A Mediterranean Island Sampler

What an interesting, eclectic bunch of wines that are largely unknown to me. With the exception of the Firriato, just full of herbs and flavors which make you dream of freshly caught fish, lamb, and sheep's milk cheeses! Now that I've tasted several vintages of the heralded Occhipinti wines, I do think that they have gotten better over time.

• 2012 Hatzidakis Winery Assyrtiko Santorini

  Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini

  (8/24/2013)

  Deep yellow. Bright citrus on the nose and palate. Medium weight. Good acidity, touch of bitters at the end. Altogether very good.

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• 2012 Avantis Estate Evia

  Greece, Continental Greece, Evia

  (8/24/2013)

  Again, full yellow. Aromatic nose with floral perfume and melon. Light to medium weight. Interesting, complex and aromatic in the mouth with obvious Viognier but more than just that. Some slight bitterness on the finish.

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• 2011 Arianna Occhipinti Sicilia SP68 Bianco

  Italy, Sicily, Sicilia

  (8/24/2013)

  Deeply tinted. Fragrant and very herbal aromatics. Lush entry but shorter finish. Perfumed with a ton of mixed herbs. Unusual and fascinating.

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• 2010 Douloufakis Liatiko Dafnios

  Greece, Crete

  (8/24/2013)

  Light center, gently browning edge. Strong fennel scent. Light weight but a prominent coffee/chocolate component. Low tannins, herbal finish. Interesting stuff for early drinking.

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• 2011 Domaine d'E Croce (Yves Leccia) Cuvée YL

  France, Corsica, Île de Beauté

  (8/24/2013)

  Ruby. Licorice and rosemary. Pleasing medium weight. Spicy and lively feel. Bitter chocolate in the mid-palate and clean, herbal finish. Not focused on the fruit, which is there in the background.

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• 2011 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato

  Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane

  (8/24/2013)

  Light ruby. High toned, herbal nose. Gorgeous weight and supple texture. Introduced by tart, earthy red fruit and then spicy finish full of thyme and oregano. Some tannin. Terrific stuff which I'd love to be drinking with a grilled lamb dish.

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• 2008 Firriato Terre Siciliane Santagostino Rosso Baglio Soria

  Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane

  (8/24/2013)

  Medium depth. Wood and blackberry. Heavier than the rest with a ripe, cherry liqueur palate. Definitely hot. Cedary, short finish with just a tad of the herbal complexity of the other reds. In this line up, it sticks out like a sore thumb and is extremely New World and fruit heavy in style.

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• 2012 Domaine de Marquiliani Corse Rosé Gris de Marquiliani

  France, Corsica, Corse

  (8/25/2013)

  Pale pink/yellow. Bright flavors of watermelon rind and mineral. Light, dry and good.

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• 2012 Sigalas Assyrtiko Santorini

  Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini

  (8/25/2013)

  Full toned yellow. Low pitched nose. Fairly mouthfilling. Blood orange with good acidity and an herbal twist. Very good value.

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• 2011 Domaine de Gioielli Vin de Corse Coteaux du Cap Corse Blanc de Blancs Sec

  France, Corsica, Vin de Corse Coteaux du Cap Corse

  (8/25/2013)

  Medium yellow. Hazelnut aromas. Nice texture, downplayed fruit, long soil finish. This one had me thinking of a slightly more exotic Meursault.

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• 2012 Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Nero d'Avola e Frappato

  Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane

  (8/25/2013)

  Bright red. Smoky, brambly red fruit. Medium weight, minty, puckery acidity, good dose of soil and fair length. There is a lot going on in this young wine. I'd give it a year's time to preserve its fresh fruit but tone down the acidity a bit.

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• 2007 Cantina Di Dolianova Cannonau di Sardegna Blasio Riserva

  Italy, Sardinia, Cannonau di Sardegna

  (8/25/2013)

  Muted ruby color. Light to medium weight. Spicy red fruit with mint and mixed herbs. Good acidity, slightly tart, faded finish. This is fully mature.

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• 2010 Arianna Occhipinti Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane Siccagno

  Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane

  (8/25/2013)

  Ruby. Very forward aromatics with blackberry and assertive crushed herbs. Fullish body. Exuberant fruit, significant tannin and distinctive mixture of oregano and thyme. I love its untamed character, but a few years would not hurt to knit things together.

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