Opera Wine 2017 - 100 Great Producers (Verona, Italy): { OperaWine2017, Verona } Remarkably approachable, but then I have no problems with tannic (and young) wines - only wines with too little acidity. This is a tiny production wine, circa 3500 bottles is all, and the yield is quite low, roughly <2 tons an acre. The vines were first planted in 1997 to a southern exposition. Notwithstanding Sagrantino's tannic nature, this wine is allowed to spend ~ one month on the skins; following is 3 years in 12,5hl botti, and finally at least one year in bottle. The careful selection really shows here, with a lot of complexity on the nose and full-bodied, red/black-fruited palate. No small feat, there's enough acidity to carry the mass here, delivering a wine that offers well-distinguished layers of red fruits sandwiching sweet, long tannins. I think this took at least a minute to finish in the mouth, and I'm not even sure it's at peak yet. That said, feel free to enjoy now with 90 minutes of air in decanter, or hold for the mid-term. I have yet to try their passito wine, iirc, and after this, I'm even more curious. The EtOH is full resolved. highly recommended
Russk at Ken and Andrea's central Italy tasting. My WOTF and 2d WOTN. Ready now. But plenty more life in it. Gave it a 5hr decant. The 2005 was also good.Buy more and hold for 10+ yrs.
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4/8/2017 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Opera Wine 2017 - 100 Great Producers (Verona, Italy): { OperaWine2017, Verona } Remarkably approachable, but then I have no problems with tannic (and young) wines - only wines with too little acidity. This is a tiny production wine, circa 3500 bottles is all, and the yield is quite low, roughly <2 tons an acre. The vines were first planted in 1997 to a southern exposition. Notwithstanding Sagrantino's tannic nature, this wine is allowed to spend ~ one month on the skins; following is 3 years in 12,5hl botti, and finally at least one year in bottle. The careful selection really shows here, with a lot of complexity on the nose and full-bodied, red/black-fruited palate. No small feat, there's enough acidity to carry the mass here, delivering a wine that offers well-distinguished layers of red fruits sandwiching sweet, long tannins. I think this took at least a minute to finish in the mouth, and I'm not even sure it's at peak yet. That said, feel free to enjoy now with 90 minutes of air in decanter, or hold for the mid-term. I have yet to try their passito wine, iirc, and after this, I'm even more curious. The EtOH is full resolved. highly recommended
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7/25/2014 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
Russk at Ken and Andrea's central Italy tasting. My WOTF and 2d WOTN. Ready now. But plenty more life in it. Gave it a 5hr decant. The 2005 was also good.Buy more and hold for 10+ yrs.
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9/13/2013 - RussK wrote: 89 Points
Russk. HlwdWS at Vienna. Tight, with menthal and some bile bitterness. May want to wait longer.
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7/22/2011 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
2011 Wine Bloggers Conference Sponsors Wines (except Virginia wines); 7/22/2011-7/24/2011 (Omni Hotel, Charlottesville, Virginia): Opaque black red violet color; clove, tart berry, black fruit, tar nose; tight, tasty, rich, tar, asphalt, black fruit, herbs palate; needs 3-plus years; medium-plus finish (3 years in wood, 3 in bottle)
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2/16/2011 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
2011 Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Tasting; 2/15/2011-2/16/2011 (Beltramo's in Menlo Park, California, and Fort Mason, San Francisco, California): Opaque purple red violet color; rich black fruit, tar nose; tasty, rich, intriguing, tart black fruit, berry, ginger cake palate; medium-plus finish
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