VINO BLOG - Wine Reviews

2007 Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo

2011-10-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

This wine is sourced from vineyards situated near the Annunziata Abbey (in the township of La Morra). It was aged in the tradition style in large Slovenian oak casks and old smaller barriques.

On the nose I get intoxicating aromas of stewed cherry, red currant, tea leaf, sandalwood, semi-sweet coco powder, and cedar spice. It's an amazing bouquet that develops with time in the glass and even becomes floral and penetrates the room.

On the palate the wine is explosive and intense with it's firm and super-ripe tannins and sharp acidity. I get flavors reminiscent of cherry, red currant, cranberry, tobacco, coco, tea berry, leather, mineral, and just a faint hint of orange peel. The finish is long and dry and leaves the mouth watering with flavors of tea leaf and ripe plum.

To be completely honest it's hard to imagine a more superb effort coming from a young Barolo in this price category. The wine is ultra-classy and has complexity for days........93+ points

Click here to find out more about the wine

2006 Da Vinci Brunello Di Montalcino

2011-09-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

Cantine Leonardo da Vinci's vineyards are located in the breathtaking Val di Cava, one of Montalcino's most beautiful areas. The wine (as with all Brunello) is made with 100% Sangiovese, and was aged for a period of three years in both small barriques and large casks.

On the nose I get incredible aromas of cherry, chocolate, earth, fresh black raspberry, and hints of leather, cedar, and spice. The nose is incredibly aromatic and has actually filled my whole office with it's beautiful bouquet. It's a very intoxicating and complex wine on the nose and well it's fully open and in full form, the bouquet is completely hedonistic.

On the palate the wine continues to display it's stunning fruit-purity and shows complex flavors of sour cherry, coco, ripe cranberry, and a touch of earth and leather. The finish is medium in length. 92 Points

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2006 Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva

2011-08-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

The Nozzole estate consists of just over 70 hectares of vineyards that date back to the 1300's. The estate is located within the Chianti Classico region at Passo dei Pecorai, Greve in Chianti at the very heart of the Classico zone; which lies in a ruggedly beautiful valley throughout which are numerous hillside microclimates supporting vineyards planted to the classic red Tuscan vines.

The 2006 Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva is composed of 100% Sangiovese and was aged for 12 months in large Slavonian oak caks.

On the nose I get aromas of black cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, leather, oak, and spice. There are just secondary hints of earth and chocolate that develop when the wine opens up in the glass.

On the palate the wine expresses flavors of cranberry, black cherry, leather, and spice. It's a classic Chianti Classico that is rather simple in it's complexities, but shows great balance and is stylistically representative of the region. The perfect pasta wine indeed.....88+ points

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2009 La Spinetta Toscana Vermentino

2011-07-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

La Spinetta is a fabulous winery and they actually have three different wineries; two of which are located in Piedmont and the other in Tuscany. This Vermentino is a 100% Vermentino from the winery in Terricciola, Tuscany. The wine is aged for only four months in steel tanks on the lees.

On the nose I get a very savory and salty flavors of lemon oil, mineral, crushed rocks, tangerine blossom, and just a hint of rubber band. I smells very Italian or "old world" in the sense that it doesn't have big luscious fruit character and is predominantly soil driven.

On the palate the wine comes across with a nice round texture, but contains a very sharp acidity that cleans it up on the finish. I get flavors that remind me of mineral, lemon grass, tangerine, wet stone, and a hint of nutmeg and spice.

The wine is actually quite simple in nature, even though I did throw quite a bit of descriptors down. The honest truth is the wine isn't overly complex in nature, but delivers a solid effort that would be quite exceptional with seafood. 88 points

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2007 Ricasoli Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva

2011-04-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

The Ricasoli winery is widely thought to be the world's oldest winery still in existence. It has been producing wines sine 1141 and had a huge role in the establishment of the region of Chianti. Baron Bettino Ricasoli also developed the Sangiovese-based formula that came to be known as the official blend for Chianti.

I have always really enjoy the wines from this producer and especially their higher tier wines like the Castello di Brolio Chianti, which is some of the very best Chianti in the whole region.This wine has a very deep purple color and shows it youthful vibrancy in the glass. On the nose I get exciting aromas of dark fruits such as black cherry and blackberry. There are some very nice secondary notes as well like tobacco, licorice, spice, forest floor, and leather. It's a very complex and unique bouquet that expresses it's sense of place very convincingly.

On the palate the wine is concentrated and displays flavors of dark cherry, red currant, earth, spice/oak, and some leathery tones. It's a dry wine and is definitely made in the "old world" style, which is very much my style of wine. I can see this wine pair wonderfully with many Italian dishes, but also with a number of other meat or game based entrees. It's a wine with focused acidity and plenty of Tuscan terroir. 90 points

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Authentic Bruschetta Caprese

2011-04-26T10:37:00.001-07:00

2007 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole

2011-04-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

I recently had the chance to taste this wine at and pretty impressive Italian wine tasting and I have to say it was among the best of the night. In fact, many people at the tasting were raving about it's quality for the price tag ($27). It's a IGT wine from Tuscany's Maremma subregion and is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot.

