Today I am tasting the 2006 Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno Superiore from Italy. This blend of the Sangiovese and Montepulciano grape varietals was available for under $10. It is aged for 18 months in “ancient” oak barrels according to the Saladini Pilastri site.
Color
In the glass this wine is an attractive dark purple.
Aroma
The aromatics of this wine are almost worth the price alone. It has a huge bouquet of violets, black cherries and blackberries. There is also some oak, but the fruit is dominate and very pleasant. There is also a great red licorice component. I am almost afraid to taste this wine because the nose has setup such high expectations. Complex and intriguing.
Flavor
Huge oak on the attack all the way through the finish. I am not sure I have ever had a wine with more oak on the palate. There is some cherry and licorice showing. The tannins are very dry which is not bad. Overall it is hard to get any flavor other than the oak. Not sure what the winemaker was trying for, but this will be hard to pair. I’m definitely disappointed.
Rating
This wine is not a good match for my palate. I rate it 65 points.
Have you tried this wine? Did I just get a bad bottle?
