Tuscany, Sicily and Portugal

2001 Calabretta Etna Rosso (14.5% alc)

2003 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino (14% alc)

2005 Silgueiros Touriga Nacional Quinta Da Falorca (14% alc)

Fascinating results over the course of the evening.  

Decanted upon opening, the Etna Rosso roared out of the gates ready to go. Compelling nose of florals, anise and balsam ... a real knock-out.  High-toned fruit at its peak complemented by creosote.  Mostly Nerello Mascalese with a dollop of Nerello Cappuccio.  Minerality clearly reflective of volcanic terroir.  Hands down the best Sicilian wine that I've had. 

Decanted the Cerbaiona upon opening. Picked this up on recommendation from Mark Scudiery.  This wine is built for the long haul. Quite dark in color,  the nose is initially subdued.  Palate is classic black cherry complemented by elegant sous bois ( hints of cedar) and earth..  Really took several hours to open up and show its pedigree.  Came into its own about six hours later, and outpaced the pack. A true beauty of a long distance runner. Simply intoxicating allure by the end of the evening. I kept going back to this thoroughbred until it was gone (none left for day two...)

I don't get a chance to drink many Portuguese wines so this was an interesting experience.  The Quinta da Falorca was decanted upon opening.  Very attractive nose ...the palate actually reminded me a bit of Cabernet Franc.   Very smooth tannins. This wine is hard to resist and paired well with the main course of the evening,  grilled bone-in veal chops. 

1997 Mario Marengo Barolo Brunate

Picked up some Marengo based on positive comments on this producer from Mark Scudiery.  
 Slow-o for 4 hours prior to dinner. 14% alc. Upon uncorking, the initial taste previewed a monster chewy and delicious wine.  Big tannins yet in balance with fruit.  Reticent nose... light florals.
Decanted at restaurant.  Now things are happening.  A strident example of Brunate.  Mineral, anise and tar. 
About an hour after decanting, wonderous perfume completes the picture. Wow... when the nose caught up with the rest, it all fell into place.  
This beauty needs a lot of air to show at its best.

2000 Luigi Einaudi Barolo

Popped and decanted half of the bottle. 14% alc. Fading garnet color suggests advanced maturity , which is supported by the cherry fruit palate whose sun is already setting.
Nice florals on the nose ...light tar accents and a touch of brett. Probably peaked 2 to 3 years ago. 
We always enjoy Einaudi but have found their normale bottlings to age a bit more rapidly... half of the bottle left to report on later....
Paired beautifully with a hot bowl of home-made jambalaya, garnished with Périgord truffles,  on a cold winter day.

2000 Charbonniere CdP les Hautes Brusquieres Speciale and 2001 Saint Cosme Gigondas Cuvee Valbelle

Interesting to try these side by side.  Slow-o in bottle and consumed over several hours with dinner. 
Brusquieres is destemmed 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. 
Valbelle is 90% Grenache and 10%:Syrah.
I would have guessed that the varietal composition were reversed with the Valbelle having the higher % of Syrah.
Brusquieres is gorgeous from get-go with come-hither floral nose and bright raspberry grenache flavor profile with satin mouthfeel.  A delicious bottling showing the greatness of the vintage. 
Valbelle is more reserved both aromatically and on the palate. Smoky blackberry and garrigue.  Much slower to reveal itself.  Very good on its own, but outshone by the Brusquieres. 
Have tried several vintages of the Brusquieres and it is the real deal for reasonably priced CdP....