Rocky/Matthey: A Taste of Italy

Stu told me about this - there was a very nice spread of cheeses and hors d'ouvres, and a large attendance (~100 people). In terms of wine, the selections appeared to be entry-level choices from the Corkscrew, the glasses were terrible, access to spit buckets was tremendously difficult (no one was really spitting, but they hovered like crazy!). All together a fun, relaxed event that wasn't really focused on the wine, though tasting sheets were provided (typos and all).

Very watery overall. They were "chilled to pieces" as Jancis Robinson would say, and when warmed up, did not reveal any charm.

• 2007 Martín Códax Albariño Rías Baixas Burgáns 79 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  Very light color, faint pyrazines, grassy, light, and refreshing.

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• 2007 Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco 78 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  90:10 Viura to Malvasia Bianca.
  Very light in the glass, some oak, with light lime flavors. Refreshing and dry.

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• 2007 Ladairo Godello Monterrei 70 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Monterrei

  100% Godello
  Light in the glass. Nose: tight, a bit of cat pee and pear (nice balance on the nose). Dry. Light.

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• 2006 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 70 Points

  Italy, Trentino Alto-Adige / Veneto, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT

  Funky earthy oak presence. High acid. Light.

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• 2007 Camillo Montori Controguerra 70 Points

  Italy, Abruzzi, Controguerra

  Light peach on the nose. Very light in the mouth.

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• 2007 Mario and Giorgio Brunori Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico "Le Gemme" 79 Points

  Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico

  Light frizzante, light+/med- body, pleasant fruit concentration compared to the previous wines, but still rather light.

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• 2007 Umberto Portinari Soave Classico Superiore Ronchetto 70 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico Superiore

  100% Garganega.
  Light straw in the glass, light+ body. Light flavors.

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Generally uninspiring offerings, with a couple examples of familiar Italian profiles.

• 2007 Cellers Can Blau Montsant Can Blau 80 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant

  Smoky, rich, sweet, med+ alcohol, med+ acid, hint of salvadorean tamales. A little oak. Ok but not that exciting.

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• 2006 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell Jumilla de Cepas Viejas 70 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  Can't recall if this was white label or silver label - The tasting sheet just says Juan Gil 2006 Monastrell 100%.
  Sweet and oaky with med+ acid.

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• 2005 Bodegas y Viñedos Valderiz Ribera del Duero Senorio de Valdehermoso Roble “Terruno Hombre” 75 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Tempranillo
  A little sawdust, oaky.

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• 2007 Elio Grasso Dolcetto d'Alba Dei Grassi 75 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

  Ok flavors, clear Brett, low acid, some red cherry.

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• 2005 Cappella Sant' Andrea Chianti Colli Senesi Arciduca 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Colli Senesi

  Ahhhh, finally, a familiar flavor profile. Tuscan terroir, with some olives and salvadorean tamales

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• 2006 Corte Gardoni Bardolino Superiore 84 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Bardolino Superiore

  65:35 Corvina and Rondinella, with 10 other local varieties. Probably includes:
  Trebianello, Trebbiano, Garganega, Bianca Fernanda and others.
  
  Jasmine, med tannins, low acid. Interesting.

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• 2006 Roberto Ferraris Barbera d'Asti 82 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti

  Now we're talking. Some terroir, good structure, and flavor.

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I'm not impressed by either the spanish or the italian entry-level whites. Some of them were little more than flavored water.