Arnaldo Caprai, Montefalco Rosso, 2001 Caprai's basic bottling, a blend of Sangiovese 70%, Sagrantino 15%, & Merlot 15%. The color here is very dark cherry red. With the high percentage of sangio, I thought this would tend towards fruitiness, but the aromas are hard and meaty, with a touch of fresh cut anise bulb. In the mouth are gamy cherry, carbon, and an igneous rock feel to the finish, relying on a distinct animale quality (that's most likely related to the Sagrantino component) to carry this through insteaad of fruit. Give this a few years to tame the rough edges. B+
Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre, 2003 My first 2003 Loire white. This isn't the horror story we'd been led to believe, but neither is it as racy as I prefer my sauvignon blanc. There's the typical calcium, limeflower, elder, and grapefruit blossom, but the finish is soft. Wouldn't want to age this past 4 years. B+
M. Marengo, Barolo 'Brunate', 1990 Some oranging along the rim. Very pruny aromas with some cherry, but the nose is muted and feels old. Tree-fallen plums, cherry leather, without much complexity beyond a slight beef ravioli note. On the downside of life, this was better in earlier bottles last tasted 6 years ago. B-B+
Bucci, Rosso Piceno, 'Pongelli', 2002 Color a lightish cranberry red. Strawberry and bright cherry aromas. Pleasant red fruits (strawberry, cherry, cranberry, redcurrant) backed by gracious acidity. After a day or two, a gamay-like medicinal funk trails at the end. There is not a lot of complexity here, but Loire lovers will find this utterly charming. A blend of Montepulciano & Sangiovese (50/50) from the Marches. B+