Animale Maria Carmela Red Wine 05
Parker's Wine Advocate rating 90 points
The 2005 Maria Carmela (58 cases) is 41% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 8% Sangiovese, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. It delivers an attractive perfume of cedar, spice box, tobacco, leather, and blue fruits. Medium- to full-bodied, the wine is supple-textured, tasty, and nicely balanced. Its components are nicely integrated and the wine should continue delivering pleasure through the next six years. If these wines sound enticing, get on the horn because 150 cases does not go far. Animale is a tiny, 150-case winery that began operations in 2001. Their website proudly proclaims it to be a no-holds-barred winery where power and flavor are paramount. Based on the two wines I tasted, Animale appears to be a goal-oriented enterprise.
Scents of black plum and blackberry, with a hint of a floral component lead to flavors of sweet plum and berry and hints of soft spice and white pepper. There's a moderately sweet fruit impression in the mid palate, with spicy note of cinnamon, cardamon, and white pepper. Hints of candied red cherries show through the dominant black stone fruit and berry flavors.
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