On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from : VINO NOBILE 2024 Anteprima

18 Sep 2024

VN Nobile LogoVino Nobile is one of my favourite stops on the Anteprima journey. With 64 wines in total (a very doable amount at a morning tasting), and hopefully a few winery visits it is the best of both worlds. That is about to change next year, when the Pieve wines will also be on the table (a new tier of wines that I will explain in more detail in next year’s report) – so obviously, the wines portion will grow – fingers crossed I can still do them all in one sitting.

Vino Nobile continues to raise their own bar – once a region that rested on their laurels, they now understand that just because you are one of the first does not mean you are going to stay there forever (this is not Bordeaux). The quality of wines continue to improve and I now believe it to be a highlight of the Anteprima Toscana.

Of those 64 wines tasted, 35 made the list.

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I applied my Good, Better, Best approach to the Chianti Lovers this year – and instead of separating the wines into their categories I put them in alphabetical order by way of producer. Also, any wine that received BEST or BETTER has a note why I believe it deserves that score (there is one exception: a new player is in town and they have launched their first Nobile).


The Wines

Antico Colle 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano VN Antico Colle
Rustic, but in a pleasant way; the fruit dances around with the acidity and tannins.  (BETTER)

Azienda Agricola Tiberini 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Podere Le Caggiole”
Super juicy, which seems out of character with these wine - this is a style that will bring new recruits, but may turn off fans.  (BETTER)

Bindella - Tenuta Vallocaia 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Selezione “I Quadri” ... GOOD

VN BoscarelliBoscarelli 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva
Deep, dark and brooding with fruit and cedary notes. This one should come around it another 5 years; but the fruit forefront and that makes this one a winner in my book.  (BETTER)

Boscarelli 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Continues to be a highlight of this tasting - good tannins and acidity and the dark fruit plays off of those characteristics.  (BEST)

Canneto 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva ... GOOD

Cantina Chiacchiera 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Carpineto 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva VN Carpineto
The fruit is dark and it doesn’t get hidden in a ton of oak - in a few years this will be even better.  (BEST)

Casa Vinicola Triacca 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Selezione “Poderuccio” ... GOOD

Contucci 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Selezione “Pietra Rossa” ... GOOD

Contucci 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Well-balanced fruit and acidity - tannins don’t rip at the tongue and the finish is clean, if not a little short.  (BETTER)

Crociani 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Dei 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

VN Dei BossonaDei 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva “Bossona”
The fruit is dark, the acidity is moderate and the tannins bite - but the fruit is the star and that is one of the most important parts.  (BETTER)

Fattoria Svetoni 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Godiolo 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva ... GOOD

Godiolo 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Icario 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva “Vitaroccia” VN Icario
Fruit driven with notes of smoke and licorice - acidity is aggressive but allows the fruit to show itself upfront, but does demand attention on the finish.  (BETTER)

Il Molinaccio di Montepulciano 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “La Spinosa” ... GOOD

La Braccesca 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

La Ciarliana 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Selezione "Vigna 'Scianello" ... GOOD

La Ciarliana 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Something about this wines makes me happy: the fruit is dark and spicy and there's a mocha coffee cake feel to the finish.  (BETTER)

La Combarbia 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
There is some high-tone fruit notes here (almost shrill), but it plays well with the acidity - first sip, not a fan, but by the third sip I was really enjoying it.  (BETTER)

Le Berne 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Total opposite to Some of the other wines, but still with something to offer: lovely dark fruit and spice, but the tannins and acidity are a bit more aggressive. It will resolve over time.  (BETTER)

Le Bertille 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva  ... GOOD

Lombardo 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Marchesi Frescobaldi 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano "Tenuta Calimaia"
Frescobaldi's first foray into Nobile is very international in style - they will bring new fans to the region - but can the region hold them with their more rustic nature ... GOOD

Podere Casanova 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Selezione "Settecento"
Red fruit, currants and cherries kick things off and then in sweeps the acidity, cleaning things up for sip after sip. Playful and fun.  (BETTER)

