I had to work late tonight and travel quite a distance for a presentation tonight. When I came home, Tom had our martini glasses chilling (what a great husband) and we read the paper and had our cocktail. Following that, Tom opened this bottle of Ruggero di Tasso Nero d’Avola 2005, a Sicilian red wine. Tom is enjoying this wine but I did not care for it. This is a personal thing and it does not reflect on the quality of the wine, but for me, it just didn’t do it for me. The nose is musty and yeasty. I only had a couple of sips and Tom insisted on pouring me a glass of another wine so I will stop this review and Tom will pick it up from here, because he is enjoying this wine. (He poured me a glass of Morgon Beaujolais. . .)
Tom: This Ruggero di Tasso Nero d’Avola 2005 is quite good. It has a quality that I am coming to recognize as common among Italian wines: it has a certain earthiness or yeastiness that is something of an acquired taste. (Melody calls this musty and I see what she means: it appeals to you or it doesn’t.) But I find this very nice: a strong, dry red with that certain yeastiness.
April 5, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Hi Tom and Melody,
You guys are adorable! Love the pic of you two:) Anyway, I agree with both of you. I, like melody, believe that wine, like many other things, is a personal taste issue. I happened upon this particular bottle at Trader Joe’s for a most reasonable price. I’m always looking for that “gem” that won’t sink our monthly budget. This bottle was a VERY pleasant surprise! I, like Tom, loved it! I didn’t find it musty or yeasty though. I found it to be just as the label describes it to be. Berry in character, smooth tannins and lightly jammy. In many ways it reminds me of a nice Sarah, which I tend to adore. It is light enough to enjoy through our hot summers, but deep enough to love in winter as well. I appreciate the soft tannins and velvet quality it has. Do let me know what other are saying. I’m curious!
Thanks,
Megan Thomas
April 6, 2008 at 8:03 am
Hi Megan, We appreciate your comments very much! It is always intriguing to hear another point of view on a wine that we have tasted.
Your comments about this one being light enough to enjoy during hot summers is a good nugget to keep in mind as we, too, move from winter to spring here in Michigan. Maybe I will give this wine another try. . .
Keep looking for those “gems” that are reasonably priced and let us know what you find, okay? Your comments definitely enrich this blog!
Thanks again. . .
May 29, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Hi You Guys,
I just happened upon your blog when I was searching for a bottle of Ruggero di Tasso Nero d’Avola (2005) online. I bought our first bottle at Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago and was not at all disappointed. My husband wants to stock up on it quickly since the price is right - but honestly even if it were substantially more - we’d pay for it! I didn’t find it “yeasty or musty” and found the deep berriness and the soft finish of this wine to be very pleasant. Thanks for your blog.
Gia - Long Beach CA.
May 30, 2008 at 7:40 am
Hello Gia — What a beautiful name! Thank you for your comments. You know, I am definitely going to give this wine a second try after reading your comments. It could be that I just didn’t have a taste for that wine on that particular night. And, you’re right; the price is irresistible.
I hope you were able to stock up! Please stay in touch. . .