2020 Tenuta di Biserno Campo di Sasso Insoglio del Cinghiale

2020 Tenuta di Biserno Campo di Sasso Insoglio del Cinghiale

We ordered this Tuscan wine at a dinner where our party was divided foodwise and it worked well with all our dishes. This Italian wine was smooth and rounder than I thought it would be, which was great to pair with our various meals.

This Tuscan blend is a great value!

Look/in the glass: Medium purplish red

Nose/aroma: Floral aromas with a note of tobacco/leather

Palate/taste: Juicy cherry and dark berries with a touch of spice

Texture/finish: Medium body, fresh, crisp, great acidity, medium finish

Pairing: Pasta with red sauce, meats, charcuterie, even grilled salmon would work

Wine type: Red wine

Grape: 33% Syrah, 33% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $37

Cheers, Veronique

2009 Poggio alle Sughere Morellino di Scansano

2009 Poggio alle Sughere Morellino di Scansano

This Italian wine is dark purple in the glass. It offers aromas of dark, ripe cherries and Chinese five spice and flavors of stone fruit and dark berries with hints of leather. Soft tannins with a nice level of acidity.

Lovers of Chianti will enjoy this affordable Sangiovese.

Pairings:  Grilled beef, cured meats and cheese platter, pasta with red sauce.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese (90%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%)

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $20

2010 Villa Calcinaia Comitale Grechetto

2010 Villa Calcinaia Comitale Grechetto

Had this wine with both lobster pasta and grilled Branzino and it complimented the dishes perfectly.

In the glass, this Tuscan wine is pale yellow with a slight greenish tint.  On the nose, it’s very faint, almost non-existent.  In the mouth, it’s delicate with fruity aromas of green apple and pear with bright acidity for a crisp finish.   Really enjoyable.

Pairings:  Seafood, grilled fish or chicken.  Pasta with olive oil and garlic.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): 90% Grechetto and 10% Vernaccia

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $15

 

2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro

2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro

Bright purplish ruby in the glass, this affordable Italian wine has a ripe dark fruit nose laced with spiced notes.  In the mouth, it’s round with a nice balance of rich dark fruit and chocolate with good acidity.

Had this 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro paired with rare duck and it was a nice pairing.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork, cheese course, mushroom risotto.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo Nero

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $20

 

2009 Castello Di Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino

2009 Castello Di Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino

Paired this Tuscan wine with my cheese course at a recent dinner party and it matched up well.  Lighter and fruitier than its counterpart, Brunello di Montalcino, this wine didn’t overwhelm the mild soft cheeses and stood up to the stinkier, riper ones.

In the glass, the 2009 Castello Di Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino is vibrant red and it offers bright fruit on the nose.  In the mouth, it’s well-balanced with a dark berry mixed with mushroomy/earthy flavors.  Meant to be drunk young, this affordable wine can be served on a Tuesday night with pizza or at a party with more complex dishes.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork, cheese course, pasta with red sauce.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $22

 

2007 Antinori Tignanello

2007 Antinori Tignanello

Sampled this beauty at a tasting last week where it was poured alongside other stars and it was super.  This wine is considered the original Super Tuscan and it remains a top Italian wine.

In the glass, it’s medium garnet.  On the nose, it’s dense, rich and oaky.  There are aromas of ripe fruit, grilled bread and mocha with hints of fir, cracked black pepper and leather.  On the palate, it’s chewy with ripe, lush berries, chocolate and stone fruits.  Slight tannins on a long, smooth finish.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $79

2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino

2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino

'04 Fattoria La Lecciaia

Enjoyed this wine last night paired with grilled prime rib and thought it was all you’d want in a Brunello: Big, beefy, silky, complex.  Noseful of black berries, jammy, earthy mouthful and long, slightly tannic finish.

Not sure how many Brunellos of this caliber can be found in this price range, but probably not many.

Around $35.

93 Points Wine Spectator