On the nose I found aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry, leather, wild flowers, and hints of soil. It's a very opulent and fruit driven style, and while there is a high percentage of Cab Franc in the blend the wine doesn't display any traces of an herbal or vegetal nature.

On the palate this wine is smooth and sexy and reveals flavors of black raspberry, boysenberry, milk chocolate, and hints of earth. It's a fantastically ripe wine that is silky on the palate, but has plenty of strength and tannin on the finish.

For a wine in this price range this is an absolute stunner in terms of quality. To get this density of fruit and silkiness on the palate you'd easily spend upwards of sixty dollars. 93 points

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2003 Castellare S. Niccolo Vin Santo del Chianti Classico

2011-04-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

Vin Santo or "holy wine" is named as such because priests have been drinking it during Mass for centuries. It's also a wine that has held a place in the Tuscan tradition as an after dinner dessert wine for generations. Most vin santo tends to be quite sweet, but can very in it's sugar levels depending on the producer and is often less sweet than Sauternes.

Usually these rare gems are quite expensive to purchase because of the limited supply and the labor intensive way in which they are produced. Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes must be dried for three to six months before they can be made into vin santo. This is usually accomplished by hanging the grapes from rafters in a well ventilated attic or room. During this drying out period the grapes lose most their water and become ultra-concentrated in both flavor and sugars. The yield of actual juice is therefore very limited.

The 46 acre estate of Castellare is located in Tuscany’s Castellina in Chianti, and is one of the best examples of tradition in Chianti. Castellare's vineyards are at 1,200 feet in elevation and only a few Chianti Classico vineyards are located much higher. At Castellare, the yields per acre are extremely low, far lower than the maximum level allowed by Chianti Classico DOCG rules, which enhances the concentration of aromas and flavors in their wines.

The 2003 Castellare S. Niccolo Vin Santo is made from a blend of 60% Malvasia Toscana and 40% Trebbiano Toscano harvested from various estate vineyards in Castellina in Chianti. After harvest, the grapes were crushed and fermented in small French oak barrels where they were aged for four to five years.

The first thing to note with this wine is it's brilliant golden orange color. It almost looks like some kind of apricot tea or a flat IPA beer!!

On the nose I get the most amazing aromas of fresh figs, orange marmalade, mineral, sage, nuts, and just the slightest hint of fresh mint leaf. It's an intoxicating bouquet and one that you could analyze for quite some time. It has this oxidized-sherry type thing too that is really quite intriguing. I've smelt PX an white Port that are similar to this, but the complexity of this wine is stunning.

On the palate the wine is very intense and delivers powerful flavors of honey, hazelnut, orange marmalade, spice, fig, and a nutty-date character that lingers on the finish. The wine is quite sweet, but it has some real spiciness and 16% alcohol which actually helps to make the wine appear to be quite balanced. I can see it being an amazing pairing with certain blue cheeses, as well as the traditional biscotti or cantucci. 92 points

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Learn how to make Italian risotto

2011-04-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is a great video about how to make Italian Risotto:

2006 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva

2011-04-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

I recently attended an amazing wine tasting with 50 of the top Italian wine producers present. Amongst all the big name stuff such as Sassicaia, Bertani, Caparzo, Chiarlo, Renato Ratti, ect… was this little gem. I have tasted the wines of Rocca delle Macie in the past and have always enjoyed them, however this Chianti Reserva stood out to me as one of the best wines in the line up. What's even more incredible is that it was one of the least expensive red wines at the show.

The 2006 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva is composed of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. It was aged for 24 months in French oak barrels.

On the nose there are some really pretty aromas of black cherry, chocolate, leather, tea leaf, and hints of tobacco. It has that quite distinct Italian terroir expression on the nose that is displayed in the form of a loamy soil characteristic and hints of ripe cherry and saddle leather. Very nice...

On the palate the wine is rich and savory, showing flavors reminiscent of blackberry, cherry, leather, spice, tobacco, black plum, and oak. There is real concentration here, and I love when Sangiovese is dense in structure and not flimsy, as it definitely is with some of the producers in this region. 91 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2009 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese

2011-04-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

This 100% Sangiovese comes from a very renowned 212 acre estate located in Italy's Molise region. It was sourced from the Ramitello and Martarosa vineyards which were planted in 1972. The wine was aged in stainless steel and large oak barrels for six months.

On the nose I get aromas of black cherry, smoke, Asian spice, wild flowers, black plum, and brown sugar. It's a very pretty bouquet that evolves in the glass and unfolds various layers of complexity. There are some black pepper and hints of anise that show up in the glass as well.

On the palate I get flavors of chocolate, ripened plum, black tea, leather, black cherry, spice, and scorched earth. The mouthfeel is quite round and there are very sweet tannins that form the structure of the wine.

