Tastingsheet April 11Th-2020

Riccardo’s Vin Italy Enoteca Wine Ta sting Apr il 10th, 2020 “Vir tua l Ta sting”

Marjan Simčič Sauvignonasse 2018 $16.95 BRDA (Collio): 100% Sauvignonasse (Friulano)

In 1860 Marjan’s great grandfather Anton Simčič bought the farm that we now know today as the Marjan Simčič winery. They winery has been under 4 different nationalities in it’s 150 plus year history. Today the winery resides in the country of Slovenia; however, the boarder with Italy is only 70 yards from the winery and Marjan owns and maintains 10 hectares of vineyards on the Italian side of the boarder. This area (known as Brda) is the continuation of the Collio hills in Friuli. Marjan’s Sauvignonasse, which is the same grape as Friulano, comes from the Italian side of the property from two of his vineyard sites named Zegla and Podgredič. This wine is a perfect independent appetizer and can be served with a wide range of starters! TASTING______NOTES:______

Andrea Felici Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2018 $15.95 Marche: 100% Verdicchio

Andrea Felici and his son Leopardo make top notch Verdicchio from their vineyards that sit between Apiro and Cupramontana in the heart of the Verdicchio production zone. For the Classico bottling the wine is produced from vineyards that range in age from 7 to 35 years of age. As Leopardo says, “We strive to make true wines that tell the story of our wonderful land and to some extent our personalities and passion. We take one small step ahead every year, as Verdiccho, the world’s greatest white grape demands”. These wines are made with laser precision and are excellent matches to most seafood dishes. TASTING NOTES:

Andrea Felici Verdicchio riserva dei Castelli di Jesi 2016 $35.95 Vigna Il Cantico della Figura Marche: 100% Verdicchio

The Verdicchio riserva bottling from Andrea Felici is a single cru from the San Francesco vineyard that has vines planted over 50 years ago. The name “della Figura” is in reference to the church in Apiro dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, popularly named the Church of the “Figura”. Il Cantico connects “La Figura” to the San Francesco vineyard in that “Il Cantico delle Creature” is named after San Francesco’s most famous prayer, “Praises of Creatures”. The wine spends extra time on the skins during fermentation and is aged for 6 months in the bottle before release. Because of the structure of this wine, it can age for 10 years or more. Excellent with seafood; however, this wine can match up to hearty dishes such as pork or roasted chicken! TASTING NOTES: ______

Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2016 $19.95 Toscana: 100% Sangiovese

Frank Grace purchased this property in Panzano in Chianti in 1995 and has spent the last 25 plus years replanting the vineyards, building a new winery and returning this 350 plus year old property back to a thriving estate. Il Molino di Grace is named after a 19th century windmill that is on the property. The Grace family, along with famed enologist Franco Bernabei, are now producing top notch Chianti Classico that represent the Conca d’Oro (golden shell) which is the area of Panzano where their vineyards reside. The classic bottling is rich and elegant in the mouth with a classic core of sweet cherry fruit. A wine that hugs up to almost any red sauced pasta dish! TASTING NOTES:

Franco Pacenti Canalicchio Rosso di Montalcino 2016 $20.95 Toscana: 100% Sangiovese Grosso

The Franco Pacenti family makes this lovely Rosso di Montalcino from the northern side of the hill of Montalcino. Elegant and rich in a vintage like 2016, this wine speaks to land from which is comes from. Along with the touch of leather and spice, this wine exhibits notes of nectarines and dark cherries on the palate and gives us a glimpse of what 2016 Brunello will be like. This wine matches up too many dishes including hearty pasta, lighter meat dishes such as roasted pork and grilled chicken. TASTING NOTES:

Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino 2016 $23.95 Toscana: 100% Sangiovese

The Col d’Orcia estate was purchased by the Count Cinzano of Cinzano Vermouth fame in 1972. At Col d’Orica it is all about respecting tradition in making Brunello and Rosso. Their Rosso is all aged in the traditional large botti and the wines show an elegance and grace that only great Sangiovese can. A great snapshot of what 2016 Brunello will be like. The perfect match to the traditional Bistecca alle Fiorentina! TASTING NOTES:

Canalicchio Brunello di Montalcino 2014 $40.95 Toscana: 100% Sangiovese Grosso

The Brunello produced by the Pacenti family of Canalicchio have been a staff favorite for many years. This year we are showing the newly released 2014 vintage. The 2014 vintage is a year for more near term consumption although the wines have the potential to live at least a decade past the vintage. This makes the 2014s great for restaurants and to take home and drink tonight. Buy some to drink now and buy some to put down for the future. Either way you won’t go wrong! TASTING NOTES:

Caprili Brunello di Montalcino 2014 $45.95 Toscana: 100% Sangiovese

The Bartolommei family have been long time friends of Riccardo and Georgette’s since the late 80’s. 2014 vintage is a cooler more classic year that will be good for more near term consumption over the next 3 to 5 years. The 2014 vintage is great restaurant Brunello with its ability to instantly gratify the end consumer. The classic Caprili flavors are all there including leather, spice and burnt orange peel along with the essence of ripe stone fruit. Always a great match to Riccardo’s heartier fare and of course the Bistecca alla Fiorintina! TASTING NOTES:

Mazzei IGT Toscana Siepi 2016 $116.95 Toscana: 50% Sangiovese & 50% Merlot

The Mazzei family produces their Siepi super Tuscan blend from one of their best vineyard sites as well as one of the oldest vineyards in the Chianti Classico, dating back to 1435. The Siepi is always a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot and is aged in French barriques for up to 18 months before bottling. The wine is rich and concentrated on the palate with notes of ripe blackberries and dark cherries. Excellent tannin structure helps the big Tuscan red hug up to most red meat dishes! TASTING NOTES:

Come Join Us for our next Saturday Tastings virtual or live depending on the situation in the state

Saturday May 9th, 2020

Noon to 3pm