Tasted at a Old Vines sponsored tasting at Donna's in Village of Cross Keys,
Baltimore Md . For more info on Old vines' tastings go
to:www.theoldvine.com

1.Terruzi and Puthod Vernaccia 2001. Clear bright yellow. Hints of lemon
and hay, moderate lemony, hazelnut fruity flavors, high acid, good finish.
Vernaccia's never been a favorite except in a tuscan trattoria but this is
one of the best. 84/100 points --Suggested retail $11.

2. Conti Contini Sangiovese 2000. From Count Hugo Bonacossi of Carmignano
who (disclaimer #1) put me up for a night in 1985. 100% sangiovese. Hints
of purple in the colour, intensely fruity nose, hints of moderate oak and
good fruit, a bit short in the finish but made in a very modern clean style.
86/100 Suggested retail $8.49. Very good QPR! I'm sure this wine was
produced in an effort to cash in on the international popularity of the word
"sangiovese" especially in the left coast neo-tuscan boom. Drink now

3. Piazzano Chianti Rio Camerata 2000. This a chianti made from grapes
outside the classico zone, the winery is in Empoli. Bright deep red. Good
fruit flavours in nose. Moderate tannins, evolving fruit.Moderate finish.
Uvaggio 85% sangiovese, 15% Colorino,Canaiolo. Nice finish. 86/100 at $11.
Can hold for 5 years or so. An M.DeGrazia selection. (disclaimer #2, I was
DeGrazia's Maryland agent 1984-1995).

4.Piazzano Chianti Riserva 1997. 1997 is the latest vintage of the century &
only time will tell. Same uvaggio as 2000 normale. Deep red colour almost
garnet. Spicy almost tropical flavours in the mouth, very well balanced
with a good finish. 88/100 at $14. Although this is not a blockbuster its
$30-40 less than a comparable chianti classico. Will age another 10 years
but should be at peak in 3-5. Bravo.(See disclaimer for wine # 3).

More full disclosure:
I thank Nelson Carey for letting an old curmudgeon attend his tasting and
post these notes. I paid for my wine & food. (Cost of $10 includes one of
Donna's appetizers). These tastings occur every Thursday and are very low
key--no one "hawks" the wines being served. Mr. Carey was one of my
favourite customers while I was ITB.



--
Joe "Beppe" Rosenberg