On Thursday, 20 December, I found myself at Recanati Winery in the good company of winemaker Lewis Pasco and CEO Noam Jacoby for an extensive tasting and re-tasting. My warm thanks to Lewis, Noam and others at the winery for their courtesies during my visit. My tasting notes follow.

ROGOV

Recanati, Yasmine, 2007(Advance Tasting): An unoaked blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and the balance of Emerald Riesling and French Colombard. Recanati's entry level white but a quite pleasant effort. Light straw in color, with a rich pineapple and apple nose. Light, lively and easy to drink. Meant for early consumption. Drink from release. Score 85. K (Tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Light golden straw in color, light- to medium-bodied, richly aromatic and fruity with pineapple, citrus and tropical fruits matched by a hint of freshly mown grass and a tantalizing light bitter note on the finish. Drink from release-2009. Score 88. K (Tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Chardonnay, 2006: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Lightly oaked, showing simultaneously crisp and creamy, with good balance between wood, acidity and fruits. On the nose and palate citrus, apricots and cinnamon-spiced apples, all lingering nicely. Drink now. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Chardonnay, Reserve, 2006: Developed sur lie, partly in new, partly in used oak barriques, this medium- to full-bodied white shows an appealing buttery nature to highlight green apple, pineapple and nutty flavors and aromas. Complex but lively and with good length. Best from mid-2008-2010. Score 90. K (Tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Barbera, 2005: Deep royal purple in color, blended with 10% Zinfandel, showing medium-bodied, with soft tannins, light spicy oak and pleasing acidity. On the nose and palate cherry, blueberry, blackberry and cassis notes. Aromatic and lightly spicy and on the finish a hint of chocolate. A delight to drink. Drink now-2009. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Barbera, 2006 (Advance Tasting): Light garnet towards purple in color, medium-bodied, with soft tannins and generous acidity. Reflects its 8.5 months in barriques with light spicy notes and appealing crushed blackberry and cherry and chocolate notes, all leading to a light peppery finish. Score 88. K (Tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Shiaz, 2005: Ruby towards garnet, medium-bodied, reflecting 8 months of oak aging with soft but nicely spicy tannins. Supple and soft, with blackberry and cherry flavors showing hints of lemon rind and hints of chocolate and pepper coming in on the finish. Drink now-2009. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Shiraz, Reserve, 2004: Dark cherry-red towards garnet, full-bodied, supple and round, with blackberry, black cherry, herbal and beefy aromas and flavors, those coming together with firm tannins and sweet cedar wood. On the long tannic finish, toasted bread and mocha. Drink now–2009. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Syrah, Reserve, 2005 Medium-dark garnet in color, with well-focused tannins and moderate spicy wood in fine balance with black cherry, wild berry and cassis fruits, those with just a hint of smoked meat in the background. At this stage the still-firm tannins hold the wine back a bit. Drink now–2010. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Syrah, Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Garnet towards royal-purple in color, with still chewy tannins but those surrounding spicy wood and a generous array of blackberry, black cherry, roasted meat and green olive aromas and flavors. Drink from release–2009. Tentative Score 87–89. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati , Merlot, Reserve, 2002: Dark garnet, showing more full-bodied than its youth, with well-integrated tannins. Also showing somewhat heavier wood and herbs than in the past but continuing to show appealing berry, black cherry and bittersweet chocolate. Drink up. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Merlot, Reserve, 2003: Dark garnet in color, medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins giving a solid backbone. Sweet oak makes itself felt from first attack to the long finish, with layers of currant, black cherry, mocha and chocolate. A concentrated and graceful wine. Drink now–2009, perhaps longer. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Merlot, Reserve, 2004: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Dark garnet, medium to full-bodied, with firm tannins and near-sweet oak integrating well. On the nose and black cherries, berries and currants on a tantalizing earthy-herbal background. On the long finish hints of chocolate. Drink now–2010. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Merlot, Reserve, 2005 (Advance Tasting): My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Smooth, round and generous, rich and spicy, with a core of raspberry, cherry and creamy oak backed up by hints of minted chocolate that linger nicely. Good balance between fresh acidity, wood and fruits, and a long finish. Drink now–2010. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Merlot, Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, firm in texture, with the tannins just starting to integrate but already showing forward blackberry and purple plum fruits and developing an appealing hint of mocha. Chewy, round and long. Best 2009–2012. Tentative Score 89–91. K (Tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Cabernet Franc, Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Medium-dark garnet, full-bodied and at this stage still firmly tannic but showing fine structure and balance that bode well for the future. On the nose and palate bell peppers and chocolate highlighting wild berry and plum fruits. Spicy wood and tobacco notes rise on the long finish. Best 2009-2012. Tentative Score 89-91. K (Tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Cabernet Franc, Reserve, 2004: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Aromatic, medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely. Showing an appealing array of currant, plums and wild berries, those complemented by light smoky wood, tobacco and refreshing acidity. Drink now–2009. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, rich and round showing dark garnet towards youthful purple in color, with generous near-sweet tannins and forward currant, spice and mocha notes. Juicy and long. Drink from release–2010. Tentative Score 87–89. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Dark, almost inky garnet, intense but with subtlety and finesse. Soft tannins, a gentle hand with the toasty oak and generous red currant, black cherry and berry fruits, those with appealing hints of mocha. A long and firmly tannic finish. Drink from release–2011. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2004: Dark garnet with orange and purple reflections, this medium- to full-bodied wine’s shows soft, gently yielding tannins. Shows generous but well-balanced and a measured hand with spicy wood. Opens to reveal currant, plum and blackberry fruits, those well supported by light hints of herbs and cedarwood. Drink now–2010. Score 91. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2003: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Super-dark garnet in color, ripe and rich, now showing full-bodied with soft tannins integrating nicely. On the nose and palate an appealing array of currant and berry fruits, those complemented by hints of Oriental spices and toasty oak. Generous. Drink now–2010. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Containing 95% Cabernet Sauvingon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Cotinuing to show the potential for being the darkest and most strikingly full-bodied release in this series. Generous tannins still making themselves felt but yielding to show currant, blackberry and kirsch aromas and flavors on a tasty oak background. Best from 2009. Tentative Score 89–91. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Deep royal-purple, full-bodied, with firm, still rough-edged tannins but those merely needing time to integrate and show the wine’s fine balance and structure. A blend of 925 Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, this big, rich and bold wine, with concentrated layers of currant, blackberry, anise and cedary oak flavors. Drink from release–2012. Score 91.. K (Re-tasted 20 Dec 2007)

