Welcoming Zachy's to DC with an Epic Tuscany Tasting

Zachy’s (the Scarsdale, New York-based fine wine purveyor and auction house) has opened up shop in Washington, DC, and I am so stoked.

The new location is a massive facility located on V Street NE, and it will offer wine storage service in a huge, cold warehouse. You’ll be able to purchase wine at the facility, and through email offers. There’s a great tasting room that will be used for all sorts of trade tastings, wine classes, and auction parties.

A good buddy of mine, Tim O’Rourke, is working on this project, and there really is no better person for the job. All the details and events are still very much coming together, but the future looks bright for this venture. And it’s a huge win for DC, Maryland, Virginia-area wine-lovers such as myself.

I recently stopped by to check out the facility and taste through a serious lineup of Tuscan wines. Even though they had been open for only two days, things were pristine. The service was on point and, most importantly, the wines were stunning.

Here are my notes on some killer Tuscan wines.

2016 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Maremma Toscana Poggio Argentato - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana
$25
Floral, peach nose. Tangy and spicy with flowers and peaches and spicy floral tones. Fun, dry, delicious. A Gewurz-based blend. (88 points)

2016 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Maremma Toscana RosaMati - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana
$23
Super floral aromatics. Brisk, spicy, tart, watermelon plumpness as well, slightly earthy. An all Syrah rose. (87 points)

2012 Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi) Rosato Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$80
Interesting copper orange color. Red apples, spiced herbal tea nose. Interesting stuff, tangy, chalky, some honeyed and slight nut characteristics but still vibrant fruit. Not often do I find an aged rose I really like to drink, but this is one. The “current” release and it rocks. (90 points)

2015 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG$20
Red fruits and spice on the nose. Structured quite well with smooth, dry tannins and fresh acid. Juicy and tangy red fruit with tar, anise, pepper notes. Really solid for the price, shows what quality 2015 offers even in the entry-level. (89 points)

2013 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
$60
Lots of cigar smoked and leather on the nose with earthy black cherries. Rich tannins, dry but fresh acidity, which I love, balanced nicely with plum and black cherries, notes of spiced tea and pepper. Lovely. (91 points)

2013 Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di San Niccolò - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$90
Lots of roses, eucalyptus, spiced tea, rich earth, tart black cherries and plums. Rich texture but velvety, bright acidity frames it so well, lots of delicious black cherry fruit, laced with herbs and spices. Young but very, very good. (92 points)

2015 Tenuta San Guido Le Difese - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$35
Plums, leather, tobacco, herbs on the nose. Accessible on the palate but shows some good structured tannins, bright acidity, plums and cherries and tobacco and spices, all wrapped up quite nicely. (89 points)

2004 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
$160
Gorgeous aromatics, cedar, silky red and black fruit, roses, violets. Still so young with firm tannins but some moderating acidity. Black cherries and tart blueberries mix well with tar, charcoal and cigar smoke. Lovely stuff with many more years ahead. (93 points) 

2010 E. Fuligni (Cottimelli) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
$190
Amazing nose of tangy red fruits, rose petals, rhubarb, pepper, soy. Velvety but structured, zesty but rich, waves of red and hints of black fruit along with cigar shop, incense sticks, roses, tilled soil. The mouthfeel on this is just so amazing, despite the complexity of flavors and total deliciousness, the elegance and balance of this wine makes it next level excellent. (95 points)

2015 Monastero Campanaio - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$55
Jammier approach with plums and raspberry jam, cocoa and violets. Silky, velvety, but some surprisingly fresh acidity. Sweet red fruits and violets and coffee. Fun, approachable stuff. 50/50 Cab/Merlot. (89 points)

2015 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$55
Bright but some saucy fruit on the nose, too, with plums and cola. Velvety, violets, cedar, plump and a bit chewy but balanced with freshness. Cabernet and Merlot. (88 points)

2015 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$35
Plummy, rich, baked black fruit on the nose. Really saucy on the palate with silky tannins, medium-low acidity, chunky black fruits, some violets, cola and cedar. Well-made, tastes so polished, I could see this being a big hit. (88 points)

