Table I
New World Wine Table
minus the Barone Pizzini Franciacorta (Italy) and the Maculan Torcolato (Italy).
Barone Pizzini Saten Franciacorta 2011 $45
Bright and silky, this opens with aromas of citrus and walnut. The luminous palate delivers ripe yellow apple, nectarine, a hint of brioche and a mineral note offset by a frothy mousse.
Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 2018 $90
Each year, the goal for Southing is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. The ever-changing nose of the Southing exhibits Watermelon, Jasmine, Victoria plum; and subtle baking spices. The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by the estate vineyard’s characteristic cool climate acidity.
Tor Rock Cuvee Cooper Grenache 2012 $55
Very pale red. Began a bit neutral on the nose but showed raspberry, cherry and licorice scents with some aeration. Creamy red fruit and floral flavors show more aromatic than textural interest today. Good acidity and slightly edgy tannins give the finish a faintly dusty quality, with the floral quality lingering.
Bodegas Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena 2010 $115
Doctor Nicolas Catena always liked Cabernet Sauvignon so the wine that carries his name has a greater percentage of the noble Bordeaux grape. The 2010 Nicolas Catena Zapata is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec sourced from La Piramide, Domingo, Adrianna and Nicasia. The fresh and balanced 2010 produced good ripeness of the fruit but the acidity was also great and the wine finished with 6.5 grams of acidity and a natural pH of 3.5, as the grapes are selected from cold soils. The first vintage was 1997, but this has to be one of their finest. This has the intensity of the Catena Alta Cabernet and the verticality and austerity of the Adrianna Malbec. It has very good acidity and intensity, while it has some velvety tannins. For a minute I was trying to remember the varietals as the sense of place, the freshness and the earthy sensations clearly take over. A superb bottle of wine. This is a wine to age. Drink 2016-2023
Barossa Valley Shiraz E & E Black Pepper 2016 $95
Dense and muscular, showing appealing focus to the dark chocolate, blackberry paste, sage and huckleberry flavors, with espresso notes weaving in and out. Cigar box aromas emerge on the finish, where thick tannins offer a dense backbone and a touch of rusticity. Drink now through 2036. 93 Points Wine Spectator
Maculan Torcolato 2013 $40
Bursting with aromas and flavors of apricot and strawberry preserves and accents of spiced orange peel, toffee and fragrant herb, this rich and creamy sweetie is backed by vibrant acidity that carries the range of flavor on the lasting finish. Shows lovely concentration without excessive weight. Vespaiolo. Drink now through 2029. 1,200 cases made, 100 cases imported. 93 Points Wine Spectator
Table II
Old World Wine Table
Argiolas Isola Dei Nurraghi Turriga Sardinia 2013 $70
This is a benchmark wine in Sardinia. The 2013 Turriga flows from the bottle with sun-drenched generosity and plum-like ripeness. This celebrated blend is composed of 85% Cannonau, 5% Carignano, 5% Bovale and 5% Malvasia Nera. It ages in oak for up to two years. This vintage most certainly delivers the goods with intensity and a proud sense of exuberance. Those black fruit nuances are smooth, velvety and soft. Exotic spice, tobacco and leather reach just the right level without going overboard. The mouthfeel is broad and all encompassing.
Allegrini La Poja Corvina 2011 $90
A lovely, medium- to full-bodied red, with a rich nose of ripe fruit and tar-tinged mineral. Layers of creamy tannins with flavors of plumped cherry, dried fig and espresso cream, revealing abundant spice and herb details that linger on the finish
100% Corvina. Veneto
Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione 2015 $70
A really exotic nose with so much dried herb character, ranging from thyme and sage to Thai basil. Then there’s more familiar and equally appealing dark blackcurrants, crushed stones and lavender. Full body with very refined tannins that both coat and caress the palate. A long, chewy finish. Sangiovese Tuscany Drink in 2022. 99 Points James Suckling
Mazzei Mix 36 Fonterutoli Toscana 2011 $85
This bright, structured Sangiovese opens with aromas of blue flowers, tilled earth, red and black berries. The savory, silky palate doles out juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and licorice alongside supple but chewy tannins.
Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove 2014 $69
A late vintage with a long period of ripening, 2014 presented us with wines that generate a great amount of pleasure. Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2014 has a ruby color of medium intensity. On the nose it develops fresh crisp fruit aromas underpinned by fine notes of spice. The palate is of medium weight with notes of red berry fruit. The tannins are fine, silky and particularly polished. Soft and enveloping yet with a clean lively finish.
Blend: 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot
Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Riserva 2014 $80
A Really complex aromas of iodine, spices and blackberries with some clove, pepper and pumice undertones. Full-bodied, yet so balanced and focused with really fine tannins. Extremely long with some tar highlighting the fruit. Fantastic release. Reminds me of some of the great Taurasi from the 1960s from here. Aglianico Drink or hold.
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