Italy Honeymoon

Italy
Tasted Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - Monday, May 29, 2023 by sean7711 with 147 views

Introduction

Tasting notes mainly from the Tuscany portion of our trip. Major h/t to Liteitonfire for his recommendations on the Bolgheri Wine Suite during our Bolgheri portion.

Also tasted at Podere Poggio Scalette in Greve in Chianti. Really rustic, informal tasting and picked up a few bottles there. No formal notes on that tasting.

Flight 1 - Restaurant purchases (7 Notes)

Flight 2 - Mastrojanni (1 Note)

A nice tour and good tasting of 5 wines. Even after ordering a case, they do not waive the tasting fees which is a bit frustrating. Also, we began with a lengthy tour (~45 - 1 hr) and no wine to start or sip as we walked the property. Something Italy could learn from how Napa tours are done!

  • 2014 MastroJanni Brunello di Montalcino 87 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    (5/20/2023)

    A bit harsh, not my favorite. The 2018 vintage served next to it was already more round, fuller. This was a bit astringent and seems like indicative of the vintage.

    Overall we tasted 5 wines at this - no formal notes on all of them but liked the 2018 Brunello and 2020 Rosso enough to order a case!

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Flight 3 - Ciacci Piccolomini D'Aragona (3 Notes)

Great tasting, one of our favorites. We also had our tasting earlier and then a quick tour after tasting. They also waived our tasting fees after purchasing a case, which is good business practice in my mind!

Flight 4 - Ornellaia (5 Notes)

Overall a nice experience. Sometimes too much of an art tour than letting the wine speak for itself. A bit pricey at 100/eur pp.

  • 2021 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Sauvignon Blanc Poggio alle Gazze Toscana IGT 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (5/22/2023)

    Fruity, fresh minerality, fresh cut grass, lemon. Sav Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier blend. Would go well with oysters, seafood. I really enjoyed this one on a hot Bolgheri day.

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  • 2021 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Volte Toscana IGT 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (5/22/2023)

    Bright cherry, smooth, velvety, with a little bite of spiciness. Rose, strawberry, raspberry. OK now, best with 4-5 more years. Would go well with red sauce. I forget the specific blend but ~50-60% merlot, 25% CS, 5% sangiovese, and the rest PV / CF.

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  • 2017 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Variazioni in Rosso Toscana IGT 88 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (5/22/2023)

    As mentioned below, this is an experimental wine made by the property that is not released to the public and only available when visiting the estate.

    28% Sangiovese, 27% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cab Franc.

    This felt boozier, dry, cherry, bitter. Better in 2+ years. A bit tannic. My least favorite of the bunch, and at $65 or so I would pass.

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  • 2020 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

    (5/22/2023)

    From my notes, ~50% merlot, 25-30% CS, rest PV/CF. Very similar percentages to the Le Volte.

    Dark chocolate, juniper berry, bright cherry, blackberry. I would give this 6+ years. Best with duck, guinea fowl ragu, cheese.

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  • 2020 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    (5/29/2023)

    Obviously the star of the show. Very nice wine. 50% CS, 32% Merlot, 13% CF, 5% PV.

    Smooth, subtle tannins but they are still present. Balsamic, dark chocolate, sandalwood, juniper.

    Very good but price is quite steep! Better in 10-15 years.

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Flight 5 - Le Macchiole (3 Notes)

Such a beautiful tour and estate in the heart of Bolgheri. Our host was excellent and provided a great tasting. My only gripe was after ordering a case of wine, they don't waive the tasting fees which were already quite pricey (90 euro/pp). 90 for tasting 3 wines was already a bit aggressive in my mind, and they should consider waiving the fees for people that purchase. This seems to be the case across Italy based on my other tasting notes.

  • 2021 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

    (5/22/2023)

    I always enjoy this entry level blend - 2018 and 2019 most recently. It has a complex enough blend at a compelling price without feeling like it's the winery's leftovers. Ordered 6 bottles as part of my shipment

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  • 2019 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (5/22/2023)

    NR for this. Overwhelming green pepper nose. I think people really enjoy this wine, but it was too much for me. First time trying this.

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  • 2019 Le Macchiole Messorio Toscana IGT 97 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (5/22/2023)

    Wow, what a wine. Probably one of my favorite from the entire trip. Soft, supple tannins. Modern take on 100% merlot from Bolgheri. My impressions from the trip seem to be that Merlot really thrives here (more so than CS, CF etc). Glad to grab a few of these bottles and try over the coming years.

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