Thursday Evening Tasting at Best Bottle, Columbia, SC 12/4/2014

Happened to be on the correct side of town to attend the usual Thursday tasting. Got there before 6PM but it was already dark outside. There was already a lively crowd when I arrived. Our guest hostess was pouring 5 wines from Republic National Distributing. Everything was from Italy, except a mellow little red from Portugal. We started with a La Marca Prosecco, which is always a good way to start anything. We progressed through a Pinot Grigio, a Valpolicella, and finished with a Chianti Reserva.

• NV La Marca Prosecco 87 Points

  Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco

  It has been a couple of years since we last reviewed this very popular, crowd pleasing little sparkler. To me this one tastes quite a bit more rich and concentrated with more honeyed peach flavors than I remembered from previous releases. This richer character is aptly balanced by some lemon citrus acidity. Moderately aggressive little bubbles keep thing refreshing and smooth. Peach and apple with the lemon on the finish.

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• 2012 Castello Banfi Pinot Grigio San Angelo Toscana IGT 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  So we are trying this again, exactly 7 months since the last time. I still think this is unique and fairly exceptional as far as Italian Pinot Grigio goes. I'm not quite as enthralled as last time, but still pretty impressed. I'm a little more informed this time, and now realize this is made in Tuscany, not northern Italy. This helps explain the increased richness and slightly unique flavor profile. This time I get banana with the peach honey and lanolin. I'm not sure, but possibly a portion of this wine has seen some neutral oak. There is a nice fresh crushed lime flavor on the roof of the mouth. Really nice, almost Chardonnay like viscosity. This is pretty good stuff.

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• 2012 Allegrini Valpolicella 88 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella

  I think we have to put this wine in perspective. It is designed to be soft and easy drinking. They ferment and settle in stainless steel tanks, bottle within about 6 months off the vine, and expect to be drunk very young. On top of that, they price it in the low to mid teens per bottle, so it is not a major decision to purchase a bottle. It tastes pretty good. It has a playful nose of cherry, raspberry, plum and violets. The palate is a little crisp with cranberry before the cherry and plum. Totally complete with decent integration of acid, tannin and alcohol. No oak necessary.

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• 2011 Delaforce Douro Tinto 87 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  I'm really a fan of these Portuguese red still wines. These producers make their profit from their port program, so we, the wine drinking public, get to buy this really decent wine for a considerable bargain around 11 to 12 dollars. This is very much an "Old world" wine with at least as much non fruit as fruit flavors, and plenty of rustic acidity. Pretty dark color. Floral and fruity nose especially black cherry. Nice soft and approachable cherry and blackberry fruit, aptly complimented secondary flavors of wet leather, graphite and cola. Plenty of balancing, palate cleansing acid. Nice job.

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• 2010 Biagio Chianti Riserva 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti

  This is just another good example of a Chianti Classico. This 2010 is a current or close to current release. The overall impression even 4 years off the vine is still big, almost overpowering acid. The nose is a little musty but showing some potential with deep dark cherry and a hint of roses. The color is very dark red, but not all that opaque. Not particularly rich or concentrated, but still a solid 87 to almost 89 point wine at around $12. Could really use a decant and a vinturi. Maturing, but still big noticeable tannins. Graphite and dark cherry on the finish.

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