Fattoria Nittardi Ad Astra (2006) Tuscany

A delicious Super-Tuscan from Nittardi, a traditional wine growing estate located half-way between Florence and Siena in the center of Tuscany. During the 16th Century, the estate belonged to Michelangelo; who was so enamored with his wines, he often sent them to the Pope as gifts. Over the centuries the property changed hands many times until 1982 when it was purchased by the current owners, a Frankfurt publisher and art gallery owner named Peter Femfert (say Peter Femfert from Frankfurt ten times fast!) and his wife Stefania, a historian from Venice. The estate continues its long association with art by having an artist design the label and wrapping paper for a limited edition bottling of Casanuova di Nittardi wine each year. The 2006 Ad Astra is a blend of 30% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet, 20% Merlot, and 20% Syrah. Deep, ruby-red color. Powerful dark fruit nose. Aged in a mix of steel tanks and in small French oak barrels for six months. Nice smooth fininsh. A good value.

Lucchetti Lacrima di Morro d' Alba (2008) Marche

A tasty Italian red from Lucchetti, a small (34 acre) winery whose owner, Mario, who along with a number of other small producers, rescued the Lacrima grape from extinction. The name of the grape; Lacrima, is Italian for tear, and comes from the fact that the grape skin, as it matures, tends to crack thus allowing "tears" of juice to form. In Calabria, the same grape is called Gaglioppo. Reddish/purple/violet in color. Raspberry/spicy nose similar to a Zinfandel. Luscious mouth feel. Great with grilled foods. Inexpensive.

Lo Duca Mamertino (2009) Emilia-Romagna

Utter garbage from Lo Duca, a New Berlin, Wisconsin importer of Italian wines, consumer electronics and musical instruments. The wine is a frizzante Chardonnay, purchased only because I went shopping without my reading glasses. I cannot think of a circumstance where this wine would be drinkable. I am posting a picture of the wine instead of my usual "garbage can" image in order to provide a warning to others. Awful.

Domenico Clerico Dolcetto Langhe "Visadi" (2008) Piemonte

A terrific Dolcetto from Domenico Clerico, who Robert Parker calls "One of the most gifted winemakers in Piedmont...these are wines of extraordinary richness, amazing aromatics, and sensual personalities that satiate both the hedonistic and the intellectual senses." Bob's usual bullshit aside, Clerico IS one of the most respected names in Piemonte, and his wines are renowned for both winemaking of the highest quality and for exceptional varietal character derived from his outstanding holdings in some of the greatest crus in Monforte. As with the other greats of Piedmont, Clerico's Barbera's and Dolcetto's are an easy and affordable way to enjoy the genius of a world class winemaker. An agronomist first, Clerico practices "green" farming methods; he uses no systemic plant protection products; no herbicides; and when needed, only the lightest touch of organic fertilizer (manure). Instead of doing two separate bottlings; Dolcetto di Dogliani (from vineyards near the cellar) and Dolcetto d'Alba from his Ginestra vineyard, Clerico declassifies the fruit to produce this Dolcetto di Langhe. Concord grape purple in color. Beautifully perfumed nose of dark fruit. Very soft; velvety. Aged for 5-6 months in part old/part new barriques. As with his other wines, effortless to drink.

Albino Rocca Rossa di Rocca (2009) Piemonte

A fantastic wine from Albino Rocca, a 15 hectare estate that was established in 1960 by Giacomo Rocca. Now run by grandson Angelo, the estate produces about 100,000 bottles of wine a year; about half Nebbiolo, and the half split between Barbera, Dolcetto, Chardonnay, and Cortese. The 2009 Rossa di Rocca is a blend of 80% Nebbiolo, 10% Barbera, and 10% Cabernet Franc. A new wine in the Rocca line-up, the Rossa di Rocca is so young and fresh that it's not aged at all, but bottled as soon as it's stable. Ruby-red/purplish in color. Beautiful nose. Smooth on the palate. A terrific wine that's priced for everyday drinking. Albeisa bottle.

Fattoria Le Terrazze Rosso Conero (2008) Marche

A meh Italian red from Fattoria Le Terrazze, a small (produces less than 100,000 bottles annually) Marchesian winery that has been owned by the Terni family since 1882. The 20 hectare estate grows mostly Montepulciano, along with a bit of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah. La Terrazze is most famous for their "Planet Waves" wine, a blend of Montepulciano and Syrah that was created following a special request from Bob Dylan. Rosso Conero has been produced in its appellation (the central part of the Marche) since the Roman days. Rosso Conero must have be least 85% Montepulciano, with the rest usually Sangiovese. Le Terrazze's 2008 Rosso Conero is 100% Montepulciano that has been macerated with the skins for ten days in stainless steel vats then aged in medium capacity oak casks for twelve months. The wine is finished for another six months in the bottle prior to its release. Nice ruby-red color. Intense, dark fruit nose. Full-bodied; almost hot. Gasoline-like on the palate. Good with grilled red meat. Not a sipping wine by any means.

Cantina Del Taburno Greco (2009) Campania

A jewel from Cantina del Taburno, a consortium of small Campanian grape growers who produce mainly indigenous varieties such as Aglianico, Greco, Fiano, Falanghina, Coda di Volpe, and Piedirosso. The 2009 Greco is 100% Greco, a grape of Greek origin that may be the ancestor of other southern Italian whites. Intense straw yellow in color. Beautiful, fruity nose of apricot, citrus, and a bit of minerality. Crisp acidity. A fantastic Italian white that will hopefully make those who try it put down their damned Pinot Grigio. That's right, I said damned.

Fratelli Revello Dolcetto d' Alba (2009) Piemonte

A delicious Dolcetto from Fratelli Revello, a family owned winery that was founded in 1976 (a great vintage for Barolo, BTW). Brothers Carlo and Lorenzo took over running the winery in the mid 1980's, and in the early nineties, with the help of Elio Altare, greatly improved and transformed the vineyard. With about 12 hectares under vine, the brothers produce a single vineyard Barolo along with some Barbera and Dolcetto. The 2009 Dolcetto is a very deep purple in color with a strong nose of fruity blueberry. Fresh tasting. Fresh and plush at the same time. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. Very enjoyable.

Vinosa Malvasia (2008) Puglia

A lite Italian white from Vinosia, a winery founded in 2003 by Mario and Luciano Ercolino, whose family founded the famed Feudi di San Gregorio winery in Campania. Mario, formerly head winemaker at Feudi di San Gregorio, oversees the winemaking process at Vinosia, while Luciano takes care of marketing and distribution. The 2008 Malvasia Salento is 100% Malvasia from the Salento area of Puglia. Anemic color. Nice citrus nose, however. Vibrant acidity. Refreshing.

Col D'Orcia Rosso di Montalcino (2007) Tuscany

Just an OK Italian red from Col D'Orcia, an internationally celebrated producer of Brunello di Montalcino. The estate, which dates back to the 1700's, is located on the outskirts of the medieval village of Montalcino in Tuscany's Siena Province and is owned by Count Francesco Marone Cinzano. The Count employs superstar enologist Pablo Harri who produces a line-up that ranges from a Muscat to their flagship Brunello. The 1,300 acre estate (of which 370 are planted in vine) also produces a super-lux olive oil. The 2007 Rosso di Montalcino is 100% Sangiovese that is aged for 12 months in a mix of french oak barriques and smaller Slavonion oak casks. Rich, ruby-red in color. Strong, dark fruit nose. Very fruity on the palate; although moderated somewhat by the oak. Not as long on the finish as I hoped.