On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Chianti Lovers: Tutela Morellino di Scansano

16 Feb 2018

(February 11, 2018) … FLORENCE - At the Chianti Lovers anteprima tasting this year the Consorzio Tutela Morellino di Scansano DOCG got some special recognition in the form of its own tasting leaflet with 32 wines represented: 17 regular wines from the 2017 vintage and 15 Reserva wines from the 2015 vintage. Everybody hailed the 2015 vintage as something very special so I looked at the Reserve wines to find out just how special they were.

For those who have been following my anteprime notes you’ll know I only review finished wines, most of these Reservas were barrel samples so the Good / Better / Best rules apply – finished wines are scored at the bottom of this list:

Good
Fattoria Le Pupille 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva
La Selva 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva
Marchesi Frescobaldi 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva “Pietraragia”
Val delle Rose 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva “Poggio al Leone”

Better
Col di Bacche 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva
Terenzi 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva “Purosangue”
Terenzi 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva “Madrechiesa”


Finished Wines Scored ...
Alberto Motta 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva (****)
Bruni 2015 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva (****)
Poggio Trevvalle 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva (***+)
Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano 2015 Morellino di Scansano Riserva “Sicomoro” (*** ½+)

 

Vino Nobile Anteprime 2018: Good Better Best

16 Feb 2018

(February 15, 2018) ... MONTEPULCIANO – I would be continuing my usual rules of not scoring unfinished wines (aka: barrel samples), but this year only two wines fit that bill – the rest of the 69 wines were all finished and ready for presentation.

2015 seems to have been a good vintage for all of Tuscany, and Montepulciano is no different, lots of juicy fruit reigns supreme here, as someone pointed out: “this would be the vintage to give someone who was hems and hahs about Vino Nobile”.  It’s easy drinking and ready to go but not overly complex … speaking of ready to go let’s get to the wines.

Scored (Finished) Wines …

Avignonesi 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½)
Bindella 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva “Vallocaia”(*** ½)
Croce di Febo 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½)
Dei 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½+)
Fattoria La Braccesca 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½+)
Gattavecchi 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(****)
Il Molinaccio 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “La Spinosa”(*** ½)
La Ciarliana 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½+)
Le Berne 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½+)
Metinella 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(***+)
Nottola 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½)
Salcheto 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(****)
Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(*** ½)

Selezione and Reserva Wines …

Bindella 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “I Quadri”(*** ½+)
Fassati 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Gersemi”(*** ½+)
Fattoria della Talosa 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva(*** ½)
Tenuta Valdipiatta 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Vigna d’Alfiero”(*** ½)

Drink or Hold ...

Also as part of the tasting there were a number of older vintage wines were presented, since many are not on the market anymore it’s an opportunity to see how those cellar dwellers are holding up – my rating here is about ready to drink (D), hold (H) or both (DH)

Contucci 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Pietra Rossa” (D)
Il Macchione 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(D)
Contucci 2014 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Mulinvecchio”(D)
Icario 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano(H)
Antico 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Colle Riserva “Il Saggio”(DH)
Boscarelli 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva(DH)
Fanetti 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva(D)
Il Macchione 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva(H)
Tenute Trerose 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Simposio”(D)
Nottola 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Origine”(H)
La Ciarliana 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Vigna ‘Scianello”(D)
Montemercurio 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Damo”(D)

 

 

 

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