I really like how rich and full this wine is even though it's 100% Sangiovese. It reminds me a lot of Brunello di Montalcino and how rich and complex those wines can get. I love to see the full potential of this varietal and I sometimes get let down by many of the Sangiovese based reds from the Chianti region in Tuscany. This however, is fantastic wine for and fantastic price. 91 points

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2005 Caposaldo Chianti

2011-04-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

As far as I know this Chianti is bottled under this label "Caposaldo" and is actually not a winery of it's own. I know that the fruit they source is not estate fruit, however I'm not sure if it's just a negociant type situation or if they have their own crush facility. It is a wine imported by Kobrand and their website doesn't get into the specifics of where the wine is made and who owns the label.

The 2005 Caposaldo is made from 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% Malvasia. Seventy percent is aged in wood (large, 25hl casks) for eight months and 30% rests in cement tanks before blending.

It's very interesting to be tasting a Chianti that is already 6 years old. Most basic Chianti that I taste is 2 years old at max. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever tasted a basic Chianti D.O.C.G. wine this old in my wine career. This should be interesting.......

First of all the color is still quite ruby in color in the center of the glass. Actually, the color is doesn't give too many clues about the vintage.

On the nose I get some rusty stewed tomato notes that combine with hints of tobacco, plum, and leather. There are some dry cherry notes too, and hints of cedar wood as well.

On the palate I get a very dry cherry and leather flavor, as well as some black tea and earthy tones. It's a nice bloody, rusty, and "tomatoey" tasting wine that would be perfect with a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Actually the word "Sangiovese" is derived from sanguis Jovis, which means "the blood of Jove"....It's a bloody wine!! 85 points

Click here to find out more about the current vintage

2009 Cusumano Nero d'Avola

2011-04-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

The wines of Sicily have always been a favorite of mine because of their enormous value. Whenever I come across expensive Californian wine or even some of these so-called value plays from Argentina, I always say go grab me a bottle from Sicily for around $10-15 and I'll show you value.

Cusumano's wines are sourced from premium vineyard sites all over Sicily, and are produced at the Partinico (west of Palermo) based family winery by third generation winemakers and brothers Diego and Alberto Cusumano.

On the nose of this wine I get aromas of black cherry, strawberry jam, leather, soil, and subtle hints of juniper berry. It's got a pretty distinct Italian wine smell and really expresses a sense of place.

On the palate this wine is driven by the same red fruit character that is expresses on the bouquet, cherry, red currant, hints of cranberry, and a touch of vanilla and spice. The finish is creamy and medium in length. Great QPR at only $10. 88+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2007 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno

2011-04-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

The estate of Sette Ponti lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, fifteen miles northwest of the city of Arezzo just past the village of San Giustino Valdarno.

The 2007 Oreno is classic Super Tuscan blend composed of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot.

On the nose I get generous and perfumed notes of cassis, black plum, flowers, dried herb, and a touch of vanilla. When the wine opens up it reveals some really nice black cherry notes as well.

It's a densely structured wine that offers up rich flavors of ripe black cherry, currant, mineral, smoked meat, and touches of sweet oak and spice on the finish. This wine is still very much a baby and the presence of oak at this stage in the game is still very much prevalent in it's drinking experience. However, I see this wine aging quite nicely because it has such generous fruit to match the intensity of the tannin and acid. Very nice wine.....Very nice indeed. 92+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

Piero Antinori on Tignanello

2011-01-20T20:54:00.001-08:00

Enjoy the amazing Food Network Store

2010-11-25T12:54:00.000-08:00

Do any of you just love the food network as much as I do? I'm constantly mesmerized by all the wonderful food and wine they present on a daily basis on the many great programs they have on television. Recently I made a trip passed the online store to see what gifts they would have for this upcoming holiday season and boy was I impressed. They have the most amazing selection of everything from cookware to an array of various kitchen gadgets.

One thing I really enjoy about this online store is the fantastic variety of cooking items and things that can make your life so much more enjoyable in the kitchen. They also have a great selection of cookbooks which I plan on raiding for my wife and mother.

Also if you can't decide on the many things available in the store you can purchase gift certificates and gift cards. So if your a foodie like me and are looking to buy a gift for a spouse or mother then this is a great covert way to self gift!

At Food Network Store, they've made gift-buying easy by grouping gifts into categories that fit the occasion, the recipient's interest and your budget. Their culinary gifts will help you with birthdays, weddings and the holidays. They've also got the baker, the Food Network Fan and the cookbook enthusiast covered. And, if you still can't decide, a gift card or gift certificate is sure to please.

So this season while considering where to shop for all your culinary beauties I would most definitely suggest visiting the Food Network Store. I know that when I think of all the wonderful things I can gift this holiday season what really hits home for me if a gift that keeps on giving. Gifts in the kitchen are such gifts that your loved ones can enjoy for the years to come.

Get Help Writing Essays

2010-11-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

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A-Writer.com employs the best writers in the business—If you want to get the best possible grade for your writing assignment, turn it over to the best available writer. At A-Writer.com, they have the highest qualified professional essay writers in the business. Their team is made up of experts in a wide variety of subjects, ensuring your assignment is handled by the best essay writer for the job.

