Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Report from ... Lombardy in Toronto - July 10, 2014

A special tasting of some wines from the Lombardy region of Italy, held at the
Gardner Museum in Toronto.  Here's a look at the best of a small grouping:
San Michele ai Pianoni 2006 Profondo di San Michele
with 24 months in oak and a three grape blend, including Croatina, Barbera and
Vespolina ... black cherry dominated with other dark fruits, spice, vanilla,
and gentle tannins - a real pleasure (****)
Tenuta Fornace 2009 Bonarda
Lots of cherry and strawberry notes - this one is fruity and juicy (*** 1/2+)
Calatroni Perorossino
It's a kitchen sink blend of 70 year old vines including Barbera, Bonardo, Uva Rara,
Moradella, and at least three others ... great concentration of flavour, very fruit
forward with anise and blackberry on the finish (****)
Gravanago di Goggi Paolo 2012 Moscato Vigna dal Porti
At only 4.5% alcohol this is a light weight, but so pretty on both the nose and palate:
sweet pineapple, pear and tropical notes are all balanced by lovely acidity
which is used as a counter-balance - a sip all afternoon kinda wine (****)
Azienda Agricola Montelio 2011 Oltrepo Pavese Rosso
A red blend made from Croatina, Uva Rara and Barbera;
resulting in a wine based on nicely spiced red berries (*** 1/2+)
Azienda Agricola Ca di Frara 2013 Pinot Grigio
Grigio are a dime a dozen in Italy, but this one has a lovely,
palateable mix of apple and citrus pith (*** 1/2+) 

Thanks to the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Ontario for putting this tasting together.


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