2011 Bruno Giacosa Barbera Casa Vinicola wine review by Billy

Nose: Young plum, spice and clove
Palate: strong warm tannins,  playful acids. Good construction that promotes the tannic structure
Finish: red stonefruit notes and coffee. Hints of cherry.
Overall: Let it breathe. Air softens the strong tannins and lets the structure support the wine.

Sponsored Wine Review: Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 2009

In The Glass: Deep dark ruby in color with youthful, translucent purple at the edges.  Pretty.
Nose: Wet leather, earth, mushroom with plum and cherry.
Palate: Tight tannins wrap a big-boned acid core though which come juicy berries and flint.
Finish: Cinnamon and cocoa hint during the long finish.
Overall: Let this wine breathe if you open it any time between now and 2018! It was incredibly tight in the beginning, betraying its relative youth.  But after 90 minutes open and breathing this Amarone relaxed a bit and the flavors, crafting and quality were incredible.  Even so, the wine is drinking young now.  Its multi-layered nose and mid-palate flavors have huge promise for aging over the next 5 years.  It is worthwhile to purchase a case (or even a half-case) and open one bottle a year just to see how this magnificent wine comes together.

Because this is a sponsored wine review, we received this wine at no charge.  However, it retails for an average of $53 with a SRP of $70.  However, some local stores may have it on special for under $30 (if so, pick up several, it's a steal!)

Here is what Masi says about their 2009 Costasera Amarone: the estate’s specialty -- to produce this unique Amarone, Masi combines ancient varieties (Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara) and winemaking methods (vinifying grapes semi-dried on racks for 3-4 months) with the latest techniques: bamboo racks in temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions induce natural drying; selective exposure to botrytis cinerea (‘noble rot’); strictly controlled fermentations through the use of Saccharomyces bayanus, a rare yeast that produces high alcohol. This deep ruby-red wine has powerful, complex aromas of dried plums and balsamic (anise, fennel, mint) traces. Quite dry (not sweet) on the palate, soft and with bright acidity, the wine shows flavors of baked cherry, chocolate and cinnamon. Structured but noble, delicate tannins precede a long finish.

Sponsored Wine Review: Masi Campofiorin 2009 by Billy

From time to time, The Wine Cask Blog receives wine for review.  We always label these as "sponsored wine reviews".  This is one such review

Nose: Earthiness and even some leather spice scents predominate the nose of blueberry and cherry blossom.  There are floral notes that play nicely with the earthy notes.
Palate: Juicy mouth feel with light tannins and light acids but a subtle structure that ties it all together.
Finish: Brief finish that is un-presuming.
Overall: This is a very easy drinking Italian red wine.  It's straight-forward character is easy on the mouth and pairs well with almost anything.  It is light bodied enough to go with lighter fare but with a fun and engaging nose that gives elegance to anything it accompanies.

Because this is sponsored, we did not pay for the wine.  However, it retails for anywhere from $12-$18.  It is a good deal at the lower price points and a great, open it up whenever, red.

Here is what Masi says about the 2009 Campofiorin:
The original “Supervenetian”,  is a specialty wine made from  local Veronese grapes Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, vinified and then re-fermented with a small percentage of semi-dried grapes of the same varieties.  This versatile wine shows generous, ripe aromas of plum and cherry jam, with hints of spice. Bold and rich flavors of bitter cherries and berry fruits stand out, with good acidity, balance and velvety tannins.

Corteforte 1997 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Bold casis, tobacco and cedar with cherry undertones
Palate: Big juicy mouth feel with mouth-watering acids and a tannin core that is very firm even after these 13 years.
Finish: long and savory with basil, oregano and anise hints that taper off.
Overall: I paid $30 for a 500ml bottle of this at a local wine store where I am sure they did not know what they had on hand. It is a deep brick red in the glass and shows its age.

This is a very special bottle of wine that I found sitting on the shelf of a local beer shop. This just goes to show that you can find gems hidden away amidst the dross of lite beer and cheep spirits.

Raise a glass!

Trevisiol Prosecco Veneto extra dry wine review by Billy

Nose: vanilla bean and lemon grass
Palate: understated bubbles, dry, good acid core
Finish: floral and more vanilla hinys though a bit thin
Overall: an ok prosecco and an inexpensive before turkey Thanksgiving drink.

