Introduction

Another terrific tasting of some of the best Italian wines. Top producers, top wines, top venue -- thanks to James Suckling and Andrew McMurray for putting together this amazing event. The notes are sparse -- enjoyed talking to the producers at the expense of copious writing. It was simply impossible not to get wrapped up in the passion of the people who made or produced these gems. Most of these wines were simply excellent, and the ratings reflect this fact. I've noticed also that the top rated wines often shared some similar traits: they were mostly elegant, smooth, complex, and multilayered. Yet, often I found pleasure in many unique expressions of this wonderful grape and in the unique vision of people who crafted these wines -- just loved some wines for being oddly aromatic, or spicy, or smoky, or feral, or all of the above. For me this was more of a celebration of many incredible expressions of the grape and soil (this applies to both Piedmont and Tuscany wines). Chalk it up to a difference in perspective.

Flight 1 - Outstanding (8 notes)

Flight 2 - Very Good (8 notes)

Flight 3 - Other (7 notes)