Terralsole Brunello wine tasting April 23, 2008

The Time and Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Event: Wine tasting with Mario Bollag of Terralsole (Brunello)

The Venue: Grange Wine Bar, Bloor West Village.

The Target Audience: restaurants, wine media.

The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available from the agent, Vinoallegro Wine Imports. About a dozen wines were shown, five from Terralsole and the balance from Vinoallegro's growing portfolio.

The Quote: "Terralsole wines are sustainable and mostly organic". Mario Bollag began the winery in 1992. Beginning in 1996 he has planted syrah, cabernet franc (he produces the only cabernet franc in Montalcino), and merlot. The merlot below is his first vintage from that varietal: he waited nine years for the grapes to come along.

The Wines: licensee prices.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Terralsole Rosso di Montalcino 2005 $33

-Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino 2003 $75

-Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino 2001 $75

-Terralsole Coldoro Merlot 2005 $57 - Pomerolish

-Terralsole Solista SDyrah 2005 $71 – Rhonish

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Line Shack Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $18.95

-Cantina Breganze Prosecco-Marzemino Rosato Veneto $17.95

-Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino 2002 $75

-Terralsole Pasticcio 2005 (55 cab franc/30 merlot/15 sangiovese) $77 supertuscan

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Prieure de Bebian Bebianito Rouge Languedoc $12.95

-Sobon Zinfandel Special Reserve Amador $14.25

-Cantina Breganze Pinot Nero 2006 Veneto $10

-Cantina Breganze Prosecco Veneto $14.35

 

The Food: artisanal cheese platter

The Downside: light attendance

The Upside: more time to talk with Mario.

The Contact Person: Rebecca@vinoallegro.com

The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com