Anselmi 2013 San Vincenzo

Anselmi 2013 San Vincenzo, $5.99-$10.99 (375ml), 87 points, began with a polished gold color.
Aromas of pear, peach, and a whiff of fresh-cut hay were good.
Slightly more than light-bodied with fair-plus acidity managed good, but now discouraged, flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished okay on the trailing palate, well-balanced 12.5% alcohol, and a touch of wintergreen and crème brûlée.
Paired fine with my fried crab rangoon as an a appetizer.
Varietals were Garganega, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
I need/want to taste a current bottling, noting that the smaller the bottle the quicker the aging process, however the screw-cap should keep the wine fresh, light exposure, heat, and 'bottle-shock' excepted; maybe someone might like to comment on the subject.



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Hourglass Estate Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

Hourglass Estate Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $32.29-$37.99, 93 points, poured a light brass color with a faint green tint.
Aromatic fresh cut hay field with a slight whiff of mandarin orange and musk cologne were excellent.
The mouth-feel seemed a bit more than light-bodied, but the acidity was vibrant and cut cleanly through our Chinese cuisine.
Flavors of tropical and stone fruits, citrus, and melon rind were complex and superimposed on a stony background.
Finished long with a hint of wintergreen, the trailing palate, ginger, and a potent 14.2% alcohol.




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Ridge East Bench 2014 Zinfandel

Ridge East Bench 2014 Zinfandel, $25.49-$29.99, 92 points, is being compared and contrasted unceremoniously and blasphemously with my last wine (Poggio San Polo 2011 Brunello Di Montalcino): where the Brunello was red colors with a well-defined transparent wine ring and sticky draping on the glass wall, the Ridge was tinted with violet, and the glass wall was more sheeted.
Instead of succulent flora on the nose, the delightful Ridge aromas were dried and ground herbs: cinnamon, cloves, and a gentle potpourri.
Though both were medium-bodied with fine supportive tannins, those of the Ridge were softer, and though the acidity of the Ridge wasn't as mouthwatering, it was appropriate and perfect with my baby-back ribs.
The Brunello was sophisticated, and the Zinfandel was rightly wild with blackberries, young mulberries, black licorice, and espresso.
Both finished long or their respective palates and a comparable (Ridge 14.9%) alcohol levels, but where the Brunello was inspirited spice, the Zinfandel was driven by that spiciness.
Civilized over barbarian? Maybe, but just by a couple of long hairs.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery.
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Poggio San Polo 2011 Brunello Di Montalcino (D.O.C.G.)

Poggio San Polo 2011 Brunello Di Montalcino (D.O.C.G.), $42.29-$74.99, 94 points, shows a neat gradation of applicable red colors with a well-defined transparent wine ring and sticky draping on the glass wall.
Bright red fruit aromas accented with subtle evergreen and floral notes were excellent.
Poggio San Polo gives an exceptionally fresh and clean expression of the Sangiovese grape unnecessarily bound (in this case) to Brunello's often mysterious nature; glass smooth and counterintuitive to its bright acidity and fine supportive tannins impresses with a straight-forward medium body managing delicious flavors of  truffles, red cherry, and black tea.
Finished long of the trailing palate, mint, a hint of bay leaf, and a firm 15% alcohol inspirited spiciness.
Perfect pairing will be with steaks and anything tomato-based Italian cuisine; I would even venture into almost anything Mexican.

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Carpineto 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (D.O.C.G.),

Carpineto 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (D.O.C.G.), $25.49-$32.99, 90 points, was a burgundy purple/red with a broad clear wine ring.
Aromatic earthy black cherry and potpourri were excellent.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and round smoothly supportive tannins carried a balanced plum flavor profile accented by tobacco, black tea, and pomegranate.
The round tannins waxed wooly throughout the long finish of the dominant plum flavor with truffle, warm spices, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my BBQ pork ribs.
Varietals were 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) with other approved grapes.


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Maria Caterina Dei 2013 Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano (DOCG)

Maria Caterina Dei 2013 Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano (DOCG), $18.69-$21.99, 88 points, poured a burgundy purple/red with a distinctively clear wine ring and leggy glass wall.
Aromas were a bit unusual for a Sangiovese with blueberry, red raspberry jam, spiced cherry, and a splash of Mediterranean breezes.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a smooth underlayment of tannin early on, managed flavors representative of the aromas with a touch of black tea.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, more noticeable tannin, and a well-integrated 13.5% alcohol. 
Varietals were 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo.
Paired nicely with my Matriciani pasta covered with marinara and topped with North Country Smokehouse hot Italian sausage and grated parmesan cheese.

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Sangiovese: 90%, Canaiolo: 10% More: http://winestyleonline.com

More: http://winestyleonline.com

Sangiovese: 90%, Canaiolo: 10% More: http://winestyleonline.com

More: http://winestyleonline.com

Sangiovese: 90%, Canaiolo: 10% More: http://winestyleonline.com

More: http://winestyleonline.com

Beni di Batasiolo 2008 Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Beni di Batasiolo 2008 Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy, 90 points, was a gift, but has an average price of $32.
Showing a bright ruby color with a clear rim and leggy glass bowl.
The quite shy bouquet needed much swishing and swirling to tease out hints of sandalwood, cinnamon, and juniper aromas.
Medium-bodied carried good acidity with an intensifying drying tannic influence.
Flavors of black tea, thin black cherry, and subtle violet notes were good, but red table wine mundane.
Finished well on the trailing palate and a big 15% alcohol inspirited spiciness.

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