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Val di Falco Morellino Di Scansano 2004

The debut of this "super Tuscan" futurity prospect is impressive, right up to its glass stopper.  For about $20, this would be a fine wine gift because it's new, novel and modern, not to mention the wine inside is bold and an excellent value.

Val di Falco translates to "valley of the falcons", paying homage to historical tradition of falconry in the Casanuova area of Montalcino where the Corte Pavone estate is located.  Corte Pavone is one of several properties owned by Rainer Loacker and his sons and currently has an estimated 50 acres of very young vineyards planted in 2000 and 2001.  The entire operation, cultivation and vinification, is considered organic.

Val di Falco 2004 is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah.  The lots were aged one year in 1/2 new French oak barrels, not filtered, and bottle aged 6+ months.  Just under 2000 cases were produced.  Son Hayo (Hajo) Loacker is Winemaker.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep ruby, semi-opaque.  Aromas: Berry liqueur (a bit more cassis than framboise but in-between), rose floral notes, plus supporting hints of forest floor, licorice and spice.  The mouthfeel is medium-to-full-bodied with good structure and young tannins.  The berry flavors are richly layered and the finish is substantial and very dry.

Excellent value ($22).  Closure: Glass* stopper.  Alcohol content: 14.5%.

*The glass stopper closure makes a very nice presentation and was a good choice for this new label in particular.  There is a definite "snap" or "click" as the glass stopper is pressed in to its "seat" and the resulting seal is perfect after multiple uses.

Dardano Zara Langhe Rosso 2004

Located in northwest Italy, east of Monaco and in from the sea, Piedmont is known for Barolo and Barbaresco, but this under-$15 perfumed red also hails from the region.  It comes in the heaviest 750ml wine bottle you've ever lifted, while inside is a trendy Italian-style red with lots of fruit and character.

Dardano Zara Langhe Rosso 2004 is half Dolcetto and half Barbera.  Dardano is a family owned winery in Serralunga D'Alba.

Tasting Notes: Color: Deep ruby translucent.  Aromas: Black cherry, cocoa, vanilla, plus noticeable rose and spice tones.  The fruit-forward cherry and pomegranate flavors are framed in a medium body with nice acidity and a dry moderately tannic finish.

Very nice value ($13).  Closure: Plastic "cork".  Alcohol content: 13%.

Toscolo Chianti 2004

Toscolo's ten buck Chianti tastes more American than a lot of its competition. But then, the USA is the target market for this 40,000 case label.

Importers Empson & Company represent such popular labels as Farnese, Monte Antico, A-Mano, and Teruzzi & Puthod.  Toscolo is their project.

Native New Zealander Neil Empson and his wife, Italian-American Artist Maria Gemma own Toscolo Winery in Pisa, where Franco Bernabei is Winemaker. Toscolo Chianti is the entry level of three Tuscolo Chiantis, and is 100% Sangiovese. Maria Gemma Empson designed the label. Tasting Notes.  Color: Bright ruby red with a slight purplish tint. Aromas: Loads of sour cherry and plums with persistent overtones of rose petals. The mouthfeel is light, tart, almost levitates on the tongue. Plummy and floral, herbal and minty flavors dissipate quickly in the simple clean finish. Closure: Real cork.  Excellent value ($10).

I Perazzi La Mozza Morellino Di Scansano 2004

After buying and tasting La Mozza Morellino di Scansano, you learn that Celebrity Chefs Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich are partners in the label*. You may have stumbled onto a very reasonably priced cross-cultural Tuscan-born red with super taste.

Scansano is a village is in southern Tuscany, southwest of Montalcino. The La Mozza Vineyard is near Scansano, about 10 miles in from the sea.

Morellino is most frequently called Sangiovese, but it is also referred to as a clone or cousin of Sangiovese.  The name originated as a reference to the very dark "blackish" color of the grape. Wines from Morellino Di Scansano must be 85+% Morellino/Sangiovese. Tasting Notes. Color: Deep ruby translucent. Raspberry and sour cherry aromas are forward, with hints of licorice and rock supporting. This is a medium bodied Italian red, with nice acidity and polished tannins. Cherry berry and cocoa flavors evolve in the lengthy finish. Closure: Real cork. Excellent value ($15)

*Partners Lidia Bastianich**, her son Joe***, and Mario purchased the 75 acre La Mozza estate in Maremma, Tuscany, according to The Wine Report's October 2005 cover story.  That story also explained the "Il Perazzi" part of the label; "Wild pear trees known as perazzi in Italian,” says Mario.  Read the story by San Francisco based writer Deborah Grossman.