The writers are the highest qualified professionals available, with tried and tested experience within their own company. They also guarantee that a suitably educated and experienced writer will be available to complete your order promptly within the given time. Be assured that they maintain only the highest standards in qualifications for their staff, hiring MAs and PhDs with relevant degrees in all academic fields.

A really great website about make up

2010-11-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a fantastic website full of really awesome information about Make Up then boy do I have a site for you. It's called Cosmo Hut and it has some of the most amazing Make Up Tutorials and different Cosmetics Tips for those looking to improve their styling and beauty.

What's really great about this site is it's a fantastic community of beauty enthusiasts who share openly their tips and ideas about make up and cosmetics. The site is packed with educational articles, cosmetic reviews, and ideas about beauty. So check out the site by visiting one of the hotlinks above in this post. Cheers!

Got a cheating wife?? Check this site out!

2010-11-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

If you have a cheating wife then I strongly suggest visiting this website that have some really great information about the subject! I believe the site is about a tracking device that this person is releasing in order to catch cheating wives and to help the men out there sleep better at night knowing the truth.

The site also offers help to those who need advice about what to do with a unfaithful wife. It is introducing a special state of the art tracking system where you can actually log onto the internet from you phone or computer and get real-time tracking info.

If this sounds something of interest to you then I suggest looking into this site by clicking the highlighted link above and checking out the site. Here's just an example of the info. you'll find there:

"This website has been set up to bring a revolutionary product to men who suffer with the doubt of whether they can trust their wife, is she going where she says she is going, what is she doing when you are not at home, its a terrible feeling and it is massively destructive to a persons self esteem, confidence and well being."

I definitely recommend checking this site out if you have a problem with your significant other cheating on you.

2008 Di Majo Norante Terra Degli Osci Sangiovese

2010-05-30T01:29:00.000-07:00

This Sangiovese is made at The Di Majo Norante winery, which is located on the estate of the Marquis Norante of Santa Cristina in the region of Molise, along on the Adriatic Sea between Puglia and Abruzzo.

I consider it to be a tremendous value wine that delivers both quality and varietal integrity, and is the perfect match with pasta, pizza, sausages, parmigiana and various grilled meats.

On the nose I get wonderful aromas of violet and red fruits with traces of leather and earth.

On the palate the wine is quite bold and fruit driven, and delivers flavors of ripe black cherry, red currant, leather, spice, and a touch of earth. It has a long a somewhat polished finish and over delivers for the price. 89+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2004 Tenimenti Angelini Vino Nobile di Montepulciano TreRose

2010-04-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

This bottle of wine is produced at one of Montepulciano's leading estates called Tenuta TreRose. TreRose is located in the heart of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano growing area in Tuscany. Trerose is 420 acres in size, of which 136 acres are planted to grapes for the production of Vino Nobile, the rest are planted to other varietals.

On the nose this wine exhibits beautiful aromas of dark red fruits, chocolate, charred oak, leather, and hints of vanilla.

On the palate the wine is rich and shows flavors reminicent of plum, spicy oak, and juicy black cherry. There is a nice leathery-cedar type thing going on with the wine that helps identify the wine as distincly Italian but doesn't over express the terroir.

It's drinking beautifully right now and I would expect it to age generously for the nest 6-8 years. 90 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2004 Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino

2010-03-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

I have always been of the opinion that Brunello di Montalcino is by far the most consistently brilliant wine making region. Vintage after vintage they produce high quality and extremely complex wines for under a hundred dollars.

There are of course a few reserve Brunello's that have irked over the hundred dollar price point but the majority of the wines are located in the $50-80 range.

The Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino was sourced from the estate's best vineyards and was hand harvested into small baskets. It was vinified and then aged in Slavonian oak barrels for around 3 years. It also was aged in bottle for an additional period of 8-10 months before release.

On the nose this wine displays gorgeous aromas of cherry, red currant, cranberry, spice, and leather. There is also subtle hints of licorice and smoke that add to the complexity.

On the palate the cherry and red fruit flavors continue to dominate the overall impressions of the wine, while secondary notes of spicy cedar, leather, and tar also add to the extra dimensions of complex flavors. The finish is long and fresh. 91+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2006 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre

2010-02-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

I have always been a huge fan of Allegrini's Palazzo della Torre and for years it has delivered what I consider to be impressive quality for a somewhat bargain price. This wine is very much a classic example of why many Americans have started to consume more European wines. It's packed with quality and a distinct sense of place, and the price if far more affordable then many Napa or Sonoma wines.

This wine is composed of 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, and is made in the "ripasso" method. About thirty percent of the wine is made using the techniques involved in producing Amarone. (Drying the grapes out for a period of time before vinification)

The aroma profile of this wine is loaded with currant and blackberry fruit and touches of chocolate and mocha. The color of the wine is quite dark as well showing dark ruby-red accents.

