Super Tuscan Wine Tasting

Super Tuscan Wine Tasting – Episode #474

May 29, 2008

Super Tuscan wines are so sought after and today Gary tries 3 different versions of these Italian renegades!

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Comments on this episode(160) Leave a comment ›

“Nice episode. Enjoyed it.
QOTD: Had a 2004 BdM Castello di Romitori…” by looper
“Great episode. I just read about Super Tuscans in my wine book and he…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
View all 160 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Terrabianca CampaccioSuper Tuscan
2001 Cabreo Toscana Il BorgoSuper Tuscan
2004 Argiano SolengoSuper Tuscan

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Fathers Day Book and 4th generation wristband offer

160 Responses

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June 23, 2009

looper
Nice episode. Enjoyed it.
QOTD: Had a 2004 BdM Castello di Romitorio that tasted a lot like you described the Cabreo, crazy like tomato meatsauce meets Ripe cherries. It was awesome.
January 13, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Great episode. I just read about Super Tuscans in my wine book and here was an episode to fill me in a little bit more. Id like to pick one up. See how the “Super” got me interested? DAMN YOU, MARKETING!!! QOTD: Prosecco only because I havent had a great deal of reds, at least quality ones. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the prosecco’s, just havent had the reds ( still working on that palate!!).
July 21, 2008

MattUD
I really don’t think I have had an italian wine, at least not since I really got into wine drinking.
July 10, 2008

kjdion
when i was young, i had that exact Iron Sheik action figure….awesome to know you love the Sheik Gary….
June 23, 2008

Nik
Interesting episode – enjoyed the background information.
June 17, 2008

SeaSybarite
Nice show. I too was not as impressed with the ‘04 Solengo either, esp for the $$.

QOTD: 1962 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Superiore, bar none. At a tasting, it beat 1990 Ornalaia, 1986 Mouton, 1984 Grange, and other well-aged heavy hitters. The finish went on for many minutes, much longer than the others, it was almost viscous. Truly, a profound wine.
June 12, 2008

White Fox Tetsu
To answer your question on what Italian I am into, Gary, I am drinking various vintages of ripasso, such as the 2004 Corte Rugolin Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso for its complexity and fun tastes (good with wild boar) at the price point. I really like frappato for it’s juicy fruits and excellent food pairing. 2006 Valle dell’Acate “Il Frappato” is the one I had recently.
June 10, 2008

jeffe
Gary, just wanted to let you know that as soon as I finished this show, I went out looking for the Cabreo. Happened to be in Hunterdon County (told my fiancÃ©e about your shout out â€” she’s from there) and found it. Had it with dinner that night and it was fantastic. You recos haven’t let me down yet. I paid $45, unfortunately. If I decide to put away a couple of these bad boys, I’m definitely paying $30 at WL.
June 7, 2008

Dan-o
Good show! I was really into these wines for awhile and I was collecting Super Tuscans. My favorite Italian wine of all time is the 1997 Cabutto Barolo or the 1999 Seghesio Barolo.
June 6, 2008

Ben
1st off, Tassinai over the Sass..all day. Second, GV you win; i can’t tell enough people about the thunder….love the show. Third, as a novice wine retailer I still have a soft spot for Cerreto Blange Arneis..that damn little rascal! Humid summertime brings the thunder in Btown, IN. I need a white Italian to calm the storm.
~WineSamurai
June 4, 2008

barrelmonkey
By far the best Italian wine I’ve had was the 2003 Cantine Martinelli Sagrantino di Montefalco from the Sagrantino show.
Notes:
Cork smelled like Worcestershire Sauce.

