THE PACKAGE AND AN ODD MOVIE REFERENCE

Good friend and regional sales manager Rudy from Vias Imports swung by on his way back from Louisville to drop off a few samples. It was Friday and utter pandemonium, but I managed to squeeze them in after rounds (not sure if they had been opened earlier in the day or the previous day):

Torre di Luna Chardonnay della Venezie 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Though I am not a huge fan of Italian Chardonnay, this one was a nice, easy-drinking Chard with some tart green apple, some minerality and hints of nectarine and Clementine.

Cantele Negroamaro Rosato Salento 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Bright and lively notes of strawberry and cherry. Nice acidty too.

Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne 2004. Grade=Outstanding. Intense aromas of vanilla and licorice with loads of juicy red berry fruits, fleshy tannins and a dry yet velvety finish. Probably could go for a few more years in the cellar but opening up nicely.

Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2005. Grade=Amazing. Very powerful with big notes of blackberry, black currant, black truffle, Black No. 1 – it’s really dark and brooding. I don’t get to taste Brunello as often as I’d like but it’s funny how much bigger Brunello is compared to Chianti. Like Chianti is little Sangiovese and Brunello is big Sangiovese. Picture actors Paul Williams and Pat McCormack in “Smokey and The Bandit” (Little Enos and Big Enos for those of you too young to remember that one).