Italian wines (mostly) in Sonoma

Della Santina's Tratorria
Tasted Friday, March 8, 2013 by Loren Sonkin with 763 views

Introduction

A few nights ago, I was out in Sonoma to bottle our 2011 wines. Since I was staying overnight, it was great that we could get some people together and enjoy some wines, food and meet some new people while seeing some old friends. We met at an Italian restaurant just off the square. The food was good as was the service. All of the wines were pop and pour with no decanting and not blind. FWIW, here are my thoughts on the wines:

Flight 1 (11 Notes)

  • NV Stéphane Coquillette Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Diane 90 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    This was flown across country than taken on a 10 minute walk to dinner. On opening, there is a lot of baked bread bread notes on the nose. This is very round with decent acidity but certainly not bracing. As it got air, it was kept in an ice bucket for most of the night, it developed some citrus notes as well. Not earth shattering or stunning but certainly a very good, bordering on outstanding Champagne. A nice way to start the evening.

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  • 2012 Keating Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    This was interesting. Eric brought it. Made from juice that bled off of his Georges III Cabernet. The nose has some watermelon and also some meaty quality that was interesting. Turning more to strawberries on the palate with slightly bitter aftertaste. It is a nice Rose, but the few roses I drink, I prefer a more lighter style. For those who like a more sturdy style, they will prefer this. Of course, it was 50F out and another 30 degrees would not hurt either way.

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  • 2009 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Vistamare Toscana IGT 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    This was purchased by the group off the list. It is a white wine that is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino and Viognier made from the Gaja operations in Tuscany. Great nose that is at the same time airy with minerals and limes. Very smooth and showing no sign of age. Lots of depth and a bit chalky on the palate. Despite being a few vintages old, this got better with air. Really an eye opener. Not cheap (it is made by Gaja), but a real treat.

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  • 2009 Ignaz Niedrist Lagrein Alto Adige - Südtirol Berger Gei 91 Points

    Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

    I found this interesting, but I am a fan of Lagrein. The nose has plums and black cherries. On the palate, there is some depth here and it starts to emerge with air. Better later in the evening, the black cherries take over more. It is a seamless wine that worked very well with food. There is some upside here and I think it needs a few more years to develop.

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  • 1996 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    Others at the table seemed to like this more than I. I did like it though very much. The nose is great. Like and older Bordeaux with cassis, cigar tobacco, and some bell pepper (in a good way). I thought the palate was not equal to the nose. Still nice with leather, dried fruits and cassis. It seems fully integrated, yet I was hoping for more complexity. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I would drink these sooner than later.

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  • 2007 Lancaster Estate Sophia's Hillside Cuvée 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    My first time trying this wine and winery iirc. I really liked this wine. very nice nose. complex with leather, cassis and cherries. Also dusty. On the palate, this is very nice. silky. Nice acidity makes it work at the table. A slight burn on the finish that seemed to go away with some air. I don't know if this makes old bones, but it is drinking well right now. Lots of enjoyment.

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  • 2010 Girlan Vernatsch Gschleier 92 Points

    Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

    Another new wine for me. This is made from Schiava which I am unfamiliar with. Pale ruby in color. It is more feminine and some Pinotish qualities. Light airy cherries on the nose. The palate carries thru with lighter cherries. Medium bodied. More delicate. Very smooth and consistent all night long. Cool wine.

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  • 1997 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Seemed to be the consensus WOTN. Great nose with roses, tar, cherries and dried cherries. Layered, ripe fruit on the palate. Seemed to be at a great place, at or near peak, but no hurry. Just delicious. Improved until the bottle was drained. Awesome wine.

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  • 2006 Agharta Wines Exhibit B 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast

    I liked this more than I remember liking it on release. Perhaps its best days are still ahead. Not sure what the others thought. The crowd seemed to be divided on it. The nose is nice with a dusty quality. Cassis and baking spices. A bit chocolaty on the palate. This is nice, I will be curious where it goes from here.

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  • 2001 Paolo Bea Montefalco Sagrantino Secco 93 Points

    Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Sagrantino

    I brought this, so there may have been some travel shock as I just flew in that day. It got mixed reviews and it drank very differently than I remember this wine. Blind, I would have guessed an Amarone. There is some VA on the nose. not an issue for me, but for those who are sensitive. I found it lifted the aromatics but was short of paint thinner, etc. It is slightly raisened and slightly chocolaty. Lovely lush texture. On the palate, this is very ripe. Some said RS, but I am not sure. It drinks to me like a dry Port or Amarone. I found it delicious, some found it at least a bit bothersome.

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  • 1985 Dow Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Ordered off the menu. The bottle was opened, but the cork was dried out and crumbled. Probably not a proper bottle. I thought it good (probably score it about 88). I don't think Dow's did great in 85 and much preferred the 77 or even the 83. Still, I didn't think it was bad. The crowd seemed unimpressed.

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Closing

It was great seeing everyone. One of the best things about these BB's is meeting people around the world and making new friends. Some of the guys there I had 'known" on the Internet for years. It was great to put a name with a face. I hope to see you guys again. Thanks to everyone for bringing some cool wines.

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