Three Value Italians on a Random Monday Night

Tasted Monday, March 10, 2008 by steffenpelz with 516 views

Introduction

A few weeks ago, I saw these three wines and chose to find myself an inexpensive go-to red. Tonight, I got to try the three wines head-to-head.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 2004 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino. Aged 20 months in used oak barriques. Opened last night and re-corked and re-cellared. Cherry juice-like color that's completely translucent yet dark. Nose is dusty, earthy, with cherry, plum, bitter chocolate and some oak. Big footprint on the palate with loads of sour cherry and earth. Has good sweetness of fruit while being completely dry, and ample acidity. Dark chocolate on the finish with a hint of bitterness. Very structured wine that will probably need a few years to fully integrate the structure, acid, and oak. Right now, not particularly enjoyable to drink, but it shows great promise, I believe. Clearly a wine whose price-point belies its requirement for at least 3 more years of bottle age.

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  • 2005 La Massa La Massa Toscana IGT

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    60% Sangiovese, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.Opened last night and re-corked and re-cellared. Very dark color with ruby at the rim. Nose is blackberry and balsamico with a good dose of oak and a certain green herbaceousness (but not in a bad way). Fresh on the palate with zingy blackberries and blackcurrant and some dusty mushroom. Fruit is extremely pure, plush and ripe. Finishes well, but for me, the oak is sticking out just a tad. Ready to drink now with a vigorous decant or should hold for at least 5 years (although I'm not sure if it'll really improve vs merely mellow out). May buy again, but in small quantities. Just not distinctive enough for me to go crazy over it.

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  • 2004 Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Rosso

    Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Rosso

    60% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot and a few other red varietals. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for one year in large Salvonian oak foudres. Opened last night and re-corked and re-cellared. Dark garnet to ruby opaque color. Nose is blackberry and blackcurrant with leather and gamyness. Fresh berry fruit and garbed leather along with some mossy tree bark on the palate. Super pure fruit. Fresh, racy finish with some hints of fresh herbs. Finishes outstandingly with no hard edges. I think this can go for years while improving, but it drinks really nicely right now. Has a little bit of Northern Rhone beef blood and meat character. Love this wine and what a QPR. My favorite of the three wines. Would buy again.

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Closing

The Scacciadiavoli was my favorite and I am looking forward to exporing more Montefalco wines.

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