Rosso Conero “Piancarda” 2005 – Garofoli – Alc. 13.5% - (<€8), made from Montepulciano 100%, was a robust and tasty red showing attractive aromas of plum with a hint of tobacco and a full body and reasonable structure; impeccable QPR; 15.5/20.
In the earlier days of my wine hobby, at the time Johnson was writing the first edition of World Atlas of Wine, Lenz Moser was considered a quality producer. However the family sold the winery in the 80s and has no more connection with brand. Its Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner 2007 was pleasantly grapey and quaffable; 14.5/20.
Würzburger Stein Riesling Kabinett trocken 2007 – Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg – was much more interesting and excellent QPR at €10 showing crisp acidity and minerals topped by attractive fragrance with a steely touch; 15.5/20++.
Verdicchio di Matelica 2006 – Bisci – was quite similarly QPR and refreshing with slightly more crispness and rather less aromatic expression; 15.5/20+.
Pétalos Bierzo 2006 – Descendientes de J. Palacios – (approx. €15) is an old friend but on this evidence is darkening, losing some of its bright fruit and is displaying more tannic structure than before; 15.5/20.
There is an interesting contrast in style of QPR (< €8) Montepulciano d’Abruzzo here. “Palio” 2005 – Citra- was medium/full in body with aromas of sweet red fruit and an ingratiating character which would make for similar uses to those of Grenache dominated cuvées; 15/20+. The basic 2006 - Masciarelli showed a much more interesting tang in its aromas but initially surprised by the relative lack of sweetness of its round fruit; once the surprise was past, greater complexity of acidity, tang and minerals together with greater length were apparent; less gutsy, perhaps, than the 2004, it is an excellent wine for simple savoury dishes like spaghetti Bolognese, pizza and so on; 15.5:20+++.