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Village Wine Cellar Features!
Notable Italian Reds

2007 Zenato, Ripassa Valpolicella Classico; $31.50: The deep ruby red color of the Ripassa, and the intense yet fine aromas come from the mixture of grapes. It is full bodied, harmonic, and velvety on the palate. Recommended with grilled meat dishes, Ripassa is excellent with rabbit casserole.
2001 Castello di Farnetella, Poggio Granoni, IGT, Tuscany; $29.00: A SuperTuscan Blend which refers to wines which feature a significant Sangiovese component combined with grapes not traditionally associated with Italy like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. This separates it from "Sangiovese blend" which is used for wines which are predominantly Sangiovese and combined with traditional Italian varieties.

2001 Fattoria de Felsina, Chianti Classico, Rancia Riserva, 91 pts., Parker; $43.00: The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia, as always, is the exact opposite in texture, silky and smooth, savory in flavor, and with plenty of tarry red berry fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and length on the finish. Drink: 2006-2016.
2005 Fattoria de Felsina, Chianti Classico, Rancia Riserva, 92 pts., Parker; $43.00: The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is a beautifully fresh, perfumed version of this wine. It reveals a lovely core of ripe red fruit intermingled with sweet toasted oak and a winsome, attractive personality. Although the 2005 shows outstanding balance, clarity and finesse for the vintage, it remains relatively small-scaled Rancia. Still, its notable freshness should allow it to age gracefully for a decade or so. I would purchase the 2005 to drink over the mid-term, while waiting for the superlative 2004 to come around. Anticipated maturity: 2010-20.
2001 Fattoria di Felsina, Chianti Classico, Rancia Riserva, 1.5 Litre, 91 pts., Parker; $100.00: Same as the 2001 above in a 1.5 Litre.
2005 Casanova di Neri, Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Nova, 93 pts., Parker; $76.00: The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is quite a bit darker and richer than the straight Brunello. Cherries, plums, spices and French oak meld together beautifully in this silky, textured red. In 2005 the Tenuta Nuova boasts fabulous overall balance in a fairly restrained style for this bottling. Kirsch, roses and spices linger on the dark, enveloping finish. This is a terrific effort from Casanova di Neri. The Tenuta Nuova is made from vineyards in Le Cetine and Pietradonice, both located in the southern part of Montalcino. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.
2004 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Paganelli Riserva, 96 pts., Parker; $97.50: The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli emerges from the glass with masses of scorched earth, leather, tar, licorice, menthol and dark fruit. The Riserva shows a touch more inner sweetness, richness and depth in its fruit than the regular bottling, plus a bit more French oak as well. For now, the Riserva is quite reticent and requires air, but with time its awesome richness and power come through in spades. This dark, brooding and authoritative Riserva from Il Poggione is simply gorgeous. Readers who don't want to pay the premium for the Riserva in 2004 need not worry; I tasted the 2004 regular bottling (twice!) while preparing this article and it is every bit as promising as my review last year suggested. In 2004 the Paganelli vineyard was harvested on the 13th of October, quite late for this estate. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.
2004 Pira, Barola, Boschis Cannubi, Piedmonte, 1.5 Litre, 95 pts., Parker; $195.00: The 2004 Barolo Cannubi possesses superb depth, clarity and inner perfume, with layers of fruit, sweet spices and menthol that develop in the glass as this magical wine gradually reveals its sublime personality and remarkable texture. Well-integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins and a finish that lasts forever round out this beautiful wine, which was simply stunning on both occasions I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.

Prices are subject to change without notice