Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley 2010 Claret

Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley 2010 Claret, $13.50-$22.50, 85 points, begins in the glass as a dense purple/red with the emphasis on the red, and bordering the glass rim clear.
The aroma is not altogether bad, but there are petrol notes and a rare almost beetle-bug note as well; okay, I know, what the H*ll is a "beetle-bug note"? Well, as a kid I use to collect bugs, and if my memory serves me well, I get a hint of it here; for what it's worth. Yeah, there is some cedar and blackberry too.
The "All-In Claret" has a medium-plus body with good acidity and mild tannin (Very dry wine).
Flavors of black fruit are dominant, but there are hints of violets, licorice, and glycerol which carry onto the finish with a bit of heat (14.5% alcohol).



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Tenute Folonari Cabreo Il Borgo 2009 Toscana IGT (Red Wine)

Tenute Folonari Cabreo Il Borgo 2009 Toscana IGT (Red Wine), $34.42-$44.99, 92 points, is an unfiltered red wine of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and appears as an opaque Bordeaux black currant and a transparent rim.
Black currant is prominent in an otherwise subtle aroma that includes hints of clove and cedar, earth and licorice with a touch of alcohol (15,5% alcohol). The palate is aroma faithful with hints of blackberry and coffee,
This IGT finishes warm and spicy.
Paired perfectly with lasagna and garlic bread.





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Cigliuti 2007 Serraboella Barbaresco

 

Cigliuti 2007 Serraboella Barbaresco, $61.19-$79.99, 94 points, appears in the glass as a sunburst orange/red with a clear rim.

Leather, earth, cedar, a touch of toasty vanilla, and flowers make for a lovely bouquet.

The first taste impressed upon me not the delicious flavor or the bright acidity, but the remarkable texture of silk; another aspect of this wine I noticed was just how well it balanced a medium-plus body with all that and carrying the aroma onto the palate too.

I'm not a lover of abundant floral flavors, but this is one of those wines that successfully bridges the flowers with the black fruit, red cherry, and dried green herbs. Late palate spice accelerating into the finish with some heat (14.5% alcohol) and layered and approachable tannin, make this a red wine to remember, food friendly or drink alone.

I'm guessing this wine can be cellared for sometime, but I think it's drinking fine right now!

 

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Scagliola Terri 2011 Monferrato Bianco

Scagliola Terri 2011 Monferrato Bianco (94%  Cortese, 6% Chardonnay), Calosso, Piedmont, Italy, $8,41-$12.99, 89 points.

From the hills of Calosso, Italy to the Granite hills of New Hampshire, the Scagliola brothers have exported their second year production of this looked-forward to "Sunshine in a Bottle."

Colors of slivery copper to Chardonnay gold highlight this all but Gavi white wine.

Bright fragrance of pine, citrus, pear, and green melon are aromatic.

With a light-plus body and a rich texture, Terri retains much of the nose, but adds a bit of creamy honey, violets, and finishes with a hint of ginger and menthol. Not as dry as I'd expected, and just a bit sweeter with less acidity.

 

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IL Poggione 2006 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli,

IL Poggione 2006 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli, $67.99-$79.99, 94 points, bam if you follow Emeril Lagasse, or bam-bam if you are a Flintstone fan, but that's what pours out of the bottle. The aroma almost causes you to pull-back from the intensity; there is soft roses and violets, fresh turned earth and leather, red and black cherry, red licorice and dried herbs with hints of cigar; Magnifico!
The pomegranate color approaches a dense ruby hue with a transparent rim.
Acidic and tannic, this wine is wild right now, but texturally this medium-plus Sangiovese begins silky-smooth then explodes with its own brand of edginess.
Flavors follow faithfully the aroma, and the close of this wine is a very long finish of spearmint, heat (14.5% alcohol), and spice.

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Banfi Castello San Angelo 2011 Pinot Grigio

Banfi Castello San Angelo 2011 Pinot Grigio, $12.32-$17.99, 93 points, appears in the glass as a viscous golden color.
Aromatic wonder of honeyed melon with the nectar of lilies and orange blossoms.
Nearly medium bodied, this Pinot Grigio carries good acidity and a bounty of pleasant flavors, with a hint of Sambuca, citrus, and green melon leading the way.
Finishes smooth and silky for such a refreshing white wine.
Paired perfectly with my white peppered sautéed scallops.
It has been more than two years since I've tasted this wine (I have the 2009 and the 2010 in the cellar), but just have overlooked this wine until today.
Bella!


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Pinot Grigio (Italy)

Pinot Grigio: a brief over-view by Cal-Italia.com

Banfi Castello San Angelo 2009 Pinot Grigio, $12.74-$17.99, 93 points
Banfi Castello San Angelo 2011 Pinot Grigio, $12.32-$17.99, 93 points
Cupcake D.O.C. Trentino 2011 Pinot Grigio, $8.00-$10.99, 86 points
Due Torri Delle Venezie 2010 Pinot Grigio, $6.79-$10.99, 87 points
Santa Margherita 2009 Pinot Grigio, $19.99-$23.99, 92 points


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