Gigi Rosso Barolo Arione, 2001

I opened this wine two hours before dinner, but it still benefited from another hour or two of aeration. Not until then did the classic Nebbiolo bouquet begin to emerge.

Medium ruby. Violets, roses and cherries on the nose....after sufficient aeration. Dark cherries, black licorice on the tongue. Not as powerful or tannic as I expected from Barolo but plenty of sweet fruit flavors that get more complex as the meal progresses. 
 

Perticaia Montefalco Sagrantino, 2016

For me, this was the major attraction of the AWS Central Italy National Tasting Project. I was anxious to taste a good Sagrantino, and I was not disappointed.

Deep and dark, bright and clear. Garnet shading in from the rim. Bright scents and flavors of red and black fruits, violets, eucalyptus and black pepper. Fine grained tannins, some alcoholic warmth but doesn't detract. Silky texture. Long, sweet fruited finish. 

I gave this wine 18.0, a close second to the Nobile di Montepulciano, compared to 17.0 for the Selection Committee.

 

Salcheto Nobile di Montepulciano, 2021

This was my favorite wine of the AWS Tasting Project Part 2, earning a score of 19.0. The Selection Group was not as generous (15.5), but the 

Wine Enthusiast shared my enthusiasm (92) as did the Wine Spectator (92), Vinous (90) and James Suckling (91).

Deep violet ruby, bright and clear. Spicy, fresh, red berries, cherries, mint, thyme. Currants, red and black, emerge on the palate. Wow! Flavors that tease and please. Has the complexity of a mature wine. Perfectly balanced for pleasure. Long, delicious fruit-filled finish.

 

Palagetto Chianti Colli Senesi, 2022

Chianti Colli Senesi is Sangiovese wine grown in the hills (Colli) near Siena (Senesi). This is wine #3 from the AWS National Tasting Project, Part 2. 

Medium deep ruby. Clear but could be brighter. Fruit-packed aromas and flavors of dark cherry, raspberry, pepper. Medium acid, somewhat tough tannins. Not very intense. Seems to lack balance at present but that may change with a year or two of aging. I gave it 16.0 (Selection Committee 15.5).

Fabula Fortitudo Cerasuolo d'Abbruzzo, 2023

This wine, second wine served at the AWS National Tasting Project Part 2, is a rose Montepulciano. After 4 to 6 hours of skin contact, it was processed as a white wine. Not usually a fan of rose wines, I found this one particularly appealing and gave it an 18.0 score (16.0 for the Selection Group).

Deep copper red, darker than a typical rose. Enticing scents of red fruits, lime, tea. Medium bodied. Very dry but with refreshing acidity. Medium long, enjoyable after taste.
 

Palagetto Vernaccia di San Gimignano, 2024

Back to the American Wine Society National Tasting Project focusing on the wines of central Italy. These are the wines we tasted for Part 2.

Deep straw color, bright and clear. Not very intense on the attack. Apple and apple blossom with a hint of butter. Rich and full bodied but, again, not very intense. Very dry on the palate. Low to medium acidity. Medium finish.

I have had better Vernaccias. Scored this one 13.5 compared to the Selection Committee's 15.5.
 

Franco Serra Barbera d'Alba, 2020

Although the price has been creeping up, this is one of the least expensive Barberas on the market...and certainly the best value. I have enjoyed it year after year over the past decade or two.

Medium ruby with some garnet tones. Cherries, violets, chocolate, black pepper. Barbera acidity with a tannic backbone. A pleasant rustic texture. Some might find woody tones even though it was aged in stainless steel and has never seen oak. Doing quite well in its sixth year.

Franco Serra also has a good Nebbiolo d'Alba, a Barolo and a Barbaresco, all priced well below that of most competitors.