On the Road with the Grape Guy

Report from : L’Atra Toscana 2024 Anteprima

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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

The Altra Toscana tasting is all the other wines that don’t fit into the bag of Chianti or Vino Nobile. Lots of wines to taste so one needs to be selective about what ones wants to taste; here I did not keep track of the number of wines tasted only the wines that made this report. Some of the most exciting wines of this tasting come from Vino Toscana, the newest of these “regions” and one that was introduced last year here.
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I applied my Good, Better, Best approach to the Chianti Lovers this year – and instead of separating the wines into their categories I put them in alphabetical order by way of producer. Also, any wine that received BEST or BETTER has a note why I believe it deserves that score.

The Wines

Consorzio Chianti Rufina                

Fattoria Il Capitano 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Poggio Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

Fattoria Selvapiana 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Erchi Terraelectae    
(Sangiovese) Where fruit and acidity meet and have a party in the mouth.  (BETTER)

Frascole 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna alla Stele Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

Grignano Tenuta Inghirami 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna Montefiesole Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) Strawberry and cherry meet acidity - this is a tasty little wine.  (BETTER)

I Veroni 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Quona Terraelectae    
(Sangiovese) This one delivers at every level: fruit, tannins, acidity. Really playful on the palate, shows potential for longevity.  (BEST)

Tenuta Bossi, Marchesi Gondi 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna Poggio Diamante Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) The tannins are subtle and almost sweet in nature adding to the cherry core of this wine.  (BEST)

Villa Travignoli 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna Colonneto Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) Dark fruit with notes of licorice, cassis and cedar.  (BETTER)

Vinae Montae 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Il Monte Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD         

Consorzio Suvereto Val di Cornia

Tua Rita 2021 Toscana Sangiovese IGT - Perlato del Bosco Rosso
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

                        
Consorzio Tutela Vini della Maremma Toscana                

Belguardo 2020 Maremma Toscana Rosso Riserva DOC - Tenuta Belguardo
- Cabernet Sauviignon (85%) / Cabernet Franc (15%) -
Nice elegant mocha, blackberry, cassis and smoke - finishes with a lovely dark fruit backbone.  (BETTER)

Le Mortelle 2022 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Botrosecco    
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Carmenere - ... GOOD

Le Mortelle 2021 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Poggio alle Nane
- Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon -
Lush and full of dark fruit mixed with other appealing notes: chocolate and black cherry, black raspberry and smoke all backed with some nice spices.  (BETTER)

Nittardi 2021 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Ad Astra
- Sangiovese (50%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) / Merlot (20%) / Cabernet Franc (10%) -
Juicy of fruit with a good amount of spice and acidity.  (BETTER)

Querciabella 2022 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Mongrana    
- Sangiovese (50%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) / Merlot (25%) - ... GOOD

Sassotondo 2022    Maremma Toscana Ciliegiolo DOC - Vigna Monte Calvo
- Ciliegiolo - ... GOOD

            
Consorzio Valdarno di Sopra

Il Carnasciale 2021 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese DOC - Ottantadue
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

                        
Consorzio Vini Terre di Pisa
                
Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio 2021 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Le Colline
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Massima Felicita'    
- Sangiovese (70%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) - ... GOOD

Badia di Morrona 2020 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Vignaalta    
(Sangiovese)
Anise and balsamic strawberries ... nice hint of herbal adds character.  (BETTER)

Beconcini Winery 2020 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Reciso
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

Beconcini Winery 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Maurleo    
(Sangiovese / Malvasia Nera / Colorino) ... GOOD

Fattoria Fibbiano 2021 Toscacna Ciliegiolo IGT 
(Ciliegiolo)
Very black cherry from nose to palate.  (BETTER)

Fattoria Fibbiano 2020 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Ceppatella
(Sangiovese)
Lovely fruit and subtle acidity, this is a tasty wine - pure and purposeful.  (BEST)

Fattoria Uccelliera 2022 Toscana Rosso Governo all'Uso Toscano IGT - Poggio alla Pietra    
- Sangiovese (80%) / Alicante Bouchet (20%) - ... GOOD

Fattoria Varramista 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Frasca
- Syrah (50%) / Merlot (50%) -
Dark fruit and white pepper - very drinkable.  (BETTER)

Fattoria Varramista 2017 Toscana Rosso IGT - Varramista  
(Syrah)
Clean, yet spicy with a good balance of nice acidity - pretty and elegant.  (BETTER)

I Giusti e Zanza 2020 Costa Toscana Rosso IGT - Dulcamara
- Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) / Merlot (25%) / Petit Verdot (5%) - ... GOOD

Le Palaie 2022 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Gatta Ci Cova    
- Sangiovese (60%) / Merlot (40%) - ... GOOD

