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1999 Consorzio Cal-Italia Tasting |
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Loretta Byrne from Gabrielli Winery was another stop I was looking forward to. The barrel sample of the
97 Reserve Sangiovese was my wine of the tasting last year, and I couldn't wait to see how it had developed. 1997 Sangiovese Reserve - well, the aromatics have certainly closed down - the wine has calmed down quite a bit, and doesn't show the overwhelming intensity or depth of flavor that the barrel sample did, but is still an absolutely delicious, dense and dark wine with good concentration and a very attractive flavor profile. Given some time in bottle, I think the wine will become more forward and lush, and regain some of the exciting characteristics that made it so fascinating last year. 1998 Sangiovese - barrel sample - a bit lighter than the 97, but still shows sweet forward fruit, and will drink well. I also ran into several board citizens, including David Stevens from Tra Vigne, Vince F., and Jeff Sullivan (who is still bitter about having that photo posted of him chugging a 3 liter gollybum of Thunder Mountain Zinfandel at the Jimsomare offline. Hey - take it like a man, Jeff - the Gang takes no prisoners!!) As we chatted, and compared notes, David pointed me to the Cappuccino table and their stylish owner, Robert Cappuccino, who is the director of Consorzio Cal-Italia, and this year will release the first wines under his own label. 1997 Charbono - Mendocino - dense color that still retains the purple robe of youth - concentrated, smoky aromas of purple and black plum fruit - generously oaked, but still shows interesting purple and black stone fruit flavors with a clean finish. 1997 Sangiovese - Mendocino - slightly light color - sweet fruit in the nose - bright, sweet fruit flavors in the mouth - this wine is on the lighter side of the spectrum for this varietal. Well made, and a clean wine, if not terribly distinctive. 1997 Barbera - Lodi - slightly deeper color - ripe, plummy fruit on the nose - very pleasant sweet fruit across the palate with nice balance - this is my favorite of the three wines. This is a producer to watch. Now a short visit with Julie Harrelson, Director of Communications for Cosentino. These folks have embarked on a big new venture. They have purchased 130 acres in Chiles Valley, and hope to have a winery built and operational in time for the 2001 harvest. I was very impressed with the two wines they poured last year, and thought they offered the best quality/price ratio (QPR) of the wines I had sampled. 1998 Tennero Rosso - 45% Gamay, 20% Mourvedre, 35% Zinfandel (an odd blend) - sourced from Lodi (of all places!) - light to medium color - pleasant sweet strawberry and red raspberry fruit in the nose - the flavors follow on the palate - delicious sweet forward fruit - light to medium body - not a profound wine here, but I expect it would match well with a variety of lighter dishes. 500 cases produced, and at $14, it's a winner. 1998 Il Chiaretto - a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Mourvedre - medium color - somewhat restrained and bright, but mysterious fruit in the nose - interesting compote of bright red and purple fruit flavors - again, not a profound wine, but pleasant and drinkable, and not a bad value at $20, but for the money, I prefer the Tennero. 2000 cases. Unfortunately, "The Neb" - a Nebbiolo based wine - was not being poured today. I was looking forward to tasting it, since it was one of my favorites last year - when I inquired about its absence, nobody could give me a straight answer. Perhaps a production problem? |
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