DALLAS 2ND WEDNESDAY GROUP - ITALIANS - Mi Piaci's in Dallas, TX (4/9/2008)

Our theme for this tasting was "Italian Wines". No specific varietals or locations. 14 were in attendance including our guest from the WS forum Baird.

On to the show...

Whites to start

• 2005 Re Manfredi Basilicata IGT - Italy, Basilicata, Basilicata IGT
  WIML89
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of apricot, gooseberry and florals. Flavors of peach, grapefruit and lemon curd. Medium to bright acidity, light body. Drink over the short term. (89 pts.)
• 2005 Radio-Coteau Chardonnay Savoy Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of vanilla, creme, yellow apple and pear. Flavors of vanillas and yellow apple. Light to medium acidity, medium body. Drink over the short to medium term. (90 pts.)

Reds

• 1997 Fattoria Montellori Castelrapiti Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIML89
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of black licorice, black berries, camphor and shoe leather. Flavors of raspberries and red berries. Light to medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body. Drink over the short term, maybe push it to the medium term. (89 pts.)
• 1997 Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIML92
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of coffee, mocha, plum and melted black licorice. Flavors of black berries, cherries, red currants and some bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
• 1998 Braida (Giacomo Bologna) Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone - Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti
  WIML91
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of fertilizer, pepper, rose petals and mixed dark fruits. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Medium to vibrant acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 1997 Fanti (Tenuta San Filippo) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black berries and black cherries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 1999 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico il Poggio - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
  WIMLNR
  
  "Tasted" April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Unfortunately the wine was corked. No rating. NR (flawed)
• 2000 Lamborghini (La Fiorita) Campoleone Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT
  WIMl91+
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple to crimson color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, plums, potpourri and white pepper. Flavors of black cherries, black berries, plums and a hint of bitters. Medium to high acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink with a decant or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2001 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Magari Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIML91
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of florals, plums, perfume and sandlewood. Flavors of plums, berries and a little bitters on the finish. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Good blaance. Drink or hold maybe over the short to medium term. (91 pts.)
• 1998 Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML91
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of sandlewood, a touch of briar patch, anise and black fruits. Flavors of black cherries, rich berries, a hint of currants and some bitters on the finish. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2001 Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIML92
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black currants, cinnamon, rose petals and a mix of dark fruits. Nose kept changing with time in glass. Flavors of black currants, plums, rich berries and some bitters of the finish. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink now with some decant time or continue to hold. (92 pts.)
• 2000 Terredora di Paolo Taurasi - Italy, Campania, Taurasi
  WIML89
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of briar patch, dark fruits and a hint of band aid. Flavors of berries, plums and a slightly bitter finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (89 pts.)
• 1999 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Dusty nose with added notes of licorice, potpourri and mixed berries. Mostly mixed red fruits on the palate. Fairly high acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Probably should hold a little longer. (90 pts.)
• 1998 Castello di Verduno Barolo Monvigliero - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  WIMLNR
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. This wine was mildly corked so therefore no rating. NR (flawed)
• 2000 Azienda Agricola Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty throughout. Nose of anise, berries, cherries and a hint of menthol. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Probably should hold a little longer. (90 pts.)
• 1998 Castello di Verduno Barolo Vigna Massara - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Aromas of caramel, licorice and black berries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 1997 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  WIML91+
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, meat, florals and mixed dark fruits. Flavors of black berries with some notes of dark currants. Medium acidity, medium tannins adn medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2002 La Brancaia Il Blu Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  WIML91
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of florals, marjoram and mixed dark fruits. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and a little bitters on the finish. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)

Sweeties to close things out for the evening

• 1988 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Sergio Zenato Riserva - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  WIML89
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of golden raisins, currants, herbs and licorice. Flavors of currants and berries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now. (89 pts.)
• 1988 Romano Dal Forno Recioto della Valpolicella - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella
  WIML88
  
  Tasted April 9, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. "Port" like nose with added notes of coffee, dark chocolate and sorgham. Flavors of black currants with a hint of jaminess. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium to full body. Drink now. (88 pts.)