Posted on | March 24, 2014 | Written by Will Di Nunzio
This past Saturday was IWM’s Spring Wine Festival Mini-Grand Tasting. The Mini Grand tastings offer exceptional value; for $75 per ticket you get to enjoy about 20 wines from around the world (Italy, France, Spain and the Americas) and you get to snack on Chef Kevin’s selection of antipasti. This is probably my favorite IWM event to pour; it’s relaxed, entertaining and you meet so many great people. As I was at the Italy table (no surprise there), I wanted to share two wines that were the most popular.
Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici Riserva 2006 $49.99 Campania – Aglianico
Not commonly seen in most places and more so usually misunderstood, the Taurasi from Campania wine is usually a powerhouse of structure and boldness. Mastroberardino, an estate that has been producing wine since the 1870s, offers a slightly different rendition of this Taurasi that offers power, yes, but elegance and longevity—especially in this vintage. Mineral notes, some funkiness on the nose due to volcanic soils and a lean and balanced flavor on the palate is what kept our customers coming back and asking for more on Saturday. Very hard to beat for the money and not your average wine.
Cupano Brunello di Montalcino 2007
$129 Toscana – Sangiovese Grosso
You’ve likely been seeing the great wines of Cupano, and it’s not by accident. Cupano is an incredible estate whose wines are beautifully balanced and extremely well made, but this high quality, like most of the best wines, speaks volumes about its vineyard. It is said, and some may argue, that Cupano has the best soils in all of Montalcino, why? Drainage, plain and simply. This is one of the few places you will find large river rocks embedded in the soil that allow any rain to dry up fairly quickly. Drainage gives the vines the correct amount of water. avoiding any watering down of the grapes thus maintaining concentration. This rich, delicious, balanced and extremely drinkable Brunello was the hit for the Italian table. Definitely something to pick up.
SOURCE: http://www.insideiwm.com/2014/03/24/expert-picks-mastroberardino-and-cupano/
Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici Riserva 2006 $49.99 Campania – Aglianico
Not commonly seen in most places and more so usually misunderstood, the Taurasi from Campania wine is usually a powerhouse of structure and boldness. Mastroberardino, an estate that has been producing wine since the 1870s, offers a slightly different rendition of this Taurasi that offers power, yes, but elegance and longevity—especially in this vintage. Mineral notes, some funkiness on the nose due to volcanic soils and a lean and balanced flavor on the palate is what kept our customers coming back and asking for more on Saturday. Very hard to beat for the money and not your average wine.
Cupano Brunello di Montalcino 2007
$129 Toscana – Sangiovese Grosso
You’ve likely been seeing the great wines of Cupano, and it’s not by accident. Cupano is an incredible estate whose wines are beautifully balanced and extremely well made, but this high quality, like most of the best wines, speaks volumes about its vineyard. It is said, and some may argue, that Cupano has the best soils in all of Montalcino, why? Drainage, plain and simply. This is one of the few places you will find large river rocks embedded in the soil that allow any rain to dry up fairly quickly. Drainage gives the vines the correct amount of water. avoiding any watering down of the grapes thus maintaining concentration. This rich, delicious, balanced and extremely drinkable Brunello was the hit for the Italian table. Definitely something to pick up.
SOURCE: http://www.insideiwm.com/2014/03/24/expert-picks-mastroberardino-and-cupano/
