2013 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri

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This is truly a SUPER Tuscan!

The 2013 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri  is an incredibly rich and lush wine that is still very young and in need of a few more years in the cellar to soften its massive and youthful tannins.

This Bordeaux blend from Tuscany tips in at 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and retails at a very reasonable $65 for such a high quality bottle.

The nose is wonderfully captivated by floral and sweet cherry perfume that is accented by hints of slate and berry aromas.

The palate is awash with a powerful and long lasting assortment of flavors that include wet earth, ripe blackberry and cherry fruit, leather, bitter licorice and assorted spices, highlighted by cinnamon and mint.

Although the wine is drinking nicely now, I am very excited to see how it unfolds after a few more years in the cellar.

Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico

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Napa Cabernet Lovers need not apply!

The 2003 Serpico from Feudi di San Gregorio is ideal for my friends that like dry rustic earthy wines.

This well balanced medium bodied wine starts out with juicy sour cherry and mineral flavors before transitioning to soft dusty cigar box and ash notes on the finish.

Serpico is 100% Aglianico, which is grown mainly in Southern Italy in the Campania region, and is drinking perfectly right now.

This is an intense wine that should be decanted for an hour or two.

The wine can be found for about $55, and is highly recommended.

Brancaia Ilatraia

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Being a Cabernet lover I have always been partial to Super Tuscans, especially those from Bolhgeri and Maremma Toscana.

The 2013 Brancaia Ilatraia from Maremma checks all of the boxes.

Lively dark fruit and blackberries are supported by soft tannins with hints of clove and floral undertones on the finish.

Brancaia Ilatraia is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petit Verdot and 20% Cabernet Franc.  The wine was aged 18 months in French barriques – half of them new – and then matured for 12 months in the bottle, prior to release.

With a retail price of $55, this wine is a must add to any Cab lover’s cellar.

Grattamacco Bolgheri Suoeriore

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Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore is a must buy for all Cabernet and Bordeaux lovers.
This intense wine is a brilliant ruby color with scents of sweet perfume and berries on the nose. While the palate is full of mouthwatering cherries, ripe fruit and pepper flavors which precede toasted oak and leather on the long dry finish.
This Super Tuscan is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese, and at $59.99 it is priced at a steep discount to its rivals in Bordeaux and Napa Valley

 

Le Macchiole Paleo

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The 2013 Le Macchiole Paleo is a charismatic and enchanting wine made entirely of Cabernet Franc.

This complex wine evolves continuously in the glass.  At first the wine captivates you with lush blackberries with a hint of spice.  The second sample is loaded with rose petals and mocha followed by creamy toasted oak and nuts which then give way to a velvety plum and berry finish.

This is a must try for all Italian wine lovers or anyone who has not tried a wine made from Cabernet Franc.

The retail price for Paleo is about $95, but I was able to secure this for $69 at one of my favorite wine stores, Sokolin,  in Bridgehampton NY. 

 

 

Allegrini Amarone

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I just love Amarone! 

These wines are big and rich with loads of ripe lush fruit., and the best efforts are like heaven in a bottle!

The 2010 Allegrini Amarone did not disappoint!

From the first taste the inky purple juice was smooth and loaded with syrupy blackberries and cherries followed by aromas of smokey chocolate and hints of menthol on soothing velvet tannins.

The 2010 wine retails for about $70, but newer vintages are retailing between $50-$55.

My only regret was that I did not open a magnum, as the last pour came too soon!