On the palate the texture in smooth and round, and flavors of dark berry fruits, leather, chocolate, mocha, and a touch of cedar combine to make a complex and nicely balanced wine. This wine also has a firm structure that hints towards improvement with extended cellar time.

90 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2005 Brancaia "TRE" Rosso Toscana

2010-01-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

This little Tuscan gem is composed of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Brancaia estate is located in Chianti Classico which is obviously one of the best and most renowned wine producing regions in Italy.

The first year of production for this wine was in the year 2000. They named this wine "TRE" because it is made with three different grapes and also the wine is sourced from three different vineyard sources:

Brancaia (Castellina), Poppi (Radda) and Brancaia in Maremma (Morellino di Scansano).

This wine has an amazingly unique and powerful bouquet that boasts aromas of ripe black cherries, coco powder, leather, earth, molasses, plum, sweet tea, and tobacco. It perhaps one of the most aromatically attractive wines I have smelt in quite along time.

On the palate the wine continues to speak of ripe plums and the cherries are actually bit more stewy-like, almost like a pot full of overripe black cherries boiling in a brown sugar glaze! The Tuscan earthiness and leather is also very omnipotent, while notes of brown sugar and stunning white pepper make up a very sensuous and soft finish.

The thing I most enjoy about this wine is that it has a complete sense of place. What I mean is that it screams Tuscany and in particular, Sangiovese grown in Chianti. It has ample complexity and style and would gripping with some hearty red-sauced pastas. 91 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

2003 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano

2009-11-30T21:14:00.000-08:00

I found this wine for half price at World Market. I don't usually buy my wine from Cost Plus but I know that they have several decent wines that are highly discounted right now, so I have been stopping in periodically to see the deals.

This 2003 Barolo from Michele Chiarlo is a good example of a mediocre Barolo, but one that is worth the discounted price tag. It shows some of the typical nuances of Nebbiolo but is just lacking the real depth that you can find in top class Barolo.

On the nose I get aromas of plum, cranberry, cola nut, tea leaf, raisin, and wet soil. It's a bouquet that changes a lot in the glass and develops quite a bit. Sometimes it will just smell like sour cherry, and then sometimes you'll get these aforementioned and deeply nuanced aromas.

On the palate the wine shows flavors of plum, cranberry, raisin, and cola. This is a very lightly textured wine that is really dry but doesn't hold an ounce of weight. It's a total food wine that would integrate perfect with red sauced pastas. It lacks a bit of fruit, but it just might appeal to the old world palate for it's elegance. 88 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

Minestrone Soup

2009-11-12T05:25:00.000-08:00

This just happens to be one of my favorites and I could probably eat it almost everyday and be perfectly content. While there are many different interpretations of this wonderful soup I like mine to be made with the following: beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, potatoes, tomatoes, and ham.

Traditionally it is said that Minestrone was made with ingredients that were pooled from other dishes, often side dishes or "contorni" plus whatever was left over.

Wikipedia :

"There are two schools of thought on when the recipe for minestrone became more formalized. One argues that in the 1600s and 1700s minestrone emerged as a soup using exclusively fresh vegetables and was made for its own sake (meaning it no longer relied on left-overs), while the other school of thought argues that the dish had always been prepared exclusively with fresh vegetables for its own sake since pre-Roman times, but the name minestrone lost its meaning of being made with left-overs."

Wine Pairing Suggestions: Primitivo, Grignolino, Chianti, Soave

2004 Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino

2009-11-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

This wine is of no small reputation and actually one the Wine Spectator wine of the year in 2006 for the o1' vintage. I had the opportunity to taste that wine on a couple of separate occasions and let me tell you that the wine lives up to all the hype.

The winery was founded in 1971 when Giovanni Neri bought a large estate within the Tuscan region of Montalcino. Today the estate consists of 36 hectares and is divided into four quite distinct areas: il Pietradonice in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, le Cetine in Sant'Angelo in Colle, il Cerretalto and il Fiesole near the farmhouse of the same name facing Montalcino.

The Tenuta Nuova is sourced from the vineyards of Pietrodonice and Le Cetine and is aged in small oak casks for 24 to 30 months according to the vintage and then for at least a year in the bottle.

I think the most amazing part of this wine is it's incredible depth of aroma. As with the 2001, this new vintage has an amazing bouquet worthy of a classic wine. Loads of crushed berry, sandalwood, leather, chocolate covered cherry, and dried flowers are all eloquently displayed and unfold relentlessly on the nose.

On the palate intense flavors of ripe cherry, semi-sweet chocolate, leather, cedar, and violets all come together on a silky textured structure. The wine has very tight and rigid acidity and the tannins to help it aged for at least a decade or two. It's racy, powerful, intense, and full of depth and complexity.

This wine is still very young and will probably hit it's stride in a few years although it's drinking beautifully right now. I think it's a bit more loud and perhaps more exalting then the 01' but maintains it's class and sexiness and it a classically made wine meant to age. 96 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

Ossobuco alla milanese

2009-11-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

Ossobuco alla milanese which is commonly referred to as "osso buco" or "osso bucco", is a traditional dish from Milan, Italy the capital of Lombardy.

