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James Suckling/Zachy's Super Tuscany Tasting
City Winery (Varick Street in NYC)
Tasted February 11, 2014 by MC2 Wines with 1,417 views
Introduction
This is our second tasting event and City Winery and I think we're agreed it will be the last. The space is quite nice, but it's just not big enough for the number of people that they pack into it. For an ~$150/person tasting would not have expected to have some waits to get wine by 3 groups deep.
That being said, there were some wonderful wines this evening. Got a much better feel for the wines of Tuscany, revisited some old favorites, and met some new folks. WOTN was the 2004 Sassicaia, but the Suolo really surprised me and the wines from Petrolo really showed very well.
Flight 1 (42 notes)
Red
2011 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove
91 points
Even though this was a second label, this is still clearly a hold and drink later wine. It was just much much much too young. A bit acidic to the start, some fruit underlying (maybe some unripe cranberry?), very tannic, but there is promise here.
Red
2010 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
92 points
This is the 25th anniversary of this wine - surprising because it drinks like a producer who has been around much longer (given the long history of Italy). Perhaps because there is a strong focus on cabernet sauvignon which is not a traditional grape for Tuscany and really become popular in the last few decades. This is still infanticide. There's many more undercurrants than with the second label. Some pepper, some earthiness, some unripe cranberry, unripe strawberry. I predict this will be a fantastic wine - in at least 10 and prob more like 15+ years. I rated a 92 for right now, but I see it being much higher as time goes on (96-98 potential)
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Comment
Red
2011 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni Toscana IGT
85 points
Strong earth characteristics, maybe some leather, very low in complexity and just hard to keep up after being drunk right after the Ornellaia
Red
2010 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Giramonte
88 points
Much more fruit than the 3 wines tasted prior. Get some strong cherry here. Also earth, olives, maybe a bit of rock. Decent wine.
Red
2010 Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna La Prima
89 points
This was a very soft wine - almost velvety, could taste the elegance. Lighter on tannins and alcohol than some of the others of the day. Liked the wine, although recorded less impressions than some others.
Red
2011 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT
90 points
65% cab sauv, 30% merlot, 5% cab franc - this is a very different wine. had a hard time coming up with what the flavor is, but I think it might actually be cough syrup. Not the overly cloyingly sweet version, but if you took that part away you get some of the different flavors that come through - maybe menthol? It was an interesting wine. Would be happy to drink it again.
Red
2009 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT
88 points
An older version of the 2011, I got stronger alcohol here, still the cough syrup, was a different wine than the ones we'd tasted earlier although some of these characteristics presented in later wines as well. I think this needed some more time - almost felt like it was in a 'deader' period where the 2011 maybe showed a touch more integrated.
Red
2011 Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT
90 points
100% Merlot - everything here is done by hand - hand picked, hand sorted (I believe twice), hand bottled. This is their top end wine and it's a small production (3k cases). Got nice ripe fruit, some leather, oak much more predominant. Without looking at the price I liked this wine but not sure it's worth the mark-up.
Red
2006 Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia Toscana IGT
91 points
This wine is a good example of why Tuscan wines just really need some age on them. It was more of an entry-mid level wine, but it showed well in comparison to some of the others because it had some time for evolution. There's a bit of greenness underneath. The fruit comes across as bit more syrupy, mostly red fruits as with the other wines, it's still too young (despite being an '06). Sangiovese, cab sauv, and merlot blend.
Red
2006 Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia
92 points
Unlike some of the others, this felt a bit approachable at this point although if I owned some it would be sitting in a cellar for many more years. There's a great tart cherry, get some leather. This is one of my favorites so far and it seems to be old enough that there's some evolution in the glass which I didn't get everywhere.
Red
2011 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto Toscana IGT
91 points
Second label for Sassacaia, lovely wine, very light on its feet, there's a touch of spice and some candied fruit but a nice balancing sourness that permeates and makes this wine feel more interesting. More enjoyable than I expected.
