Don't recall if I posted these here - apologies if I already have.

Notes from Vancouver on a tasting of Italian wines led by Neil Empson.

2002 Jermann Pinot Grigio – much more stuffing than the usual Pinot Grigio
– a very peachy nose, the wine tasty and crisp – drink from about 2 years
after the vintage.

2002 Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina – when was the last time you drank a
varietal Falanghina? That’s what I thought. Ripe melony nose with some
pineapple, crisp slightly spicy finish and good length.

2003 Cantina Santadi Vermentino ‘Cala Silente’ – faint citrus aromas,
soft wine low in acidity, pleasant in the mouth with ripe notes. Nice but not
special.

2002 Antinori Castello della Sala Chardonnay – not as good a showing of this
chard as I’ve seen in the past. Not much in the nose except some oak (no big
surprise given the barrel fermentation). Not impressive on palate. Ho hum.

2000 Montesodi Chinati Rufina – big dark wine – Chianti on steroids. Purple
sheeted down the glass, berry nose, tight in the mouth with plenty of tannin
and acidity – needs time.

1998 Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino – marked difference in
appearance – much older looking with garnet at rim. Earthy nose, still quite
a bit of tannin, excellent length. Despite the appearance, this should last
quite a while, and indeed needs a bit of time to mellow out.

2002 Feudo Arancio Syrah – dark little wine from Sicily, warm and sweet in
the nose, with blackberries. Medium big in mouth, clean pure fruit flavours
with some cocoa and good length. Tasty wine at a modest price.

2001 Santa Anastasia Passomaggio – Sicilian blend of 80% Nero d’Avola and
20% Merlot. Dark, ripe wine with sweet entry, very tasty, lingering finish. I
liked this, and it was a fair price. Great cheese wine.

1998 Marcarini Barolo ‘La Serra’ – like the Brunello, showing more age
than I’d have thought it should in the colour. Ready to drink, smooth in the
mouth, elegant, it seemed older. I wouldn’t hold this new style Barolo for
long. Give me the old style every time.

2000 Il Feuduccio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – dark, with an international
sort of fruit driven nose, bright fruit, tannic backbone but ample fruit to
offset it. Needs time.

2001 Prima-Mano – this Primitivo from Pugglia was an even better cheese wine
than the Passomaggio. Gobs of fruit, quite bright in the mouth, ending with a
sweetness blended with tannins. I would have believed that the sweet impression
was due to the lush fruit had I not been told that it actually has 6% residual
sugar.

Bill,

as I replied elsewhere, I don't think of Marcarini as new-wave in any sense.
Old foudres, long macerations, etc. that typify traditional Barolo. That being
said, the La Serra is always more accessible than the Brunate.


Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

as I replied elsewhere, I don't think of Marcarini as new-wave in any sense.
Old foudres, long macerations, etc. that typify traditional Barolo. That
being
said, the La Serra is always more accessible than the Brunate.

This particular one was more than just a bit more accessible.

Don't know what is happening there, Dale.