A Super Tuscan Second

Ornellaia Le Serre Nuovo

Perhaps you have heard of Super Tuscans. Way back some excellent Italian winemakers thumbed their nose at the official Italian winemaking regulations. They made wine the way they wanted it, not according to the book, whose major advantage was reducing the glut of inferior local grapes. This wine estate was created by a Marchese (I think that means a Count) back in 1981 on a little less than 100 hectares (about 250 acres) in what comes close to paradise. The soil has marine, alluvial, and volcanic elements. While the pick of the litter runs at about $200 a bottle I had to be satisfied with junior (made from younger vines). It’s a Bordeaux blend. Years ago, I managed to misplace the marketing material, so I’ll be quoting the 2010 information despite the fact that the bottle was a 2007. Some people get the chance to taste both. Others get to taste the intervening vintages as well. Others won’t. The companion wine that just about any non-teetotaler can get to taste is a Veneto, Italy Merlot at about one eighth the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Dell’Ornellaia 2007 14 .5% alcohol about $60.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : The 2010 Le Serre Nuove Dell’Ornellaia shows off tons of concentration and sheer depth. Mocha, expresso, dark cherries and plums are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. The 2010 is a decidedly powerful, virile wine endowed with considerable power. It will be interesting to see how the layers of flavor flesh out once the wine has been bottled. For now, the 2010 is a highly promising Serre Nuove. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. Score – 91-93. (Antonio Galloni, at the Robert Parker web site, June, 2012)” And now for my review (of the 2007, not the 2010).

At the first sips this wine was powerful, offering chocolate. It was multilayered and had great balance. The initial meal started with crunchy Wasabi coated peanuts that actually weakened this Super Tuscan. It bounced back when encountering a barbecued chicken breast, becoming mouth filling with good acidity and chocolate. Homemade roasted eggplant slices brimming with garlic intensified the libation’s sweetness and I tasted some chocolate. This wine was very long. Fruit juice candy for dessert muted the liquid somewhat but it was still more than just present and I tasted lots of plums.

This review of a Super Tuscan Second  continues on my website at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Monthly_expensive_wine_reviews/super_tuscan_second.phphttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Monthly_expensive_wine_reviews/super_tuscan_second.php

Revisiting A Veneto, Italy Merlot

Revisiting A Veneto, Italy Merlot

Can you get a decent Italian Merlot at this price?...

Cesari Venetian Merlot

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Cesari Merlot Delle Venezie 2011 12 % alcohol about $7.50.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Ruby/cherry colour; dark plum and blueberry aromas; light- to medium-bodied with a core of sweet, red berry flavours and a velvety finish. Serving Suggestion : Pasta with a mushroom sauce, veal or meat pizzas.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was a bit thin but offered good acidity and tannins. The initial meal started with crunchy Wasabi coated peanuts, which imparted just a bit of character to the wine. And the plums came out of the woodwork. A barbecued chicken breast added tobacco and chocolate to my glass. Homemade roasted eggplant slices brimming with garlic rounded the libation and I tasted some berries. Dessert was fruit juice candy that rendered the liquid quite blah.

This review of a Venetian Merlot continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_rvim.phphttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_rvim.php