Italy
WHITE
| Inama Soave Classico 2010 . . . . . 12.79 90/100 - Our score. 90/100 - International Wine Cellar. "($15; 12% alcohol) Bright strawgreen. Floral, high-pitched aromas of stone fruits and fresh herbs on the clean, enticing nose. Shows very good balance and energy to its flavors of lemon icing, green apple, pear and herbs. Richer on the palate than I expected, with lovely concentration and length; this is a very serious entry-level Soave and one of the best versions from Inama in years. Very well done." |
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Bastianich
Friuliano 2009 . . . . . 13.79
91/100 - Our score.
This was the white wine of the day in one of our
recent marathon tasting sessions. From Lidia Bastianich (the
queen of Italian cooking) and her son Joseph,
this northeast Italian white shows tremendous
character. Floral aromatics lead to a rich body with
flavors of melon and baked apple and a crisp, dry,
refreshing finish. An absolute steal at $13.79, this
is much weightier and significantly more complex
than you'd expect for the price.
RED
Pico Maccario
"Berro"
Barbera d'Asti 2010 . . . . . 7.99
87/100 - Our score.
87/100 - Wine Advocate. "The 2010 Barbera d'Asti Berro is a fresh,
vinous wine meant for near-term drinking. Sweet red
strawberries, flowers and spices are some
of the nuances that emerge from this fleshy
Barbera. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014."
Palazzino
"Argenina"
Chianti Classico 2006 . . . . . 15.99
The Advocate gave this an 89-Point review way back in 2009, quoting
a price of $26. Over the past 2 1/2 years the wine has
developed nicely in the bottle - and the
price has come down nearly 40%!
90/100 - Our score.
89/100 - Wine Advocate. "The 2006 Chianti Classico Argenina is
especially beautiful in this vintage. Medium in body, the wine
reveals plenty of Sangiovese character in its red
cherries, tobacco, earthiness and flowers. The
ethereal, soft style makes this a very versatile
wine. Served slightly chilled it is perfect for the warm summer months.
This is a gorgeous, polished entry-level Chianti that continues to
improve in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012."
Felsina
"Berardenga"
Chianti Classico 2009 . . . . . 18.99
91/100, "Smart Buy" - Wine Spectator. "In a darker, balsamic vein,
this red evokes tar, black cherry, underbrush and tobacco flavors.
They're all held together by the dense, fine tannins. Oak spice
emerges on the taut finish. Best from 2014 through 2025."
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G.D. Vajra |
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Luigi Pira
"Margheria"
Barolo 2007 . . . . . 38.99
Typical retail on this one is $50. Looks like we've got the lowest
price in the country here!
94/100 - Wine Advocate. "This is a head-spinning set of wines
from Luigi Pira from top to bottom. I would be thrilled to drink any
of these wines any day of the week. As
always, Pira favors a style based on textural
richness. At their best, the wines show an equal
amount of elegance. The 2007 Barolo Margheria is superb. The
vintage has smoothed out some of the more angular contours this
wine tends to show when young, while not overpowering what
remains a structured expression of Nebbiolo. Sweet dark cherries,
tar, smoke, flowers, licorice and saline
notes wrap around a radiant, energetic finish
supported by plenty of grip. This is a fabulous wine
from Giampaolo Pira. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022."
NOT AVAILABLE IN FOREST PARK OR NAPERVILLE
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| Our Scoring Scale 96 -100 - Extraordinary 90 - 95 - Exceptional 85 - 89 - Above Average |
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| 84 and below - | You won't find it at the Wine Discount Center |