This Just In

The sun is out and the grill is calling your name.  Take some time, head over to Double D Meats and pick up a couple of New Yorks.  Start the grill on high and let it get nice and hot!!  Sprinkle some Vignalta salt on both sides of that beautiful cut of beef and set them on the grill.  After a quick sear...turn the gas down and pop the wine.  Here's what we have for you this month.

2009 Renzo Marinai Chianti Classico Riserva - Marinai Chianti Classico Riserva has a deep ruby red color, a harmonious perfume with a very pervasive, elegant and persistent bouquet; dry in the mouth, balanced and warm, with considerable body.  Try this with a roast, red meats and braised meats. 

2013 Agricola Matilde Bonarda Dell' Oltrepo Pavese - Martilde is the creation of Antonella Tacci and Raimondo Lombardi. In 1991 they left their life in Milan working for IBM to start a small winery in the hills of the Oltrepo Pavese in the northwest of Italy. Located in the the commune of Rovescala, long reputed the birthplace of the Bonarda * grape, the estate covers some 15 hectares. While Antonella and Raimondo pay particular attention to Bonarda, they make many types of wine, some traditional, others innovative. Their labels are delightfully whimsical paintings by Antonella, mainly of their beloved animals. In fact the winery itself is named after two of their cats, Martina and Matilde.

 

N.B. The Bonarda dell’Oltrepo Pavese is also known as Croatina, and is believed to be a different grape to the Bonarda Piemontese, which makes a lighter, more supple wine. The Croatina makes a deep-colored, fruity wine, often with some tannin and a slightly bitter finish. It can be a difficult grape as it is a late-ripener, and can vary enormously in crop size from year to year.

Small production of 2100 cases. Old vineyards with low yields (30 hl/ha), replaced vine by vine. A couple of new vineyards planted 5000 plants/hectare. Soil is clay with a little limestone (good for producing red grapes with high sugar levels). The rows between the vines are planted to grass, rather than ploughed, for maximal water management, and a degree of competition for the vines. Minimal treatments applied to the vines, and no pesticides, insecticides or chemical weedkillers. Besides the signature Bonarda (Croatina) and Barbera, Uva Rara and Pinot Noir are grown, as well as Malvasia and Riesling Italico. Vinifications vary with grape and vintage, but hew to the traditional.

2012 Godiolo Rosso di Montepulciano - With a blend of Prugnolo gentile 98%, Cannaiolo-Colorino 2%, this is one dirty old boy!  Dark fruit with some forest floor undertones.  Dirty dirty on the nose and palate so you'll need to give it some open air time.  The palate is pretty amazing with more dark fruit but with tannins and structure.  I love this wine.