Vancouver International Wine Fest, it begins!!

Sincere apologies for the total lack of posts lately; we were dealing with a sick, and then dying, cat, and that really took my focus away from updating this blog. Anyway, that is behind us now, so let's get on to the amazing time had by all at the Vancouver International Wine Festival a couple of weeks ago.

This year's feature country was Italy, and they were well represented. We attended the Acura tasting room on Thursday and Friday night and, of course, still didn't get close to tasting it all.

Our favorite event of the festival, Dine Italia, unfortunately got moved from it's regular spot on Saturday to Sunday; after we had already made our plans and booked our tastings and hotel. Oh well, we'll be back next year.

Now let's get to the wine!

Today I'll start with Italy and next update I will do the rest of the world. As in past years, I'll post detailed reviews of the wines we bought (or some special ones that maybe we liked but couldn't buy) and just number grades on the rest.

Batasiolo - 2011 Barolo DOCG ($29.95)

Aromas of plum and black cherry, tar, licorice and violets. Earthy qualities on the nose and palate. This needs to age for a long time to really hit it's potential, which is hardly surprising for a Barolo...but it's very nice now. 90.







Basatiolo - 2015 Moscato D'Asti DOCG Bosc DLA Rei ($18.99)

Literally the ONLY Italian white we were impressed with. Not a huge surprise it would be a sweet one. Apricots, honeysuckle and white flowers on the nose and palate. Citrus and peach join the palate party. Not dessert-wine sweet but more than just 'off-dry'. Lovely. 90,






Batasiolo - 2009 DOCG Boscareto - 89
Batasiolo - 2013 Barbera D'Asti DOCG Sabri - 88

Rocca della Macie - 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva - 87
Rocca della Macie - 2010 Roccato Toscana IGT - 86
Rocca della Macie - 2013 Chianti Classico DOCG - 85

Pain Delle Vigne - 2013 Rosso di Montalcino - 85

Tenuta di Arceno - 2010 Arcanum - 86
Tenuta di Arceno - 2010 Arcanum Il Fauno - 87
Tenuta di Arceno - 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva - 89
Tenuta di Arceno - 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva - 85

Tenuta Argentiera - 2012 Villa Donaratico - 89
Tenuta Argentiera - 2012 Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore - 90
Tenuta Argentiera - 2013 Poggio ai Ginepri Rosso - 85

Argiano - 2012 Solengo IGT Toscano - 89
Argiano - 2013 NC IGT - 87
Argiano - 2013 Rosso di Montalcino - 86

Argiano - 2011 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG ($59.99)

Most of the Brunellos we got to taste at this event were from the very highly-regarding 2010 growing year, but this one proved that 2011 was pretty good too. Aromas of blackberry and spice, with notes of ripe berries and complex fruit. Certain to be quite a treat when we drink it in 7-8 years. 90-92.







Bibi Graetz - 2012 Soffocone Di Vincigliata - 86
Bibi Graetz - 2012 Chianti Le Cicale di Vincigliata DOCG - 87
Bibi Graetz - NV Casamatta Rosso - 85

Lionello Marchesi - 2008 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Coldisole - 84
Lionello Marchesi - 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino Coldisole - 84
Lionello Marchesi - 2009 Brunello Di Montalcino Coldisole - 85

Marchesi de Frescobaldi - 2010 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino ($54.99)

Alrighty, ladies and gentlemen, the festival has officially begun. Notes of cherries and herbs with a touch of ginger. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry and earthy qualities. This is tight and dense with strong tannins and will much improve with 5+ years of nappy time, but it's already terrific and will be well, well worth the wait. 94-96.




Cantina Zaccagnini - 2014 Tralcetto Bianco di Ciccio - 84

Poderi dal Nespoli - 2014 Pagadebit Romagna DOC - 84

Umberto Cesari - 2014 Moma Bianco - 84

Mezzacarona/Rotari - 2014 Mezzacorona Trentino Pinot Grigio - 84

Cavit - 2014 Bottega Vinai Gewurtztraminer DOC Trentino - 84

Argiolas - 2014 Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna - 84
Argiolas - 2014 Meri Vermentino di Sardegna - 83

Fontanafredda - 2011 Sierra d'Alba Barola ($44.99)

Intense aromas of roses, spice, forest floor and vanilla. Full-bodied, with a velvety texture and a long finish. As with all Barola, needs some time to reach the heights it will achieve. 91-93.







Fontanafredda - 2014 Barbera Briccotondo ($17.99)

Black fruit and spice on the nose and palate. Hints of cinnamon, cardamon and black pepper on the palate. Long and lovely finish. 89,








Fontanafredda 2015 Gavi di Gavi - 84

Giusti - 2008 Umberto I - 89
Giusti - 2012 Ripasso DOCG - 86


Cesari - 2012 Ripasso Bosan Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC ($29.99)

Strong notes of dark fruit and spice. The palate is juicy and full, with dark berries, a hint of pepper and herbs on the palate. Finishes very long. 90.









Cesari - 2012 Mara Valpolicella di Ripasso Superiore - 88
Cesari - 2008 Amarone Classico DOC - 87

Tenute Piccini - 2010 Brunello di Montalcino ($34.99)

Dried cherries, almonds, herbs and earth on the nose. The earthy qualities carry through on the palate, with dark berries and flowers joining in. A truly great bargain at this price and another that will age beautifully. We picked up a couple of these and will report back once they mature. 92.







Thanks for reading! Next up: The rest of the world!