Orra Wine Review 2022

I have the upmost respect for all wineries. Each year a few of them take the trouble to send wines for my review, and I thank them all for their generosity and their trust.

These wines although interesting, sometimes do not fall into any major category I am appraising at that time, therefore they are put aside until I have time to appraise them. Last year I decided to place these bottles into a new annual category called: Orra Wine Review.

Below, is a brief description of the birthplace of these wines followed by my tasting notes.

Poggio Santa Maria from my close neighbour and good friend Massimiliano Marchetti, followed by his neighbour and fellow winemaker Nicola Chiucchiurlotto of Madrevite: both wineries are part of the Colli del Trasimeno Corsorzio in Umbria.

Staying in Umbria, the ancient hill town of Narni, overlooking the Nera River and home to the wines of Leonardo Bussoletti.

These are followed by a Montefalco Bianco from Tenuta Alzatura, an estate under the patronage of Famiglia Cecchi.

Then we travel to Tuscany, to the famous winery of Avignonesi with a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Almost round the corner to this estate is La Braccesca owned by Antinori, producing terroir led Syrah referred to as Cortona Syrah.

Next up, two white wines from the prodigious and exemplary winery Castello di Albola, from my good friend Alessandro Gallo the winemaker and director.

Then two rosé from Podere Ciona and Carpineto who also sent two more whites: all from the Chianti Classico area. These were received with other wines I was reviewing in a different category.

From near Verona, an Amarone della Valpollicella Classico by Palazzo Montanari, a magnificent estate in Bure with a 14th century Manor House immersed in the Veronese hills.

Then from Trentino a Pinot Grigio from the Dorigati estate, located in the suburb of Mezzocorona. This winery was established in 1858 and has evolved through five generations of the Dorigati family.

Finally, from Chianti Rufina: a newish winery known as ORMAE VINAE, a rebirth of an old vineyard called Il Monte located overlooking Pontassieve at 350 metres above sea level, producing quality organic and bio wines in minuscule numbers.

From this winery: two back to back vintages of Gioièllae, a Rosato made from 100% Sangiovese. Then two vintages of Primae, an IGT blend from 50/50 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. These are followed by Aellae 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Lastly, MCMXI a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Tasting Notes:

Poggio Santa Maria

Tresa Merlot DOC 2018

Deep ruby red in colour. Blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, camphor, sweet tobacco, purple florals, balsamic notes, slight herbal nuances. Medium bodied. Crunchy tannins and edgy acidity. Medium length.

Points 90 TW

Poggio Santa Maria

Tresa Merlot DOC 2019

Deep ruby red in colour. Ripe black berry fruit, violet floral aromatics, grilled Mediterranean herbs and liquorice. Cool entry. Medium bodied. Youthful but relaxed tannins and acidity. Touch angular with a sharp edged juicy close.

Points 89 TW

Poggio Santa Maria

Montelungo DOC 2018

Merlot 85% Cabernet Sauvignon 15%

Medium ruby red in colour. Merlot body / Cabernet Sauvignon nose. Sweet blackberry, dark plum, blueberry, orange peel, sweet tobacco. Very cool lean entry, that rapidly expands across mid palate. Could benefit from more weight. Tapers to close.

Points 88 TW

Poggio Santa Maria

Montelungo DOC 2019

Merlot 85% Cabernet Sauvignon 15%

Medium ruby red in colour. Black cherry, pomegranate, blueberry, pipe tobacco, balsam and star anise. Cool entry. Juicy. Tart notes on the mid palate keeps the mouthfeel vibrant. Tapers to a short close.

Points 88 TW

Poggio Santa Maria

Umbria Chardonnay IGT 2020

Pale straw yellow with golden highlights in colour. Yellow plum, honeydew melon and nuances of grapefruit. Soft and rounded. Balanced with clear citric acidity that brings a fresh mouthfeel. Medium in length. Medium to full bodied. Best served not too chilled.

Points 88 TW

Madrevite

Titulla Syrah IGP Umbria 2019

Deep purple in colour. Extraordinary heady bouquet of baked plum, violet florals, juniper berries, loganberry and clove. Secondary nuances of blackberry, blackcurrant, grilled Mediterranean herbs, spice and black tea.Racy from the start. Medium bodied. Balanced. Slight citrusy character. Juicy close.