It is made using braised veal shanks and often garnished with "gremolata" which is a mixture of parsley, garlic, and lemon peel. It is also often served with saffron enhanced rissoto.

Their are many styles in which osso bucco is made and depending on tradition some people used tomatoes and some do not.

Here are a few recipes that you can look over and decide how to best prepare the dish:

Food Network - Osso Buco

Food Network - Osso Buco Milanese

Simply Recipes - Osso Buco

Epicurious - Osso Buco

My recommendation for a wine pairing would be Barolo, Barbaresco, or Brunello di Montalcino. If you low on money than I Barbera d' Alba will work too if you get the right one.

2008 MandraRossa Syrah - I.G.T. Sicilia

2009-10-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

This wine is really an exceptional value for around ten bucks. It's made from 100% Syrah grapes that are hand picked and stainless steel fermented. I love the value that is available in Sicily, especially with warm weather grapes like Syrah and of course Nero D' Avola.

On the nose I get aromas of blackberry, plum, black pepper, and a touch of earth. There is nice fruit purity here and because of the way it's made (Stainless Steel Fermented) I think the fruit shines through nicely.

On the palate the wine has a nice full texture and shows flavors of mixed berry, pepper, and hints of dark chocolate. It's a very nice and easy drinking wine and has enough complexity to make it more than just your every day table wine.

Average Retail: $10-$12

Vino Blog Rating: 7/10

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Provolone Cheese

2009-10-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Although it's produced in other parts of the world Provolone is an Italian cheese that originated in Southern Italy. It's still produced in a variety of different shapes but the most common is a thick sausage type shape like seen in the photo. The most important Provolone production region is currently Northern Italy in the regions of Lombardia and Veneto.

Provolone is a whole-milk cow cheese that is semi-hard and varies in taste a flavor profile based on the style it's made in. Dolce (mild Provolne) is aged for two to three months, and it is supple and smooth with a thin waxed rind. Provolone Piccante is aged for six months to two years, it is darker with small holes and a spicy flavor.

2008 Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico

2009-08-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

This Verdicchio is made from hand harvested grapes from the estate vineyards of Fazi Battaglia in the classico zone of the Castelli di Jesi in the Marches region of Italy. It's 100% Verdicchio fermented in stainless steel.

This straw yellow colored wine has a beautiful bouquet of white peach, white flower, lemon zest, bread crust or yeast, and hints of mineral.

On the palate the wine is fresh and young and shows hints of citrus, white table grapes, mineral, and light hints of almond. It has quite a ling finish and a bright acidity which would help it to pair very well with shellfish and white sauced pastas.

I like this wine but it needs to be served with food to get the maximum experience out of it. The packaging is very elegant and classic for this type of wine.

Average Retail: $8-11
Vino Blog Rating: 7.5/10

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2004 Parusso Barolo DOCG

2009-08-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

The 2004 Parusso Barolo is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, located in different vineyards in the area of Monforte d’Alba and Castiglione Falletto. It's aged in small oak barrels for a total of 24 months (not sure what type).

On the nose I get aromas of mulberry, cherry, wet earth, tobacco, tea leaf, vanilla, and oak. That's quite a few descriptors but the nose is actually quite muted at this time.

On the palate the first impressions are most definitely focused on the sharp acidity and gripping tannin structure. I'm always amazed at how much tannin these young Barolo's have despite the somewhat light color. I guess pigments don't have much to do with tannin but usually the lighter color wines are softer, except in the case of Nebbiolo. There are some nice cherry, mineral, vanilla, and oak flavors that do come forward through the grit. It's hard to drink this wine right now because it's just not ready but I can tell it's really well made wine.

Average Retail: $40-45

Vino Blog Rating: 8.5/10

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Montepulciano d' Abruzzo vs. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

2009-07-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

What's the difference between Montepulciano d' Abruzzo and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano? These two distinctly different wines often get confused because of the use of the dual definition word "Montepulciano".

You see Montepulciano is two things, it's the name of a grape varietal and the name of a small town in Western Italy's Tuscany region. Direct translation of each of these wines is the key to remembering the difference between these wines.

Montepulciano d' Abruzzo = Montepulciano from Abruzzi

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano = Noble wine from Montepulciano

Can you spot the difference?

Abruzzi

Montepulciano d' Abruzzo (D.O.C.) is refering to the grape varietal "Montepulciano" which in this case is being grown in Italy's Abruzzi region. The grape variety Montepulciano is capable of creating deeply colored, rich red wines with impressive blackberry fruit, and spicy peppery qualities. The varietal is thought to be indigenous to the Abruzzi region but is also grown in other regions and is the base for other wines in Italy. For example Rosso Conero (D.O.C.) from the Marches region and Cerveteri and Velletri (D.O.C.) from the Latium region.

