Grand Cru Tasting Group (Perth) Italian Tasting 19 September 2018

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

A small number of us got together to try some Italian wines last night. All wines were under cork. Here’s the collective notes:

One white wine only (apparently, if you think Italy, you think of reds): St Michael Eppan Gewurztraminer 2013 from the South Tyrol region (also known as Alto Adige) in the far north east of the country, and not that far from the Austrian border. Not surprisingly, aromatic whites feature in this region, and this was no exception. A surprising 14% alcohol. Bright yellow in colour, with a slight spritz. The nose is spicy and aromatic, with musk sticks, lemon meringue and spearmint lollies. The palate shows cleansing and refreshing acid, slight sweetness, a touch of caramel, and a silky (but not oily) texture. It finishes long, and shows some palate weight. Surprisingly fresh for a 5 year old, this makes a good aperitif or a food wine.

Salena Estate (Riverland) Ink Series Nero D’Avola 2015. Yes, not an Italian wine, but an Italian grape variety. Deep purple / red in colour. Big, brooding nose with dark cherries, blueberries, chocolate, and savoury / spicy elements possibly from oak. Palate has big juicy berries, some tobacco, and dusty tannins. A full bodied wine. One taster picked up a slight medicinal note. Probably too young, but would make a great pizza wine now.

Paolo Scavino Barolo 2013 (Piemonte). Deep red in colour. Initially closed despite vigorous decanting, a spicy, lifted nose with a little raisin or Christmas cake. The palate shows red cherries, initially some clove or anise, with oregano and thyme also noticeable. It’s high acid, and extremely tannic. It has the structure and power to age and should be locked away for a decade.

Antonelli Contrario Sagrantino 2011 (Umbria). 14% alcohol. Very dark purple in colour. Earthy, with spicy oak and plums. The palate shows darker berries, some chocolate, dark rum and good supporting acid. Compared to a couple of the other wines, this was a little thin texturally, but its complexity and lack of sharp edges ensured it was well received. Another good pizza wine.

Zanna Colline Teramare Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva 2008. Inky black in colour. The nose was very earthy indeed, with red cherries peeking through. It opened up in the glass, however. The palate was also earthy, with dark berries, chocolate and salty bacon. The mouthfeel was probably the highlight of this wine – plush, and richly textured, with good palate weight and chunky tannins. There’s a bit of forest floor about the wine too, which was considered attractive and adding to the complexity. Compared to previous wines, this was considered a “steak” wine, and two of the tasters did precisely that.

Wine of the night (admittedly from a smaller than usual field) was the Zanna Colline Teramare Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva 2008. Many thanks to those who attended – the conversations and tasting comparisons make these events priceless.

Cheers
Allan