Vinum55
Tour of Italy with Nicola Biscardo at Vinum55 in Chandler
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Nicola was here from Italy at Vinum55 last week providing an overview of six Italian and Sicilian wines. He began the evening talking about various key points: 1) how Italy only became a country in 1861. 2)Discussing Sicilian wines verses Italian wines in terms of terroir. 3) How the overall geography of Italy kept communities separate from each other’s customs, language, foods and wines. And lastly, how wines should be classified as industrial wine verses artisanal wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We started out with a 2025 Marino Abate Gillo “Ariddu” from Scilly. This white wine stole the show with a bouquet that was extremely strong with aromatics of minerality, orange blossom, sage and thyme. It was crisp and acidic; it was kept in check. Nicola called it “Italy in a glass”. This tied receiving my highest marks for the evening with one other red wine having hit all the marks on the eyes, nose, taste and finish. A beautiful wine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine from Mt Etna was the 2024 Cantine Patria Etna Bianco “Feminina” from the Northeast portion of the island. In order to be called “Etna” it must be grown between 1,800 to 3,000 feet elevation in almost black soil from the volcano. The wine is a Chardonnay that was elegant, fermented in both barrel and stainless steel. It had a subtle bitterness at the finish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We then moved to Italy proper on the east side towards the Adriatic waters. This was the 2025 Vigna Madre Pecorino Kriya. The winds off the sea decrease the temperature which provided a good acidity in the wine. It was soft and had a lovely mouth feel.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Moving to D ’Abruzzo, we tasted the 2024 Vigna Madre Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo Kriya that Nicola lovingly referred to as Italy’s everyday wine. It inherited this nickname as it is low in acidity, dark color and can pair nicely with just about everything. The finish was subtle and could see how this could be enjoyed with so many foods.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2022 Cantine Patria Etna Rosso “Feminina” took us back to Scilly. This being the “red wine” of wine being from the high elevation of Etna. Called the Barolo of the South with its elegance from aromatics to taste. For me an odd flavor at the finish, but all the other attributes were spot on.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Here was my other top-rated wine, this being a red 2024 Marino Abate Nero D’Avola “Lapa”. Considered the most popular varietal in Scilly. With older vines and managing the vineyards, they only get 2 or 3 clusters per vine. The wine was very generous in aromatics and taste. High in antioxidants and with tight tannins. An excellent representation of Nero D’Avola and purchased a few bottles at the conclusion of evening.
Nicola Biscardo’s wines this evening were those of very small vintners which banded together and cooperatively sell their wines. They are not available in retail shops. Should you get a chance to hear Nicola speak about the wines, he is wildly enthusiastic, speaks with a charming Italian accent and as a salesperson, believes only the best wines come from Italy! A fun evening and some very tasty wines.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
SOMM Smackdown 2026 Held Tuesday Night in Scottsdale at VINUM55
Firstly, what is SOMM SMACKDOWN? This is an event held annually between the three locations of VINUM55 being Phoenix, Scottsdale and Chandler facilities. Each location picks three wines to present to the members of each location and is partnered with a distributor. Last year Phoenix took home the SOMM SMACKDOWN title which is apparently an oversized medallion named Sommelier Supremacy that hangs in their tasting room. The teams go to each location pouring their wines. Tuesday night, September 8th, we attended the one being held in Scottsdale. Unfortunately, the valuable “medal” was not on display in the hall, most likely due to security concerns! I have seen the Superbowl trophy, the Claret Jug at the R &A, etc., and was hoping to see this coveted medal.
The event was held in the RED ROOM in Scottsdale and here is a picture from VINUM55 from a previous event.
Besides the three tasting stations representing each location, a greeting table was present to pour a welcoming pour to each guest. The wines at the welcoming table were:
Details by Sinegal Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (my notes: not citrusy but more like a liquid fruit salad and very refreshing)
Chateau de Pierreclos Macon 2023
Ridge Coast Range 2025
Having only one of the opening tastings to keep my palate alert and attentive, we moved on to the Chandler Team of Chris O. and Myron with Leslie of Copa Fina. Their three wines were:
Photos ©Michael Kelly
NV Domain J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux (my notes: crisp and refreshing sparkling wine. Previously purchased at another VINUM55 event. No picture)
Yamhill Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2024 (my notes: possessed a captivating nose, but fell off in the palate)
Chateau Castagnac Fronsac Merlot 2019 (my notes: a very light and simply not enough heft. A good representation for 100% Malbec from France.)
