Kerin O'Keefe's Brunello di Montalcino is not simply an enjoyable wine book; it's one of the rare wine books that is truly important. O'Keefe, an American writer with many years experience in Italy and, particularly, in Tuscany, sets out to explain what makes this wine so special. And in doing
An interesting wine, still very young, with acids and tannins that need to date a few more years in the cellar before they’re ready to marry and settle down. Dark sour cherry and white pepper, with a vanilla background, are on the nose. On the palate, tart black cherries covered
In cooler winegrowing areas, one could easily think that the appearance of a warm, dry, sunny vintage would always be greeted with enthusiasm and happiness by winegrowers and winemakers. The reality, however, is more nuanced: very hot years can be as much of a challenge as cool, wet ones. It
The pipeline has dried up. Five or six years ago, almost any casual wine enthusiast could launch a WordPress or Blogger blog, write a post about each new wine he drank—from the plonk to the good stuff—and wait for wine samples to come pouring in. And pour in they did.
The nose has light florals, mostly violet, and aromas of cedar. Black fruits lead, with a light background of red currants. From mid-palate to finish florals shine through. A great balance of acids and fine tannins make a nice food wine. Like many of the 2003 Bordeaux, this seems to
Sweet and fruity is the feel of this wine. Very fruity, with caramelized fruit in aroma and flavors and finish. On the palate, there’s also some unripe plum along with its light woody tannins. Fairly uncomplicated and easy to drink as an aperitif. Serve cool. Recommended with reservations. BSE WHO:
A third-generation winemaker, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta comes from a family that's legendary in Italian winemaking. His grandfather was the creator of Sassicaia, one of the first Bordeaux-style blends in Italy and a wine that inspired many imitators. After time spent at the family wine estates, Piero began his own
The color is very pretty and bright, ruby with a fizz of bubbles. The nose is rose petals and sweet strawberries. This is definitely a sweet sparkler, a fizzy blend of raspberry and strawberry sherbert, with a little rosewater making a floral appearance on the mid-palate. There is a surprising