Montepulciano

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (DOCG) is a wine that is made in the hilly area around the town of Montepulciano, southwest of Siena in the eastern portion of Italy's Tuscany Region. The designated area is actually situated inside the large Chianti subzone of Colli Senesi. It's also important to note that Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was the very first DOCG in Italy. (First vintage in 1983). Vino Nobile wines are made from a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, 10-20% Canaiolo, and up to 20% of other varietals. (no more than 10% white grapes).

2006 Colosi Sicilia Rosso - IGT

2009-07-25T23:47:00.000-07:00

I have tasted this wine in the past and have really enjoy it for it's nice pure fruit and amazing quality for the price. I have to say that it still impresses me vintage after vintage. It made from 100% Sicilian Nero d' Avola and is aged 6 months in Slavonian oak and 4 months in bottle before release.

What's really astonishing is that there was 400,000 bottles produced of this stuff for the vintage! Now thats a large production wine but the quality is absolutely amazing. I wish some of the new world producers would focus on producing this kind of quality in there larger production, introductory wines.

On the nose I get blueberry, black cherry creme pie, vanilla, raisin, prunes, sugared dates, leather, and tobacco. It's a really fantastic bouquet that just keeps developing in the glass. On the palate I get flavors of black cherry, prune, raisin, vanilla, oak, and dark chocolate. There is also a trademark Italiano earthiness to it as well, which comes across quite stylish and makes you want to whip out the pasta. I absulutely adore this wine for the price!

Average Retail: $8-12

Vino Blog Rating: 8/10

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2005 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Brunate

2009-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Roberto Voerzio produces some of the best Barolo in the region. His rise to success is largely based on his new world approach of fashioning his wine away from the traditional tannic Barolo style. He is also known for using some of the lowest yields of fruit in the Barolo zone. Production is very limited and the winery makes less than 4000 cases per vintage, which equals less than one bottle per vine.

The Brunate vineyard makes the finest and raciest Barolos, which are defined and firm, and finish with big, ripe tannins and very good length. The wines also score amazingly high in wine publications such as Wine Spectator, Enthusiast, ect.

The 2005 vintage is only a mere 220 case production so I was lucky enough to be able to taste it. On the nose it shows amazing aromas of super ripe currant, raspberry, and blueberry, along with a touch of vanilla, toast, and cedar.

It's a full bodied wine with huge ripe tannin and a seductive texture. Flavors of red currant, blackberry, mineral, spice, and a touch of mocha liqueur all grace the palate with a stunning concentration and firm but surprisingly ripe and sexy finish. This wine is nothing short of brilliant but may be some what impossible to get your hands on unless purchasing it from a collector or an auction. Awesome stuff!!

Average Retail: $250-300
Vino Blog Rating: 10/10

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Genoa Salami

2009-07-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

Genoa salami is a variety of salami commonly believed to have originated in the area of Genoa, Italy.

Commonly, Genoa salami is a pork salami, although some producers mix in beef and veal as well. In addition to the loosely chopped pork, Genoa salami also includes garlic, salt, fennel seeds, whole peppercorns, and a small amount of white wine. The peppercorns create explosions of spice in the finished product, making Genoa salami a rather zesty food to eat. By tradition, white peppercorns are usually used in Genoa salami, with black peppercorns studding cotto salami.

Salami is made by chopping meat and spices and stuffing them into a casing. The resulting meat is cured, usually through a process of drying and smoking. Once cured, a salami can be stored at room temperature until it is cut open. The curing technique ensures that meat is available year round.

Several things distinguish salami from other cured stuffed meats. The meat in salami tends to be coarsely cut, so large chunks of meat and fat are present in the finished product. In addition, the dry cure used to preserve salami results in a very dry meat which is also slightly crumbly. Salami also tends to be more spicy than some cured meats, and it may have a slightly fermented flavor, depending on how it was handled and cured.

2007 Stella Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

2009-07-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Stella Montepulciano d' Abruzzo is made from 100% Montepulciano grapes grown in hillside vineyards on Italy's Adriatic coast. Stella is the creation of Leonardo LoCascio who, in partnership with growers and winemaker Danilo Chini, have put together a series of wines that exemplify the character of the varietal and the region. The wine is aged for six months in stainless steal tanks and a further three months in bottle before release.

On the nose I get some very nice black cherry notes as well as some additional aromas of savory dark chocolate, spice, and a hint of leather. This wine definitely has an Italian type bouquet that expresses a sense of place but the fruit is quite nice and pure as well.

On the palate the black cherry flavors continue to impress but this wine is quite dry and slightly rustic in nature. There is a nice coco note that combines with a touch of leather that eventually finishes dry with some cranberry and cherry notes.

I like this wine for it's simplicity, sense of place, and the obvious ability that it would have to pair with some hearty Italian cuisine. I would suggest perhaps Osso Bucco or a meat lovers style lasagna.

