1997 Tuscans w/ Burgundy Bob & The Boys

I joined Bob Macdonald's regular wine group for a mid-week tasting of 1997 Tuscan wines at i Nonni, a terrific Italian restaurant, deli, and wine shop on the outskirts of St. Paul. Howard Stacker bought all of the wines on release, and generously provided them for the tasting. The wines were served in three flights, which were ordered based on how much Sangiovese was in each wine. My WOTN was the Camartina, followed closely by the Liernano. A very fun and informative event, and thanks to Howard for putting together a first-class evening.

• NV Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut 85 Points

  Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG

  Neon yellow color. Nice mousse. Citrus/lemon curd and toast flavors. Turns a bit shrill on the midpalate and finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2007 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero

  Medium gold color. Perfumed and floral nose that leads to citrus and soapy flavors on the palate. Low acid. Decent minerality, but not as pungent as previous vintages.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Interesting, almost Graves-like scorched earth nose. Classic Chianti flavors of red cherry fruit and spice, with nice underlying minerality. Well balanced. Fine ripe tannins on the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  Great nose - earth and licorice. The palate shows lightly funky earth and dark cherry fruit, with nice supporting acidity and well-integrated tannin. Quite expressive and complex. Very well balanced. Delicious. WOTF for me.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Super-ripe, Aussie Shiraz-like nose with dark fruit and some VA. The palate is less wild, showing sweet red cherry fruit, mint, spice, and tobacco. Thick texture; low acidity; long finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Querciabella Camartina 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Interesting nose of dark fruit, cinnamon stick, and a creamy/lactic note that reminded me of pie crust. Pure, highly expressive mid-weight cherry fruit that is seamless from start to finish. Some interesting leafy/tobacco secondary flavors as well. Nice acidity. Terrific finesse and elegance. WOTF and WOTN for me.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi Toscana IGT Flawed

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Reductive. Riddled with burned rubber flavors and VA. Off bottle.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Antinori Solaia 75 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Decent dark fruit on the nose. Texturally soft palate that is deficient in fruit. Herbal, green, acidic, and oaky from start to finish. Little or no secondary flavors in evidence. Seriously underwhelming.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Ripe, smoky dark fruit on the nose. Iron/mineral and dark cherry flavors in a nicely balanced, medium-bodied frame. Smooth on the palate. The finish turns a bit rough and raspy. Overall a very good and interesting wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Livernano Livernano Toscana IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Perfumed nose of iron, dark fruit, and dried herbs, with some new oak. Some VA on the initial palate. This really blossomed with air, revealing a beautiful core of pure red cherry fruit. Excellent. WOTF for me.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 80 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Strong gingerbread/spice cake on the nose. The palate is big and blocky, featuring coffee, oak, dark fruit, spice, and dried herbs. Long, tannic finish. Really oaky. This has gobs of power and concentration, but not much finesse.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No