Italian Wine & Opera Tasting Event

438 Union Place,Excelsior MN 55331

08 October, 2022

Description

8th Annual Italian Wine & OperaFeaturing Twenty One Italian WinesSaturday, October 8, 3-5 pm (open house), Wine Republic Event Space Tickets: $20, wine club members | $35 non-members
 Light bites included. Tenuta Talamonti Lume Trebbiano, 2021 
Talamonti is a private winery started in 2001 to exploit the unrealized potential of the Abruzzo region and is based in the north of the region. Light fruity white fresh wine. The wine has a light straw color with an aroma and taste of ripe apples and peaches, the taste is also complemented by a pleasant acidity. It is light, fresh, with a typical mild acidity in a medium-long finish. Tenuta Talamonti Kudos, 2019 
Ripe cherry and raspberry-jam aromas are clean and lifted on the nose, with warm spices chiming in. This is light and juicy in feel, offering tasty red fruit alongside vanilla and anise. It’s simple and straightforward, but many will find enjoyment in its mix of fruit and sweet spices.  Barbera d'Asti 'Leradici' Mauro Molino, 2020
 The estate’s 12 hectares cover exceptional terroirs, with vines that are entirely dedicated to the Nebbiolo and Barbera grape varieties at the heart of The Langhe, in Italy. The outstanding La Radici vineyard is spread across the foot of Château de Burio in the Costigliole commune, an area particularly suited to the production of Barbera d’Asti. The soil is influenced by clay and limestone. Barbera d’Asti Le Radici embodies a real return to the roots, beauty and uniqueness of the hills of Montferrat, where the grandfather of the estate’s current owner was born. The aromatic bouquet reveals nuances of cherry and red fruit, which harmonize perfectly with spicy and floral touches. A wine with an excellent structure and a delightful complexity. Its softness and velvety tannins extend up to the persistent finish. Mauro Molino Barolo, 2018
 An intense bouquet with hints of ripe fruit and rose petals. Persistent in taste, thanks to its fine and enveloping tannins that give an elegant pleasantness to this wine. Critical Acclaim Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 92 Points 
The 2018 Barolo is a lean and lively expression with wild cherry, licorice, rose water and crushed stone. Made from a blend of fruit from Annunziata and Berri in La Morra and Perno in Monforte d’Alba, this is a classic, lean-bodied Nebbiolo with an elegant close. James Suckling, 91 Points 
This needs plenty of air to lose the immediate, bland fruit-toffee notes and reveal some more delicate red-berry, cherry and rose aromas that follow through to the medium-bodied palate, where some fine tannin takes a hold on the fruit and provides a decent, spicy fruit finish. Give it a year. Best after 2023. Tamburini Italo Riserva, 2018 
Blend of 90% Sangiovese plus 10% grape varieties native to the Chianti area including colorino and canaiolo. Italo Riserva harkens back to those old-style Chiantis that once graced the checkered tabletops of your childhood Italian restaurant. Intense, spicy bouquet, soft and elegant, with notes of violets, red fruits and marasca cherry. Well-bodied and balanced on the palate, the soft, balanced tannins offering perfect acidity. Tamburini Toscana Sangiovese Il Massiccio, 2017
 Dark ruby red in color. On the nose are aromas of rich cherries, juicy plums, violets, and a savory dried tomato note. The palate is powerful with ripe fruit complemented by a fine savoriness and hearty tannins on a fresh finish. Il Farneto Frisant Bianco, 2021
 Blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Spergola. “Golden yellow color with yeasts in suspension, citrus fruits and flowers flavor, glycerol roundness on the tongue, acidic and mineral ending that calls for another sip.” Lively, fresh, easy drinking and refreshing. Organic/Biodynamic, Unfiltered/Unfined Alessandro Viola Rosato, 2021
Rosato 2021 by Sicilian wine master Alessandro Viola, is a rosé natural wine made from 100% Nero d’Avola grapes farmed organically under the appellation Terre Siciliane IGT. Alessandro Viola adopts a non-interventionist winemaking approach: spontaneous fermentation with native yeast, unfiltered, unfined, no added sulfites. Dark pink shade. A fresh, aromatic rosato bursting with flavors of fresh raspberries. Redentore Refosco, 2019
 “The Redentore Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso comes from the ‘second label’ of the De Stefani estate. Created in the same natural style as the flagship wines from the property, the Redentore line takes advantage of some of the younger vines (15 years) that will someday produce the exceptional De Stefani wines. This wine takes advantage of the incredible indigenous varietal of the area known as Refosco. A red grape that has structure and grip, yet is complimented with a soft and aromatic fruit character. After a soft pressing, the wine is fermented and then aged in both new and used oak barrels for one year before being bottled. A classy red wine that offers plenty of complexity and acid to stand up to rustic Italian fare and meat dishes.” Barbacan “Rosso di Valtellina” 2020  
The Rosso di Valtellina Doc by Barbacan is a light red wine characterized by good freshness. Intense notes of crispy red fruit and small red fruits prevail on the nose. It is produced with grapes harvested exclusively by hand; fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grape skins in stainless steel containers, then the refinement follows. Finally we move on to the bottling phase, which takes place without filtration. 
Podere Fornacella Rosso di Montalcino, 2020
 Tuscan red comes from a pure expression of the Prince of Tuscany Sangiovese biotype “Grosso” grape variety, the typical biotype of the winemaking tradition of the Montalcino area. The grapes are obtained from a Valoritalia certified organic viticulture, at altitudes ranging from 250 to 400 meters above sea level, with a soil with the presence in part of sandstones and sandy parts with the presence of galestro, and an exposure to the south and southeast. Barone Pizzini Animante Franciacorta Extra Brut (NV)
