On the Road with the Grape Guy
A Taste of Italy at Home
22 Aug 2023- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
Put a few recent Italian wines that came to the door to the test on a hot August day (with a breeze blowing through, thankfully).
Bozen 2022 Pinot Grigio
Aromas of lemon and lime kick things off, those follow onto the palate, adding some pith along the way. There's a zestiness here, plus the bonus of smoky or toasty nuances that give the wine an extra element of enjoyment; could be due to lees contact. Fresh and light for a hot summer day. (*** ½+)
Bozen 2022 Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)
A very simple wine with notes of Bosc pear skin, subtle minerality, and pineapple core. That hint of tropicality really adds to the enjoyment of this wine. (*** ½)
Castelli del Grevepesa 2018 Clemente VII, Chianti Classico Riserva 
Notes of floral, smoke and cigar box creep up the nose, well on the palate there are notes of raspberry-strawberry-balsamic. The fruit on the finish comes across as brambly dark fruit. This wine has a nice complexity from start to finish. (****+)
La Regola 2018 "Lauro", Toscana Bianco
A Viognier-Chardonnay blend that comes across quite leesy with notes of quince, grapefruit zest, bruised apple and citrus pith. (*** ½)
La Regola 2019 Vallino
There's a touch of VA that comes out of the glass, but thankfully after a few minutes it disappears. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Italy seasoned with some Sangiovese. The acidity is good. There's plenty of dark berry fruit and smoky nuances ... There are even hints of leather and earth to round it all out. (****)
La Regola 2021 Ligustro
Sangiovese and Syrah married to perfection ... website claims of the Syrah to be minimal, but it adds something to this wine that is unmistakable as peppery goodness hangs out among the smoky-cherry and great acidity. This wine is lively and fresh, and dare I say juicy. (****+)
Rocca delle Macie 2019 Famiglia Zingarelli, Chianti Classico Riserva
There's a rustic quality to this Classico, could be the earthy, smoky or woodsy character; but once it opens, there's a lovely smoothness that materializes. Red and black fruit, nice balancing acidity - silky across the tongue ... after a while that rustic note becomes a memory. (****)
Honourable Mention …
Capezzana 2019 Villa Capezzana, Carmignano
I know these wines to be high alcohol, high tannin and in need of a few years or more. Right now, the 2019 is very dark fruited and tannic; this needs to resolve itself over the next five years.
