Red Wines    Sangiovese    Tuscany    Italy   
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Date Printed: 5/18/2013
Valdipiatta Rosso di Montepulciano 2007
Valdipiatta Rosso di Montepulciano 2007
 (search item no. 105974)
International Wine Cellar rating: 88 points
PRICE ON 5/18/2013: $13.98

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2010 Wine Spectator rating: 88 points
2009 International Wine Cellar rating: 88 points
2008 International Wine Cellar rating: 87 points

Winemaker's Notes:

 A fresh, young wine, this Rosso offers ripe aromas of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, followed by subtle notes of flowers and spices. It is smooth and silky on the palate, with balanced tannins and juicy texture well sustained by a lively acidity. This Rosso goes well with a wide range of dishes, from pastas to grilled meats.
My Notes:

About Valdipiatta:

 Valdipiatta was founded in 1973, but it was not until Giulio Caporali purchased the property in 1990 that it began to earn a reputation for producing some of the finest Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Through vision, determination and lots of hard work, Giulio transformed a small Tuscan farmhouse and its vineyard into a modern and successful winery. Not surprisingly, his program of renovation and revitalization began in the vineyards. After a studied, careful analysis of soil conditions, clonal selections, vine densities, and pruning systems, the vineyards were re-planted with the aim of producing Prugnolo Gentile (the local name for Sangiovese) grapes of exceptional caliber. These same standards guided Giulio in the following years as he purchased additional vineyards in prime growing areas of Montepulciano. Next, Giulio set about overhauling the cellar with the installation of the most up-to-date equipment and the introduction of small oak barrels from the finest French coopers. Finally, he built an impressive underground cellar by digging deep into tufaceous rock in one of the property’s hillsides. Today, the Valdipiatta estate comprises 100 acres of land, at an average of 1,200 feet above sea level, in the very heart of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation. Since 1998, the estate has collaborated with renowned enologist Yves Glories from the University of Bordeaux.


Red Wines    Sangiovese    Tuscany    Italy   
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Date Printed: 5/18/2013
La Maialina Chianti Classico 2008
La Maialina Chianti Classico 2008
 (search item no. 108139)
The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
PRICE ON 5/18/2013: $16.99

Winemaker's Notes:

 Vibrant aromas of ripe cherries with notes of sweet spices, violets, and licorice with a smooth velvety finish.
My Notes:

Additional wines from La Maialina:

About La Maialina:

 La Maialina celebrates the history, culture and cuisine of Chianti, prized since antiquity for its rich soil and favorable climate. Rolling hillsides lend themselves to the optimal cultivation of the Sangiovese grape, ripening to perfection during the dry, warm summers. The La Maialina wines express the essence of Tuscany and the tradition of quality that defines this historic region. The name La Maialina (little pig) references the Cinta Senese heirloom breed that originated in the Siena area during the 1300’s and is the only Tuscan native pig to survive extinction. Produced by the revered Attilio Pagli, La Maialina Chianti, Chianti Classico, and Chianti Classico Riserva are crafted to express the essence of the territory and tradition of quality of this historic region. Settled first by Etruscan then the Romans, the earliest documentation of a “Chianti wine” dates back to the 13th century when viticulture was known to flourish in the “Chianti Mountains” around Florence. The Chianti denomination was first delimited in 1932 by ministerial decree and its boundaries have remained unchanged.


Red Wines    Sangiovese    Tuscany    Italy   
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Date Printed: 5/18/2013
Masi Serego Alighieri Bello Ovile 2007
Masi Serego Alighieri Bello Ovile 2007
 (search item no. 107679)
The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
PRICE ON 5/18/2013: $13.97

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2006 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points
2005 Wine Spectator rating: 89 points

Winemaker's Notes:

 Grapes for the red Poderi del Bello Ovile 2007 wine (particularly the Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo and Canaiolo grapes) were in excellent condition at the harvest, though quantities were limited thanks to the weather and to a light pre-harvest thinning. Favorable weather conditions helped the delicate harvesting process. The fermentation process is over and we can forecast a quality level for the vintage this year similar to the excellent levels of 2005 and 2006.

Deep, almost impenetrable, ruby red, with violet colored edges. Fruits of the forest, especially blueberries, on the nose, but liquorice and vanilla, too. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, but soft and velvety at the same time. Excellent balance between tannins and acidity.
My Notes:

Additional wines from Masi:

About Masi:

 Masi's production strategy aims to emphasize the personality of each single product, while maintaining a recognizable Venetian style. In 1958, Masi was in the forefront of the work to identify the historic "cru" vineyard sites for Amarone. In 1964, Campofiorin was the first in a new category of wines, reinventing the technique of double fermentation and continually updating it. Masi has also updated the style of Amarone, using new appassimento and vinification technologies.

Masi wines are modern, attractive, well-balanced and easily identifiable; characteristics which have earned Masi recognition for having "revolutionized the art of wine-making in the Venetian region." Hugh Johnson defines Masi as "a touchstone for Veronese wines."