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An idiosyncratic journal of wines I buy from a mix of Internet sources and retailers in the Northern Virginia/D.C. area. Mostly inexpensive and moderately-priced stuff, reflecting my frugal New England roots. Cent anni!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
2005 Tenuta San Leone BARDOLINO SUPERIORE "Montesalionze" (Veneto, Italy)
This was one of the best, if not the best, wines I've ever had from the Veneto region -- which encompasses not only the Bardolino appellation, but the Valpolicella (and Amarone) appellation. Just amazing. Bardolino is usually a light, watery, faintly bitterish wine for uncritical guzzling. Not this one.
Started with a dark ruby purple color. Then the nose erupted out of the glass -- eucalyptus, ripe black cherries, fresh cinnamon stick, with a chalky earthiness in the background. Amazing. Haven't smelled anything quite like this in a long time -- bright, intense flavors of spicy cherry, minerals, and cinnamon. Long, long, concentrated finish, yet the wine retained a sense of lightness and balance throughout. I've never tasted a Veronese wine anything like this. Get some of this if you can find it (I've never seen it in Houston). 93. My brother got this for $15.99 at West Side Wines on Raymond Road in West Hartford -- an amazing value.
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3 comments:
Can we get this here in the Bayou City? You blast us with a "Just Amazing" and an "amazing value" and leave it just outta reach. Cruel...
Is it worth it to locate and hold a case or two?
Robert -- I haven't seen it here, and definitely YES, it's worth looking for it here, although my brother told me it's imported in miniscule quantities by a small, Connecticut-based importer, so I'm not optimistic.
I am the sister-in-law fortunate enough to live down the street from the wine store in which we located this fabulous wine. Although I am not the expert in the family by any means, this wine is a blow your mind wine! Since marrying into this wine family I have been fortunate to experience many fine wines. This one is an absolute STAND OUT! Without doubt, it is my favorite of 2007.
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