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Comment
Red
2010 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
93 points
Just wonderful bright fruits, crisp tasting, but with a depth that was missing from some of the others we had. I was prepared to feel like Sassicaia is overrated and the only reason it's so well known is it's made it to the US, but this was a special wine (and the '04 even more so). Fantastic wine that would be fun to lay down for many years and see what it becomes.
3 people found this helpful
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Red
2004 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
94 points
This was the WOTN. It's got similar flavors to the '10, but with the next level of evolution. The spice is more prominent, there's a wonderful complexity to it, still getting the ripe plum and a slightly tart cherry. Really beautiful wine.
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Red
2007 La Corsa Sangiovese Il Mandrione
Stronger tannins than the Sassicaia, not nearly as clear and crisp. There are some nice deep fruits though and this has a hint of pepper. One day it could be very good, but it's not nearly ready yet.
Red
2009 Castello di Querceto / Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Picchio
Ok, strangely enough I get dragonfruit here. On top of some cough syrup (again, not in the bad way, more in a deep menthol, almost therapeutic type of flavor).
Red
2009 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio
91 points
Again, very clear and crisp, great fruit, not quite as sweet as some of the other wines from the night (although none would really be classified as sweet). More unique than some of the others we had.
Red
2004 Castello di Monsanto Nemo Vigneto Il Mulino Toscana IGT
92 points
Always intimidating to write a note on something that Paul S has commented on, but here goes - this was really much too young - was surprised to learn this was a 2004 as it came across as much younger. The tannins were still strong, get a touch of cherry, some spice, nice flavors. This was one of Mike's favorites.
Red
2010 Monteverro Terra di Monteverro Toscana IGT
88 points
56% Cab Sauv, 30% merlot, remainder petit verdot. Very crisp and clear. Strong red currant flavors. This was a decent every day drinking wine, but I preferred big brother.
Red
2010 Monteverro Toscana IGT
92 points
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc, remainder Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aged in French oak. Softer than other wines, I get some cinnamon, fruit mostly hangs in the background, but it teases the senses a bit, nice spice to it at the end. Really delicious wine.
Red
2010 Orma Toscana IGT
90 points
Heavy alcohol on the nose which made me a bit skeptical, but this was a really nice crisp and clean, get some red currant, some leather, some earth, a nice underlying pepperyness. Lots of great flavors. Again too young and the '08 shows better (my guess is more age than vintage differential).
Red
2008 Orma Toscana IGT
92 points
Firm tannins, current ripe plum, more settled than the '10, but still just to young. Nice spice. Good wine with the potential to become a great wine.
Red
2011 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT
100% sangiovese. A bit of alcohol on the start. Fruity, ends with an almost caramel flavor that I saw/liked in some of the other wines. It almost reminded me of a sweet tea but without the overt sweetness. Had that combination of natural earthy flavors.
Red
2011 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT
91 points
Mix of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. I get cinnamon, red fruit, pepper. There's a strong tannic backbone that holds things together (ad nauseaum this is another one that needs to lay down for awhile). I like it though.
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Red
2011 Fattoria Petrolo Torrione
89 points
This is very easy drinking. Didn't see much evolution here, but it's a $30 daily drinker. A bit more character than some of the others in that category at the tasting and perhaps you'd get a bit of evolution. Overshadowed by the Galatrona and single barrel version.
Red
2011 Fattoria Petrolo Bòggina
91 points
This is a single barrel of the Torrione (whichever is the best one). More red current, again a touch of cough syrup, this is very deep flavored fruit. I can see aging potential here. Nice and tart.
Red
2011 Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona
92 points
Much more approachable than I expected for a 2011 or than most of the wines we'd tried during the tasting. Very big finish - it lasted literally for minutes. Again the caramel flavor. Just a touch of fruit (secondary taste underneath, never dominated). Get some leather too. This was a special wine.
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Red
2011 La Massa La Massa Toscana IGT
89 points
Back to the red currant and pepper. This is a good table wine. Drinking pretty well now, but some age wouldn't hurt. 60% sangiovese.