VN PolizianoPoliziano 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Fruit forward wine backed by acidity and well-managed tannins.  (BEST)

Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva ... GOOD

Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano VN Gracciano
Spicy red fruits, with cherry and strawberry leading the charge - red currants join cranberry on the finish.  (BETTER)

Tenuta di Poggio Uliveto 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Tenuta Poggio alla Sala 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ... GOOD

Tenuta Valdipiatta 2021 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
There's a nice dark fruit and licorice aspect to the wine that seems to play with the acidity, making it a feature on the finish and not on the mid-palate.  (BETTER)

Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Riserva ... GOOD

 

Report from : Chianti Lovers 2024 Anteprima

16 Sep 2024

CL Glass

 

Chianti Lovers is a tasting with a ton of wines to try. I will admit I did not get to them all. This year I did a 50-wine sampling from a variety of regions and levels. The good news is the 35 of the 50 made the report … That’s effectively a 70% rate of getting a good wine (at the minimum) in your glass; and when it comes to wine I’ll take those odds any day.

I applied my Good, Better, Best approach to the Chianti Lovers this year – and instead of separating the wines into their categories I put them in alphabetical order by way of producer. Also, any wine that received BEST or BETTER has a note as to why I believe it deserves that score.

The Wines

CL MottaAlberto Motta 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva
Nice mix of fruit and functionality - acidity and tannins help clean up the finish.  (BETTER)

Bonacchi 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD

Bruni 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Cantina La Selva 2023 Morellino di Scansano DOCG ... GOOD

Cantina La Selva 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Cantina Vignaioli Scansano 2023 Morellino di Scansano DOCG "Roggiano" CL Roggiano
I like this vineyard - there is some freshness and some fruit here that plays with wood and tannins - acidity cleans things out.  (BETTER)

Cantina Vignaioli Scansano 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva "Roggiano"
Good acidity with some dark fruit and spice notes.  (BETTER)

Castello Sonnino 2022 Chianti Montespertoli DOCG
The acidity shines through, then in comes the fruit, then the subtle bite of tannins. Give this a few years and opala!  (BETTER)

Colognole 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD

Fattoria di Doccia 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG
Black cherry and a touch of smoke, juicy middle - nice finish - should sit in a cellar for a few years easily.  (BETTER)

Fattoria Fibbiano 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG ... GOOD

Fattoria Lavacchio 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD

Fattoria San Michaele a Torri 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Fattoria Torre a Cona 2022 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG ... GOOD

CL terro cona smallFattoria Torre a Cona 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva "Terre di Cino"
A bit of bitter at the beginning, but then the fruit kicks in on the finish - quite interesting.  (BETTER)

Fattoria Uccelliera 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD

Fattoria Uccelliera 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG ... GOOD

Malenchini 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva
Blackberry, cassis and subtle cedar notes - there's good acidity that makes the fruit more playful.  (BETTER)

Mantellassi 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Marchesi Gondi 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD

Marchesi Gondi 2021 Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Marzocco di Poppiano 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Piccini 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG ... GOOD

Piccini 2023 Chianti DOCG CL Piccini Governo
Very juicy - lots of fruit.  (BETTER)

Piccini 2023 Chianti DOCG Governo all'uso Toscana
A little richer in the mouth, with nice tannin bite - but not jammy.  (BETTER)

Poggio Bonelli 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD

CL Poggio SalviPoggio Salvi 2023 Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
Nice fruit tannin combo - should stand up for half a dozen years-plus.  (BETTER)

Ruffino 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD

Salcheto 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD

San Gregorio 2023 Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG ... GOOD

Tenuta San Vito 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Val Delle Rose - Tenute Della Famiglia Cecchi 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Villa Saletta 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG CL Villa Saletta
Juicy and approachable - lots of nice fruit start to finish.  (BEST)

Villa Travignoli 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD

Villa Travignoli 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG "Governo all'uso Toscano"
A juicy black and red filled joy on the tongue, with just enough grit of tannins and nice acidity. (BETTER)

 

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