Ziobaffa Toscana 2013 Red Wine (IGT), $10.19-$17.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby red color with a clear wine ring and thick stained legs.
Aromas were earthy with a soft floral vibe, mulberry, slightly sweet cherry fruit, and black tea.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin began a bit 'woody', piquant, and slightly astringent.
Finished long and dry with subtle flavors of coffee, tobacco, cherry fruit, Black tea, and a 12.5% alcohol with some lively warm spices.
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Stemmari Feudo Arancio IGT 2009 Nero D'Avola (Sicilia, Italy), $7.49-$10.99, 86 points, poured a deep ruby red grading into an orange/red penumbra terminating with a thin clear rim and light glass sheeting.
Tertiary aromas were hard to dig-out with all the innocuous earthy smells.
Medium-plus body still showed a thin layer of tannin supported by fair acidity.
Flavors of plums, black tea, and slightly chalky red fruit were okay and quite acceptable.
Finished fair with easy pepper spices, a bit tangy, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
This was an interesting comparison with the Cantine Colosi 2009 Nero d'Avola, as they were bought and stored together (more to follow).
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Cusumano Estate Bottled Terre Siciliane 2016 Nero D'Avola (IGT), $10.19-$13.99, 88 points, poured widely black with Shiraz purple/red edgings, a broad clear meniscus, and moderately sized stained tears.
Aromas of dusty plums, mushrooms, and a soft floral vibe were excellent.
The medium-plus body with good acidity and a thin plank of tannic support presented subtle flavors of cocoa, coffee, and a more pronounced citrusy plum.
Finished mildly spicy, dry, and with an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
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Cantine Colosi 2009 Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane IGT, (Sicily, Italy), $12.74-$14.99, not rated, poured an ominous murky orange/brown color with a rather inconsistent spatter on the glass bowl.
The aromas of plums, raisins, and caramel were ominous too.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and little tannin showed only flavors of apple-cider vinegar.
Alcohol was 14%.
Some wine authorities give Nero d'Avola wine an age-ability of up to ten years, and that would be under perfect conditions.
This one succumbed to my cellar.
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Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2014 Negroamaro Red Wine (DOC), $10.19-$13.99, 87 points, poured an impregnable ruby grading brighter reds toward the broad clear wine ring and heavily draped glass bowl.
Aromas were predominately pleasant red fruits with a sweet black tea garnish.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and round, mellow, and sufficiently supportive tannins which ushered-in lush flavors of blueberries, red raspberry, and mulberry.
Almost a 'fruit-bomb' of a red wine, this one reminded me of a Lodi Zinfandel.
Finished very long on the fading fruit, a hint of licorice and milk chocolate, good invigorating spiciness, and a comfortable European-styled 13% alcohol (far from a typical Lodi Zin's 15%).
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Cuvaison Carneros, Napa Valley Estate Grown 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.62-$25.99, 88 points, poured a brass color gilded in gold.
The nose was near dumb with a pleasant enough undistinguished lemon meringue.
Light-bodied, but the soft texture and unusual, for a Cali SB, roundness bestowed the impression of a heavier attribute; acidity was good and helped to give life to flavors of lemon and apple which carried into the fair finish characterized by ginger spiced apple pie and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my sautéed Canadian cod filet and a dessert of Turkish Delight.
Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Cali)
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Luiano 2015 Chianti Classico, $11.99-$13.99, 89 points, poured a shimmering sienna purple/red color with a broad clear wine ring and moderate legs.
Aromas were soft floral notes with smells of tea and sea.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a round mouth-feel of tannin managed a balanced smorgasbord of cherry fruit, black tea and olives, flowers, and truffles.
Finished long on the trailing palate, invigorating pepper spices, and a restrained 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our meatball subs.
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