Points 90 TW

Madrevite

Che Syrah Sarà IGP 2015

Deep ruby red in colour. Elegant bouquet of rose petal with blackberry, camphor, orange peel and dried lavender. Blackberry, blackcurrant, pomegranate, blood orange and a dusting of exotic Eastern spice. Coats the mid palate with a layered texture of primary ripe fruit, fine tannins and pin point acidity. The wine has broad shoulders. Juicy long articulated close. Slight dryness at the end does not detract from all its gifts.

Points 92 TW

Madrevite

Glanio Trasimeno DOC 2018

Sangiovese 70% Gamay del Trasimeno (Grenache) 20% Merlot 10%

Medium garnet red in colour. Sour red cherry, blue florals, sweet tobacco, rhubarb, liquorice, light balsamic notes. Cool entry. Intense. Compact. Balanced. Exotic. Savoury. Good finish.

Points 91 TW

Leonardo Bussoletti

Brocciaro Ciliegiolo 100% IGT 2020

Pale ruby red in colour with purple undertones. Red cherry, raspberry, sage, clove, hibiscus notes. Mellow smooth entry. Juicy. Broad. Balanced. Medium bodied. Would benefit from more weight.

Points 87 TW

Leonardo Bussoletti

Collemurello Trebbiano Spoletino Bianco IGT 2021

Medium gold in colour. Elegant bouquet showing daffodil and buttercup florals. Ripe peach and star fruit. Secondary nuances of apricot and yellow plum. Seductive entry, showing class immediately. Spreads across the palate giving depth and texture awareness. So giving and broad. Balanced with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Long articulated close. A beauty.

Points 92 TW

Famiglia Cecchi

Tenuta Alzatura Aria di Casa Montefalco Bianco DOC 2019

Aromatics of crushed daffodil, mimosa and forsythia. White peach, yellow apple, gooseberry, white mulberry. Oyster shell undertones. Agile with great length. Exotic beauty. Wild and savoury. Loiters on the close

Points 91 TW

Avignonesi

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Nobile 2015

Medium garnet red in colour. Heady bouquet of rose petal, liquorice, camphor and clove. Red cherry, blackberry, mulberry, plum, blonde tobacco. Still showing energy from its youthful character. Wild and boisterous. Outstanding quality of fruit, ripeness, structure and variation of flavours. Broad, juicy close. Great!

Points 94 TW

Antinori La Braccesca

Bramasole Cortona Syrah DOC 2016

Ruby red in colour. Florals of violet and bluebell. Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, sweet tobacco, tree bark, liquorice, black pepper and clove.

Terrific persistence. Potent. Flirtatious. Long juicy broad finish.

Points 93 TW

Castello di Albola

Poggio Alle Fate Toscana Chardonnay IGT 2019

Medium gold in colour. Aromatics of buttercup and daffodil. Yellow apple, white mulberry, golden Kiwi, citrus oil. Elegant body. Rounded body. Rounded and silky. Carries good weight. Savoury. Juicy. Layered profile with matching minerality.

Points 90 TW

Castello di Albola

Chardonnay 2021

(A work in progress)

Pale yellow in colour. Dusty yellow florals, Honeydew melon, yellow apple, white plum, star fruit, white smoke. Layered fruit core structure, whereby fresh zingy acidity, sea shell minerality and lemon balm reside. Precise and interesting. The close just keeps on giving.

Points 91+ TW

Podere Ciona

Ciona Rosé IGT Toscana 2021

Pale copper in colour with pink highlights. Rose petal florals. Pink grapefruit, Ogen melon, white currants and star fruit. Racy personality. Exotic. A touch above medium bodied. Very elegant. Tannins have completed their work and disappeared, leaving fresh acidity to carry rich body to the close.

Points 90 TW

Carpineto

Dogajolo Rosato IGT 2021

A blend 50/50 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Palest of pale pink in colour. Fresh cut meadow florals on the nose. Strawberry with green top, apple, Bing cherry, white currant and eucalyptus. Balanced rounded entry, expanding in wave after wave of succulent juice with layered minerality. Medium bodied. Linear. Clean and fresh mouthfeel on the finish.

Points 89 TW

Carpineto

Dogajolo IGT 2021

A blend of Chardonnay, Grechetto and Sauvignon Blanc.

