Vinous is an online wine magazine that “explores all things wine”. It is published by wine writer and wine critic, Antonio Galloni.
As with other wine magazines, they feature articles on wine regions, wine personalities and of course, wine reviews and ratings by their wine writers.
A couple of times a year they host their “Icons” series of tastings which feature iconic wines as determined by the writers at the magazine.
In New York City this past February they hosted the Iconic wines of the world tasting and on May 14-16 hosted Vinous Icons: Italy.
Both of them were massive tastings featuring 100+ high-quality wines and were open to both Trade and Consumer.
Italy is one big vineyard with over 370 native grape varieties, so it wasn’t difficult to fill out the room with wine and most of the regions were represented at the tasting.
The event was held at the event space Hall des Lumieres at 49 Chambers Street, a couple of blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan.
Hall des Lumieres is a Beaux Arts landmarked building that was the former Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. The former bank and now event space is a cavernous, cathedral like building with soaring ceilings and was constructed at a time when banks were built to impress customers.
With dark, moody lighting and video splashed on the walls, it made for a sexy venue for a wine tasting but it also made it difficult for people in my age bracket to read notes, but I did my best.
Some of what I sampled:
2010 Cantine del Notaio Aglianico del Vulture “La Firma” (Basilicata): Clear light brick, petroleum and varnish on the nose, chewy crushed cocoa fruit, silky and chewy finish with a good grip.
2016 Montemercurio Vino Nobile di Montalcino “Domo” (Tuscany): Opaque dark red, brick rim, roast meat, barnyard and varnish on the nose, concentrated red fruit with slate and bitter cherry notes on the finish.
2018 Brancaia “Ilatraia” (Tuscany): Bordeaux blend. Opaque medium red, brick rim, tar, white and stinky chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit with chocolate notes, firm tannin.
2019 Masi Amarone Classico Riserva “Costasera” (Veneto): Clear medium brick, Crushed dark chocolate, tar and crushed red fruit on the nose, juicy and chewy with milk chocolate notes, good grip.
2020 Tolaini “Perlui” (Tuscany): Cabernet Franc. Clear medium purple, sweet tar, graphite and black cherry on the nose, silky red fruit with red leather notes, firm tannin.
2020 Ampeleia “16 File” (Tuscany): Cabernet Franc. Cloudy medium brick, closed nose of tar, graphite and sour barnyard, chewy fruit with a chewy and dusty finish with slate notes.
2020 Gian Luca Mazzella Taurasi Riserva “Paterico” (Campania): Opaque medium brick, smoke and tar on the nose, thick and tarry with dark chocolate notes, good grip.
2021 Donnafugata “Mille e Una Notte” (Sicily): Opaque black, purple rim, slate and crushed black fruit on the nose, tight and concentrated with crushed rock notes, dusty finish.
2021 Fattoria Le Pupille Syrah “Le Pupile” (Tuscany): Clear medium red, dirty red cherry on the nose, chewy and silky fruit, dusty finish, good grip.
2021 Querciabella Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Radda (Tuscany): Clear light brick, sweet black fruit on the nose, chewy and tarry fruit with black cherry notes on the firm finish.
2023 Argiano “Solengo” (Tuscany): Bordeaux blend. Opaque dark red, purple rim, crushed plum on the nose, dense and chewy red fruit with a dusty, firm finish.
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