Italian wine tasting

[Nicklasss]

Tasting group, February 5th.

Ornellaia 2004: in magnum! Cherry red color, with a nose of small black and red fruits, spices, fine wood, blackcurrant, and sweet smoke. A powerful attack on the palate, a good mix of ripe red fruits, fallen leaves, plums, wood, and spicy cigar. Full of flavor, with fine tannins and a long finish. Superb. Rated 95.

Dromos 2006: same color as the previous wine. A slightly less elegant nose, but full of aromas of cherries, raspberries, purple grapes, and spices. Flavors of black fruit with a touch of austerity on the palate, spices, and earthy notes. Medium intensity and length. Very good. Rated 90-91.

Guado al Tasso 2007: still the same color. Nose with more green notes, green bell pepper, green tobacco, and red fruit aromas. Palate with flavors of slightly dried fruit, spices, soil, wood, an austere touch, but also sweetness. Present tannins, long finish of dark fruit. Excellent. Rated 92.

Tignanello 2015: Dark, initially closed nose. It took time but opened up to reveal purple grapes, creamy blackcurrant, blond tobacco, and black cherries. Austere, concentrated palate, soil, blackcurrant, concentrated bay leaf. Long. Didn't show its full potential, lacked aeration. Rated 92.

Flaccianello 2015: Remained rather closed all evening. A shame. Nose of very concentrated dark fruit and biscuit. Palate a bit harsh, lots of concentrated dark fruit. A black hole, nothing comes out! No score.

Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco 2021: the lightest wine of the evening, a pale cherry red. Fragrant nose of pastry, red fruit jelly, cinnamon sugar, and red licorice. Palate of red berries, sour cherries, and grape skin. Fresh finish of red berries and geranium leaf. Lacks a bit of balance. Rated 88.

[JimHow]

I had a Tignanello recently, I think it was a 2022. It was okay. Not worth the price.

[DavidG]

I used to enjoy Tignanello semi-regularly. It used to be a good bargain when it was $40-50 and much better than just ok to my palate. Back then, Ornellaia and Sassicaia were the too-expensive options. I agree that the Tig now costs more than it’s worth.

[AlexR]

Nic,

Thanks for sharing your notes.
Those are the very cream of Tuscan wines.

Jim raises the question of value for money.
How did you feel?

I have been underwhelmed by Tuscans and super-Tuscans in the outta site price range.
At that price, I think I'd rather have a Barolo.

Alex R.

[JCNorthway]

At that price, I think I'd rather have a Barolo.

I'm with you on that, Alex.

[DavidG]

Me too (Barolo).

[Nicklasss]

I brought the Tua Rita…

The theme was not my choice, especially that for the price, i almost always prefer Bordeaux blend when grow and made in Bordeaux.

I focus on sangiovese super Tuscan as i want something italian… but let say i prefer a great 15 yo Brunello, or 15 yo Cepparello or 20 yo Flaccionello, to any italianBordeaux blend made in Italy.

And great Barbaresco/Barolo can reach top emotion, more than super Tuscan.