Italian Wine Tasting Benefit

[wondersofwine]

This event on Oct. 4th was a benefit for the American Red Cross. We tasted 12 Italian red wines, some way before their time.
The five I enjoyed most were:
'97 Ciacci "Ateo"--wonderful bouquet, 75% cabernet sauvignon with scents of blackberries and currants $29.99
'95 Valtellina "Convivio" $49.99 big bouquet, bubbly around edges when first poured, farily long finish, wood integrated in the flavors
'97 Seghesio Barolo "La Villa" $49.99 (prefered this to the more expensive '97 Corino Barolo "Giachini" which seemed bitter)
the Seghesio was approachable now but could age for 15 years or more
'97 and '96 Allegrini Amarone--liked the '96 slightly better and it was also $10 less at $49.99 compared to $59.99 ('97 is considered a lush vintage; maybe the '96 was slightly better because of an extra year to mature)
I did not care for the '95 Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino ($47.99)--it tasted astringent and caused puckering (too young? or an off vintage?)

[Innkeeper]

Envy you. Very nice tasting. The Brunello was nine years early.