Elio Sandri Barbera d'Alba Superiore, 2012

On tasting my first bottle of this wine on September 10, 2018, I said: "This wine has good balance even though it feels a bit aggressive on the palate right now. Five years from now? I can't wait." Actually, eight years later, it has developed into the robust but complex wine that I anticipated.

The color has lightened, much more amber now. Best at cellar temperature; I put it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, to bring back some of the tannins that had melted a bit over eight years. Once aggressive, it is now mellow with bright fruit smells and flavors. Red cherry, raspberry, black licorice. Ripe fruit on friendly mid-palate tannins. Signature Barbera acidity keeps it fresh and lively on medium-long finish. Unfortunately, this is my last bottle.
 

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, 2004

This wine, according to the Penfolds web site, "is a showcase for warm climate Australian Shiraz--ripe, robust and generously flavored." It is a style that has long been favored by Australian wine drinkers. 

Kalimna is the name of a vineyard that once produced a popular Kalimna Dry Red, the forerunner of this Bin 28.  The Kalimna Vineyard has moved up the Penfolds ladder, but this wine, sourced from several vineyards in Barossa and elsewhere, is made in a similar style. It was matured for 12 months in one-, two-year and older Americnn oak hogsheads.

Very dark, almost opaque. Enticing smells and flavors. Blackberries, plums, anise and mint. Ripe fruit still takes center stage, now even more prominent as the tannins have softened. Generally well balanced but with some heat (14.5% ABV) on the finish. Has aged very well over 22 years and should continue to drink well for at least another year or two.
 

Yorkville Cellars Anderson Valley Petit Verdot, 2010

I have had Petit Verdot as part of the blend in many Bordeaux wines, but this is my introduction to 100% Petit Verdot.

Deep dark Cabernet color with some amber at the rim. Has aged well. Black currants, blueberries, cassis. Bright fruit smells and flavors. Very Cabernet in personality. Medium body with a velvety texture. Medium long finish. I can see why it the grape works so well in Bordeaux blends.
 

J.M. Gerin la Champine Syrah, 2013

J.M. Gerin has excellent vineyards in Cote Rotie. A less expensive option than Gerin's single vineyard Cote Roties, la Champine is made from younger vines on the property plus purchased produce from Collines Rhodabienne, an unclassified region in the Northern Rhone. This 2013 is just rounding into shape for my taste.

Deep ruby with minimal amber at the rim. Beautiful Northern Rhone bouquet in mid development. Black raspberries, anise and brambly herbs. Young fruit is giving way to savory, tangy tones. Black olives and freshly ground black pepper. Just the way I like it.
 

Curto Marco di Nadia Curto Langhe Rosso L'Informale, 2023

I listed above the vintage as 2023 because that is how it was sold at Saratoga Wine Exchange. Actually, though, there is no vintage date on the label, confirming that it is a wine for current, every day enjoyment rather than for aging. And it is indeed a very good wine for that purpose; we love it.

The wine is a blend of Dolcetto, picked in September, and Nebbiolo, picked in mid to late October, fermented separately and then blended in the Spring. Aging is in stainless steel for both grapes.

Medium color with some Nebbiolo orange tints. Beautiful ripe fruit smells. Donna thinks apple pie; I think cherry pie. We both get cinnamon and other baking spices. Lovely fruit flavors but with the tannic structure of Nebbiolo. If I tasted this blind, I might have tagged it as a Pinot Noir from northern California or Oregon. Wonderful texture. But as an every day wine, it is also like a very good Cotes du Rhone. Delicious to drink young but with the structure of a more serious wine.
 

Evolution Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2024

Sokol Blosser is a long-time producer of top line Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. I have tasted a few of their single vineyard wines and can attest that they are well worth the premium price tags. At $22 a bottle, Evolution is their introductory level wine, probably made from grapes from younger vines on the estate or from purchased grapes from elsewhere in the Valley.

Medium light ruby, bright and clear. Looks like a Pinot. Powerful scents of violets, cranberries, red raspberries. Smells like a Pinot. Flavors that mirror the smells. Silky texture. Tastes like a Pinot. Delightful spicy finish. Based on this wine, I have high expectations for Willamette Valley wines from the 2024 vintage.

 

Bocale Montefalco Sagrantino Passito (Umbria), 2019

 

I have never had a Sagrantno wine, and I was looking forward to this NTP tasting for a good introduction. Apparently, the dry Sagrantino is to come next month at Tasting #2, but this Passito offers a very enjoyable glimpse of what this noble grape has to offer.  Passito is, of course, a sweet wine made from dried grapes, similar to Amarone.

Very dark, velvety. Very ripe fruit, doesn't smell or taste too alcoholic...even at 15.0% ABV. Rich, ripe fruits--plums, blackberries, dark cherries, pomegranates--wow! Also some floral notes. No hard edges, delicious fruit but not overly sweet for a dessert wine. Spicy finish, long and complex. I gave this 17.0 points. At $45 a half bottle, though, I think I would put my money on a good Sauternes or Vintage Port.