Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and we know how busy it can be getting ready for guests and preparing menus. To make the job a little easier, we’ve picked out five great wines from Italy that will pair perfectly with any Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you’re attending a dinner or hosting your own, any of these wines will be an instant crowd favorite and show the thought and consideration you’ve put into selecting wine for your host or guests.
These perfectly aged wines have been stored immaculately and are drinking quite beautifully right now. The red fruit is still vibrant with plenty of structure and meaty/earthy flavors that will pair well with any Thanksgiving meal. Don’t miss your chance to grab some bottles to enjoy with turkey or ham at your Thanksgiving celebration!
Cheers!
(Gobble Gobble)
Ps. Because these wines are great representations of their varietals and appellation, they make great blind tasting options!
2000 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi DOCG
Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
“The 2000 Barbaresco Brich Ronchi is even more impressive than it’s sibling, spicier and riper in aroma, more perceptibly oaky in its clove and vanilla fragrance, and very rich on the palate. It is a wine packed and chewy, potent and warm with fine varietal notes of licorice, asphalt, wild cherries, and cinnamon. Very long and built to last, it will drink will from 2006 to 2020. 91pts RP”
“Very attractive aromas of ripe plum, berry and grilled meat. Full-bodied, with lovely fruit and big, silky tannins. The finish is fantastic, with very ripe fruit, yet refined and caressing in texture. Best after 2008. 2,080 cases made. 95pts WS”
1998 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra DOCG
Monforte, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
“The super-extracted, blockbuster 1998 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra assaults the palate with a blast of broodingly tannic, super-concentrated black cherry and raspberry fruit infused with minerals, new oak, licorice, and truffles. With a huge mid-palate as well as an astonishingly long finish, it is not yet ready to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020. 93pts RP”
“A brick house of a wine, with so much structure. Strawberry and Raspberry tart on the nose. Full-bodied, with big chewy tannins and a fresh fruit finish. This is incredibly youthful and needs much more bottle time. Best after 2012. 1,400 cases made. 98pts WS”
2000 Azelia Barolo San Rocco DOCG
Serralunga d’Alba, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
“The 2000 Barolo San Rocco has aged gracefully. Smoke, tar, licorice, leather and dark fruit are some of the aromas and flavors that meld together in this fresh, exquisitely layered Barolo. The San Rocco possesses gorgeous complexity and fine overall balance. Mint, flowers and licorice add the final layers of complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. 93pts RP”
“Full-throttle style of Barolo with prune, leather, grilled meat and spices on the nose. Full-bodied, chewy and ultraripe, with wild vanilla and intense fruit on the palate. Voluptuous and showy. Best after 2007. 95pts WS”
1997 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy
“The 1997 Brunello di Montalcino delivers a bonanza of tertiary aromas from tar, licorice, old leather and cured meat. It evolves quickly in the glass, changing in steady intervals only minutes after it is poured. The tannins have become polished and dry and the balanced acidity remains intact on the close. I applaud the way it drinks now but wouldn’t hold out for it much longer due to the accelerated oxidative evolution it demonstrates. Drink: 2014-2019. 86pts RP”
“Dark ruby, with hints of red on the edge. Blackberry aromas, with hints of fresh porcini and fresh meat. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Layered and beautiful. Better than I remember. 93pts WS”
1997 Marchesi Antinor ‘Pian Delle Vigne’ Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy
“This sexy, up-front 1997 Brunello offers aromas of lead pencil, cedar, espresso, and black cherry liqueur. Lush and medium-bodied, with sweet tannin, and a forward personality, it’s a modern-styled effort that traditionalists may feel lacks the grip and tannin normally found in Brunello. Nevertheless, it is a delicious, already accessible Brunello di Montalcino to enjoy over the next 8-10 years. 90pts RP”
“Very rich and plummy, with lots of mineral and floral undertones. Full, fresh and very powerful, with big, yet silky tannins and a long aftertaste of cherry and spices. Very, very long. Still needs time. 97pts WS”
