EWS Best of Bolgheri (blind tasting)

Howard and Bob arranged a wonderful, knowledgeable event with attentive tasters, real opinions, and fun debate.
One issue was their having no creative backup plan in the event of flawed wines. And 2 of 15 wines were flawed. Since it'd be too expensive to have a backup for every bottle, we suggested having one or more alternate bottles to mitigate disappointment.

• 2011 Michele Satta Bolgheri Rosso 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  Juicy and pleasurable but a little clumsy in its ripeness which finishes a little rotten.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Sauvignon Blanc Poggio alle Gazze Toscana IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Nice herbal nose;
  Great balance of creamy viscosity and grapefruit back bone with pleasurable tail of sweet oak, melon.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1997 Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  A little bricking. Spicy cherry; inhale the aged nuances; reticent animal nose; lots of nice drive though the fruit itself has faded some.
  Bolstered by a comforting saline symphony on the finish, echoing sweet and bitter.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Bolgheri Camarcanda 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  Coffee nose and charcoal with sweet ripe cherry and tobacco; merlot really shines nice energy; a little astringent on the clipped tail as sunshine peaks through clouds.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2004 Michele Satta Bolgheri Superiore I Castagni 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Fascinating suave and aggressive nose! Feels soft and cushy until the teroldego comes in and lifts the oakey tail.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Tenuta di Biserno Il Pino di Biserno 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Explosive nose with great nuance but sharp and jagged with bitter pomegranate and espresso.
  Very ripe finish. Try in 2018.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Open for hours and already gentler and more inviting; blue ink. Take California and add Sangiovese. Nicely ripe. Love the precise finish--right down the middle--that just doesn't sway from its intent.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  No complaints, complexity but buried. Very creamy in its pleasurably oakey finish.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  High-toned boozy nose has amplitude but without much character. Then thrilling, pure, and sophisticated with hints of maraschino. Tastes more Bordeaux than Italian. Perfect persistence and wow what a solid finish, endless, perfect; bursts of sweet fruit. One of the best pure cab franc's I've had.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Dark fruit and salinity in the rose dust nose. Darker, dense, powerful, masculine, and strong. Thick like finger paint but absolutely delicious.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia

  Elusive nose-- chasing it wherever it ran: salt, brown sugar. Heavenly weight floral levitates. Strong berries truly delightful.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Le Macchiole Messorio Toscana IGT Flawed

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Sadly oxidized but still a joy.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Fascinating, hauntingly beautiful nose. Homemade little black cherries and licorice.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Petra Quercegobbe Toscana IGT Flawed

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  CORKED $%@$#*!!
  Really could see underneath how amazing this could have been.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT 96 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Gorgeous nose came in and out as different characters and faded over time. A complex package; a moving gift of a wine. Balanced, complete, incredible.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue