| I think that this wine's name, Vino Nobile di | | | | mature 3-5+ years. If you wish to enjoy it tonight, |
| Montepulciano, is exciting in itself, but perhaps it's just a | | | | decant it two hours in advance and bring on the rare |
| case of marketing hype. The Lodola Nuova estate | | | | meat dishes. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2009) And now |
| property has records going back to the mid Thirteenth | | | | for my review. |
| Century. It has been producing wine since 1452 if not | | | | When I first tasted this wine I found a good balance |
| longer. Its major vineyard is 87 hectares (about 215 | | | | between its acidity and tannins. It was woody, but on |
| acres) near the medieval village of Valiano. The | | | | the downside was somewhat grapey. I first paired it |
| property was purchased by the major Tuscany | | | | alongside a lasagna without cheese made with a |
| Ruffino winery about twenty years ago. Vino Nobile di | | | | moderately spicy salsa. I tasted dark chocolate. This |
| Montepulciano is a well-known Tuscan red produced | | | | wine was powerful. The more I drank the more I liked |
| from the Prugnolo Gentile version of the Sangiovese | | | | it. It was very round. A liberal dousing of Louisiana |
| grape. It is one of the Tuscany Big Three, Chianti | | | | cayenne pepper sauce brought out the red berries. |
| Classico, Vino Nobile, and Brunello de Montalcino. Some | | | | The second meal was a slow cooked London Broil |
| say that it's a neglected middle child. | | | | steak accompanied by potato patties and green |
| Before reviewing this middle child, here are a few | | | | beans, all cooked together. This Vino Nobile was very |
| suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines | | | | long and had lots of stuff in it. The wine was almost |
| when touring this beautiful region. Start with Acciughe | | | | chewy and tasted of chocolate and leather. Once |
| sotto Pesto (Anchovies with Pesto). As the second | | | | again I noted the great balance between the tannins |
| course try Stracotto nel Brunello (Braised Beef cooked | | | | and the acidity. This time adding Louisiana cayenne |
| with Beans in Brunello wine). For dessert indulge | | | | pepper sauce seemed to have no effect. With a palm |
| yourself with Cavallucci (Biscuits with caramelized | | | | heart, green pimento, olive, canned corn, and chickpeas |
| sugar, nuts, candied oranges, and anise). I don't think | | | | salad the wine had chocolate and a good length. |
| that I have to tell you about all the tourist attractions in | | | | My final meal included meatballs, rice, and a side of |
| this part of Tuscany. Why not compare the towns of | | | | zucchini and chickpeas cooked in a ground tomato |
| Montepulciano and Montalcino as you are comparing | | | | sauce. Even with the plebian meatballs the wine was |
| their wines? | | | | subtle and multilayered. Once again I noticed the |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste | | | | balance and chocolate. With the veggies the |
| and review are purchased at the full retail price. | | | | predominant characteristic was its great length. |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | When it faced a Swiss cheese this Prugnolo Gentile |
| Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | | | | was long and balanced. In the presence of whipped |
| 2006 13.5% alcohol about $22 | | | | cream cheese, it was somewhat muted, but still had |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. Tasting | | | | good length. I added some smoked salmon and things |
| Note: An impressive Sangiovese-based wine with dark | | | | remained the same. |
| chocolate, raspberry, spice and smoked meat aromas. | | | | Final verdict. There is no question about it. I would buy |
| Dry with lots of fruit surrounded by a good, firm tannic | | | | this wine again and again. I think that it competes well |
| grip. The finish is long and balanced. This is a great | | | | with other wines costing quite a bit more. This middle |
| value-priced wine to add to your cellar. It will gracefully | | | | child has succeeded in my book. |