Tasting Earlier Today, Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 2013 @ Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits The Italian Portfolio Of Majestic Import Wines With Scott Of Monument Selections & Doreen Rivituso Of Majestic : 5 Fine Italian Dry Reds!

Scott of Monument Imports brought Doreen Rivituso the Italian Import Specialist for MAJESTIC Imports here earlier, Wednesday, November 13th, 2013 to taste five FABulous , classic Italian dry reds from Tuscany and one from Piemonte :   FOUR from Tuscany -

       1) " Tageto " Costa Toscana Rosso IGT dry red blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, a 2011 that was medium-to-light-bodied, softer than previous vintages as they had changed the blend : still firm and steely and earthy and spicy, but always focused.
       2) 2008 " Millepassi " Bolgheri Superiore DOC, a dry red Super-Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot that was bolder, broader, more fleshy and even heartier than the Tageto. It needed more time, another 3-6 years, and food, too. I did not like it for now as much as the Tageto, but again, really nicely-balanced and made.
     3) 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 ( a dry red classic blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot ) that smelled amazing : I could just smell the wine! The taste was dusty-dry, firmer, less floral, nowhere as fleshy or as open or as pretty and enticing! It needs to be cellared another 5-plus years! I want to enjoy it much later, buy it now, drink it later. Great focus and balance - a " class-act ! "
     4) 2006 Brunello di Montalcino, " Ciampoleto " DOC ( 100% Sangioveto Gross ) : NOW here with the bouquet and the taste we had finally arrived : close to perfection - slow to open, but revealing and tasting much of what was promised in it's enticing, exotic and teasing bouquet! LOVELY, will open slowly all day long, but what a magnificent wine!
     5) 2005 Barolo " Tebavio " DOCG ( 100% Nebbiolo ) was more tight and lean and less-open than the Brunello. It has great things to offer but is still a baby of a wine!
     I enjoyed the Tageto, Brunello & Barolo with my Brookville Market barbecue pork for lunch : what a treat!  TONY11/13/13