Pale gold in colour. Aromatics of yellow florals. Gooseberry, white peach, white Mulberry and lemon zest. Medium bodied. Carries good weight. Plush.Supple. Great energy. Interesting mouthfeel. Does not benefit to be greatly chilled.

Points 90 TW

Carpineto

Farnito Chardonnay IGT 2020

Pale straw in colour. Gardenia and fresh cut spring flowers awaken the senses. White peach, yellow plum, apricot and white blackberry. Mellow entry. Perfect symmetry. Linear. Juicy. Secondary notes of greengage and iron core minerality. Clean and fresh mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Terroir led Chardonnay.

Points 90 TW

Palazzo Montanari

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2019

A blend of Corvina and Rondinella.

Pale ruby red in colour. Aromatics of red rose petal and violet florals. Blackcurrant, blueberry, plum, damson, orange peel, eucalyptus, clove and star anise. Savoury. Cool entry, showing core dark fruit surrounded by fine tannins and zesty energy. Leaves palate tingling. Fresh and relaxed mouthfeel. Good finish.

Points 91 TW

Dorigati

Trentino Pinot Grigio DOC 2021

Pale straw in colour. Heady warm bouquet of yellow florals and white skin fruit. Orchid fruit. Saline infused energy. Layered minerality. Warm entry. Juicy. Balanced. Light on its feet yet full flavoured. Long close.

Points 90 TW

Ormae Vinae

Gioièllae Rosato IGT 2020

100% Sangiovese

Pale copper in colour. Aromatics of Canteloupe melon, florals of Marigold and Begonia. Fresh apricot, sweet citrus lemon, pink grapefruit. Saline infused energy. Medium bodied. Poised. Rich palate. Fine tannins. Broad and very light in texture. Exotic fruit character. Mellow long finish. A different style of Rosato.

Points 91 TW

Ormae Vinae

Gioièllae Rosato IGT 2021

100% Sangiovese

Translucent copper in colour. Aromas of pale pink rose petal, crushed white raspberry and mulberry, lemon zest and gardenia florals.White peach, apricot and Canteloupe melon. Rounded tannins, sharp edged acidity, layered complex minerality. Coming off mid palate a distinct sour white cherry nuance. Slightly restrained palate probably due to to youthfulness. Would benefit from about 12/18 months of bottle age to relax and flush out.

Points 90-92 TW

Ormae Vinae

Primae Toscana IGT 2017

50/50 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium ruby red in colour. Blue florals awaken the senses, followed by blackberry fruits and red rose petal. Blackcurrant, blueberry, dewberry, floral underbrush, sweet tobacco, orange peel, distant cherry notes and dark spice. Ultra light smooth entry. Expands first vertically then cascades the palate in a potent core of black fruit surrounded by ultra complex dark minerals vie with humus and balsam. Medium to full bodied. Secondary nuances of cedar tree bark and tar. Interesting.

Points 93 TW

Ormae Vinae

Primae Toscana IGT 2018

50/50 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon

Unusual colour variation from previous vintage. This is definitely medium garnet red in colour. Lifted aromatic expression of violet and dark purple florals. Bing cherry, blackberry, pomegranate, blood orange, new leather and baking spice. This is totally lead by Sangiovese at this stage. Warm entry. Delicate, elegant, balanced, fresh, clean mouthfeel. Solid framework of minerality. Compelling and yet still a little nervous. Great fun to be had tasting this over the years.

Points 94 TW

Ormae Vinae

Aellae Toscana IGT 2018

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium ruby red in colour. Aromatics of rose petal, broom, and violet. Blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, menthol infused herbs, leather, Mocha, chocolate and dark spice. Rich warm entry. Tannins are a little dusty but compact. Could have benefited with a touch more acidity, to give an energy boost and completely level the balance. Tapers slightly at the close. Needs bottle time.

Points 93+ TW

Ormae Vinae

MCMXI Toscana IGT 2020

A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Deep ruby red in colour. Heady bouquet of violet and hyacinth florals, spice and dark berry fruit. Dark cherry, blackberry and damson, tobacco, liquorice, leather and balsam. Striking entry, showing balance and class, broad, fruity, agile and textural depth. Distinctive spice profile. Finely grained tannins vie with fresh acidity. Great showing. Long close.

Points 95 TW

© Tony Wood Italian Wine 2023