Le Palaie 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Sagrestano    
- Sangiovese / Alicante - ... GOOD

Le Palaie 2021 Costa Toscana Rosso IGT - Bulizio
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Petit Verdot - ... GOOD

Marina Romin 2021 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Turseno
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD

Marina Romin 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Boccanera    
- Sangiovese (70%) / Foglia Tonda (30%) - ... GOOD

Podere La Chiesa 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Le Redole di Casanova    
- Sangiovese (80%) / Canaiolo (20%) - ... GOOD

Podere La Chiesa 2020 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Sabiniano di Casanova    
- Sangiovese (70%) / Merlot (15%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) - ... GOOD

Podere Pellicciano 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Tricche
- Sangiovese (70%) / Malvasia Nera (20%) / Colorino (10%) - ... GOOD

Podere Pellicciano 2019 Toscana Rosso IGT - Prato della Rocca    
(Four Grape varieties) ... GOOD

Tenuta Di Ghizzano 2020 Costa Toscana Rosso IGT - Nambrot
- Merlot (60%) / Cabernet Franc (20%) / Petit Verdot (20%) -
Dark fruit with elements of spice and good acidity.  (BETTER)

Consorzio Vino Toscana IGT

Banfi 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Cum Laude
- Sangiovese (30%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) / Merlot (30%) / Syrah (10%) -
Deep plum, black cherry, mocha cream, well-spiced. Juicy palate.  (BETTER)

Banfi 2019 Toscana Rosso IGT - Summus 
- Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) / Sangiovese (33%) / Syrah (7%) -
Really lovely plump fruit - good spice - well-balanced - a fine drink.  (BEST)

Castello di Fonterutoli 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Concerto di Fonterutoli
- Sangiovese (80%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) - ... GOOD

Castello di Gabbiano 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Colorino 
(Colorino)
Straight Colorino that's quite nice, juicy and spicy - acidity and tannins are on point - a unique grape that delivers.  (BETTER)

Col D'Orcia 2018 Toscana Rosso IGT - Olmaia
(Cabernet Sauvignon) ... GOOD

Col D'Orcia 2019 Toscana Rosso IGT - Nearco 
- Merlot / Syrah / Petit Verdot -
Juicy and spicy notes, good tannin bite and some dark fruit character.  (BETTER)

Marchesi Antinori 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Villa Antinori
(Sangiovese / Cabernet) ... GOOD

Marchesi Frescobaldi 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Giramonte
(Merlot / Sangiovese) ... GOOD

Marchesi Frescobaldi 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Mormoreto
(Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Sangiovese / Petit Verdot)
Earthy, red currants, spice, mocha, well-balanced.  (BETTER)

Ruffino 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Modus  
- Merlot (46%) / Sangiovese (31%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) - ... GOOD

Ruffino 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Alauda 
Cabernet Franc (47%) / Merlot (41%) / Colorino (12%) 
Mocha cherry and blackberry, a little herbal and little spice - with a lot of taste.  (BETTER)

Salcheto 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Obvius Rosso
(Sangiovese)
Light and full of acidity, good food wine with lots of umph.  (BETTER)

Tenuta Buon Tempo 2022 Toscana Rosso IGT - La Furba
(Sangiovese)
Light and flavourful, quite interesting: juicy and almost Gamay-esque.  (BETTER)

Tenuta Sette Ponti 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Oreno
- Merlot (50%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) / Petit Verdot (10%) - ... GOOD

Tenuta Sette Ponti - 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Crognolo
- Sangiovese (90%) / Merlot (10%) -
This one will need a few years, but there is a nice fruit core that leads to some spicy nuances and firm tannins.  (BETTER)

Report From : Roussillon - RIVES GAUCHE 2023 Tasting

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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

These are my honest, no-nonsense thoughts about the wines I tasted from the Roussillon – the days were broken down into Left and Right … this is the Day of the Gauche (left) – but was far from gauche.

First, there is my quick take on the wines, based on all the wines I tried … then the wines I liked are scored based on a Good, Better, Best approach (then all lists are alphabetized).

White Wines

Being extremely cold, these were hard to get a handle on to taste - the ones that showed the best beat the cold and had really good flavours and were enjoyable, even too cold.

