Mike de Maria

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley

Wonderful integrated Napa Cab here. This is no over-ripe fruit bomb, nor is it overly oaked. It's all black currants, blackberries, and some spice/incense with bright and balancing acidity and just the right amount of tannins to remind you that even at 5 years, this wine is still young. This beats the pants off of similarly priced Napa Cabs (I'm looking at you Beringer and Mondavi). Well worth the money.

D'angelo Aglianico Del Vulture 2008, Doc Basilicata

I'm not sure what to say here, but I tried 3 different bottles and they were as far as I could tell corked. All three tasted different (one was exceptionally - rinse your mouth out - bad).

Perhaps this is the way the wine is supposed to taste like, and if so, my rating stands. Or maybe it they received a really bad lot of corks tainted with TCA.

Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2009, Igt Colli Della Toscana Centrale

Mr. Szabo is bang on with this one. This is what I love in old world wine. That harmony of flavours and textures. Fruity/savoury, fresh/dried, smooth/structured, mature/vibrant....and a delightful finish. Extremely drinkable, works well with all kinds of food (I had it with a pasta course and a beef course).

This is a case where the price is justified by the quality.

Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir 2010, Santa Barbara County

Sour cherry, quite savoury, medium bodied, with balancing acidity, ripe tannins, and a little bit of graphite like minerality. Hides the 14.2% alcohol quite nicely. Nice wine.

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2010, Docg

Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010, Ac

Both John Szabo's and David Lawrason's review are bang on (other than DLs 'firm and tannic' comment) with this one.

The nose is fairly muted, not showing a whole lot, but it's a complete head fake 'once it hits your lips.' It's quite rich, yet fresh and focused, with red berry fruits and plum flavours, with some garrigue, a little minerality, and as DL says an animal note at the end. Lovely balance, and a velvety smooth mouthfeel. Would score higher if the nose was more expressive.

Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec 2008, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza

I've found that over the past 2 years, we've been inundated with many "good but not great" Malbecs. Most are inexpensive and for the price, usually good value. The regular Luigi Bosca Malbec is one of the better examples I find of these types of wines. This single vineyard version is definitely a step above and well worth the $20+ price. It is full bodied, juicy and fruity (but not jammy or over the top), very well balanced. Layers of berries (I get more red than black), nice (and subtle) oak influences, and some spice notes.

Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Igt Toscana

Intensely flavoured, and very much Italian in style. Bright food friendly acids, rich, and very complex. Fresh and dried fruits balanced by spice, earthy truffle, some dark chocolate and leather.

$30 well spent if you're into old world style wines that have that wonderful, complex mix of funk and fruit.

Uvaggio Secco Moscato 2010, Lodi, California

This was my first go at a dry Moscato (Muscat). On the nose it's quite fragrant with meyer lemon, white flowers, peach, and lychee. The aromas are replayed on the palate, but it dies on the finish and there's an off-putting bitter note as well. The bitter note was less noticeable with food, but both before and after dinner it was ever present. Overall, nice to try a different grape/style, but for $20, it's a pass.

Tenuta Rocca Ornati Langhe 2006, Doc

This is a lovely blend of old-world/new-world, and young/mature wine. It has elements from all of the above...

I think the expert reviews do a good job at describing the wine, so I'll leave it at that.