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2004: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, with generous but not exaggerated toasty oak and soft tannins, those integrating nicely and opening to reveal a rich array of currant, blackberry and black cherry fruits, with gentle overlays of mint and chocolate. As the wine develops look for a hint of cigar tobacco on the long finish. Drink now–2012. Score 93. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2003: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: This deep, broad, gently tannic blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot combines Cabernet currants, cassis and spicy-herbal overtones with typical Merlot softness. Good balance between wood, tannins and fruits, and a long finish. Drink now–2012. Score 92. K

Recanati, Petite Sirah-Zinfandel, Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): A blend of 88% Petite Sirah and 12% Zinfanderl. Youthful royal purple, with soft-mouth-coating tannins integrating nicely and showing smoky and dusy wood. Opens to reveal blackberry, pomegranate, mocha and sage notes.Tannic an firm but elegant. Best 2009-2012. Tentative Score 89-91. K

Recanati, Petite Sirah-Zinfandel, Reserve, 2005: Dark and concentrated, its firm, crisp tannins integrating nicely with vanilla-rich spicy oak. Opens with a burst of chocolate, that yielding to aromas and flavors of blackberry, raspberry and black cherry fruits, those coming together nicely with hints of minerals and an appealing light earthy note. Long and generous. Drink now–2011. Score 90. K

Recanati, Petite Sirah-Zinfandel, Reserve, 2004: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Aged in American oak, this dark garnet blend of 70% Petite Syrah and 30% Zinfandel is packed with ripe blueberry, blackberry, plum, pepper, licorice and mineral aromas and flavors. Generous but not exaggerated oak and tannins, those in fine balance with the fruits. Drink now–2010. Score 90. K

Recanati, Petite Sirah-Zinfandel, Reserve, 2003: A dark garnet blend of 80% Petite Syrah and 20% Zinfandel, aged in American oak. Tannic, concentrated, full-bodied and with expressive spicy plum and black cherry fruits, those matched nicely by spicy, earthy overlays and a light hint of asphalt on the finish. Drink now. Score 89. K