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

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.

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 fiancée 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.

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.

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.

Interesting episode – enjoyed the background information.

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

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

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!!).

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.

Interesting: I had this cabreo 96 some while ago, and I could have sworn I was drinking a first rate Margaux.
The hint of bitterness in the mid-palate soon disappeared after I gave the bottle some air, and beautiful notes of cherry and plum plum plum were revealed. Surprisingly, and with the cork back on, the wine tasted even better, the next day.
What a pleasant surprise (and still four bottles remaining!).

Enjoy Super Tuscans, have a bottle of Solengo in cellar. QOTD-Brunello http://www.winelx.com