Friday Sips

The village of Scansano is a bastion for Tuscan treasures that often are overlooked. With its slightly warmer climate, hills and abundance of iron-oxide soil, Scansano is one of the more unique growing regions of this famed area of Italy and can deliver wines on all levels. In 1998, the famous and highly regarded Vino Nobile di Montepulciano estate, Poliziano purchased a plot of land from this vastly underrated area. 85% Morellino (the local clone of Sangiovese) and 15% Ciliegiolo comprise the blend and maintains Poliziano's high standard of excellence and integrity.

Nutmeg, dark chocolate and a prominent minerality surrounds black raspberry and roasted plum notes while a mouth-filling combination of wild spice, earth and well-placed core of fruit pleasantly fills the mouth. Classic Sangio tang and juiciness shine throughout, enjoy with grilled or roasted meats, eggplant and hearty pasta dishes.

The Sassetti family's Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino would definitely be considered one of my "desert island" Tuscan wines, so when it came about that they were embarking on something new, an estate called Querciolina in the Montecucco region, there was an abundance of delirious clamor.

Montecucco is a relatively new DOC within the borders of Siena province that borders Montalcino with the official locale being in the Maremma. Sandy/clay soils bring forth an immediate attraction with dashing Sangiovese aromatics. Sage and violet-dominated scents with red plum aspects are followed by a savory texture that's nicely buffered by a subtle roasted coffee secondary aspect which brings about another level of complexity. Accessible now and over the next 4-5 years, this is a thought-provoking Tuscan wine with serious backbone and persistence for its price. Given the prices of the Sassetti family's Montalcino wines these days, it's so cool to catch a wine that gives you a thrilling experience for 20 bucks.

Carmignano, located northwest of the city of Florence, unofficially is noted as being the first "Super-Tuscan" since Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & other Bordeaux varietals have always been permitted for blending with the native Sangiovese. This region is home to serious big red wines that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. In recent years the upstart grower Piaggia has taken the lead and has become the benchmark for the region. "One of the best wineries in the region of Carmignano, rather, in Tuscany. – Gambero Rosso".

Now on to the 3rd vintage that we've featured from this vaunted estate, the 2010 will definitely be one that won't be easy to top. Immaculate growing conditions have led this mighty blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot to be even more compelling than usual. Packed, dense wild cherry and berry scents rule the day along with penetrating smoke, sage and sandalwood undertones. Lavish, deep, yet tenderly balanced this is extremely fine. Succulent, flavorful and owning an exacting and extensive finish for a wine at this price. A candidate for cellaring for 10-12 years however, it's going to be difficult to be patient because it is so enchanting even at an early stage.

Originally I was going to feature a Vermentino, however, I re-tasted this number last night and decided that we should start Teutonic to enhance the today's Tuscan reds.

Forget your fears about great Riesling, especially when it comes to this FULLY DRY version from one of the great producers of the Ruwer region in Germany. A real blazer with fierceness and elegance at the same time, dry wine lovers really owe it to themselves to try some! "Tangy and dry, with lots of apricot tart, tarragon, grapefruit and baked apple flavors. Dried pineapple and spice notes fill this midpalate, and the bright finish overflows with white pepper and mineral, with an intense and vibrant spiciness. Best from 2014 through 2024. – 93 POINTS, THE WINE SPECTATOR" It also is one hell of a match with turkey, you owe it to yourself to try it!!!