Average Retail: $7-8
Vino Blog Rating: 7/10

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2006 Principato Pinot Grigio "Blush"

2009-07-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

This 100% Pinot Grigio is sourced from hillside vineyards throughout the provinces of Trentino, the Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, the three districts that together form northeast Italy’s Tre Venezie region. The grapes are harvested by hand and then during vinification the Pinot Grigio, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice, resulting in a natural delicate rosé hue.

The Principato label has been in existence sine 1978 and has become a well known brand in the United states and I think this wine might even have been an exclusive for a wine in the Olive Garden restaurant chain. (At least locally here in Arizona)

It is a lightly colored blush wine that has a pinkish orange like hue and It almost has the color of lightly colored salmon flesh. On the nose the wine shows aromas of citrus peel, delicate floral aromas, and perhaps a touch of wet concrete. On the palate the wine is light and fruity, and even has a touch of residual sugar. Soft citrus notes combine with just the faintest hint of light red fruit and finish with a crisp, delightful, and pleasant aftertaste.

I can see this wine pairing nicely with light appetizers, fresh seafood and Asian-inspired cuisine. I do believe it drinks nice on its own and would be a great picnic style wine that would be fun with cheese and crackers.

Average Retail: $6-7
Vino Blog Rating: 6/10

Click here to find out more about this wine

Realtruck.com for Car, Truck, and SUV accessories

2009-06-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Realtruck.com is an amazing place to find great accessories for your car, truck, or SUV. Browse everything from trailer hitches to ball mounts. If your thinking about upgrading your vehicle with better accessories and need a dependable online retailer they are the perfect solution.

You can shop for products such as a hitch step, hitch ball, 5th wheel hitch, gooseneck hitch, receiver hitch, front mount hitch, tie down straps, truck bed tie downs, hitch carriers, loading ramps, tow straps, brake controllers and trailer accessories.

They have the best prices in the industry and also offer free shipping for orders of $149 or more.

Check out their website for a complete list of accessories and parts. They also have some really great summer pricing specials.

Another really great part of their website is the search function and how you can browse their extensive catalog of parts and accessories by searching the year, make, and model of your car.

Reliability is a key for me when shopping online. What's great about Realtruck.com is that they are reputable company and are also accredited by the BBB. If I ever need to by extra parts and accessories for my vehicle I know I can count on them to deliver my products and adhere to good business practices and policies.

Access, a leading tonneau cover manufacture

2009-03-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

Access, a leading tonneau cover manufacture offers 7 styles of pickup covers to enhance your pickup truck.

Each Access tonneau cover offers specific benefits for pickup truck owners. There base model is the Access tonno sport, which is a low profile tonno starting at under $300. The mid-range models include the Literider tonneau cover and the Vanish tonneau cover. Priced around $350, these 2 truck covers offer a few more features than the sport model.

There deluxe covers include the Access tonneau cover and the Lorado tonneau cover. Both are about the same, except the lorado is more low profile. And lastly for the person who want the best, check out the Access limited. The limited edition offers more features and benefits than any other rollup tonneau.

If you are looking to enhance your truck, consider checking our the Access cover.

truck bed cover

Take advantage of the 2010 Real Estate Stimulus

2009-02-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would remind all of you new homebuyers to make sure to take advantage of this Real Estate Stimulus that the government has so kindly put into effect. I actually bought my home four days before the cutoff of this credit so I wasn't able to enroll. Don't miss the chance to receive this money. Here are the basics:

The federal income tax credit for homebuyers has been extended and expanded to now include homeowners who wish to "move on" after 5 years of living in their current property, as well as first-time homebuyers.

-First-time homebuyers, or those who have not owned in the last three years, can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit
-Homeowners who have lived in a current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit
-There may be no future extensions, so all qualified homebuyers are urged to act and have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010 (close by June 30, 2010)
-Income limits are now $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for married couples with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both.

The video above does a lot better to explain the finite details of the program. I would strongly urge those of you who are looking to buy a house for the first time to take advantage of this program. It's basically a free, no interest loan, that you can use to get in a home and start to look towards the future.

Why not take advantage of programs like these? If the government are so eager to spend our money then we should take every chance we get to spend this tax payer money on improving our lives.

Pendry's World of Chiles & Spices!

2009-01-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

I thought I would tell you about a incredibly amazing company that has been in business for over a century and has some of the most delicious and mouth watering food products. It's called Pendery's and they have some of the best spices and seasonings in the world!

If you visit their site you can download their product catalog that is full of all sorts of unique and delicious products such as spices, sauces, gourmet foods, cook books, housewares, and seasonal and holiday gift items.

In the 1800's they used to deliver their good by stagecoach, but today they have began to market their products online and have a really simple and easy ordering process. When you visit the website you will also be able to subscribe to their newsletter where you can get the inside dish on deals and seasonal offers.

If you're in to southwest cooking and love your chiles and spices, then you must check out Pendry's. They also are running a great closeout sale right now where you can find some incredible gifts at great sale prices.

You can also be confident of amazing service and product quality with Pendry's Guarantee:

"Since 1870, we have selected the finest products available. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase, simply return it within 30 days for an exchange, credit or refund."