A Return to Donna Margherita!

It's hard to believe that we haven't been to Donna Margherita since November! So join me for a Wednesday night at Donna Margherita. We will have 1 Armenian white, and 4 Italian red wines at this 8 person event. Two of the reds are from Castell'in Villa, a new to me producer. Let's try them out together and see what we think!

Donna Margherita, has great personal sized pizzas and a nice variety of Pastas. They do charge a corkage fee, which is included in the event cost. Check out their menu here:

https://www.donnamargheritany.com

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

** The cost of this event is $53 and is for the cost of the wines, plus corkage only.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $3 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! Meetup+ members are exempt from this charge.

You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $5 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):

2020 Yacoubian Hobbs Dry White Wine Aghavnadzor ($28) -A combination of 4 different grape varietals, VOSKEHAT, KHATUNI, QRDI, and GARAN DEMAK (I've never heard of them either!), JD 91 points, ") Pouring a bright silver/yellow color, the 2020 Dry White Wine comes from a site at an elevation over 1300 feet, The wine was produced without oak, and it’s fresh and floral with notes of lime leaf, citrus, and white, chalky soils with some limestone. It’s pretty on the palate, with notes of starfruit, melon, apple skin, quince, citrus blossoms, and crushed stones. It has a powdery, pretty, floral texture, a delicately savory, dewy feel, and a clean finish. An incredibly versatile white, I encourage readers to check this out. Drink it over the next few years"

2020 Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico ($33) - Antonio Galloni 93 points, "The 2020 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous wine from Castell'in Villa. Soft contours are the first sign of a rare young Chianti Classico from this estate that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Dark wild cherry, cedar and pipe tobacco open first. The 2020 ofers gorgeous dark Sangiovese fruit along with all of the structure that is so typical of the wines here. Plum, graphite, leather, incense and dried herbs shape the striking finish. What an absolute delight!

2016 Castell'in Villa Santacroce Toscana IGT ($65) - Antonio Galloni 97 points, "The 2016 Santa Croce is the estate's blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon that spent close to eight years in cask during a time when proprietor Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa was ill and some lots sat undisturbed in cellar for extended periods. Dark red fruit, rose petal, spice and menthol build in the glass. Most suprisingly, the 2016 is shockingly fresh for a wine of its age . This is a great, great wine. It's not Sangiovese, it's not Cabernet Sauvignon, it's not a blend. It’s simply Castell'in Villa at its most profound."

2021 Brancaia Ilatraia ($70) - JD 93, WA 94 points, "The Brancaia 2021 Ilatraia is an organic blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. I like the restyled front label design presented with this vintage. This is a bold and generous wine with sweet fruit, blackberry preserves, baking spice and hints of pipe tobacco. The Ilatraia hits the palate with power, but the tannins are softly integrated for a full-bodied but velvety close."

2014 Fattoria Galardi Terra di Lavoro - CT 90.4, This Agliannico blend is sometimes called a baby Barolo. WA 91 points "The 2014 Terra di Lavoro is a seamless and well-integrated wine (made with Aglianico and Piedirosso with the first vintage released in 1994) that always sets the bar high for Campania wines and the volcanic Roccamonfina subzone. This vintage is a little flatter than most, but this should come as no surprise given the challenges of the growing season. The pedigree of the winemaking is evident, nonetheless, with seamless integration and a wide array of dark fruit and toasted aromas that evoke the rugged personality of this unique Terra di Lavoro, or "land of labor." (drink 2017-2026)"