Discovering Great Italian Wines at the Kobrand Tour D’Italia 2013 by EC Gladstone

Tasting Italian wines is a process of endless discovery: there are so many regions and so many varieties and so many styles, it seems as if there is always something new (even if it's "old"). Kobrand's recent tasting tour was no different, even if many of the houses like Pighin, Folonary, Moretti, Nardi, Tenuta San Guido and Masi are relatively well known in the US. "Relatively" being the operative word.

The standout for me was the above Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2001, with an earthy nose opening the door to rich cherry wood, plum, chocolate, butterscotch and spicebox notes, and firm tannins. Not an inexpensive bottle but so much more rewarding than many big bouncy Cabs in the same range.

But there were other gems as well, like the Agricola Punica Montessu and Barrua, Sardinian wines that are remarkable in their food-friendly savory qualities: Montessu dominated by artichoke-lemon, then more expected cherry and oak notes; Barrua a very herbaceous green pepper-citrus dominated palate. Both are blends dominated by Carignano, with French varieties rounding them out. Agricola Punica is a collaboration between Tenuta San Guido and Sardinia's Cantina Santadi.

Another: Tenuta San Guido's Guidalberto, Toscana, which may not enjoy the DOC designation of its famous brother Sassacaia, but is nonetheless a worthy relative, also Cab Sauv heavy, but blended with 45% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese for robust cherry and stonefruit flavors and firm tannins. Fantastic value.

Kobrand Wine & Spirits

Sip Savor Swallow - Wine Spirits and Drinks Articles By E.C. Gladstone