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Luce 2006 sponsored wine review by Billy

Nose:cracked pepper and spicy licorice notes and hints of vanilla . Many layers.
Palate:juicy and lucid with firm acids and understated tannins that are not weak but are not strong either. This creates a less heavy wine with the characteristics of the Sangiovese while retaining the presence and gravity of the Merlot.
Finish: nice juicy finish with spicy heat and berries
Overall:Noticeable Merlot spice complements the juicy Sangiovese. We had this open and breathing for 3 hours before tasting. Accessible, open. The wonderful folks from Folio Wines sent us this wine to review. I brought it with me on a visit / taste-cation with PB so that we could review it together. We both enjoyed this immensely while being impressed specifically with the layered crafting of this incredibly fine Super Tuscan. This is a special bottle on any occasion and will run you a pretty penny for the privilege. I have seen it online for around $85 -95. But, in the words of Ferris Bueler, "...It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

Raise a Glass.

Fattoria Poggiopiano Rosso di Sera 1999 Wine Review by Billy and NW

NW is in town for business so he and I are enjoying some wine whilst we catch up. We decided to open this nice Italian red that I found on the half price rack at a local wine shop. The original price was marked at a (bloated) 67 bucks and I think I paid about 30 for it.

Billy:
Nose: Just after opening currents and tobacco were evident. Now sweet cherry is emerging.
Palate: very dry, chewy tannins, even balance, wonderful structure that is complex without being heavy or overbearing. Maturing and opening as it airs out. A treat.
Finish: Cherry and nutmeg hints on the back of the palate taper off in a long finish the ends with some woody and stemmy tones.
Overall:A very nice treat to share with NW. This is a pricey bottle and even at half price, the $30 spend was hefty. Still, it is not an unfair price in my mind. The crafting is wonderful, the wine is mature and continues to show its experience as it changes character gracefully, without fits and starts, but in a flow of character and flavor and profile.

NW:
Nose:wild cherries, currants, wet earth, leather, spice
Palate:dense and chewy
Finish:sweet black cherry with more spices and hints of tobacco
Overall: interesting and exotic with layers of spicy fruit and earth. This wine should continue to cellar well and when you open it give it plenty of time to evolve in the glass.

The best part of the wine was sharing this special 1999 Italian red with NW who is in town for just a little while. This just goes to show that you should pay attention to what is on the half price rack and in the bargain bin. Some delightful finds will be there. The price of discovery is a risk, but in this case it had a huge payoff.

Raise a Glass of Fattoria Poggiopiano Rosso di Sera 1999 red!

A Mano Primitivo 2007 Wine Review by Billy

Nose:earthy aromas with blueberries
Palate:warm spices and cedar with a smooth, even balance and tannins that warm and do not overwhelm.
Finish: short and tannic. more juicy berry notes.
Overall: I paid about $17 for this wine. A Mano Primitivo is the Italian version of the Zinfandel grape. The styles between this and American Zinfandels could not be more striking. The warm earth notes and soft tannins contrast with US Zin's typically fruit and hot black pepper explosion. While there are definite similarities, this Italian wine is milder and juicier with more earth notes than is typical for other Zins.

A nice take on a familiar varietal. For $17 not a bargain wine but not an unfair price for a new experience.

Raise a Glass!

Mommy's Time Out Rosso Primitivo 2007 wine review by Billy

Nose: jammy plum and raspberry with cedar tones
Palate: biting and acidic. unbalanced. unrefined. unpleasant
Finish: can't be over too quickly.
Overall: for $8 I couldn't pass up this bottle if only for the label. It is classic. The name "mommy's time out" and the picture of a chair and wine glass facing the corner is amusing and snarky. Unfortunately, the label is the best part about this wine.

It's funny but pass it by.

Solane Santi Ripasso 2002 wine review by Billy

Nose: tobacco, cherry, and something akin to a Pinot Noir strawberry pungency that hints at an earthiness not found in many new world style wines.
Palate: "thinner" or less jammy old world style feel that is balanced with tannins and acids that allow an even mouth feel without overstating anything.
Finish: chocolate candied cherries finish out pleasingly.

The Ripasso is an Italian wine made in a different style. By adding dried grapes or allowing others to go through a second fermentation, the wine is "aged" quickly and given a body and character that is typically found only in older vintages/growths.

This wine was given to us as a gift and it accompanied a nice meal with the fetching Mrs. Billy.

Pick this wine up for a mature feel/taste without paying a mature price. For another Ripasso review by NW see this.
Raise a Glass!