Joel's Tuscan Lunch

A farmhouse in leafy Kent
Tasted Friday, March 3, 2023 by NickA with 122 views

Introduction

A decadent exploration of the wines of Tuscany

Flight 1 - On the 1107 to Uckfield (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Antipasti Misto (1 Note)

Flight 3 - Spaghetti al Pesto Inverno (3 Notes)

  • 2021 Diego Conterno Langhe Nascetta 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Wow, what an interesting wine! Super aromatic on the nose - almost as exotic and opulent as a Gewurz, with honeysuckle and frangipane - but much more restrained and mineral on the palate. In the mouth the wine was grippy and zesty and then as it moved through the midpalate became tremendously bitter and mineral, like sucking on a stone. Good stuff, and great with the food.

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  • 2020 Isole e Olena Chardonnay Collezione Privata Toscana IGT 92 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    This is great, if you like this sort of warm-climate, oaked Chardonnay (I do). Very deep and rounded on the nose and palate, creamy and slightly smoky, rather lush and extracted with a very slightly sweet finish; perhaps a touch more acidity would have been welcome, but this was an excellent example of luxurious white wine.

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  • 2017 Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri il Poggio Solosole Pagus Camilla 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

    Coastal Vermentino, the best selection from the vineyard made separately with no oak and lots of lees contact. Superb, like a slightly less aggressive GG Riesling. Green, aromatic, herbal, very slightly tropically-fruited nose, and on the palate lean and clean with a long, crisp finish. Felt ready to drink but also quite young, and with the potential to go another 10+ years. Really easy to enjoy, and I thought better-balanced than the 2016 I tried 18 months ago.

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Flight 4 - Peposo alla Fiorentina, Mashed Potato, Cavolo Nero (3 Notes)

  • 2015 Cerbaiona (Molinari) Rosso di Montalcino 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino

    Rather high-toned on the nose, with lots of sweet red fruit, at times reminiscent of boiled sweets. Better on the palate, silky and elegant with the red fruit accented with spice and bolstered by tannin. A juicy but slightly short finish. Needs a few years for some savoury notes to develop and the wine to relax somewhat.

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  • 2013 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Alta Valle della Greve IGT

    Unlike the others, this wine was decanted, and I suspect that benefited it. Really deep, dark and mineral, and I'm not sure I'd have placed this as Sangiovese if it had been blind. A touch of oak on the nose, and a sense of austerity that carried through onto the palate, which was juicy, saline, long and had a subtle power. Fantastic with the peposo.

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  • 2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

    This really hit the spot, although it's possible that another 2-3 years to clear up the tannins completely would make it even better. Really deep, pure Sangiovese nose, with bright red fruit, balsamic notes and some savour. Leather, spice and liquorice on the palate, and really long. Although the tannins made me feel that the wine was barely ready (this was definitely a less refined wine than Flaccianello is in recent vintages), I actually preferred it soon after opening, rather than the less impactful but more elegant form it took with more air.

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Flight 5 - More Mash and Peposo (3 Notes)

  • 2014 Fattoria del Pino Brunello di Montalcino 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    What a charmer! Aggressively fruited nose, which was also beautifully floral. Very pure and seductive on the palate, elegant and mineral and with supple tannins. Felt completely ready, as seems to be the case with the '14s. Would probably have been easier to finish an entire bottle of this than any of the other reds today.

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  • 2014 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Second time drinking this in a week, as it happens, and this bottle showed a lot better (and is more like the wine tasted on release, too). Really lovely on the nose, sophisticated, deep and sexy, with hints of leather. Energetic on the palate, balanced and delicious, with a stony feel. A point.

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  • 2016 Sesti (Castello di Argiano) Brunello di Montalcino Phenomena Riserva 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Opened sort of by accident, but I'm very glad that happened as it was excellent, and certainly not too young to appreciate. A really deep, refined cedary wine, pure and balanced, the whole covering the palate with layers of ripe but bright fruit. Some grip, but the tannins were so elegant.

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Flight 6 - Mopping up the gravy (2 Notes)

  • 1999 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Sangiovese. Top wine this, darkly fruited and mineral with good depth of flavour, and a sense of everything being in its place. Delightful acidity made it drinkable rather than heavy.

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  • 2000 Castello dei Rampolla d'Alceo 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Petit Verdot. So good! Plush and sexy, and intensely dark, like 70% chocolate seasoned with violets. Gorgeous, refreshing, graphitey finish. Hmm, maybe these Super Tuscans can be pretty good...

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Flight 7 - Even more red wine (2 Notes)

  • 2010 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Double-decanted the evening before. Very opulent and 'well-made', sleek despite its structure, with thyme seasoning the fruit. Intense and impressive.

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  • 1998 Antinori Tignanello 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Soulful and pleasurable, with a bright, really pretty nose. Well-integrated and balanced on the palate, with a savoury, slightly drying finish (surprising, given its age). Drinking very well, but probably wouldn't wait much longer.

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Flight 8 - Rhubarb and Frangipane Tart, Lime Zest Cream (1 Note)

Closing

This was great... all the wines turned up and performed, and the company wasn't bad either. Thanks to our host and his waiter/sous-chef!

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