Via: The Big Red Tour

This focused on a lot of new releases, which challanged the palate. Hence, the large range in the scores. Overall, the hype on '04 Brunello seems to be worthwhile.

These were the wines from the 1st two tables that we tried.

• 2007 Broglia Gavi La Meirana 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Gavi

  Nice roundness on this. Fairly rich. Good. 88+

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• 2007 Broglia Gavi Bruno Broglia 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Gavi

  A little more acidity then the regular bottling. Appley fruit. Good, but I don't see why I'd want to dish out for what this costs. 88-89

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• 2007 Damilano Barbera d'Alba 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

  Beautiful Barbera purple. Nice barbera nose. Not fruit forward at all. Medium body. A little tough to get through. 86-88

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• 2006 Damilano Nebbiolo d'Alba 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba

  Pretty nose. Nice body. The palate is pretty tight right now, but that nose is killer. 87-89

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• 2004 Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Beautiful nose. Does that Barolo thing, where it seems almost soft and seductive, and then the tannins kick in and punch you in the mouth. Tough as nails, but seems pretty impressive for the entry level Barolo. 88-91

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• 2004 Damilano Barolo Cannubi 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  At first, seems softer, with cooler fruit then the regular bottling. But tightens up quickly and completely. 87-90

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• 2004 Damilano Barolo Liste 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Great fruit. Really intense, deep wine. Massive tannins, but it's already very tasty stuff. Wouldn't mind having a couple of these. 91-94

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• 1999 Damilano Barolo Riserva 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Softer nose. Red cherries. Nice, but still massive even with the bottle age. 89-92

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• 2004 Elvio Cogno Barolo 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Great nose. Cherries come forward. Really like this. 89-91

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• 2005 Elvio Cogno Barolo 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Good nose. Quite open. Some spiciness. Already accessible, but not very deep. 88-89

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• 2004 Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Very expressive nose. Lots of cherries. On the palate this is so good. Didn't come up with much in the way of tasting notes, b/c this was one of the few wines that I could enjoy as I was tasting it. I really wish this was just a little cheaper. 92-94

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• 2005 Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Good fruit, but pretty tough right now. Doesn't really even compare to the '04. 87-89

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• 2003 Elvio Cogno Barolo Vigna Elena 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Ripe. Red fruits. Not as complex as I was hoping for, but it is delicious. 90-93

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• 2004 Elvio Cogno Barolo Vigna Elena 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Great aromatics. Amazing palate. This should be a beauty. 91-94

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• 2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Pretty nose. Very accesable, with a surprising roundness on the palate. Very nice, and has improved in the last six months. 89-91

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• 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Pora 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Sweet cherry fruit. This is rocking right now. Unbelievable how much fruit is in here, but not overipe, nicely balanced. I would like me some of this. 91-94

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• 2006 Pecchenino Dogliani San Luigi 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani

  A little bigger then the '07, with great concentration. Good stuff. 88-90

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• 2007 Pecchenino Dogliani San Luigi 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani

  Pretty. Somewhat grapey. A little spice. Raspberries come out on the palate. Good. 88-89

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• 2006 Pecchenino Dogliani Sirì d'Jermu 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani

  Lots of fruit. Very concentrated. Quite nice, and will probably be better in a few years after it mellows a bit, but a little too much for my blood. 88-91

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• 2004 Pecchenino Barolo Le Coste

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  What's worse then trying to taste and evaluate a bunch of young barolos, some not even released yet? Tasting them when they are cold, like this bottle. What a surprise, not very giving, tough as nails. The nose was beautifully expressive, but that's about all I could get.

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• 2007 Ca' Viola Barbera d'Alba Brichet 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

  Pretty fruit. Nice raz liquor thing going on. High acidity that works well with the fruit. Very good. 87-88

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• 2006 Ca' Viola Dolcetto d'Alba Barturot 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

  Pretty. Quite ripe. Very friendly. Enjoyable. 87-88

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• 2007 Ca' Viola Dolcetto d'Alba Vilot 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

  Violets. Simple, but clean. Good. 86-87

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• 2004 Ca' Viola Langhe Bric du Luv 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Very fruit forawrd, but still quite Italian. Very tasty. I thought this was a little les, and was a bit more excited then. 89-91

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• 2005 Ca' Viola Langhe Bric du Luv 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Great nose. Soft and accessible. Super tasty, with a little smokiness. Very well balanced. 89-91

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• 2005 Ca' Viola Langhe Nebbiolo Sotto Castello di Novello 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Nice fruit. Good, I'm not super impressed with it, as the price tag dictates I should be. 88-90

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There was space at this table, so we skipped the Tuscan tables and went here next.

• 2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Soft, cherry nose. A little simple, perhaps even a touch overripe, but ok.

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• 2006 Argiano Non Confunditur Toscana IGT 85 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Earthy, funky. Ok. 85-87

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• 2003 Argiano Il Duemilatre di Argiano Toscana IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Funky nose. Nice funky fruit. Tannic. But this is very nice, and brunello in quality. 90-92

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• 2005 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Nice spicy plum fruits on the nose. Very modern in style. Good. 87-89

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• 2007 Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino

  Fruit forward, a little earth. Ok

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• 2003 Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Good. Doesn't excite me, but solid. 88-90

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• 2004 Camigliano Sant' Antimo 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Sant' Antimo

  9/14/09: This is really good stuff. I just wish the price wasn't so high. Although I guess the quality warrants it.
  