Opaque black/satin-purple in the glass, this wine has an earthy nose reminiscent of huitlacoche and dirt. A slight floral tone, with hints of diaper and savory meat. In the mouth it is med/full bodied, with rich fruit (slightly off-dry to my palate) and a firm tannic structure. Some earthy blueberries on the midpalate. A little more acidity would have improved the balance. Delicious finish. Not as ripping in the tannin-verse as I expected.
June 3, 2008

Ben F
mmmmmm I am Italian so i should have an answer for you. I love a good Berbera but i havent found anything good here in PA… every wine i had in Italy especially the barbera were really good…
June 3, 2008

Wednesday
Nero d’avola wines have been tart and earthy making them a current favorite.
June 3, 2008

Bill
qotd – my favorite right now is the Ratti Marcenesco Barolo. Unbelievable!
June 3, 2008

Karpacz Noclegi
Nice! Super informative!
June 3, 2008

davebw
I do like a lot of italian wines, red and white. My first “serious” wine buy ever was a 1993 Col D’Orcia Olmaia, which I bought in Amsterdam to get rid of my remaining euro cash before flying back to Canada. It was amazing.

I think the best I had was a Gaja Sperss 1997, with steak tournedos at l’oree du bois in Chelsea, Quebec.

I like a lot of the cheap reds, they have more character by far than Aussie grape juice.

Dave.
June 2, 2008

JayZee
QOTD: Massolino Barolo
June 2, 2008

Dan P
best episode in a while… super informative
June 2, 2008

Kevin C
QOTD: I can’t say that I’ve had a Super Tuscan, and I don’t know how to say it in French here in Brussels. I found a fantastic value in a Chianti called Poggerino. Not the greatest Italian wine I’ve ever had, but one that I could afford…8 Euros in 2003.
June 2, 2008

Sarah Newton
Favourite Italian wine at the moment is the Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni.

Fantastic grape Im just discovering.
June 2, 2008

Karl Laczko
I’ve not had any super Tuscans, although I’ve been tempted a few times.

QOTD – Amarone, no contest. However since I don’t normally spend the sort of cash a good Amarone requires then next level down I love Vino Nobile and Sicilian Nero d’Avolas. Italy has so much to offer for the adventurous wine buyer that I don’t know when I’ll tire of trying it’s selections.
June 2, 2008

Phil M'Glassup
I’m with the other viewers in my enthusiasm for Italian wines. I do think however teh Brunello scandal will damage their reputation, particualarly and obviously, the Tuscans. Perhaps tho this will lead to a loosening up of the DOC regs and prod further “creativity” among that region’s winemakers.
The greatest Italina wine I have ever tasted wasthe smidgen of the 2004 Sassacaia I sampled at an upper west side wine store.So subtly perfumed, so genlte yet with real, I mean sincere, fruit. All the tasters were stunned by this wine’s art and beauty. I swear I felt a tear come to my eye. Even more tears came to my eyes when I saw the price: $210! Well there’s a wine I’d never have again.
Fortunately the good people at Wine Library had it on offer a while later for forty or fifty bucks less. The wine is resting and I look forward to drinking it when it’s ready. I guess in about five years if I can wati that long.
On the Tuscan tip, my favoatie chianti was a Nozzole from the local liquor store. I don’t know the vintage but it was only $20. Since that time, I’ve had nothing but bad luck with chianti.
June 2, 2008

Mason
Gary, thanks for the show! I really have been a fan of all the Italian wines that I have had so far, and look forward to more in the near future. As a matter of fact, I have a Barbaresco that is waiting for me at home right now.

By the way, I like the “we’re drinking bad wine so you don’t have to.”

QOTD: Haven’t tried any that blew my socks off yet, but did have a great food pairing with a Primitivo once….
June 1, 2008

steve
Gary – saw where you weren’t really impressed with the Solengo. Ever think that storage/transport may have affected that particular bottle and maybe pull another one to be sure of your diagnosis?

btw, new to watching the show and notice you don’t take a sip of water or munch on a water/bland cracker between each “whirl”. Doesn’t the previous wine affect your tastebuds for the next wine?
June 1, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
QOTD – Favorite Italian wine is Barolo, based on only a few times drinking it. Also enjoy the Sangiovese Italian wines.