...6 of us blind tasted 6 sangioveses. Low points wins.
6. 2014 Nozzole Chianti Classico Reserva $20 - 30pts - 2 lasts (my last) - not much fruit, a little astringent.
3 way tie for next place.
5/4/3. 2015 Di Majo Melise, Italy $9 - 23pts - 1 last - again, not much fruit.
5/4/3. 2015 L'aura Chianti Classico $17 - 23pts - 1 first - I thought this was ok and would be good with food
5/4/3. 2016 Macchia Lodi $24 - 23pts - 2 firsts, 3 lasts - this started out as a fruit bomb but the fruit dissipated a little over time and it improved some - one taster said it had no sangiovese flavor.
2. 2014 Noceto Rosso Amador $20 - 15pts - 1 first (my #2) - started off good and stayed that way
3. 2014 Noceto Riserva Amador $24 - 12pts - 2 firsts (my #1)- really nice balance of fruit and complexity
Interesting that the California wines were mostly better than the Italians. The wines changed quite a bit over the hour or so of tasting.
The Macchia (promoted by Total Wines) was the most controversial.
Two members of the group were in Amador last month to pick up their Turley wines and stopped by Noceto to try their sangioveses - which turned out to be the favorites by a wide point margin. Unfortunately, they appear to be only available at the winery.