2014 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia
$230
Wow, this is drinking really well. Considering the vintage, I wasn’t expecting anything classic, but this is a fresher, more vibrant, early-drinking version, but still of very high quality. Bright floral and red berry tones on the nose. Silky, tangy, vibrant palate with bright red currants and cherries, lots of pepper and spices and sage. Not lean, but quite elegant, and it goes down easily. (93 points)

2013 Marchesi Mazzei “Philip” - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$45
Aromas of tangy red berries. Velvety, rich but vibrant palate with sweet floral, coffee, earth and vanilla notes to accent the black cherry and plum skins. (90 points)

2013 Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$140
Lifted aromatics of bright red fruits and roses, very bright. High-toned, tangy, zesty even, with brisk red fruits but so delicious, laced with dusty earth, rhubarb, coffee. So good now, so good on the table, but this will also age nicely for at least a decade. Merlot and Sangiovese. (91 points) 

2013 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Maremma Toscana Saffredi - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana
$110
Christ, this wine blew me away! I had never heard of this producer before, but I’m listening now. Gorgeous waves of red fruits on the nose along with tobacco, leather, incense. Structured so well but vibrant and refreshing, the mouthfeel is so pure and focused. Cherries and velvety plums with lots of leather, sage, tobacco, mint, rhubarb – so much to unpack for many years in the cellar. (96 points)

In a lineup of gems, the Geppetti Safredi was incredible.

2013 Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$300
A bit dense but a lot to unpack aromatically: plum cake, violets, black cherry, leather, coffee, dark chocolate shavings. Rich, saucy and velvety at the same time but not too heavy, it shows freshness, too. Sweet plums and cherries laced with violets, cocoa, loamy earth, cedar, warm clay – wow. Delicious now but will do wonders over the next 10-15. (94 points)

2015 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
$105
Lots of aromatics: roses, violets, plums, rich black cherries, smoke. Chewy and bold but balanced, shows plums and black currants with cola, coffee, cocoa, anise, cedar – rich in flavor but nuanced and suave as well. Obviously a long time ahead. (93 points)

Wine Reviews: Italian Grab Bag

This post first appeared in the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Recently, I've received a handful of wines from all over Italy, hence this catch-all report. This batch included some solid and relatively inexpensive whites and a kicking Brunello from Gaja. 

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted. 

N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 1868 - Italy, Veneto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
SRP: $19
Pale gold color. Really precise and bright on the nose with lime, green melon and green apples mixed with flower stems, honeysuckle and sea breeze. Crisp acidity keeps this wine crunchy and bright, while the rich flavors of white peach and melon blend with tart lime and apple notes. A sea breeze and salt element contrast the honeycomb and yellow floral notes. A zestier approach with lingering minerality. (87 points) 

N.V. Cantine Torresella Prosecco - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
SRP: $16
Light gold color. Smells like lemons, limes, apricots with a bit of bread dough and sugar cane. Bright acidity on the palate, medium-bodied, this is a fresh and stylish Prosecco with simple, straightforward flavors of limes, apricot, sugar cane and sweet honeysuckle. Vibrant, tasty, good for the price. (86 points)

2015 Kettmeir Alto Adige - Südtirol - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
SRP: $22
Pale straw color. Light but vibrant aromatics of honeysuckle, dandelion and lemon grass on top of fresh lemon and lime slices. Steely and tart on the palate with brisk acid and a medium body. A sharp sense of lemongrass and dandelion, and a steely mineral kick, all on top of green apples and limes. Interesting flavors — this begs for oysters. (86 points) 

2015 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
SRP: $17
Pale lemon color. Bright and floral on the nose with generous honeysuckle and dandelion to top the tropical fruit salad. Crisp acidity frames the palate precisely but the rounded creamy feel adds to the appeal. Guava and pineapple mix with lime, and the fruit is topped in chalk, white pepper and flower stems. A lingering sense of minerality. Quite delicious but stays crisp and bright throughout. Really solid stuff for the price. (87 points)  

2012 Monte Tondo Soave Classico Casette Foscarin - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
$20
Pretty golden color. Smells of lime, quince and honeydew, and I get some white flowers, crushed stone and minerals. Such precision on the palate, crisp acidity meets a slightly waxy mouthfeel. A racy mineral spine supports lime and green melon, but there’s an intriguing amount of crushed chalk and sea salt. Slight green herbal kick, a mineral-laden finish. Bring on the seafood tower. 90% Garganega, 10% Trebbiano. (89 points) 

