Poderi Colla Nebbiolo d'Alba 2003

She's smiling, and you should be smiling too, if you can find any of this wine left in the stores. It's a Nebbiolo d'Alba - the little brother (or sister, judging from the label) of the great Barolo and Barbaresco. It's the same grape (Nebbiolo), and from the same general region (Alba), but not from the especially favoured sites that are the home of these two more famous wines. While this does not have the flavours and complexity of a good Barolo, it's a great buy nonetheless. If you have ever wondered what a Barolo is like, but you haven't been willing to shell out the $50+ to find out, this has characteristic Nebbiolo flavours at very reasonable price. Also, apart from any comparison with Barolo, this is excellent value at the price, especially if you prefer an old-world style. But if you want to try it, hurry, as there isn't a lot left. I'm only posting this because I already bought a case for myself.

Price: $19.99
Region: Peidmont
Grapes: Nebbiolo
UPC: 836951000185

Masi Campofiorin Ripasso 2005

This review from Peanutman got lost for a week or so in my gmail spam box, so I'm bumping it up the queue.

--- Peanutman's Review ---

Italy, what can we say, what about corvina, rondinella and molinara; the grapes that form this wine. Never heard of them, neither had I even after spending 3 weeks in Italy last summer.

Smell and taste, I thought it was most likely cherries (maybe even a little earthy). As the liquid in the bottle flows toward the bottom, you smell and taste cocoa. It is kind of funny, but the smell and taste were very similar. Maybe one of my peanut senses isn't working tonight. The wine has a beautiful color, not totally dark but enough to make you believe that it could be a ''big wine'' (until you put it up against a white background and you notice that it is not as dark as you might think). Does that 'big feeling' ever change when you smell it and even more when you taste it. It just flows very easily and appreciatively down the hatch. I have tasted this wine on different occasions during the years and for some reason I thought this one had a little bit of a lighter sense to it and not a very big finish. I had a 2004 recently at a friends and it had a little more ooomph!, but this one is still good.

My wife and I both like big, bold oaky wines, but we both also really liked this one after a long day at work.

In any event, my score would be an 86. Value, it depends how you're feeling, tonight it was a 4.

Price: $21.99
Score: 86
Value: 4 / 5
Region: Italy, Rosso del Veronese IGT
Grape: 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Molinara (in 2006)
Tasted: March 2009
UPC: 8002062000068

Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2000

Iron Chef has built up a big backlog of reviews, so here's another one from him:

---

Another class of wine that I have been disappointed about over and over. For the most part I fine these Amarones to be expensive and a waste of time. I find them to smell very plastic-y and industrial - a high octane, cheap tasting Valpolicella.

Its always refreshing to say I am wrong and the Tommasi proved that.
Age was visible on the rim, orangish hue. The nose was dominated by Leather, Tobacco, and cocoa powder. Smelled like a real classy wine. The taste was hot berries, minerals, dried cloves, and apple pie spices. Drying tannins and good acidity was a welcomed sense after all that alcohol. Really liked this wine, maybe the age calmed down the volatile aspects and rounded the edges. I have had the Sartori (sucked) and the Masi (not much better) and the Tommasi was dramatically better. Of the three at ANBL now, there is only one worth buying.

UPC #8004645402108
Retail Price: $50.79
Region: Italy, Valpolicella
Grapes:Corvina Veronese 50%, Corvinone 15%, Rondinella 30%, Molinara 5%
Alcool 15%
Score 91
Value 3.5/5

La Tunella Campo Marzio 2004

At last! A white I can get really enthusiastic about! The Colli Orientali del Friuli is, according to the World Atlas of Wine, is one of the two "most revered DOCs for white wine" in all of Italy. It is made from two indigenous Italian grapes (or autochthonous grapes, as the Italians seem to like to say), Friulano (formerly known as Tocai Friulano) and Ribolla Gialla.

It's not a fruit driven wine. The nose has minerals, petrol and a touch of something herbal. The palate is medium bodied and almost musky, with more deep notes than you would often get in a white - a manly white, says Kelly. Lovely mouthfeel - fresh and viscous at the same time. Excellent finish with something spicy that kicks in just when you think it's all over. A white for red drinkers, says Kelly.

Serve reasonably warm - this was much better after it had warmed up than it was straight out of the fridge. WineSpectator gave this 90. Speaking of which, while I liked the Pietra Bianca, I like this even more - my scores can't be compared directly with Iron Chef's.

Price: $34.48
Value: 4/5
Score: 91
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasted: Oct 2008
ANBL UPC: 8030050000233