Cork Taint Strikes My Cellar

I've had a couple of Oregon rosés in the cellar that I purchased far too many years ago and haven't drunk so I decided to pull one out for dinner tonight. I was afraid that the 2003 Adelaida Vin Gris de Pinot Noir was past its prime, but what I didn't expect was the massive whiff of cork taint the emerged as soon as I pulled the natural cork. Ugh.... TCA (trichloroanisole) has finally struck my cellar. Up to now, I honestly don't think I've had an episode of cork taint from one of my purchased wines. But the law of averages has finally snuck up on me.

Too bad, I remember this wine being a lively, crisp, fruity delight back when I sampled it at the winery. Today, it was a shallow husk of a wine. No fruit and wilting under the TCA onslaught.

Let this be a lesson to you all. Drink those rosés now! They're meant for early consumption so don't wait. Find your guy/gal, grab some picnic fare from the grocery store, and enjoy a sunny spring day with a glass of rosé!

Cheers,
Noel

Italian Wine Course, Class #2

Continuing my wine education, I attended the 2nd of a 6 class series on Italian wines offered by Gordon's Liquors in Waltham, MA last Tuesday, March 30. Michael Murray, one of the wine buyers at Gordon's, taught this class focusing on Puglia, Abruzzo, Marche, & Lazio regions of Italy. That would be regions #1, 7, 10, & 13 on the map (area around Rome and then the back & heel of the boot along the Adriatic Sea). The wines were paired with a Piave & a Tallegio (my favorite) cheeses from Whole Foods. Instead of doing white wines & then red wines, the class was structured by region.

Lazio

The Lazio region has not been known as a region for producing premium wines because of the proximity of Rome. Production has been mostly focused on high volume, inexpensive wines to serve Rome's large population.

Tenuta di Pieta Prozia Frascati Secco "Regillo" 2008 Price: $12
Region: Lazio D.O.C.
Varietal(s): 70% Malbezio, 20% Tebiano, 10% Greco
Review: White wine. Pineapple & floral notes in the nose. Not that special on the tongue. Crisp finish. Not a memorable wine.

Compagnia di Ermes Cesanese di Olevano Romano 2007
Price: $12
Region: Lazio D.O.C. South of Rome
Varietal(s): Cesanese
Review: Red Wine. Chocolate/tobacco, cedar aromas in the nose. Cherry & diesel flavors with a tarry finish.

Marche Region

Coastal, plainer region

Borgo Paglianetto Verdicchio di Matelica 'Aja Lunga' 2007
Price: $19
Region: Marche D.O.C.
Varietal(s): Verdicchio
Review: White Wine. Honeysuckle, pears, & peaches in the nose. good mouthfeel, crisp finish. Tank fermented--no oak. A good white wine!

Pasetti Pecorino Terre di Chieti 2008
Price: $20
Region: Marche I.G.T.
Varietal(s): Pecorino
Review: Floral with hits of green apple & melon. Slightly buttery with a flat oaky finish. Big mouthfeel akin to a chardonnay. Nice, but not great.

Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno Superiore "Vigna Montepradone' 2003
Price: $25
Region: Marche D.O.C. (Piceno area)
Varietal(s): 70% Montepuliciano, 30% Sangiovese
Review: Red Wine. Bright cherry flavors with notes of cedar & tar. Big tannins & bright acid. Aged in new French oak barrels. I liked this wine!

Abruzzo Region

One of the most mountainous regions of Italy, Abruzzo grows mostly Montepulciano & trebbiano grapes.

Ducato di San Zeno Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2008
Price: $8
Region: Abruzzo D.O.C.
Varietal(s): Montepulciano
Review: Medium bodied wine with big cherry & vanilla flavors. Concord-like grapey finish. Simple wine that resembles the price.

Cataldi Madonna Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007
Price: $23
Region: Abruzzo D.O.C.
Varietal(s): Montepulciano
Review: Dark raspberry, cherry, tar, & tobacco. Gripping tannins that need some aging. Very surprising to find that this wine has seen no oak. I like it!

Montepulciano Masciarelli 'Marina Cvetic' 2006
Price: $30
Region: Abruzzo D.O.C.
Varietal(s): Montepulciano
Review: Much darker flavors. Big Tannins. Cherries, vanilla, cassis. Michael pulled this off the shelf when the Cataldi Madonna 2007 didn't live up to the tasting of the 2006. By far, the best of the night!

Puglia Region

Taurino Notarpanaro Salento 2003
Price: $20
Region: Salento I.G.T.
Varietal(s): Negero nero
Review: Tobacco & tar in the nose, fruity palette. Tastes much younger than it smells. Yum!

Castello Monaci Primitivo Salento 2007
Price: $12
Region: Salento I.G.T.
Varietal(s): Primitivo/Zinfandel
Review: Tastes like a classic zinfandel. Big cherry & prune/stewed fruit flavors. High Alcohol. Spicy! No oak.

This class touch a nerve, so I ended up purchasing a case of wine (2 each of the 2007 Borgo Paglianetto, 2003 Saladnini Pilastri, 2007 Cataldi Madonna, 2003 Taurino, 2007 Castell Monaci, and 2006 Masciarelli. I'm looking forward to popping these wines open later.


Cheers,
a Wine Student

David Coffaro Bernier's Zin 2003

Was cleaning up my desk earlier this week and came across my tasting notes from this wine. I vaguely remember opening it in early February, probably to enjoy with a nice Saturday evening steak dinner in front of the fireplace. Friends will recognize that David Coffaro is one of my most favorite Sonoma County wineries. I buy their wine through a futures program. The name Bernier's Zin refers to the fact that the grapes were purchased from Paul Bernier & Scott Sibary's vineyard which is located in the Dry Creek Valley.

David Coffaro Bernier's Zin 2003

Country of origin: United States
State: California
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley

Varietal: 75% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre

Stats: 14.5% ABV, 365 cases produced
Cost: $15 (purchased through futures program)

Appearance: Dark, foreboding black red
Aroma: Cocoa, dark cherries, blackberries, more chocolate

Taste: Bright Cherries & raspberries, chocolate, mildly tart with moderate tannins. A long, pleasant aftertaste.

Yummmmm..... One bottle left...