Ruffino 2008 Gold Label Riserva Ducale Oro I recently discussed and reviewed Ruffino 2010 Tan Label Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico, (see June 20, 2014 review). Briefly I mentioned that Ruffino has a long history and enjoys more than a century of fine winemaking in Tuscany. In 1870, two men (cousins) with a common dream founded Ruffino. Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundation for what was to become one of the most known and loved Italian wineries in the world. One of the first and most prominent admirers of Ruffino wines was without doubt the Duke of Aosta, who at the end of the nineteenth century appointed Ruffino supplier to…
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Vietti 2011 Barbera D’Alba Tre Vigne The history and roots of the Vietti Winery dates back to the 19th Century, however the Vietti name was not used until the beginning of the 20th Century. In 1919, Mario Vietti made the first Vietti wines which were mainly distributed in Italy. Mario had a farm with other interests, however his love for wine enabled him to transform the family plantation into a grape growing and wine-producing business, and by 1952, under the guidance of Alfredo Currado (Luciana Vietti’s husband), was one of the top-level producers in Piemonte and one of the first wineries to export to the US market. The Vietti Winery…
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Ruffino 2010 Tan Label Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Ruffino has a long history and enjoys more than a century of fine winemaking in Tuscany. In 1870, two men (cousins) with a common dream founded Ruffino. Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundation for what was to become one of the most known and loved Italian wineries in the world. In the beginning, Ruffino sourced grapes and wine from the wine farmers of the area, which was then refined in the company cellars at Pontassieve. The meticulous attention to detail and the continuous search for quality which characterized the work of the two cousins formed the basis for the production philosophy…
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Crognolo 2011 Tenuta Sette Ponti In the land of Sangiovese and Chianti rises Tenuta Sette Ponti, not far from the historic town of Arezzo, nestled in a picturesque rural landscape, crossed by the river Oreno, the estate received its name from Antonio F. Moretti, who wanted to pay homage to the so-called Road Sette Ponti (Seven Bridges), which connects the banks of the River Arno between Florence and Arezzo. “You can’t live only of wine”: this could be the motto of Antonio Moretti, who knows how, in the history and Italian culture, there is more than a fruit to harvest. Not surprisingly, the timeless beauty of the landscape has found…
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Damilano 2009 Barolo Lecinquevigne The Damilano Wine Company, one of the oldest wineries in Barolo, dates back to 1890 when Giuseppe Borgogno, the great grandfather of the current owners, began to vinify his own estate. The town of Barolo resides in the lavish and beautiful Langhe region, which basically produce Nebbiolo wines, including Barolo. Barolo, known as the “king of wines”, because of the uniqueness of the Nebbiolo grape and its balance of acidity and tannins combined with remarkable flavor and delicacy. Damilano produces wines that are celebrated for their unmatched style and the tradition is carried on by Paolo, Mario and Guido Damilano, the fourth generation. Together they have…
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Vignalta 2009 Arqua Colli Euganei Rosso We decided to have dinner at my absolute favorite restaurant again, Pasta Nostra, located in historic South Norwalk, CT (or “SoNo” as it is referred to). Owned and operated by Chef Joe Bruno, Pasta Nostra, located in a cozy storefront, offers a variety of pasta, fish and meat dishes, hand crafted with the highest quality of ingredients. As I have commented previously, Pasta Nostra has an exceptionally fine wine list at very reasonable restaurant prices. This time we decided to try Vignalta’s Arqua 2009 Colli Euganei Rosso. Vignalta was founded by Lucio Gomiero in 1980 who proclaimed that he could produce wines as good…
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Renieri – Brunello di Montalcino 2006 Riserva I met the wine maker Marco Bacci, of Bacci Wineries, at a private wine dinner in the home of a large New England wine merchant. We tasted several of Marco’s wines that night. His vineyard is high in altitude with iron rich soil, located in the southern part of Montalcino. Most of his wines are reasonably priced as he told me “his focus is to produce the best possible fruit”. The Riserva I opened recently was one of Marco’s pricier offerings, but well worth it. 100% Sangiovese, the principal grape, was aged in French Oak for 24 months which gives the wine both…
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Priòra Barbera d’Alba 2011 Fratelli Alessandria With all this continued bad and cold weather, my wife Elaine and I decided to go to dinner at my absolute favorite restaurant, Pasta Nostra, located in historic South Norwalk, CT (or “SoNo” as it is referred to). Owned and operated by Chef Joe Bruno, Pasta Nostra, located in a cozy storefront, offers a variety of pasta, fish and meat dishes, hand crafted with the highest quality of ingredients. Chef Joe’s staff has been with him for many years, and have come to know his customers very well. Since it’s opening in 1984, I have (without exaggeration) have dined there over 500 times, and…