Stefano di Blasi IGT Toscana 2014

09/16 This wine, this marvelous wine brought me back to my childhood summers when I would go stay with my Nonny and Poppy out on Long Island. The marvelous aroma, naturally not the taste, not as a child anyway but later on when I came of age, which was 18 back then, I would enjoy a taste or two of a fine Italian vintage. It was late, I was enjoying the tradition of relaxing before bed with a glass of wine but the memories this wine brought to me also brought a nostalgic yet happy mist to my eyes.  I decided not to rate it last night but to wait until I prepared my evening meal today, an early meal like my Nonni did. The meal I prepared was inspired by those wonderful summers of long ago created with vegetables from their garden, and since i had garden veggies courtesy of my friends, I successfully replicated those wonderful memories.

I made a pomodoro e basilico base and roasted thinly sliced portabella mushrooms, red, yellow and green sweet but a touch warm Italian banana peppers, red onion and minced garlic - which I tossed in the sauce and simmered for about 5 minutes before spooning over linguine fini. I also had roasted a small fresh eggplant that i first quartered lengthwise and sliced thin, which I laid over the linguine and sauce/vegetables and topped it off with pecorino romano - I also did not spare the fresh black pepper as my father would do when my mother was not looking. The wine paired perfectly as if made for the meal! Of course! It is a wine of Italy!

This true Tuscan classic is a good old fashioned Italian wine with a classic fine taste without pretense. I did let it decant as should be done and poured it through an aerator. The color is absolutely beautiful purple garnet and the slight froth was almost a reddish purple, the aroma is that of a fruit grove, but one where wild berries grow, dark rich berries, currants, alongside the grapes. Much like the groves I visited in the wine regions of Italy. I would consider this a medium consistency well-balanced wine with low-medium acidity. The first taste impression is that of currants with a hint of plum which continues mid-palate adding a lovely vanilla oak to a very smooth almost hint of dark chocolate and almost a hint of sweet finish. To my tastes, it is silken and refined.

I do want more of this wine! Mille Grazie caro Stefano di Blasi!
Origin: Tuscany, Italy