**Lidia is a Chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and host of "Lidia's Family Table", distributed by American Public Television.

***Joe and Mario are also partners in NYC's Italian Wine Merchants with Sergio Esposito.  Sergio claims to have starting drinking wine at age 6.

Terra D'Aligi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2002

Terra D'Aligi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, estate grown on 15-year-old vines planted along the hills of Val di Sangro. Ageing was 12 months in Slavonia barrels.

The Terra d'Aligi estate is located in the southern part of Abruzzo*, in the province of Chieti, a couple of miles from Atessa. Terra d'Aligi is owned by the Spinelli family, who have been growing grapes for generations.

Riccardo Brighigna is Winemaker. 87 points. Color: Dark ruby, translucent. Aromas: Sour cherries, citrus rind, and a distinct perfumey rose/floral note. The mouthfeel is light, a bit sweet up front and then tart, with dry tannins. Sour cherry, raspberry, rosewater and tart citrus flavors resolve in the somewhat dusty finish. Closure: Real cork. Retail: $12. Value: Nice. Food pairing: Rosemary garlic potatoes en croute.

*Abruzzo is situated on the eastern side of Italy, about midway down the length of "the boot", across the "boot" from Rome.

Monte Antico Toscano Red Wine 2001

Monte Antico is made from Sangiovese grapes, like a Chianti. This wine is produced by Neil Empson and Franco Bernabei. It is a good seller in the store. The color is deep ruby, and the aromas are dried cherries and cranberries with a hint of spicy oak. The palate is medium-bodied, soft, smooth and fruity. The finish is dry with a balanced tartness. We enjoyed it with Pasta. The closure is a plastic artificial cork. At $10 (Nashville), this is an easy choice for an everyday Italian red, and is deserving of its popularity.

Falesco Vitiano Rosso Umbria 2003

This red blend is equal parts Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It comes from the modest Umbria region, east of Tuscany, north of Rome and west of the Marches, right in the middle of Italy's "boot". This vintage is deep ruby red, and has sweet and savory aromas of cherries, vanilla, mineral, and herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins and a long layered finish. We enjoyed it with a grilled Omaha Steaks Cheeseburger. The closure is a a genuine cork.

At $11 (Nashville), this year's vintage is a bargain as was the 2002.

Wine Spectator just named it a "Best Value Red" in the 5-15-2005 issue.

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2003

Food & Wine Magazine recently mentioned DiMajo Sangiovese, in the context of real value. This wine has become popular in the store over the past 2-3 years.

Made from Sangiovese, like Chianti, this wine is not from Chianti (a DOCG in Tuscany), but Molise (further South and along the Adriatic, North of Puglia.) Di Majo Norante is one of a few wineries setting the standard in the area. This wine opens right up without much delay, and displays chocolatey cherries with a lush nose and smooth, moderately tannic palate. The finish is very nice. The closure is a genuine cork. At $11.99 (Nashville price), this is an excellent Italian dry red value you should know about, if you don't already.

Micante Capalbio DOC Red 2003

Micante is a Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, from an area South of Florence (North of Rome), near the Mediterannean. Capalbio DOC wines are grown in hilly territories in the South of the Province of Grosseto.

Bottled by Solo Maremma. The flavors and aromas are cherry, cranberry, chocolate, vanilla, and a bit of tobacco and spice. The color is not quite opaque ruby red, and the wine is medium bodied with easy tannins for drinking now. We enjoyed this wine with Lamb Chops and a Bacon-Wrapped Free-Range Beef Ribeye. The closure is a composite cork. (Any other closure would be better!) At $15.99, this is a fairly-priced "Super-Tuscan" styled wine. There may be better deals, but give this one a try.

Il Brecciarolo Rosso Piceno Superiore 2001

A new Italian red arrival the store, this is produced by Velenosi Ercole. Rosso Piceno (DOC) reds are composed of Sangiovese (at least 60%), Montepulciano (no more than 40%); and each: Trebbiano and Passerina (up to 15%). The term "Superiore" requires at least one year's oak aging.

A light-to-medium bodied red, this wine has a lot of personality without a lot of tannins. The aromas and flavors include cherry fruit, dried fruit (raisins and prunes), and some oak, tobacco and leather. The finish is only a bit tannic, and simple but fruity. We tasted with a homemade Pizza with Tuna Steak, Garlic Chickpeas and Capers and an Italian Red Sauce. The closure is a composite cork. (Any other closure would be better!) At $11.99 (Nashville price), we were glad to buy and try this one, but there are better buys in Italian reds. Still, it's worth a try in a mixed case of Italian reds.