WTN: Alla Corte del Vino

[futronic]

The 8th edition of Alla Corte del Vino was held at Fattoria Le Corti in San Casciano Val di Pesa on the 22nd and 23rd of May, 2004.

Open to the public, tickets are 15 Euro at the door to taste wine from over 50 producers. There are also seminars (some free, some not). I attended on the Sunday afternoon.

There were many wines I didn't get to, but overall, the quality of what I tasted was quite good. I was surprised by the 2002s most of all, after hearing nothing but bad press about the vintage. Don't write the whole year off. If you're selective, there are some very nice wines to be found.

The notes:

2002 Silvio Nardi Rosso di Montalcino

Medium ruby colour. Simple nose of earth and red fruit. Medium-bodied with spice and red fruit. Short finish, ~15-20s with red fruit continuing through. 85 points (05/23/2004).

1999 Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino

Medium-dark garnet colour. Aromas of vanilla, cherry, mocha, and violets. Medium-full bodied with red fruits, cherry, earth, and a hint of pepper. Violets show on the 35-40s finish. Will continue to develop with time. 90 points (05/23/2004).

2002 Argiano Rosso di Montalcino

Light garnet colour. Aromas of cherries, earth, milk chocolate, and basil. Medium-bodied with good red fruit and herbs. Good clean finish of ~30s. 87 points (05/23/2004).

1999 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino

Light ruby red colour. Aromas of cherries, mint, chocolate, and earth. Medium-full bodied with violets, figs, and black fruits. Moderate finish, ~35s. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Argiano Solengo

Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Dark garnet colour with purple flecks. Aromas of black fruit, vanilla, mint, and earth. Full-bodied with black crushed fruit, vanilla, and herbs. Moderate length finish continuing from palate, ~30-35s in length. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2000 Avignonesi Desiderio

85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dark garnet colour. Aromas of cherries, wet earth, smoke, and a hint of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, dry wine, showing black fruits, violets, and licorice on the palate. Nice finish, ~35s. This wine is a glass and teth stainer. Give it a few years cellar time. 90 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Medium-ruby colour to a pink rim. Aromas of barnyard, smoke, cherries, and herbs. Medium-bodied with red fruit (plums, currant) and spice. Solid finish, ~30-35s in length. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2000 Il Tagliato Balze d'Istrice

Small production, only about 8,000 bottles from a producer in the small town of Ruffoli.

90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. Deep ruby colour to rose rim. Aromas of McIntosh apple, cedar, cherries, and earth. Medium-full bodied with replays from the nose, especially the apple notes. Short-moderate length finish, ~20s. 85 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Il Tagliato Balze d'Istrice

Small production, only about 8,000 bottles from a producer in the small town of Ruffoli.

90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. Deep garnet colour to a pink/violet rim. Aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, herbs, and chocolate mint. Medium-full bodied with red fruits on the palate. Slightly dry, but very nice finish, ~30s. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Poggio al Sole Chianti Classico Riserva Casasilia

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light-medium ruby/garnet colour to a dusty rim. Aromas of black cherries, earth, dried flowers. Medium-bodied with black cherries, licorice. Moderate length, clean finish with cherry notes. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2002 Poggio al Sole Chianti Classico

Light ruby red colour to pink rim. Aromas of cherries, and earth. Medium-bodied with red berries, cherry, and earth. Nice 30-35s finish, with red berries. Nice Chianti. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2000 Poggio al Sole Seraselva

50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet colour. Aromas of vanilla, blackcurrant, violets, and red currant. Medium-full bodied with replays from the nose. Finish of ~30-35s with plums and black licorise. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2000 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione

100% Sangiovese Lamole from 70 year old vines. Garnet red colour to violet rim. Aromas of cherries, violets, and mocha. Full-bodied and lush in the mouth, with violets, and red and purple fruit. Long finish, ~40-45s, with red fruits. Still needs more cellar time. 91 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione

100% Sangiovese Lamole from 70 year old vines. Deep garnet colour with purple tinges to a violet rim. Aromas of black cherries, blackcurrant, dark chocolate, violets, earth, minerals, and licorice. Full-bodied with black fruits, figs, and vanilla. Present, but fine, integrated tannins. Long, 50+ second finish showing violets and blackcurrant. Outstanding, but needs at least a couple more years to show its full potential and will hold for many years after that. 93 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo

Deep garnet with black tinges. Aromas of vanilla, blackcurrant, figs, and violets. Full bodied with black fruits and vanilla. Very nice with pepper noes on the ~40s finish. 89 points (05/23/2004).

2002 Feudo Maccari Nero d'Avola Saia

A new property in Sicily owned by Tenuta Sette Ponti.

Garnet colour with violet tinges to a violet/rose rim. Aromas of cherries, plums, minerals and herbs. Medium-bodied with red fruits. A finish with some impact, continuing with red fruit. 86 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Poggio al Lupo Maremma

Another new property for Tenute Sette Ponti this time in Maremma.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 15% Alicante.

