Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/142283
Spotlight on Calabria From Puglia's Miali family, Firr Fiano 2011 Valle d'Itria is 100% Fiano Minutolo is made from hand-picked grapes. "This is a very special wine," said winemaker Marcello Miali. "We let it stay on yeast for a very long time, which makes for a much better white wine." Anthony Dias Blue loved the wine too: "Minerally and dense; strong, clean, long and lovely. 87 points." Jacapo Di Battista, owner of Azienda Agricola Querceto di Castellina, in the heart of Chianti, displays his Vigneto Belvedere 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva, which has a lovely, eye-catching label featuring 1940s-era cars. "I love cars," he said, "but I couldn't put a very modern car on the bottle because it is Chianti Classico—you have to have something more classic!" Anthony Dias Blue's Favorites at the Grand Tasting Beni di Batasiolo 2009 Barbaresco ($14) Juicy, pure and elegant; feminine and lovely; long and balanced. 91 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007 Riserva Zannz DOCG ($43) Rich, deep and complex; ripe and spicy; deep and gorgeous. 92 Tenuta Sette Ponti 2010 Crognolo ($45) Rich, deep, mouthfilling and concentrated; ripe plum and blackberry; long and intense. 91 Tenute del Cabreo 2008 Il Borgo ($45) Smooth, elegant and spicy with plum, raspberry and chocolate; lively and structured. 92 Dante Marramiero 2003 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($~200) Elegant and toasty with rich plum and spice; long and amazing for the vintage; deep, balanced and long. 93 Francesco Intorcia & Figli Intorcia Marsala Superiore ($14) Smooth, rancio and toasty; dense tawny style; complex and lovely. 92 Beni di Batasiolo 2009 Barbaresco ($33) Fresh and blanced; ripe and spicy; lovely. 92 Braschi 2011 Il Costone Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore ($20) Smooth, juicy, and ripe with spice and blackberry; tangy and long. 89 Cantine Viola 2010 Moscato Passito, Calabria ($67) Pure and toast; caramel, rich and long. 94 Coppo 2008 Pomorosso Barbaresco ($43) Rich and ripe; spicy, clean and juicy; toasty plum and spice; long and balanced. 91 Source of nearly 50 different wines poured at the Grand Tasting and the subject of an in-depth seminar led by Anthony Dias Blue, Calabria, the region known as the "toe" of the proverbial Italian boot, was one of the most strongly represented regions during Vino California. Calabrian wine is most strongly defined by Ciró, the quintessential hot-weather red and arguably the oldest wine in the world still produced today. Produced primarily from Gaglioppo, a native Italian varietal closely related to Sangiovese, Ciró is a wine to watch out for, according to Blue. "While these wines may be harder to find than your regular Tuscan Sangiovese, they are definitely different and testaments to the unique terroir of Southern Italy. Ciró's vineyards sit at fairly high altitudes with cold nights and soils comprised of a favorable mix of clay, sand and marl. Typically this would be the perfect environment for dense, dark, tannic reds, but instead, Ciró's wines tend to be lighter in color, often with tinges of orange due to oxidation. " Here are a few of Anthony Dias Blue's picks from Calabria: C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Ceraudo Roberto Dattilo 2009 Val di Neto Gaglioppo ($20) Rich and spicy; smooth and ripe with spice and lively acidity, blackberry and plum. 92 Petraro 2007 Val di Neto ($30) This 50/50 blend of Gaglioppo and Cabernet Sauvignon is deep and rich; ripe, complex and dense. It's a steal! 90 Statti Mantonico 2010 Calabria ($16) Spicy and deep; rich and long with lovely oak. 90 Cantine Viola 2009 Moscato Passito, Calabria ($67) Pure and toasty with lovely caramel; creamy, rich and long. 94 / the tasting panel / july 2013 TP0713_066-99.indd 94 6/24/13 5:49 PM