Please join Bern's Fine Wines Spirits Friday, August 6^th as we sample wines from Tuscany. Italian wine lovers will not want to miss this event as wines from great producers including Fontodi (2007 Flaccianello), Romitorio, Valdicava, Canalicchio di Sopra, Valgiano and more will be featured. The wines will be paired with five artisanal cheese selections and housemade breads. The price is $25.00 per person. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits at (813) 250-9463. Please see below for the featured wines.

2004 Romitorio Brunello Riserva $129.95
“Offers a beautiful density of blueberry and blackberry fruit on the nose and palate. Impressive for its fruit structure and ripe tannins. Long and intense, with loads of new wood, but seems to hold together wonderfully. Best after 2012. 495 cases made.” 96 Points Wine Spectator

2007 Fontodi Flaccianello $119.95
“I tasted the 2007 Flaccianello a number of times from barrel and tank before it was bottled a few months ago. The 2007 is a bold, extroverted Flaccianello that sweeps across the palate with sensual layers of candied cherries, violets, spices and minerals. Dark, mentholated notes develop in the glass, adding further dimensions of inner sweetness, weight and complexity to this Tuscan thoroughbred. While so many 2007s are forward and open, Flaccianello remains muscular, taut and in need of significant cellaring. Still, the round, enveloping finish augurs extremely well for the future. Flaccianello is a selection of the estate’s finest Sangiovese and is aged in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.” 96 Points Robert Parker

2003 Fontodi Syrah $64.95
“The 2003 Case Via Nuova Syrah, an opaque ruby, exhibits an unmistakable Syrah nose, with stunning sensations of black pepper, blueberry liqueur, earthiness, graphite and pain grill? that flow onto the palate with an attractive juiciness. It offers superb concentration- without any sense of heaviness- in a full-bodied, sumptuous style. This highly pleasurable Syrah should drink well to age 18, perhaps beyond. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2021.” 93 Points Robert Parker

2007 Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino $39.95
“The 2007 Rosso di Montalcino is one of the more massive Rossos in this vintage. In fact, it is one of the few wines that may actually require a year or two in bottle for the tannins to soften! Super-ripe red cherries lead to kirsch, earthiness, leather and spices as this full-bodied, tannic Rosso struts its stuff. The wine possesses exceptional depth, purity and class. Proprietor Vincenzo Abbruzzese elevates Rosso to another level with this effort, but readers will need to be patient. The Valdicava Rosso is made from the estate’s youngest vines, all of which are Brunello-designated. In 2007 Abbruzzese gave his Rosso an additional 4-5 months in cask above the usual 8-10 months. He describes the wine as “too important for a Rosso” and I tend to agree as this is by no means an approachable, easy going wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.” 91 Points Robert Parker

2005 Valgiano Palistorti $34.95
“Referring to the crooked poles in the rocky hillside vineyards. This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah makes for a considerably aromatic wine of roasted boysenberry, herbaceous freshness mixed with a dark mushroom flavors, balanced out with supple vanillin tannins and dark spice.”

2006 Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino $29.95
“This lively Rosso di Montalcino marries excellent structure with youthful freshness. While a perfect pairing with Tuscan cuisine, this is a versatile red that will enhance a wide array of meals. Only 875 cases produced.”

2007 Romitorio Rosso di Montalcino $21.95
“Ruby red, the wine carries a soft richness that balances the bouquet of red berries, tobacco and violets. Its beautiful structure balances with juicy viscosity and persistent finish: a charming, elegant, fruit-forward Rosso that’s brimming with personality and available at a fantastic price.”

2008 Mormoraia Vernaccia di San Gimignano $15.95
“The 2008 Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a clean, crisp white to enjoy in its youth. This delicious value-priced wine is an excellent choice for summertime drinking.”