Banfi Chianti Classico (2004) Tuscany

A very nice Chianti Classico from Banfi, a huge (2,400 acre) winery owned by the Mariani family of New York. With about twenty wines in their portfolio, including some excellent Brunello’s, their Chianti Classico is a fine representative of the varietal, with a deep, ruby-red color and a nose of black cherry. Soft, smooth finish.

Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi di Gresy Nebbiolo Martinenga Langhe (2005) Piemonte

An unusually light-bodied Nebbiolo from Marchesi di Gresy, whose owner, Alberto di Gresy, is best known for his muscular Barbaresco’s. While the 2005 Martinenga (named for the vineyard) had the characteristic nose and color of a Nebbiolo, it did not have the weight and heft that is typical of the grape and di Gresy’s marketing. Very abrupt finish. Undoubtedly the wine needs time, although I’m not sure it will help a great deal.

Dievole Chianti Classico Vendemmia (2005) Tuscany

A nice, serviceable Chianti Classico from Azienda Agricola Dievole. Their Vendemmia is a blend of Sangiovese from all sixteen of Dievole's vineyards. The wine is aged for 12 months; with 80% of the wine being aged in huge 8,000 liter oak vat/casks while the remaining 20% is aged in French and Oak barriques. The wine has a fragrant black fruit nose and smooth tannins.

Cerulli Spinozzi Torre Migliori Montepulciano d' Abruzzo (2004) Abruzzo

A stellar Italian wine from Cerulli Spinozzi. Their Torre Migliori Montepulciano d' Abruzzo is produced in the Colline Terramne region of Abruzzo, and has a pronounced blackberry fruit nose and spice on the palate. The wine is wonderfully smooth, with velvety tannins, and a long finish. Truly a pleasure to drink.

Emilio Bulfon Cividin (2006) Friuli-Venezia Giulia

One more reason to not drink Pinot Grigio. Some 30 years ago, winemaker Emilio Bulfon rediscovered and replanted several ancient native Friulian grape varieties in the hills of the province of Pordenone in western Friuli. Today, Bulfon produces wines exclusively from these ancient grapes. One of his whites is Cividin, a straw-yellow wine with a fragrant nose of apple and pear. This un-oaked wine has a nice acidity that is very food friendly. A great, unusual wine. As a side note, each of Bulfon's wines are adorned with a different color label designed by Bulfon that depict a detail of a medieval fresco of the last supper found on a wall of a local church.

Alois Campole Aglianico (2004) Campania

A delicious wine from the Alois family, who for centuries have produced world famous textiles that grace the walls of such places as the Louvre and the White House, and since 1992, have been producing great wines from little-known varietals. With the help of oenologist Riccardo Cotarella and agronomist Nicola Traducca, Alois uses "green" farming methods to vinify four varieties of wine on their 14 hectare estate in Campania (the shin of the Italian boot). Campole contains 70% Aglianico and 30% Casavecchia. The softness of the Casavecchia grape cools the power of the Aglianico. The wine has a beautiful dark color and a nose of licorice and dark fruit. The wine is aged entirely in stainless steel so the fruit is not masked. The wine is well-structured and has a long, smooth finish.

Canneto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (2003) Tuscany

The Canneto vineyards, located in Tuscany, in the district of Montepulciano near Siena, were purchased by a dozen Swiss wine enthusiasts in 1987. Since that time, they have been producing small quantities of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Grappa, Vendemmia Tardiva, and olive oil. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (named after the place, not the grape) has enjoyed high esteem since the first century A.D. and D.O.C.G. status since 1980. The Canneto Riserva is made from 90% Sangiovese Grosso, and 10% Canaiolo Nero, Mammolo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine is aged for 3 years in 500 litre French tonneaux and another 6 months in the bottle. The wine had a nice nose and color, but the extended aging in oak did little to soften the harsh tannins or to lengthen its short, abrupt finish. Not a good wine.

Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Cappezzana Carmignano (2003) Tuscany

The Capezzana estate dates back to the 12th Century, and lies in the Carmignano region of Tuscany, west of Florence; a region that has been producing wine since the Etruscan days. Capezzana produces a beautiful, ruby-red Carmignano (80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) a wine that is typically higher in acidity and greater in aroma than a Chianti Classico. The wine is matured for over a year in French tonneaux and another in the bottle. It has soft tannins, well balanced acidity, and a long, smooth finish. A terrific wine; something different for Chianti-lovers.

Francesco Boschis Dolcetto di Dogliani "Pianezzo" (2005) Piemonte

A terrific value-priced Dolcetto from Francesco Boschis, who has been producing wine on their family property in the Township of Dogliani (just south of Barolo) since 1919. Their "Pianezzo" is a blend of young vine Dolcetto grown on different plots scattered throughout Dogliani. The Boschis family also produces two single-vineyard Dolcetto's made from old vines grown on premier sites. The "Pianezzo" is fermented and aged entirely in stainless. It has a beautiful color, a great black fruit nose, and a smooth, long finish. A great everyday red for dinner or as a party wine. Given its versatility, price and taste, Dolcetto may be my favorite red. Albeisa bottle.

Ercole Velenosi Quattro Mani Montepulciano d' Abruzzo (2006) Abruzzo

This Montepulciano d' Abruzzo is the first wine released by the Quattro Mani (four hands) brand, a concept of Italian wine importer Paolo Domenghetti of Domaine Select. His idea was to have four winemakers, each representing a different Italian wine region, create wines which would be marketed under the Quattro Mani label. The wine is 100% Montepulciano (the grape, not the place) grown on the Ercole Velenosi estate in Abruzzo (a place, not a grape). This youthful wine sees no wood, so its fresh, dark cherry flavors sparkle. Its "smoke on the water" in color, and has lush, smooth tannins. A terrific, food-friendly wine that belies its low price tag.