 Straw yellow in color, with notes of flowers, citrus, acacia honey, apricot and dried fruit. It represents the soul of Barone Pizzini because it embodies the living nature of its vineyards. It’s the crowning achievement of a long process of pioneering renewal that led Barone Pizzini to become the first organic grower and winemaker in Franciacorta. Agricola Brandini Langhe Arneis, 2021 
Intense, fresh with citrus notes and sensations of aromatic herbs. Balanced, fresh, with good acidity and sapid feeling. The white wine of the Piedmontese tradition, a glass full of freshness and simplicity that can be matched with aperitifs, lunches, dinners and even some breakfast! Its structure, fermenting in stainless steel tanks and aging in bottle, is very fine and elegant. Altesino Brunello di Montalcino, 2017 
Brilliant ruby-red color, this classic Rosso offers sumptuous aromas of ripened blackberries and dark cherries. On the palate, the wine is generously well-rounded and rich with fruit-forward notes complimented by hints of leather and mesquite. Critical Acclaim James Suckling, 95 Points
 A concentrated bead of blackberries and minerals pervades the nose and palate. Medium-to full-bodied with well-integrated tannins and a balanced finish. Tight and very focused. Classic Brunello for the vintage. Best from 2023. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 Points
The Altesino 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is ripe and round with lots of pretty textural richness and juicy fruit flavors. These qualities tie in nicely with the character of the vintage that saw long and hot summer days. Dark fruit, plum and blackcurrant pave the way for savory spice, tobacco and limestone. The effect is soothing and rich, and the wine remains perfumed and silky to the end. The tannins are well managed in this hot-vintage wine. Best after 2024. Wine Spectator, 92 Points
 Blackberry, black cherry, iron and loam aromas and flavors are the highlights of this firmly-structured red. Fresh, picking up rosemary and oak spice accents on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. 11,600 cases made, 3,500 cases imported. Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points 
Inviting aromas of ripe plum, violet, baking spice and leather waft out of the glass. Full-bodied and dense, the approachable palate features fleshy black cherry, star anise and mocha while velvety tannins provide gentle support. It's already ready, so drink soon. Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso, 2020
 Grattamacco was founded in 1977 and was the second winery of the Bolgheri appellation, following Sassicaia. Grattamacco has lead the region in environmentally responsible farming. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese. The nose is a combo of dark fruits and chocolate with notes of plum and black currants, elegant and full with a fresh balsamic finish given by the Sangiovese. A dense and powerful wine with ripe tannins, juicy and rich with a striking structure. Agricola Brandini Moscato d'Asti, 2021
 100% Moscato, the nose immediately recalls the grapes from which it is produced with notes of ripe white peach, honey and wild flowers. Dense and full, perfectly balanced by the acidity typical of this wine. It recalls the hints of ripe grapes and ends with a good persistence. The sweet wine par excellence, with a slight degree of alcohol is perfect to accompany the end of meals. Aromas of fruit and flowers envelop the nose and the palate. Cottanera Etna Barbazzale Bianco, 2020 
Barbazzale Bianco Sicilia is a straw-colored wine with greenish reflections. As is characteristic of Catarratto wines, Barbazzale Bianco exhibits a pleasant freshness with delicate floral perfumes of wisteria and Scotch broom on a saline backdrop. On the palate, it is fresh and sapid. Barbazzale is the name of the “contrada,” or wine district, in which the grapes are planted in the volcanic soil of Mt. Etna, lending a remarkable minerality to the wine. 
Enzo Boglietti Langhe Chardonnay, 2019
 Brilliant straw-colored white wine with golden highlights. Intense floral aromas of yellow fruit and citrus fruits. The palate is finely structured and enveloping with a persistent, dry finish, supported by a pleasant acidity. Chardonnay of great freshness and complexity. Aging 6 months, 80% in steel, 20% in barriques. Fratelli Revello Barbera d’Alba, 2021 
The philosophy behind the production of our wines starts with the assumption that a great wine is made in the vineyard. This is why we personally devote meticulous care and attention to our vineyards, with constant respect for nature, as a sign of gratitude for the gifts it gives us. 100% Barbera from almost 30-yr old vines. Ruby red with purple reflections. The nose is vinous, intense, violet and graphite notes. Full in the mouth, well structured, supple, fresh, intense. Tenuta Santa Maria Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, 2018 
 The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore is wildly spicy with a sour citrus twang contrasting rich cherry-berry fruits. It’s a juicy, high-energy effort, with vibrant shades of red offset by tactile minerality and brisk acids. Long and full of character, this leans more toward blue and purple fruits throughout the finale. This is quite a complex wine that’s delicious now but will continue to improve. La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo, 2019
 It is evident that this wine is a blend of Nebbiolo from Spinetta’s 3 Barbaresco vineyards in Neive. The nose is broad and penetrating, with hints of fresh fruits, violets, and roses. Meanwhile, in the mouth it begins with a soft entrance, followed by gentle but persistent tannins.
 Critical Acclaim
 James Suckling, 90 Points
Fresh and floral with cherries and nuts on the nose and palate. Medium to light body. Crisp finish. Reservations Required.