Fuligni 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino, $63.74-$74.99, 93 points, appears coppery red with a transparent rim.
The avant-garde floral cedar leads the way of a complex train of residual aroma notes including bourbon (14.5% alcohol), radish, roasted sesame seed, and fennel.
The medium body carries bright acidity and tart tenacious tannin.
Flavors of red cherry, pomegranate, strawberry, and coffee were all impacted by the strong bourbon notes which followed the very long finish of snowballing chili-flake spice and mint.
As for value? I'm not disappointed, but others may find the premium just a bit much!
We had this Brunello side-by-side with Fuligni's 2009 Rosso, which makes for interesting comparisons. Let me just say that for the twelve hour period of drinking this wine, it would seem that we could have partaken of it for a few days without much degradation, except the bottle didn't last!
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Fuligni 2009 Rosso (Ginestreto) Di Montalcino, $25.49-$29.99, 90 points, had as its wine maker Paolo Vagaggini.
Slightly cloudy light orange-red color with a broad clear rim appealed esthetically.
Red fruit aroma was sweet, airy, and bright.
The medium body carried penetrating acidity and persistent tannin.
Flavors followed the aroma complimented by bourbon notes which accentuated the very long finish of chili-flake spice.
For interesting comments about Rosso Di Montalcino by John M. Fodera: Rosso-Brunellos'-little-brother-Tuscan Vines.
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Michele Chiarlo 2011 GAVI, $12.74-$14.99, 88 points, appears pale yellow with copper tones.
The nose reminds me of canned Bartlett pears, but subtle melon and mint arrive as the wine warms.
A crisp light-plus body (dry with good acidity), having flavors that follow the nose and adding citrus notes, is refreshing and tasty.
Finishes fair with some warmth (12%alcohol) and a hint of ginger.
Paired beautifully with baked stuffed Maine Lobster, brazed Sea scallops, and Mac & Cheese!
Just a note on the availability of Gavi wines; you'll not find many available in New Hampshire, but they are usually priced between $10-$20, and always worth tasting.
Gavi Wines explained-Opiciwines.com
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Château La Croix Chaigneau Lalande De Pomerol 2009 Bordeaux, $11.89-$13.99, 87 points, begins with a bit of mystery; I could find no alcohol content on the labels, and with some research I found one blogger had noted 13%, but if I had to guess, I'd have guessed more. Also, reviews were not forth-coming, though prices ranged from $14.99-$32.99 (considerably more than I paid for it).
The color seemed more cranberry, but welled a dark and somewhat cloudy ruby with a very broad watery rim. Aromatically, this Bordeaux (Lalande De Pomerol-sub-region of Pomerol) reminded me of an inexpensive Merlot from the North West United States, with an oily grape smell, but that settled-down with some air, giving up more bright sweet cherry. The medium-slightly-plus body carries intense acidity with moderate tannin.
Flavors of bourbon-like wood, raisin, and plum dominate, with a finish of kick-back ("retro-nasally") smells and flavors including smoked coffee and menthol mixing the profile up a bit, but finishes with a short burst of spiciness.
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Château La Couspaude Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2009 Bordeaux, $72.24-$84.99, 94 points, continues a trend of impressive Saint-Émilion Bordeaux wines (I just may have found my niche).
Having a "true" Bordeaux color of black currant and elderberry squeezed into royal red, opaque at the core and trending misty Minneola-orange with a transparent rim.
Toasty clove and floral cinnamon with red and black cherry fruit richly endow this red Bordeaux both aromatically and throughout the palate which acquires additional flavors of licorice, dried herbs, lush black fruit, and damson plum.
Finishing on the trailing palate, ascending spice with hints of mint and coffee, make for an exceptional wine experience.
The silky medium-plus body of good acidity and approachable tannin has 13.5% alcohol which was nearly unnoticeable.
Varietals include 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Château Genins 2010 Bordeaux, $9.99, 85 points, though a bit redder than a typical Bordeaux, remains deep ruby in color with an obligatory clear rim.
Aromatic, with floral clove and earthy cinnamon as its stepping stone toward a palate of dry black licorice, mulberry, and boysenberry, culminating in an unremarkable finish of eucalyptus and fading fruit.
This is a red table wine having a medium-plus body with good acidity and mild tannin, pleasant enough at the price-point, but don't expect more than that.
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