Friday Marc was hosting our local tasting group, with a Tuscan theme. I thought Thursday night of canceling, as I had a bad cold (no wine Wed or Th!!), and knew I'd be pooped as I was taking out a group Thursday night. But Friday I woke up feeling better despite 4 hours sleep, so that evening went to Marc's with my bottles. Wed and Th I had little appetite and could barely taste food, the funny thing Friday was I had my appetite back, could taste, but my nose was still stopped up. So consistent theme was that I had trouble getting much with nose, though flavors in mouth seemed fairly clear (retro-nasal smelling?). But in any case treat notes with even more caution than usual. All wines blind:
1978 Castello di Monsanto " Il Poggio " Chianti Classico Riserva Not blind for me, my bottle. I had liked this 8 or 10 years ago, took a chance couple years ago, but never got around to opening. Cork is pure sawdust, corkscrew bores right through. No AhSo handy, I bore the hole and use a funnel with screen to decant (glad I have a backup bottle, very pessimistic). Wait a second, great color! Maybe backup isn't needed. Sweet lively fruit, cherries and dried cherries, some leather, some herb. Drinks well, everyone likes, I'm even more shocked when a taste 2+ hours later is still kicking. B+/A-Next wine is a light to middleweight, but with a nice underlying structure, more acid than tannin. Black cherry fruit, its the 2001 Poggianto Chianti Classico Riserva, B+/B
Following wine is a bit riper, fuller, very young. I guess 2003 CC, but it's the 2005 Querciabella Chianti Classico. B
Next wine is not my fave. Simple cherry and plum fruit, short finish, acidic, not a fan. I can't remember thing about vintage. ??? Tomaiolo Chianti Classico Riserva C+
Then: Earth, a little mint, solid red plum fruit. Seems to be a bit more mature, ripe, I think maybe a BdM from a lighter vintage like '96. Nope. It's the 1998 Ciacci Piccolomini Rosso di Montalcino. B+
Next up: Round and lush, blackberry and black plum fruit, a bit of vanilla. A bit too international for me, but a hit with some people.
2000 Gaja Ca' Marcanda "Promis" Toscana IGT. BFollowing wine is a bit more my style. Bright red fruit, forest floor and cocoa. 2004 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva. B+/B (but I think I liked their regular CC better)
Last wine of the evening (good timing, Betsy calls that she is leaving city, arrange for her to pick up myself and our neighbor Rob). Blackcurrants and plums, moderate ripe tannins, soft but not flabby acidity. Good length, some pencil lead. Not Sangiovese. Several of us laugh when the 2004 I Greppi "Greppicante" Bolgheri is revealed, as we were splitting a case of the 2005 (untasted, but Zachys had on sale for excellent price). If 2005 is like the 2004 I'm happy at $13.50, would have been more iffy at normal $20-24 price. The 2004 gets a B+/ B.
Fun night with the guys.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.