WTN: Various Toscana Wines

[futronic]

Last batch of tasting notes for my trip. When in Toscana, I visited Podere Poggio Scalette, Il Tagliato, Fuligni, Costanti, Poggio Antico, and Col d'Orcia. Here are my notes from these visits plus any other miscellaneous notes from dinners I had in the area, etc.

2001 Podere Poggio Scalette Piantonaia

100% Merlot.

Only available at Enoteca Pinchiorri on their wine list for 195 Euro. 2,000 bottles produced. First vintage was 1999, and is aged in 100% new French oak 225L barriques.

Deep garnet/purple colour; opaque, right to the rim. Fat, thick legs, and stains the glass when swirling. Amazingly rich nose, constantly expanding, showing both power and elegance. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, raspberry, vanilla, cream, blueberries, white pepper, peaches, mocha, black cherry, and black figs. Full-bodied, very refined wine. Unctuous in the mouth, showing excellent structure and fruit. Raspberry, black cherries, vanilla, balsam, cassis, and violet notes on the palate. Long finish, ~45-50s, with black cherry, raspberry, and cedar notes. Simply outstanding. Should have the ability to cellar for many years. 95 points (05/24/2004).

2000 Castelluccio Ronco del Re

100% Sauvignon Blanc from Emilia-Romagna.

Golden yellow colour. Aromas of cream, honey, peaches, minerals, and white flowers. Medium-bodied; very fresh in the mouth, with white peaches, minerals, and white pepper. Nice, clean finish, good minerality with apple hints. 87 points (05/24/2004).

2002 Il Tagliato Balze d'Istrice

90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot.

From barrel. Medium-dark ruby red, crystal clear to rim. Aromas of red fruit, plums, and vanilla. Medium-bodied with red fruits, blueberry, cherries, and earth. Balanced wine and approachable. Moderate finish, ~30s. Fresh tasting. Will be better in bottle with a year to settle down. Not a long term ager. 86 points (05/24/2004).

1999 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Tasted the final blend from blending tank; to be bottled in June 2004.

Deep garnet/ruby colour to a violet rim. Aromas of raspberry, vanilla, plums, dark chocolate, lavender, and blackberry. Full-bodied and fresh tasting with very fine tannins. Black fruits, figs, vanilla, and chocolate on the palate. Long finish, ~50s. Needs a lot of time. Roberto Guerrini said he prefers his '99 normale to the Riserva. This is outstanding, so I can't wait to drink the base bottle after several years in the cellar. Not as good as the '97 Riserva, but that's a difficult feat to match. 94+ points (05/22/2004).

2000 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino

Tasted final blend from blending tank.

Ruby red to oranging rim. Aromas of mocha, cherries, and earth. Traditional on the palate showing medium-full bodied weight with vanilla, plum, earth, and raspberries. Nice finish, ~30-35s. More like the '98, and will mature sooner than '97 and '99 offerings. Very tasty. 91 points (05/22/2004).

2002 Fuligni Rosso di Montalcino

Dark ruby colour. Aromas of currant, mint, mocha, and plums. Medium-full bodied with red and black fruits. Lovely finish, dry, with roses and cherries. Great Rosso. Buy all of this that you can, since all the grapes usually used for Fuligni's Brunello have been declassified and were put into the Rosso (no Brunello in 2002 due to the weather. They did not want to bottle an inferior Brunello so they just didn't make one). 88 points (05/22/2004).

2001 Fuligni S.J.

80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot. Ruby red with violet tinges to a pink rim. Aromas of cherries, dried flowers, small wild red berries, and orange rind. Medium-full bodied with sliced red plums, earth, blackcurrant, and herbs. Nice finish, ~30-35s, with violets, and currant. 89 points (05/22/2004).

1998 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino

Dark ruby red colour; crystal clear with garnet tinges. Aromas of plums, currant, spice, and mocha. Medium-bodied with red fruits and herbs. Very nice wine with a solid ~40s finish. Already drinking nicely. 91 points (05/22/2004).

2000 Costanti Ardingo

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot.

Dark garnet/purple colour to a violet rim. Aromas of cassis, vanilla, and black cherries. Kind of flat, slightly oxidized, showing red and black berry fruits and a bit of spice. Short finish, ~15-20s. 86 points (05/25/2004).

2000 Costanti Vermiglio

80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot.

Medium-ruby red colour to a dusty rim. Aromas of cherry, earth, and mint. Medium-bodied with red fruits and earth. Moderate finish with cherry notes, ~30s in length. 87 points (05/25/2004).

2001 Costanti Rosso di Montalcino

Medium ruby red/garnet colour. Aromas of violets, cherries, and anise. Medium-bodied with good red fruit. Nice, dry ~30s finish with cherry and mocha notes. 87 points (05/25/2004).