2014 Le Battistelle Soave Classico Battistelle - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
$16
Light gold color. Love the bright lime mixed with some apricots and green melon, along with some minerals and bright white floral element. Medium-light-bodied, a bright acidic profile but some interesting waxy elements — honeycomb, almond, white tea — a slight green herbal note along with some minerals. Fun stuff with a unique flavor profile. (87 points)
 
2015 Fattoria Sardi Giustiniani Rosato - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
SRP: $20
Juicy peach and copper color. Aromas of white cherries, strawberries, some pepper and an herbal (arugula?) note. Bright and fresh on the palate, with white cherry and wild strawberry fruit, which is juicy but crunchy. Love the rose, hibiscus and honeysuckle notes. A fun and refreshing wine. A saignee method rose, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Ciliegiolo. (87 points) 

2011 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino 
SRP: $78
Deep ruby color. Lovely nose but it takes a while to open up and show all of the rich currant and plum, along with a mix of herbs, earth and tobacco. Really structured tannins but the acidity is bright. Juicy but fresh red and black currant fruit, which rolls over the palate in waves. Lots of secondary flavors of loam, violets, chewing tobacco, cedar and spiced coffee. Long, luscious finish. Lots of complexity in here, but this needs some time in the cellar for sure, but a gorgeous wine. All Sangiovese aged 12 months in barrel and 12 months in bottle. (92 points)

A Few Italian Reds from 2008

This week I’m focusing on a diverse foursome of 2008 Italian reds. Unfortunately, there were only four of these beauties, so the wines were tasted sighted. These wines were received as samples and tasted as part of a report for Terroirist, the daily wine blog. 

2008 Azienda Agricola Montevetrano Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT - Italy, Campania, Colli di Salerno IGT
SRP: $80
A magenta purple color. Quite perfumed for a young wine, with roses, sour cherries, red currants and dusty soil. On the palate, the acid is bright and the tannins are like granite. Lovely tart currant and sour cherries mix with an endless display of non-fruit flavors: oregano, black pepper, chestnut, green olive and soy, all seamless and integrated. Oak nuances add complexity. Pure, fresh, sure to be long-lived (easily 10-15+). But even as such a young wine, it’s simply beautiful. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Aglianico. (93 points)

2008 Damilano Barolo Cannubi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
SRP: $77
Deep aromatics, plums, black currants, cedar, smoke and an aroma that reminds me of a freshly paved road. Gritty tannins but the acid rips. This wine is full and packed with red and black currants and cranberries. More sweet oak and cedar than I would expect, but it’s matched with loamy soil, granite, leather and tar flavors. Green olive and incense notes come out with time and linger on the long finish. Young but beautiful. (91 points)

2008 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
SRP: $65
A medium ruby-cherry color. Red and black currants and cherries on the nose mixed with floral perfume, lavender, black olive and oregano notes. On the palate, the cherry and currant fruit has a fresh, tart feel. Firm tannins for structure, medium+ acid. Lots of earthy-herbal flavors (olive, granite, tobacco, leather). Long, graceful finish with complex mineral notes. Surprisingly expressive at this age, the wine shows a lot of elegance but will easily improve over the next five to ten years. (91 points)

2008 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
SRP: $70
That beautiful deep purple-black Amarone color. Richly floral on the nose (violets, rose petals), deep black cherry and currant notes, lots of mocha-toasty goodness. Firm tannic backbone, medium- acid, richly textured. Full of black cherry and red currant fruit, a bit of sweet raisins. The roasted coffee, charcoal, caramel, tobacco and Brazil nut flavors are long and complex. I keep coming back to this Brazil nut flavor, it’s crazy, but I love it. Big and bold for sure, but well-done. 16.5% alcohol, a blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 5% each Croatina and Oseleta. (90 points)

A Grab Bag of Italian Wines

The diversity of Italian wine regions, the seemingly endless amount of native grape varieties, the different styles and winemaking methods, it’s all a bit daunting. But you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy Italian wine. You just need a glass, an open mind and, preferably, some delicious food.