Clos Del Rey - Famille Montagné 2021 La Noia ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 100% Grenache Gris
Cuvons La Joie 2021 Ampeli ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 80% Grenache Gris, 10% Rolle, 10% Macabeu
Domaine De L'edre 2021 Carrément Blanc ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Grenache Gris, 30% Roussanne
Domaine La Part Des Anges 2021 Parcelle Secrete  ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 100% Carignan Blanc
Domaine Modat 2021 De-Ci De-Là ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon 70% Grenaches Gris et Blanc, 15% Macabeu, 15% Carignan Blanc
Domaine Pagnon 2022 Blanc Bonnet ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 50% Muscat Petit Grain, 50% Muscat Alexandrie
Domaine Piquemal 2021 Les Terres Grillées ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon 60% Grenache Blanc, 30 % Macabeu 10% Vermentino
Les Vignerons De Tremoine 2021 Terres De Lansac ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 90% Grenaches Blancs, 10% Grenaches Gris
Mas De La Deveze 2022 Malice ... Better 
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon 75% Macabeu, 25% Grenache Blanc & Gris
Pierre Talayrach 2022 Viognier  ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes Viognier 100%
Sas Jeff Carrel 2021 Les Mamettes ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 85% Grenache Gris, 15% Carignan Blanc
Serre Romani 2021 La Vallée de L'Aigle Blanc  ... Better 
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 80% Grenache Gris et 20% Macabeu

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Red Wines

A fair bit of delicious and drinkability to these reds.

Chateau De Pena 2020 Les Pierres Noires ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Cuvons La Joie 2020 Iberic 2020 ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 50% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 25% Tempranillo
Cuvons La Joie 2020 Serre Petite ... Better
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 60% Grenache, 40% Carignan
Dom Brial 2021 Les Petits Pins ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 55% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir,15% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre
Domaine Boudau 2020 Patrimoine ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 80 % Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah
Domaine Boudau 2020 Henri Boudau ... Better
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir
Domaine Boudau 2021 Sur Grains ... Good
- AOP Rivesaltes Grenat 100% Grenache Noir
Domaine De L'edre 2021 Carrément Rouge ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
Domaine De L'edre 2019 Edre ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
Domaine De Vénus 2022 Origines ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 60% Alicante, 10% Syrah, 30% Grenache Noir

Domaine Des Chênes 2020 Les Grands-Meres  ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 50% Carignan Noir, 30% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah
Domaine Des Chênes 2016 La Carissa ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 40% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Carignan
Domaine Fontanel 2020 Cistes  ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
Domaine La Beille 2020 Mourvèdre  ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 100% Mourvèdre
Domaine La Beille 2021 Syrah ... Better
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 100% Syrah
Domaine La Part Des Anges 2020 Alchimie  ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 70% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 5% Grenache
Domaine La Toupie 2021 Sur 1 Fil Rouge ... Good
- AOP Maury Sec 72% Grenache Noir, 18% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
Domaine Laurent Batlle 2022 Villa Cora  ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache Noir
Domaine Modat 2018 Le Plus Joli ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 70% Syrah, 30% Carignan
Domaine Pagnon 2020 Jules ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon 70% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah

Domaine Paul Meunier 2020 Les Chorèmes  ... Better
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Lladoner Pelut
Domaine Piquemal 2021 Pygmalion ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 75% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 5 % Carignan
Domaine Piquemal 2022 Galatée ... Better
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 75% Grenache Noir, 20 % Syrah, 5% Carignan
Domaine Singla 2021 El Moli  ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 70% Syrah, 30 % Grenache Noir
Domaine Singla 2019 Castell Vell  ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 70 % Syrah, 30 % Mourvèdre
Domaine Thunevin Calvet 2020 Constance ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 50 % Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 20% Carignan
Domaine Thunevin Calvet 2020 L'Amourette ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 60% Mourvèdre , 40% Grenache Noir
Domaine Torredemer-Mangin 2022 Sinopia ... Better
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 100% Grenache Noir
Francois Lurton Mas Janeil 2020 Arrels ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 60 % grenache 20% carignan 10% syrah 10% mourvedre
Les Vignerons Des Côtes D'agly 2020 Vs ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 55% Grenache, 45% Syrah

Mas De La Deveze 2019 Tautavel ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 50 % Grenache Noir, 35 % Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre
Mas De La Deveze 2020 Maury Sec ... Good
- AOP Maury Sec 65% Grenache Noir, 27% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre
Mas De Lavail 2021 Ego ... Good
- AOP Maury Sec 80% Grenache Noir, 20 % Mourvèdre
Mas De Lavail 2021 Âme-Auriol ... Better
- AOP Maury Sec 70% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, 15 % Mourvèdre
Mas Karolina 2021 Mas Karolina ... Better
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages 50% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 20%  Carignan
Mas Karolina 2022 Mas Karolina ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 60% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 20% Carignan
Sas Jeff Carrel 2021 Grenache Under My Skin ... Better
- AOP Maury Sec 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Scea Mas Llossanes 2018 Dotrera ... Good
- IGP Côtes Catalanes 50% Carignan, 30% Chenanson, 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache
Sph Gerard Bertrand 2020 Héritage Tautavel  ... Good
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages Grenache, Carignan, Syrah