1999 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino

Medium ruby/garnet colour to rose rim. Aromas of violets, dark chocolate, black cherries, and earth. Dry; medium-full bodied and fresh tasting with violets, cherries, and spice. Moderate-long finish, ~40-45s, with cherry, earth, and white pepper notes. Needs at least a few years in the cellar to come together. 92 points (05/25/2004).

2002 Poggio Antico Rosso di Montalcino

Medium-dark ruby colour. Aromas of red fruits, plums, cherries, and earth. Medium-bodied with red fruits and strawberries. Short finish, ~20s, with cherry notes. Nose opened up with more air, begins to show some orange blossoms. 84 points (05/26/2004).

2001 Poggio Antico Madre

50% Sangiovese, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.

This is the first vintage for this wine; about 12,000 bottles produced.

Dark garnet/purple colour to violet rim, almost opaque. Aromas of vanilla, blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry. Medium-full bodied, not heavy at all. Dry, showing vanilla, oak, berry fruit replays from nose. Good structure. Moderate finish with vanilla, oak, and berry, ~30-35s. Needs time to settle down and integrate. Try again in a couple years. 87 points (05/26/2004).

1997 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Altero

Aged 24 months in 500L French oak barrels, then two more years in bottle. Medium-dark ruby/garnet colour to violet rim. Aromas of black licorice, roses, dark chocolate, raspberry, cherry, and earth. Medium-full bodied with red fruits, black cherry, blackberry, and spice. Shows good structure, but not much power at this point. Still in a slumber for the most part on the palate. Let this one sleep another couple years before revisiting. 88 points for now (05/26/2004).

2003 Col d'Orcia Rosso Degli Spezieri

70% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 15% Ciliegiolo.

Medium ruby colour with violet tinges. Aromas of cherries and small red berries. Simple table with with few tannins. Light bodied with red fruits. Short finish, ~10-15s with cherry notes. Drink now. 77 points (05/25/2004).

2002 Col d'Orcia Rosso di Montalcino

Not a declassified Brunello, as Col d'Orcia is making a Brunello di Montalcino in 2002.

Ruby red/garnet colour to pink rim. Aromas of red cherries, alcohol, vanilla, and small red berries. Light bodied with cherries and earth. Simple wine with a short finish. 83 points (05/25/2004).

2001 Col d'Orcia Rosso di Montalcino Banditella

Aged 14 months in barrique. Dark ruby colour with garnet tinges to a violet/dusty rim. Aromas of vanilla, balsamico, black cherry, and raspberry. Medium-bodied with red berries and vanilla. Slightly watery in the mouth. Moderate length finish, ~30s. 80 points (05/25/2004).

1999 Col d'Orcia Cabernet Sauvignon Olmaia

Aged 18 months in new French barriques. Dark garnet colour with purple tinges to a violet rim. Aromas of vanilla, blackberries, raspberry, blueberry, and black licorice. Medim-bodied with black cherry, vanilla, oak, and pepper. Moderate finish, ~30s, with black cherry fruit. 86 points (05/25/2004).

2000 Col d'Orcia Moscadello di Montalcino Pascena

From 375mL. Pale golden colour. Aromas of honey, peaches, indian spice, white pepper, orange blossoms, and orange rind. Medium-full bodied, medium-sweet wine with honey, spice, pear, butterscotch, vanilla, and peaches on the palate. Good acidity to offset sweetness; doesn't seem heavy in the mouth at all. Moderate-long finish with honey, spice, and pear notes. 88 points (05/25/2004).

2001 Fontodi Chianti Classico

Had this a few times during my trip, and here are notes on the last two bottles:

Dark garnet colour to violet rim with violet tinges. Aromas of black cherries, earth, and herbs. Medium-full bodied, fresh tasting, with blackcurrant and black cherries. Moderate finish, ~30-35s. Slightly off (muted), but only very slightly. Not as good as the bottle I had yesterday, but still very enjoyable. 87 points (05/23/2004).

Deep garnet/purple colour. Aromas of black cherry cough syrup, vanilla, and cassis. Medium-full bodied, somewhat resolved tannins, showing black cherry, vanilla, cassis, pepper, and plums. Moderate finish, ~30-35s, with black fruit notes. 88 points (05/26/2004).

2001 Fattoria Le Pupille Solalto

Sweet wine from Le Pupille.

40% Traminer, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon.

Pale yellow colour. Aromas of honey, lychee, apricot, orange blossoms, and lemon. Medium-full bodied with good acidity to support the sweetness of the wine. Show almonds, honey, apricot, lychee and spice on the palate. Nice 30s finish with honey and apricot notes. 88 points (05/23/2004).

2001 Banfi Rosso di Montalcino

From 375mL. Dark garnet colour to violet rim. Aromas of cherry, alcohol, earth, violets, and a whiff of barnyard. Medium-bodied with cherries and red berry fruits. Short finish, ~20s. Drink now. 85 points (05/25/2004).