Three Wines From Italy and Spain, 06 May 2008

These three wines are a bit different from what I normally drink so I grouped them together. To some degree I enjoyed all three wines but then I don’t know what to expect. At $37 and $28 per bottle I probably would not buy these two Italian wines again…I’d rather drink the 2006 Hexamer, Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling “Quarzit”! At $15 the Casa Castillo is worth trying but don’t stock up on it for fear of all tannins and no fruit.

1996 Rocche dei Manzoni, Varo dei Manzoni, Monforte d’Alba – $37
This is a chocolate-ruby wine of medium opacity. There is a light, maturing nose of cedar and sour cherry. This light to medium bodied wine has flavors of bitter, dark cherries supported by mild acidity. There are very mild tannins on the tip of the tongue.

2001 Rizzi, Riserva, Barbaresco – $28
This 100% Nebbiolo wine is aged 18-24 months in Slovenian oak casks. A light garnet-brown color. There are sweet spices on the nose, cinnamon, with a touch of tobacco and oak. The spices repeat in the mouth with tad bit of sweet fruit.  A dark tea flavor develops with air. This is a light-to-medium bodied wine that is tart with acidity that provides a mouth-watering finish. The ultra-fine tannins thoroughly coat the mouth.

1998 Casa Castillo, Las Gravas, Jumilla – $15
This is a blend of 60% Monastrell and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that is aged in Allier oak for 12 months. It still has a youthful dark color. The nose has aromas of dark fruits, minerals, and develops a briary aroma with air. In the mouth there are dark fruits and strong tannins that will outlast the fruit.