Red
2011 La Massa Giorgio Primo
90 points
Blend of cabernet with some merlot. Generally clear and crisp - esp for a 2011. There's some strong tannins at the end. This was a nice wine, but the '09 just completely overshadowed it.
Red
2009 La Massa Giorgio Primo
92 points
This was a great wine. It just jumped out of the glass at you. Too young, but there's so much character here. Love the cinnamon flavors, lots of dark red fruit. Would hold if it was in my cellar, but could see maybe as the previous note said with a very long decant.
Red
2011 Gagliole Rubiolo
89 points
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Red currant, spiciness again. Table wine, but pretty good for that. Lacking any real complexity.
Red
2010 Gagliole Rubiolo
91 points
More spicy than the table wine, high intensity wine, one of the few of the evening that I thought didn't necessarily need food. Could work well on its own.
Red
2010 Gagliole Pecchia
91 points
Approx 1000 bottles made total. This wine is not made every year, but rather when the grapes are up for it. Blend of sangiovese and merlot. This was a bit easy and almost sweet. Less of a strong backbone than some of the other high end wines, but clear that it needs more time. Enjoyable.
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Red
2009 Casaloste Chianti Classico Riserva Don Vincenzo
90 points
More cough syrup and a bit of alcohol at the end. With time this evolved into more cinnamon and spice. It feels like it could do even better with a real amount of time (e.g. more than the 5 minutes I gave it in the glass). 100% sangiovese.
Red
2009 Casaloste Inversus Toscana IGT
91 points
90% merlot, 10% sangiovese - I get plum and sour cherry. The sour is almost overpowering here although again I think it's more a question of the amount of time. Could see this developing quite well.
Red
2011 Bibi Graetz Soffocone di Vincigliata Toscana IGT
Much cleaner, strong fruit, there's an unripe fruit taste towards the end that really lends the wine some character and brings everything together. It's tasty.
Red
2010 Bibi Graetz Testamatta Toscana IGT
89 points
Soft nose, strongly tannic, there's more of a gentle red fruit, but it really doesn't feel ready for prime time.
Red
2008 Bibi Graetz Colore Toscana IGT
This was just completely locked up. We took a bit of a break after this tasting and I gave it more like 10 minutes to start to open up some, but even with that it was just barely showing some additional flavors. It was tasty and perhaps if I hadn't seen the retail price of $599 I would be more positive, but didn't see anything to justify that level.
Red
2010 Argiano Suolo Toscana IGT
93 points
One of my favorites of the night. This is 100% sangiovese, but a very different take. While I'm not sure the winemaker was impressed with my observation, I got some of the 'in the rocks' flavors from a Washington syrah. Definitely funky with the olives and mushrooms and all of that. Really liked it and appreciated the uniqueness.
Red
2011 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT
90 points
Cabernet, merlot, syrah, petit verdot. It was a very soft wine (surprising contrast to the Suolo). Still a bit tight, but some standard Tuscan Bordeaux blend flavors.
Red
2011 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Il Bruciato
90 points
Blend of cabernet, merlot, syrah. Strong tannins, tougher than some of the other early wines (really feels like it needs to sit for longer, less approachable today). Fruit takes a back seat. Some spice cabinet right at the end.
Red
2010 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore
91 points
Cabernet, merlot, cabernet franc. So so so young. A hint of cinnamon, some red plum, red current. Nothing is ripe yet, but can see a great wine in a few (10) years. Rating is based on how it is drinking today - it's absolutely got the potential to be a 95-96 point wine later in life.
Red
2007 Antinori Solaia
92 points
Some alcohol on the nose and palette, just much too young (theme for the night), lots of evolution though even in a single sip, more spices than fruit, can feel the evolution of the glass even with just a few minutes. Get some cracked black pepper at the end. Delicious wine.
Closing
Overall an enjoyable way to spend an evening and some nice wines tasted. Got some good ideas for our Tuscany trip in November!