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Friday, January 23, 2015

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. 

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