Time to get these up here before the onslaught of New Year's revelries.
Firriato, Sicilia, "Santagostino" Baglio Soria, 2000 (a 50-50 blend of Nero d'Avola & Syrah) Petite sirah colored black-red. Black fruits with clove on the nose, this has tons of blueberry juice, pomegranites, along with spices, with a tautness on the finish that gives a leather-cedar dimension to the fruit on the finish. Sweet with low acidity, this is very internationally styled but oh-so-good. Excellent and yummy and worth the $20US pricetag, something that can't be said for many of the wines I've had this past year. A- / 90
Donnafugata, Sicilia, "Anthilia", 2002 (blend of Ansonica & Catarratto) A Sicilian white. Some lightish sweet, floral, green peppercorn, and herbal aromas. Finding grassy herbs and some light lemon-lime flavors to this, but otherwise nondescript. At least there is acid to balance this out, but still maintains a dull metallic quality on the finish that I find in some Southern Rhone grenache blanc blends. Okay if you can get this for $8-10, but not worth the $15 price. B / 85
Mauro Veglio, Barbera d'Alba, "Cascina Nuova", 1998 Deeply colored new style barbera, smooth briary and black fruits, black cherry-cola spice with appreciable oak that does integrate well into the wine, perhaps due to the good acidity in this. Could age a few more years. This becomes a little hot with airing andafter warming up. 14.5% alcohol. B+ / 88
Happy New Year to all!