I’m gonna stop short of saying that being more diligent in posting my tasting notes was a New Year resolution (that way, I figure, I’m less likely to lapse back into laziness!), but I’m certainly making the effort, particularly with the weekly tastings I host in the restaurant. I taste alot in general, and I don’t think that I could possibly post everything, so I’m focusing on the regular events.

Tonight’s lineup:

‘04 ca’ montini sauvignon “l’aristocratico” (trentino)
$17 notes: nice golden amber, with a distinct nose of ruby grapefruit. Midweight and nicely textured on the palate, it reveals a ripeness of fruit as well as mineral detail. Great concentration, and a long, well-balanced finish. Very good!

‘03 terredavino barbera d’asti (piemonte)
$11.25 notes: med-bright garnet, with woodsy cherry aromas. Palate is juicy and generous with tart cherry fruit, but has characteristic acidity. Finish trails off quickly, but the impression is of a lively, fresh, and somewhat simple, rustic wine. Nicely done overall, and definitely a quaffer.

’98 rocca di sodone chianti classico riserva (toscana)
$23.35 notes: muted aromas, dominated by a reductive, warm plastic-like scent. The palate is delicate, but moderately zesty with savory-tinged blackberry and the warming spice of licorice on the shortish finish. A nice Chianti, but a bit underpowered and underdeveloped. For the money, I’d like more.

’00 terredavino barolo (piemonte)
$30.80 notes: Mmm, classic proportion to the aromas here, with a bit of tarriness, earthiness, leatheriness, and some red flower notes. The palate is taut and warm, with the spiced cherry glow typical to Barolo. The finish is long and detailed, and appropriate for such a muscular, slightly edgy wine. This should age beautifully, and is a good buy in Barolo. Very good.

‘01 terredavino barolo “la mora” (piemonte)
$35 notes: Darkly colored, and not much Barolo on the nose here. Something like overripe or syrupy fruit comes to the fore. The palate is full, lush, and rather soft, with an herbaceous green tinge to some pretty ripe fruit. Very upfront, and takes a preciptious descent from there. Not much Barolo character all ’round, and kinda strange for it. A disappointing wine.

Earlier in the day, I tasted two:

‘04 Descendiented de J. Palacios Bierzo “Petalos”– fairly dark, with a distinctly grapey, dry smelling nose. The palate follows perfectly, with more grapey, black fruit and a fair amount of acidity and sweet tannins. The finish is a surprise, as the fruit reveals an ash note that morphs into ripe blackberry and oak…. very interesting! I like it, and it’s a far sight better than the last Bierzo I tasted from these folks, the ‘00. Should retail around $18, making this a good buy.

and

‘04 Poggio Bidini Nero d’Avola– dark, with lots of black cherry on the nose, with a soft, fragrant strawberry flower flavor profile. Pretty wine, but a touch too floral for my tastes. Easy drinking, though. Good, and about $12 retail.