SWILL TASTING - FEBRUARY 2008 - Wines of Tuscany (2/29/2008)

• 1997 Campogiovanni (San Felice) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna del Quercione - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML91. Tasted February 29, 2008. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black berries, black cherries and a bit of melted licorice. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and a hint of anise of the medium finish. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 1997 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML91. Tasted February 29, 2008. Opened and double decanted many 2-3 hours beforehand. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Light notes of melted black licorice, black berries, black cherries and a hint of brown spices. Flavor of Bing cherries, black berries and black licorice. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 1997 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
  WIML91. Tasted February 29, 2008. Opened and double decanted perhaps 2-3 hours beforehand. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly opaque looking. Nose of thistle, iodine and stewed pruns. Flavors of black cherries, black licorice and somewhat jammy berries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2001 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Manachiara - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML93. Tasted February 29, 2008. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Slightly subdued nose at this time giving way to some notes of cherries, red licorice and some florals. Flavors of cherries, ripe raspberries, berries and a little white pepper on the medium to long finish. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannins, full body. Hold. (93 pts.)
• 2001 Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Ripe al Convento - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML91. Tasted February 29, 2008. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of florals, saddle soap and dark fruits. Flavors of rich black berries and black cherries with a hint of black licorice. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Hold. (91 pts.)
• 1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML91. Tasted February 29., 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa, coffee, spice and dark fruits. Flavors of rich berries and cherries, just a hint of jaminess with some bitters and a touch of metal on the finish. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2000 Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIMl91. Tasted February 29, 2008. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of saddle leather, plums and black cherries. Flavors of black currants, plums, black cherries and black licorice. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2004 Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIML92. Tasted February 29, 2008. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of fresh cut flowers, anise and mixed dark fruits. Flavors are almost jammy up front with juicy dark berries, cherries and plums. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)

• 2005 Huët Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
  WIML94. Tasted February 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of oranges, a hint of grapefruit and lychee. Flavors of orange, lime and peach. Vibrant acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. This is slamming good wine. I'll be buying some. (94 pts.)