Italy is split up into twenty principal wine regions with each one producing many diverse and alluring wines. Italy’s vineyards are home to some two thousand grape varieties, but for the most part, the countries more popular wines are made from Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Montepulciano. However, more recently French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay have found themselves at home in Italian vineyards. “Viva Italia” will put some of these captivating wines onto the shelves for the March 19th Vintages release. Also featured are some unique wines from Israel in the “Passover Perfect” segment that are worth exploring.

324160 NOZZOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2011 Tuscany $19.95
Dusty with lots of cave air, sweet red fruit, strawberry, dried shitake and cinnamon aromas. Quite chewy on the palate, where redcurrant comes forth, with cocoa and mocha on the finish. Find this wine

722470 ORNELLAIA 2012 Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany $195.95
Not much has changed since I last reviewed this wine in November of 2015. It is still very tight, but it is showing more dark fruit, the violet aroma is more pronounced and mineral and slate aromas are abundant. Plum, blackcurrant and blackberry liqueur appear on the palate, but the prickly tannins seem to propagate the longer the wine sits in the glass. It is still chewy, laden with dark berries, dusty chocolate and pure goodness. A long way from being even remotely ready to drink though. Find this wine

396382 ZACCAGNINI DAL TRALCETTO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2013 Abruzzo $19.95
Blueberry and blackberry aromas combine nicely with hints of caramel, nougat, sweet spice and coffee grounds. The palate carries some sweetness, and the caramel and stewed fruit flavours are interesting. A touch of chocolate on the finish. Find this wine

958595 GIUSEPPE QUINTARELLI ROSSO CA’ DEL MERLO 2007 Veneto $99.95
Giuseppe Quintarelli’s Rosso Ca’ Del Merlo has wonderful aromas of pine cone, forest floor, underbrush, tomato leaf, road tar, bacon and fruit nuances of plum, blueberry and black raspberry. Impeccably balanced palate, where red fruit leaps around; still some tannin, but it is soft and starting to integrate nicely. Find this wine

268516 CASCINA DARDI BUSSIA BAROLO 2010, Piedmont $49.95
The aromas of this wine at first are notably of cinnamon, anise, Moroccan spice and marzipan. Slowly black cherry and redcurrant start to surface. There is a slight effervescent feel to the palate. It has plenty of nice red fruit, but the tannins are gripping. Red candy and cinnamon heart notes on the finish. Find this wine

437053 CANTINA DEL NEBBIOLO BARBARESCO 2012, Piedmont $27.95
Pretty floral aromas backed by notes of candle wax, anise, lamp oil, plasticine, red currant and rhubarb. Good structure on the palate, where the red fruits do shine; there is a little sweetness and the tannin is quite aggressive at this stage. A bargain basement Barberesco for sure. Find this wine

434274 MASSERIA SURANI HERACLES PRIMITIVO 2013 Puglia $17.95
Heady aromas of black treacle and, molasses are followed by scents of hay, licorice root, forest floor and composting leaves. Then comes the fruit, ripe and brazen, which carries through onto the palate. No overly sweet notes, good acidity and superbly balanced. Find this wine

270272 ANTICHI PODERI JERZU CHUÈRRA RISERVA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2011, Sardinia $17.95
Perfumed, sweet spice, clove, biscotti and tar. Plenty of juicy black fruit and red currant flavours. Pleasing acidity and decent length to the finish. Incidentally, wine produced from Cannonau grapes in Sardinia have shown to contain higher levels of resveratrol. So, much like Guinness, this is good for you! Find this wine

085167 FRASCOLE CHIANTI RUFINA 2012, Tuscany $17.95
An interesting wine that is brimming with mocha, cola, anise cherry and pine cone. However, the palate is tight, tart, moderately aggressive and bitter. Find this wine

113357 DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008, Tuscany $44.95
Quite funky, earthy aromas with ripe red berry, blackberry, caramel and crème brulee. Lively palate, fruit laden and juicy, with an odd taste of red apple skin, and super long flavour of red cherry on the finish. Find this wine

566216 LA BRACCESCA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2012, Tuscany $24.95
Sangiovese and 10% Merlot make up this tasty little gem that’s laden with black cherry, black raspberry, mint and balsa. Sour cherry with a meaty note, good acidity and silky tannin. Find this wine

363382 MUSELLA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2010, Veneto $56.95
Layer after layer of blackcurrant, black cherry, plum, marzipan and lavender. Strong presence of bright dark fruit on the palate enhanced by couveture chocolate and cake spice. Solid, but need some times as the tannins are destined to hang around for a while. Find this wine

438481 FARINA APPASSILENTO 2013 Rosso del Veneto $15.95
Interesting wine that has been aged in Slavonian oak using partially dried
grapes. It gives out whiffs of mocha, dried strawberry, black cherry, clay, and cinnamon. Plenty of sweet ripe red fruit; well balanced, simple, but tasty. Find this wine

PASSOVER PERFECT WINE FROM ISRAEL

356683 RECANATI DAVID VINEYARD RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Upper Galilee $42.95
Charry and toasty, with intense layers of blackberry, fresh flowers and thyme. Lovely mouth feel, brimming with flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, black salt, licorice and cocoa. Find this wine

157206 SEGAL’S MERLOT/CABERNET FRANC/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 Galilee Heights $24.95
Powerful blast of dark fruit supported by tiers of tar, treacle, forest floor and Moroccan spice. Super ripeness on the palate, offering dark fruit enhanced with mint and a pleasing creamy texture. Find this wine

325746 TEPERBERG VISION CABERNET SAUVIGNON/PETITE SIRAH 2014 Samson $19.95
Dusty, showing caramel, sweet spice, coffee grounds, damp grass and hay. Cooked dark fruit coulis, caramel and stewed fruit on the palate. There is astringency on the finish. Find this wine

FRANCE

447219 DOMAINE DES NUGUES FLEURIE 2013 $24.95
Aromas of roasted red pepper, mocha, black raspberry, brick, mineral and ground pepper. Pleasing mix of red currant, stewed rhubarb and plum on the palate. Clean acidity, some tannins upfront, but drinking nicely. Find this wine

309260 LE GRAVILLAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES SÉGURET 2014 $16.95
Lots of blackberry abetted by notes of smoke, tar, cured meat, thyme and black pepper. Surprisingly lighter palate than the aromas proposed, but it is well balanced, has clean cherry fruit and minimal tannins. Find this wine

Cheers,
CZ

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