© Copyright 1999 by Robin Garr. All rights reserved.

Mazzei 1996 Poggio alla Badiola Toscana ($12.99) Dark garnet. Spicy black-fruit aromas, full and fresh. Good, ripe fruit flavors follow the nose, tart and clean in a long finish. Made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes and aged in oak, it's similar to a Chianti in style. U.S. importer: Empson (USA) Inc., Alexandria, Va. (Jan. 12, 1999) FOOD MATCH: Very good with a simple pork roast. Castelvero 1996 Barbera d'Asti ($7.99) [Best Buy!] Clear ruby color. Spice and flowers and dark fruit aromas, a bit oaky but pleasant. Ripe and juicy fruit flavor, soft at first, with fresh-fruit acidity, soft tannins and fragrant black pepper providing structure in a clean, medium-length finish. Very good value ... as good as the Mazzei above for two-thirds the price! U.S. importer: Vias Imports, NYC. (Jan. 12, 1999) FOOD MATCH: The big fruit and structure make it a surprising match with Szechwan-style shredded beef and carrots. Have you tasted these wines? E-mail me your tasting notes, and I'll consider adding them to this page. Previous day's wine note All my wine-tasting reports are consumer-oriented. In order to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, I purchase all the wines I rate at my own expense in retail stores.