After reading about the Italian night I decided to open a few Italians last night with dinner. We started with a little bruschetta (we still have plenty of fresh produce from the garden) and then a little penne with sweet italian sausage and peppers in a light pomodoro sauce.
1997 Argiano Brunello-Already faintly brickish and cloudy. A bit sour on the nose with a dry woody aroma. More secondary favors than fruit with oak, cedar and leather. The acidity seemed a bit too high and the sour cherry fruit was way back in the mix. Drying tannins on the finish and rough going down. Either a bad bottle or it's declining rapidly. C-
1997 La Poderina Brunello- Inky dark purple in the glass. Rich warm nose of black cherry and blackberry with a bit of gravel and vanilla. Smooth on the palate with concentrated fruit profiles. Very rich black fruit, vanilla, black coffee and a bit of earthy mushroom. Could use a bit more acidity but overall quite nice. A-
2000 Isole e Olena Cepparello-100% sangiovese. Light bright red in the glass. A lot of cherry pie on the nose and very prevelent sweet cherry on the palate rounded out with a bit of vanilla and apple pie spices. Not a fruit bomb and nicely balanced with acidity. A