  2/17/09: Nice nose. Restrained mouthfeel. Massive tannins. Good cab. 90-92

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• 2001 Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino Gualto 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Great nose. Love that funk. This is killer stuff, on the next level of wines. Has some nobility. 91-94

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• 2007 Elvio Cogno Langhe Nascetta Anas-Cetta 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Rich. Low acidity. nutty. Eh? 85-86

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• 2005 Elvio Cogno Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Ok. Piedmontlike, but nothing thrilling to see here.

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• 2005 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  A little ripe. Tomatoey. Ok. 83-85

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• 2005 Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

  Earthy, funky nose. Ok. Tuscan. 86-87

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• 2005 Castello dei Rampolla Chianti Classico 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Tastes like a pretty standard Chianti Classico to me, but the price would suggest otherwise. 85-87

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• 2003 Castello di Meleto Rainero Toscana IGT 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Ok, good fruit. Decent finish. 86-88

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• 2001 Terredora di Paolo Taurasi CampoRe Riserva 92 Points

  Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG

  Oh, Taurasi wines, how I love you so. Rich, beautiful nose. Loads of Iron on the palate, with red fruits. Ridiculously tannic. This is pretty fun. 91-94

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• 2005 Cantina Mesa Carignano del Sulcis Buio 86 Points

  Italy, Sardinia, Carignano del Sulcis

  Goof fruit. Ripe. Funky finish. 84-87

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The last two tables I tried, which partially explains the notes becoming much shorter and vague.

• 2004 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  9/14/09: Lovely. Long, long finish. Great stuff, and I could drink this now, though I'd be more likely to sit on it for a few years or decade. 91-93
  
  2/17/09: Beautiful nose. This is ready to go right now. Not sure how long before it shuts down. 90-92

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• 2004 Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  9/14/09: Beautiful nose. Classic wine. Just a monster right now. Really need to let this sit. 91-93
  
  2/17/09: This here is some good BdM. Shows really well right now. I'm liking the '04 vintage. 91-93

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• 2004 Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  This is really tasty. Great fruit. I'm reaching the point where I'm pretty blown away by the '04 vintage for BdM. Of course, I felt the same way about '01. 91-94

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• 2004 Le Presi Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  More funkaliciousness on the nose. Not really fruit forward. A little more traditional. Medium bodied. Good stuff. 89-92

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• 2004 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Good nice fruit. I was '04 brunelloed out at this point. 90-93

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• 2003 Cerbaiona (Molinari) Brunello di Montalcino 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Oh, I love me some brunello funk. Medium bodied. This is what we call ourselves an elegant BdM. The palate, well it's haunting. Amazing for such a ripe year. 93-96

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• 2003 Cerbaiola (Salvioni) Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Tough to try after the unbelievable Molinari. This was good, but made in a riper, more concentrated style. 90-93

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• 2004 Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Antica Chiusina 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

  Tannic. This is a monster right now. 89-92

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• 2006 Gagliole Rosso 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  Grapey nose on the palate. good, not sure how good. 88-90

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• 2006 Gagliole Pecchia 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  I can not figure out why this is worth $200. But someone must be buying it. Beautiful prefumey nose. There is some delicacy with this wine. It is undoubtedly a very nice bottle of wine. I'm not sure about world class, though. 89-92

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• 2006 Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Poggio alla Guardia 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana

  Sweet rich fruit on the nose. Sweet and rich, pretty tastty. Easy to like. 88+
  
  2/17/09: Very modern in style. Clean. Solidly made. 87-89

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• 2005 Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Le Sughere 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana

  Very modern. Good, but this one is in a price point which makes it hard to justify why it is so special. 87-89

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• 2005 Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Rocca di Frassinello 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana

  Full of fruit. Very rich. Good. 88-91

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• 2004 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Very ripe in style. Not doubting it's a very nice bottle of wine, but I'm not seeing much in the way of identity here. Or a reason to drop $150 for this unless it's for the name. 89-91

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• 2004 Castello dei Rampolla d'Alceo 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  So this runs over $250 in my market. It's an extremely modern, huge, almost sweet wine, that toes the line of being over the top and maybe even goes over here and there. But the critics love it. Will have to retry. Ha Ha 89-92

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• 2004 Castello di Meleto Rainero Toscana IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  decent fruit. Red fruits. 87-90

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• 2004 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Casi 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Modern. lots of cherries. Good. 89-91

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• 2004 Tenuta San Leonardo Villa Gresti

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

  Funnky mint thing goni on. Herbal. I'm not sure if I like this.

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• 2004 Le Salette Amarone della Valpolicella Classico La Marega 89 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Sweet fruit. Ok. 88-91

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• 2001 Le Salette Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Pergole Vece 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Very raisiny. Creamy. Almost PX in style. Huge, but smooth, but then hot. 89-92

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• 2003 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta 88 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Superiore

  Sweet. Tannic and dry on the finish. I don't get it. 87-90

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• 2004 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino 90 Points

  Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Sagrantino

  Lovely fruit. This is very nice. I know they don't make a whole lot of this wine, but $60 for the entry level bottling. C'mon guys! 89-92

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• 2004 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino Gold 91 Points

  Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Sagrantino

  This is really good. Am I going to pay over $100 for it? Not a chance. but it's really good. 90-92

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• 2003 Terredora di Paolo Taurasi Fatica Contadina 90 Points

  Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG

  Softer, easier drinking style then the Campore. Still tasty stuff, but w/out the depth. 89-91

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