Casanova Di Neri Sant'antimo Rosso 2008, Tuscany, Italy

This bottle was opened the same night as the Two Hands Max's Garden Shiraz 2006 (Friday) and then it was completely enjoyed the next day. It is always interesting to compare aromas and mouthfeel, when both wines were open too really taste their difference. This evening the much less expensive wine outperforming the more expensive one.

The Casanova Di Neri Sant'antimo Rosso 2008 is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino with the alcohol coming in at 14.5%. The first impression is a great one, the nose is awesome, very vibrant, it really draws you in with aromas of blackberry, sour cherry, plum, cedar, violet and spicy notes. The palate has loads of energy, spicy fruit flavours, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Long sweet and sour edged flavours of berries, cherry and plums with dusty tannins on the finish. A gorgeous wine, really enjoyable and at a great value. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

This wine was purchased November 27, 2010 LCBO New Release at $23.95

Castello Di Ama 2007 Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

Before embarking on the Celebrity Silhouette, I purchased three bottles of wines in Rome (all Italian wines) to enjoy while cruising and dining on the ship, they we're;

-Casanova Di Neri 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuave
-Castello Di Ama 2007 Chianti Classico
-Prunetto 2008 Barbera D’Alba 

Many people believe that you are not allowed to bring wines on a cruise ship. I have found most ships  allow you to bring wine aboard (they don't encourage it) and then charge a corkage fee when you present it at one of their restaurants, fees vary depending on the cruise line.  If you enjoy the wine in your cabin, you are all good.

Castello Di Ama 2007 Chianti Classico
I have enjoyed the Chianti of this vineyard in the past, a very good producer. Beautiful deep ruby red, aromas of ripe wild berries, earthy and spicy. The mouthfeel is well balanced with generous fruit concentrations, fresh acidity, moderate alcohol at 13% and fine grain tannins. The Chianti finish is long, rich and powerful.

Casanova Di Neri 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuave  (No photo unfortunately)
This wine colour was much lighter than I expected for a Brunello. The nose is very complex and aromatic with cherry, plum, old wood, earthy and spicy. The mouthfeel is full on flavour, bright acidity, well integrated tannins with plums and spicy finish. This is not a blockbuster of a Brunello, but a wine with lots of finesse and complexity.

Prunetto 2008 Barbera D’Alba (No photo unfortunately)
I have enjoyed Prunetto Barbera when living in British Columbia, but I have never seen it the LCBO (Ontario). This medium bodied Barbara has varietal characteristic flavours of sweet and sour fruit, violet and spicy oak. The palate is fresh, light on its feet, with soft tannins. To enjoy with or without food.