Wines
of the Week: Italian Night Gems - Under $20, 90 Points
Once
again, we continue our series focusing on high quality wines,
with wide distribution, that can be found for $20 or less. This
week we focus on great buys for your Italian dinners. Whether
it's pasta, pizza, or another favorite from Italy, these wines
are yummy, will pair wonderfully, and don't cost a pretty penny.
Enjoy!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Fattoria
del Cerro 2015 Rosso di Montepulciano
Winery:
Fattoria del Cerro
Grape(s): 70% Sangiovese & 30% Merlot
Region: Toscana, Italy
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A classic nose of bright cherries, leather, and herbs
greet the senses. Plenty of cherry and raspberry flavors
emerge on the palate with floral and earthy accents. Plush,
dry, and bright, it's a nice wine for under $15.
Rating: 90 |
|
Badiola
2014 Tosacana
Winery:
Badiola
Grape(s): 70% Sangiovese & 30% Merlot
Region: Toscana, Italy
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Notes of cherries, earth, and toasted walnuts combine
nicely on the nose. The palate brings together flavors
of bing cherry, cranberry, and raspberry with expressions
of toasted nuts and very dark chocolate. Fairly supple
with a friendly acidity, open a bottle next time you enjoy
a pesto pasta salad.
Rating: 90 |
|
Cantele
2013 Salice Salentino DOC Rieserva
Winery:
Cantele
Grape(s): 100% Negroamaro
Region: Italy
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A deep nose of plums, black cherries, pepper, and earth
greets the senses. Plum and cherry envelope the palate,
alongside elements of minerals and spice. Mouth-filling
but with balanced tannins, a deep dish pizza would work
nicely with this wine.
Rating: 90 |
|
Valpolicella
2015 Alleguini
Winery:
Valpolicella
Grape(s): 65% Corvina Veronese, 30% Rondinella,
& 5% Molinara
Region: Italy
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
The nose is a combination of spicy, fruity, and herbaceous
elements. The palate carries forth cherry and blackberry
flavors that are complicated by suggestions of herbs,
earth, and spice. Vibrant with polished tannins and exhibiting
lively flavors, pair it with a light, fresh, hearty pasta
dish.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|