I Luoghi Bolgheri Superiore, 2020

As a Super Tuscan, this wine does not use the traditional Sangiovese blend of Tuscany but rather is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot and Syrah. It is indeed super and I scored it 19.5, although I still preferred the Rosso di Montalcino that preceded it at the NTP tasting. At $45, it is nearly twice as expensive and not within my wine budget.

Deep and dark, a bit moreso than the Rosso. Ripe plums, red and black berries, more red fruit than I would expect from a Cabernet blend. I didn't get the herbal Cab Franc tones but other tasters  did. Abundant tannins but has the acidity to keep it lively and approachable today. Medium long finish. Good wine but I'll still take two bottles of the Rosso and go away happy.
 

Scopone Rosso di Montalcino, 2021

Produced from Sangiovese Grosso grapes grown in Tuscany, this "baby Brunello" was my favorite wine of the NTP tasting, although I scored it slightly lower  (19.0) than the Super Tuscan that followed (19.5). At $28, it is not cheap, but still less expensive (and more approachable) than most Brunellos.

Deep but not as dark and purplish as the Montepulciano. The oak is not as lavish and that is a plus for me. Mostly red fruits--berries, Montmorency cherries plus a touch of black licorice. Flavors match the smells, ripe and lovely. Great acid, medium alcohol, medium body. Flavors dance. Long, complex finish. I love this wine.
 

Bove Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Marso, 2021

For many tasters, this wine--rated high by nearly everyone--was the biggest surprise of the NTP tasting. Since there are many inexpensive Montepulcianos on the market, we did not expect this level of quality. At $25, though, it is hardly inexpensive.

Very deep, dark, purplish. Plums, dark cherries, black berries and currants. Great smells and ripe flavors that open beautifully. Very young, lavish oak but has the balance to show its best...now or later. Hard to resist. I gave it 18.0 but one taster at our table gave it 20.0. Not over-priced at $25.
 

Ciu Ciu Marche Pecorino

Next up on the NTP agenda is this Pecorino from the Marche area of Italy. It was my introduction to Pecorino, and I liked it enough to give it a 17.0 score.

Deeper color than the Trebbiano Spoletino, bright and clear. Subtle aromas of flowers and stone fruit, clean but not particularly intense. Forward fruit on the palate, medium acid, good balance.. The long, complex finish really turned me on, I would like to try more from this grape and this estate.
 

Bocale Umbria Trebbiano Spoltino, 2024

This was the first of six wines we tasted yesterday as part of the American Wine Society National Tasting Project, focusing on wines of central Italy. It is 100% Trebbiano Spoletino from Umbria that is distinct from the common Trebbiano grape grown in Tuscany.

Medium yellow/straw, bright and clear. Clean, straightforward aromas, medium intensity. Pear, peach, melon. Full on mid-palate, medium intensity, medium plus acid. I found the finish a bit dull and rated the wine only 15.0 on a 20 point scale. The wine seems ageworthy, though, and I would likely give it a higher score with a few more years in the bottle.
 

Le Versant Pays d'Oc Viognier, 2025

Top Viogniers come from Condrieu in the Northern Rhone, but these wines have always been too expensive for my wine budget. I have, though, enjoyed many good Viogniers from Domaine Sainte-Anne in the Gard area of the Southern Rhone, grown from cuttings taken years ago from Condrieu. Le Versant is made by a coop in the Languedoc and, as a result, has a price tag of $12 to $15.

Medium deep yellow. Lively topnote of white peaches and apricots. Not as floral or musky as those from the Rhone. Leesy mid-palate, not much oak. Appropriately dry finish. Donna likes it, and I will be a buyer.
 

Trader Joe's Reserve Lot #254 Rasteau, 2022

I have reported on this wine before and, fortunately, I have a few more bottles in the cellar because it is a very good Southern Rhone. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault.

Bright ruby red. Very open aromas--strawberries, blueberries, cherries--and flavors to match. Medium plus body. Medium acidity. Ripe tannins. Smooth texture. Beautiful ripe fruit with spice and black pepper. At $9.99, this is a fantastic value.