Young Winos of LA

Y’know how every week we tell people, “don’t forget, instead of bringing a bottle you can always bring a $10 donation so that the Winos actually have some money to keep things running, ” and no one ever does? Of course, the one week that I bring $10 instead of wine (first time ever), four other people decide to do it too — and this is in a meeting of eight. Faced with the prospect of only tasting three bottles and leaving thirsty, we gave Joe $40 of the $50 we earned and sent him out to buy more. Here’s what we ended up with:

Tenura delle Terre Nere (rosé)
Vintage: 2006
Price: $15

Pigmentation: a really unique pink/amber look on this one, rust near the edges, looked almost like a beer
Nose: red berry notes, particularly cherry and strawberry, some cranberry, some syrupy almost Jolly Rancher character to it

Palette: tons of acidity immediately apparent on the back end, a strong orange juice component, lemon juice… but for all the acidity, it had a really pronounced medium or almost full body, with a creamy/syrupy texture
Consensus: mixed response, with many finding the acidity too much to handle. Jesse enjoyed, as did Andrew, who called it the best rosé he’s had.

Andrew: Yeah, I’d buy it if I had to buy a rosé. But I don’t.
Jordan: What about, y’know, hot days, or the beach…
Andrew: Ok, hot days? First of all, I don’t go to the beach. And picnics? Who the fuck picnics?

Fattoria Nicodemi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Vintage: 2006
Price: $18

Nose: initial notes of sweat and dirty socks were universally reviled, but that funk shook off with a little swirling, revealing earthy blueberry notes
Palette: smoke, some nice acidity, powdery tannins, and nice ripe plum. No finish to speak of, but the palette itself was well-received.
Consensus: Nick didn’t mind the lack of a finish because he was impressed enough with the mouthfeel; others would’ve bought again if only there was more going on in the back end.

Ruffino Il Docale, Toscana
Vintage: 2003
Price: $15

Nose: fruit all around. Jesse got horse/stable characteristics. Jordan insisted on sandalwood. Noah got grass, and Jason got big floral.
Palette: that classic Italian “light body with high tannin” combo was there, which many found off-putting. Decent fruit: cranberry, currants, unripe cherry. Bittersweet dark chocolate.
Consensus: the bottle promised “a lush, modern, fruit-driven style,” but there was nothing lush about this one. Jason acknowledged that it wasn’t unpleasant, “but I can buy the Protocolo for six bucks.

Villa Antonori, Toscana
Vintage: 2003
Price: $20

Varietals: 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cab, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah
Nose: nice big fruit, dark cherries, chocolate, mint, cinnamon. Jesse pulled some cantaloupe out of there and Noah got on board.
Palette: decent fruit, but no sense of balance at first. Mellows out eventually to hint at the notes in the opulent nose.
Consensus: Jason was “confused” by this wine… good fruit on the front, then crazy flavors all over the place, before it eventually calmed down. Overall pass.