Dark ruby/black colour to a ruby rim. Aromas of vanilla, figs, rosemary, barnyard, and blackberries. Full-bodied with green pepper, black fruits and vanilla. Nice finish, ~40s with vanilla and fig notes. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2002 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Leone Rosso

60% Sangiovese, 40% Merlot. Medium-garnet colour to a dusty rim. Aromas of red licorice, red fruit, and vanilla. Medium-bodied, nice mouthfeel with red fruits. 20-25s finish. 86 points (05/23/2004).

1999 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino

Medium-garnet colour. Aromas of pretzels, cherries, mocha, and earth. Medium-full bodied with red fruits, roses, and earth. Nice wine with a 35s finish. 90 points (05/23/2004).

1999 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne

Medium ruby with garnet tinges. Aromas of cherries, cola, and flowers. Medium-full bodied, fresh tasting, with red fruits. Nice wine, ~40s finish. Needs several years of cellar time. 92 points (05/23/2004).

1998 Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio

Deep garnet colour with aromas of vanilla, black cherry, earth, and black fruit. Medium-full bodied with black cherry, spice, earth, and black fruit. Nice 30-35s finish. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2000 Barone Ricasoli Casalferro

Sangiovese and Merlot.

Dark ruby/garnet colour with pink tinges. Aromas of figs, vanilla, mint, violets, and roses. Full-bodied, lush wine with figs, vanilla, violetes, and black berry fruits. Nice finish, ~35-40s with floral notes. Needs 3-4 years to start to see its full potential. 90 points (05/23/2004).

1999 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino

Medium-dark garnet colour to a bricking rim. Aromas of cherries, earth, violets, and roses. Medium-full bodied and fresh tasting, showing violets, cherries, currant, and roses on the palate. Nice finish, ~40-45s, with currant notes. 90 points (05/23/2004).

1998 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino Vigne del Fiore

Medium-garnet colour to a bricked rim with tinges of orange. Aromas of minerals, cherry, earth, yellow flowers, and nuts. Medium-bodied showing red fruits, mint, and earth. Moderate length finish, ~30-35s, with cherries and currants. Not as good as the '99 normale. 87 points (05/23/2004).

1999 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino

Medium-light ruby colour. Aromas of balsamico, cherries, earth, violets, and red licorice. Medium-full bodied with replays from nose, especially balsamico. Nice finish, ~35s with red fruits. 89 points (05/23/2004).

I tasted this again at the winery a couple days later and was less than impressed with the second bottle:

Medium-dark garnet colour to a dusty rim. Aromas of cherries, earth, alcohol, roses, and lavender. Medium-bodied with cherries, earth, and finocchio. A little simple in the mouth; not showing as well as on Sunday. Seems like a completely different wine. Diluted cherry finish lasting 20-25s. 85 points (05/25/2004).

1997 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento

Garnet colour with rose tinges. Aromas of cherries, earth, orange rind, mocha, and cherry blossoms. Medium-full bodied with red fruits, mocha, violets, and lavender. Nice finish, ~30-35s, with violet notes. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2000 Col d'Orcia Nearco

50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah.

Deep garnet colour to a violet rim. Aromas of vanilla, mint, figs, blackcurrant, cassis, and grilled meat. Full-bodied with vanilla, spice, and black fruits. Finish of ~40s with spice, pepper, vanilla, and violets. Very nice. 90 points (05/23/2004).

1999 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino

Dark garnet with black tinges. Aromas of black cherry, wet earth, blackberries, and a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied but fresh tasting showing figs, blackberry, vanilla, earth, and spice. Nice finish with blackberry and violet notes. Very nice; will improve with cellaring. 92 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Fattoria di Bagnolo Capro Rosso

Sangiovese, Colonino, Cabernet Sauvignon blend.

Dark garnet colour with black tinges; almost opaque. Blackberries, oak, vanilla, and black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied with black fruits, minerals, and herbs on the palate. A little austere, but pleasant. Dry finish. 87 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Fattoria di Bagnolo Chianti Classico Riserva

Dark garnet/black colour to violet/rose rim. Aromas of black cherry, raspberry, earth, and brown sugar. Medium-full bodied with black fruits, blackberries, and black cherries. Nice finish, ~30-35s, with black fruits. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2002 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico

90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot.

Dark garnet colour with black tinges showing to a violet rim. Aromas of black cherry, barnyard, and minerals. Medium-full bodied with black cherry, raspberry, and vanilla. Nice finish, ~35s. Can see where this is going after tasting it in 375mL format earlier in the day. Not as evolved in 750mL format. Give this a couple years. Great effort in a difficult vintage. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Riserva Castello di Fonterutoli

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dark garnet colour, with black streaks. Aromas of black cherry, white pepper, orange rind, and earth. Full-bodied with vanilla and black fruits. Slightly herbal on the finish. Needs time to flesh out, and will improve. 89 points (05/23/2004).