Up next was the Phoenix team of Chris G., Dakkota with Tony of STEM the distributor. Personally, I have never been to their facility, but now that I know the famed Sommelier Supremacy hangs proudly in their tasting room I will be planning a visit soon! Their three picks for the evening were:
Photos ©Michael Kelly
NV Stephane Coquillette “Inflorescence” Brut – a sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes only (my notes: great bubbles in the glass, but missed the influence of Pinot Meunier grape found in Champagne contributing fruit and body to sparkling wines).
Remoissenet Pere & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2023 – (my notes: This comes from a family vineyard that is 150 years old)
Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – An assemblage of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (my notes: received my third highest rating of the evening of wines tasted).
Last table was Scottsdale group comprised of Ron and Shelly with Lindsey of Maverick. Their three wines were:
Photos ©Michael Kelly
Gaia Monograph Assyrtiko 2025 (my notes: not from Santorini noted for their Assyrtiko but a nearby island. This allowed for a more affordable price point)
CHEV’ Russian River Pinot Noir 2022 (my notes: from famous winemaker Michael Brown, 100% Pinot Noir grapes, cherry and raspberry abound creating a head turning aromatics in the glass. This was my highest rated wine of the evening).
Peju Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – from Napa Valley (my notes: pleased to have tried their wine again as the last time was when they first opened. Was not generally fond of the wines, but this wine possess structure, with defined tannins that were enjoyable. They tied for the third best wine of the evening).
Wednesday evening is a tasting at the second location in Chandler and followed by a tasting at the Phoenix tasting room. Who will win the title? Each location putting forth their best selection of wines for members to taste and now the voting begins. Results should be known by Friday, but it will be challenging as all the wines were solid selections for all to taste.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Afterwards went to dinner at one of the scarce BYOB (bring your own bottle) restaurants in all of the Phoenix area called Ristorante Giuseppe. Ate with friends that also attended the VINUM55 SOMM SMACKDOWN and two couple’s brought Italian wines (Barolo & Barbaresco) and one shared a Malbec from Argentina. A great meal and conversation as always!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
Vinum55 Hosted an Informative Cabernet Franc Presentation & Tasting This Week
Chris Jeffers from a local wine distributor, The Natural Wine Company, gave both a presentation and brought some tasty wines to augment the session. Chris was very well versed in his French Cabernet Franc’s wine starting with the lighter and airy versions coming from Chinon and progressing to USA with Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc. The presentation focused more on “ripeness” and “pyrazines’ especially with the French wines from a cooler climate. Below is an ancestral lineage of the Loire Valley.
Up next was a discussion on the Chinon & Bourgueil terroir and how the wines from these regions key taste characteristics.
The first two slides focused on “cool climate Cabernet Franc’s” and then he explained “warm climate expressions” especially with oak aging.
The last slide was a quick summary of global style comparisons of France, Italy and USA. Here is went into a brief chemistry lesson and discerning acidity, tannins and alcohol levels. This is a great guide for the novice/intermediate wine aficionado wanting to understand the key differences and tastes with this universally planted grape varietal.
The first wine up for the evening was the 2022 Manoir de la Tete Rouge, Sammur “Bagatelle” (redhead) being the least ripe grape. First the color in the glass was radiant and semi-transparent with noticeable pyrazines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Following was the 2024 Bernard Baudry, “Les Granges” Chinon aged in concrete on the valley floor.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was perhaps the “most attractive wine at the dance”, in my opinion, the 2021 Ampeleia IGT from the western side of Tuscany with some seaside influence. On this both neutral oak and concrete are used. The fruit picked was ripe from this warmer climate and possesses a bit more tannins. This wine hit on all four of my ratings on the eyes, the aroma, the taste and finish. It received my highest ratings of the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We moved to the 2023 Olga Raffault, Chinon Les Barnabes. Right away a shade darker coloring using neutral oak and concrete but with a light pepper taste.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We ended the tasting with 2023 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc. Those unfamiliar with the winery need to understand its geography uniqueness. Half the vineyard residents in Napa Valley and half in Sonoma County perched on top of Spring Mountain. This came in at 14.6% alcohol, the highest of the tastings. Using oak barrels produced a “savoriness” with a nice balance of tannins. This received my second highest score of the evening. Notice the color is much deeper.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
That concluded an informative and engaging presentation within the allotted time frame for the evening. Thanks Chris Jeffers and Vinum55 for holding this tasting.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly