Wine Tasting - Mantellassi Morellino di Scansano 2009

"Old wine and friends improve with age."

 - Italian Proverb

I tip my glass to you my friend.  May you be blessed with health, happiness, and ecologically decent surroundings this day.  If you see a piece of trash or litter aside your path this day, why not simply pick it up and see that it gets to its proper place?  I know... I know... You would never be able to know who littered your path to ram it up their arse, would you?  In this case, perhaps a trash can or recycling bin may be appropriate.

Seldom do Chucky and Tiffany's wine assessment lead to the exact same total rating.  But, this wine happened to be just that.  It's a most delightful wine which Tiffany and I purchased back on April 17, 2011 during a wine class.  It was most probably a "Wines of Italy" course.

Chucky's Point Score:  90

Tiffany's Point Score:  90

Mantellassi Morellino di Scansano 2009

Appellation:  Toscano (Tuscany), Italy

Certification:  DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

                               ("Controlled Designation of Origin Guaranteed")

Grape Varietal(s):  85% Sangiovese & 15% Sauvignon Blanc, Canaiolo Nero

Retail Price:  $11.99

Vintage: 2009

Producer:   F.lli Mantellassi

Alcohol:  13.5%

Calories:   94 per 4 ounces

Tasting notes as follows.

Chucky's Tasting Sheet

Chucky's Notes:  "Nice windows.  Smoky deep cherry on the initial taste evolves through respectable tannins into an earthy strawberry-like finish.  Not over powering but eloquently delicious.  Close your eyes and you are in Tuscany, Italy sipping on a $50 bottle of vino.  Love it!"

Tiffany's Tasting Sheet

Tiffany's Notes:  "Bold dark fruits, especially plum, smooth out the tannins in this amazing wine!  Bursting with bold fruitiness, which coats the palate with delight!  It’s another affordable Italian gem to keep on hand."

From the bottle's label:

“The Mantelassi Winery was founded in 1960 by Ezio Mantellassi, who is considered the father of Morellino di Scansano.  This wine is made from 85% Sangiovese grapes and 15% of Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo Nero.  This fresh and perfumed wine has an intense ruby colour and displays bright cherry flavours with touches of tobacco and leather.  Match with tomato-based pastas, pizza or grilled meat.”

Where Tiffany leaned more towards Flavor Intensity than I and I more towards Balance than she, we both agree it worthy of 90-points.  In addition, our actual notes reflect an incredible amount of similarity, having not peeked at each others sheets until they were completed. 

But... Know what?  In drafting these words I had not realized that Tiffany and I have previously reviewed this wine!  Back on April 17, 2011 it had previously been reviewed.  This makes an interesting case of how time changes our tastes?  I grudgingly concede Tiffany as the "Queen of Consistency".  Her previous review gave this identical (same wine, same vintage) wine a 91 whereas I had given it only a 87 score.

Tiffany is only 1-point different from then and now.  Heck... That can happen on anyone's taste buds from one hour to the next.  But I, on the other hand...  What was I thinking back nine months ago?  Abet 87 is certainly not a bad score, only that 90 is a more appropriate one. 

Hi-dee hi-dee why-not-revisit-a-bottle-of-Italian-red-wine-today-ho my friend?