Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113109
SPEED TASTING REPORT REVEAL #9 Ferrari-Carano 2010 Siena, Sonoma County ($25) T aking his inspiration from Tuscany, winemaker Aaron Piotter strives to produce wines with Italian character and a Californian soul. The 2010 Siena is a blend of primarily Sangiovese (74%) with a sprinkling of Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit is sourced from family-owned and -farmed mountainside (Geyserville) and valley loor vineyards in the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. Each vineyard gives unique qualities to the blend and adds to the complexity of the inished wine. Great care is taken throughout each step of the winemaking process by Ferrari-Carano���s dedicated red-wine winemaker Aaron Piotter, from handpicking the grapes to aging the inished wine in subterranean caves. It is a spirited wine with a nose redolent of ripe blackberries and sweet vanilla spice Michael Hurst and Michael and a palate full of fresh cherries and tart cranberries Harley from Ferrari-Carano. with hints of clove and cinnamon. Our Panel���s Notes: ���Ripe! Sweet dark chocolate, blueberry, anise and peppermint create a full palate and the lavors persist to its long inish. Earthiness and a garden of violets also set the stage for this lengthy red.��� ���Chris Bradford ���Refreshing, soft tannins and generously fruity. The violets and plums are balanced with the vanilla oak notes and a smoky pepper wafts in mid-palate.��� ���Paul Sanguinetti REVEAL #10 CastelGiocondo 2007 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG ($75) L amberto Frescobaldi is the 30th-generation winemaker of Italy���s illustrious Frescobaldi family. With 800 years of experience behind them, the Frescobaldi expertise is coolly evident in their 2007 CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino. Frescobaldi���s 225 acres of vines in Montalcino are on rolling hills of galestro soil. The fruit is harvested from lowest to highest elevation, ranging from 656 to 1476 feet respectively. The 100% Sangiovese is matured for a minimum of two years in oak and six months in bottle. The wine is a deep ruby color with soft notes of dark fruit, spicy oak, vanilla and bittersweet chocolate. With high acidity and strong tannins, this wine beneits from aging and can easily keep for 10 to 15 years. Folio Fine Wine Partners Patti Signorile, Market Our Panel���s Notes: ���With its nose of grilled beef and a mouthful of Manager, Folio Fine dried blackberries, espresso and bittersweet chocolate, the big powWine Partners. erful tannins can be tamed with the right cuisine.��� ���Meridith May ���Complex, bold character with a round-up of eucalyptus, cranberry, red cherry that merges with good acidity and weight. Oak and cedar-tinged inish is pleasant and spiked with tobacco and leather.��� ���Chris Bradford Special thanks to our host: Chris Bradford, Wine Director, Culina Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. march 2013 / the tasting panel / 131