flowers as this medium-bodied wine opens up in the
glass. This is an unusual but highly beautiful dessert wine. Anticipated
maturity: 2009-2012."
RED
Di Majo Norante
Sangiovese 2008 . . . . . 7.99
The biggest and gutsiest Sangiovese in the long line of huge successes
from Di Majo...
89/100 - Our score.
90/100 - Wine Advocate. "I can’t think of too many estates that can
match Di Majo Norante for sheer value. The 2008 Sangiovese
Terre degli Osci is an incredibly delicious,
full-bodied wine with gorgeous clarity and definition.
Made in a bold, fruit-driven style, the wine offers
terrific depth and a long, polished finish. This harmonious red
is a knockout! Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012."
Manzone
Barbera d'Alba 2008 . . . . . 14.99
90/100 - Our score.
90/100 - Wine Spectator. "Beautiful and intense, delivering citrus
and blackberry aromas. Full and powerful, with a raisiny, rich
palate. So much going on here. Juicy and
opulent. What young Barbera should be. Drink now. 350
cases made"
Avignonesi
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006 . . . . .
21.99
91/100 - Our score.
Vino Nobile, the wonderful yet often forgotten Tuscan
wine. Wine has been made in the town of Montepulciano (not
to be confused with the grape Montepulciano,
the specialty of the Abruzzi region) since Etruscan
times. Avignonesi is one of the area’s most
respected producers. The wine is a blend of 85% Prugnolo
Gentile (the local clone of Sangiovese), 10% Canaiolo Nero, and
5% Mammolino. This is a gutsy red with flavors
of blackberry, earth and a slight hint of strawberry.
The healthy dose of acidity is what makes this wine
stand up to most grilled and roasted meats as well as
pasta and red sauce. A beautiful, very pleasure giving wine.
Silvio Grasso
Barolo 2005 . . . . .
25.99
Wow, Barolo from Silvio Grasso for under thirty-bucks!
91/100 - Our score.
Fearing soft demand for his single-vineyard 2005 Barolos, Silvio
Grasso reduced production of his premium cuvees and
declassified much of the fruit for use in his
entry level bottling. The result is this extreme value, very reasonably priced
offering. Chewy, with plum, mint, tobacco and
plenty of ripe oak flavors. We haven't seen quality
sub-$30 Barolo like this in over ten years! Grab a few
bottles of this one quickly. (Italy)
Boroli
Barolo 2005 . . . . .
37.99
92/100 - Wine Spectator.
92/100 - Wine Advocate. "This year I was deeply impressed with
the wines I tasted from Boroli. Achille Boroli, whose family came
to winemaking after successful endeavors in the
textile and publishing businesses, runs this young
property that already counts parcels in
some of Piedmont’s finest vineyards among its holdings. Today the
wines show more elegance and clarity than in the
past, as the estate has found better balance in
its vineyards, increased maceration times and
introduced large, neutral oak casks, all of which are
allowing the vineyard characteristics to speak with
great eloquence. Boroli is clearly on the rise, and
from here the only direction to go is up.
The 2005 Barolo is gorgeous in its perfumed red berries, flowers and
spices. This accessible, mid-eight Barolo
offers tons of elegance in a delicate, accessible
style. The tannins could use a touch more polish, but
bottle age should help. The overall balance here is
commendable at this stage. Anticipated maturity:
2012-2020."
La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino 2005 . . . . . 44.99
93/100 - Wine Spectator. "Full-bodied and toasty on the palate, with
loads of ripe fruit. Chewy and rich. Needs bottle age to soften.
What a powerful wine for the vintage. This is
one of the best producers in Montalcino right now.
Best after 2013. 1,225 cases made."
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| Our Scoring Scale 96 -100 - Extraordinary 90 - 95 - Exceptional 85 - 89 - Above Average |
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| 84 and below - | You won't find it at the Wine Discount Center |