2004 Cianferoni Doccio a Matteo

Please see my review of the 2001 to see the personal history of this wine.

So after loving the 2001, I ordered a case for BONDA, only to be delivered the 2004. Jamie and I drank a bottle in May, but it was nowhere near ready to drink. Luckily I arranged with Colman to get a few bottles of the 2001 and traded him 3 2004s.

Anyway, I grabbed a bottle of the 2004 to see if it was ready, and it sort of is. I didn't decant it, but poured a glass and let it sit for about and hour. One the nose, wafts of alcohol, black plum, black pepper, with high notes of elderberry. On the tongue, tight tannins, with rich fruit.

The tannins really need to settle on this vintage. It went well with the bolognese I made, but on its own, it is way too tight.

Needs to sit for 2 years probably as the 2001 is now drinking awesomely!

2001 Cianferoni Doccio a Matteo

This Sangiovese has always been a favorite of ours since the '98 vintage, it is just a little pricey @ $40 on the shelf. I bought a bottle tonight at the Wine Thief because Court wanted me to make a bolognese - as we still have 6 lbs of frozen beef in the freezer from our last Horizon Foods order - and I really do not have any Italian wine I can drink in my collection. After I went through all that Larcille and Montevertine, everything is too young.

One spirited night at BONDA with Rob Mackin, the importer, and Matt from Pasta Nostra, we tried a bunch of Italian wines, and this Chianti from Caparsa - Doccio di Matteo - translated into "Matthew's Shower". Needless to say, there were lots of jokes, and then we drank more and they just kept on coming!

Black licorice and violet on the nose, with notes of leather and touches of meaty spice - restrained fruit. Unfortunately I do not have a chianti glass, so I am using a bordeaux glass- and the nose keeps changing - closing and expanding.

On the tongue, pure delight. But descriptions for Sangiovese always escape me. Medium tannins, some berry with little to no oak. It is just good! I have to rethink putting this wine on the BONDA list.