I recently had the pleasure of tasting through a few Italian wines. A drop in the bucket for sure, but it was an enjoyable and educational experience. All wines were received as trade samples and tasted blind.

White

2011 Arnaldo-Caprai Grechetto Colli Martani “Grecante” - Italy, Umbria, Colli Martani
SRP: $20
Medium gold color. Interesting nose of honeycomb, dried pineapple, apricot and hazelnut. On the palate, this wine has an oily texture and medium acid. The flavors of yellow apple and apricot are light and easy, and the nutty-honeycomb aspect adds a bit of punch. A hint of green herbs carries the finish, which isn’t long. While it has some attractive components, overall this isn’t a thought-provoking wine. 100% Grechetto. (83 points)

Orange?

2011 Attems Pinot Grigio “Cupra Ramato” - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
SRP: $19
Pretty gold-pink color, like honey mixed with grapefruit juice. Aromas of honeycomb, honeydew melon, ruby red grapefruit and sweet flowers. The palate shows high acid and medium body, with flavors of honeydew melon, white peach and grapefruit. Notes of quinine and minerals add a racy component. Long finish. A really unique and punchy Pinot Grigio. The must remains in contact with the grape skins for 12 hours, which gives this wine that nice coppery color and maybe some of the depth and complex flavors. (89 points)

Red

2008 Valturio “Solco” Marche IGT - Italy, Marche, Marche IGT
SRP: $34
Aromas of violets, mixed dark berries, cranberry sauce, pencil shavings. The palate is wonderfully fresh, as the acid sets the stage for the cranberry, strawberry and fig paste. Notes of coffee, leather, musk and charcoal add layers of complexity. There’s an underlying earthiness that pervades this wine, just like the acid, which starts and finishes this wine. 100% Rebo, which is a hybrid of Merlot and Teroldego, aged 12 months in 50% new French barriques. An elegant yet serious wine that deserves a homemade Italian meal and some time in the decanter. (90 points)

2010 Bersano Dolcetto d'Alba “Coldelfosso” - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

SRP: $20
Sour cherries, raspberries and dusty earth on the nose. Tart acid, soft tannins, the fruit tastes like tangy cherries and raspberries. Some earth and charcoal flavors add complexity. That said, it’s more of a simple wine for easy drinking. Medium finish. Seems like a drink-me-now. (85 points)

2009 Piccini Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

SRP: $16
A little reticent on the nose, faint red plum, rose petals, dusty earth and a bit of dried tobacco. Medium-bodied on the palate, moderate acid and fine tannins. Flavors of sour cherry, red plum and raspberry jam, along with notes of cocoa powder and tobacco. The wine falls off a bit on the finish. A simple, easy-sipping wine. (82 points)

2006 Castelnuovo Dell'Abate Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “La Fiorita” - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
SRP: $95
A beautiful mix of earth and fruit flavors on the nose, raspberries, figs, green olive, lamb and soy. Medium-to-high acid kicks off the palate along with fine-grained but firm tannins. The raspberry and red currant fruit is pure and complex and mixed with notes of coffee, sage, soy, chewing tobacco, rounded out with some toast. Tasted blind, this screamed Tuscany. A very pretty wine, but there’s no rush because this could use some time in the cellar. (90 points)

2008 Arnaldo-Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco “Collepiano” - Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Sagrantino di Montefalco

SRP: $60
A bold purple-magenta color. The plum and blackberry fruit smells roasted and inky, and I get notes of violet and dark chocolate as well. The tannins are seriously grippy, and medium acid tries to fight back. The plum and currant fruit tastes deep and compact. Really smoky, like a steak on a charcoal grill. The toasty oak mixes with notes of roasted coffee, herbal liqueur and incense. This 100% Sagrantino is aged for two years in French oak, then six more months in bottle. A bold, gritty wine, I think cellaring this for five to eight years might be a good idea. (90 points)

2010 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Rosso - Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Rosso

SRP: $22

Smells of cherries in sauce, bright berries, along with some tobacco and roasted coffee. The palate shows grippy tannins and medium acid. The cherry and currant fruit is snappy and fresh. Notes of green pepper, anise and tobacco add complexity. The tannins need some time to mellow out, but this wine packs a lot of complexity for $22. A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot. (89 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.