#243 Random Italian wines

I am suffering from Bordeaux boredom and as sod all is happening in the wine world outside of this region, and I'm suffering from writers block.  So, to make sure you all know I'm still alive, I thought I'd just post a couple of notes from a pair of Italian wines I'm tasting this evening!

2008 Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d'Asti £10.99
A dark cranberry juice colour, with aromas of cranberry and pomegranite - some sour elements too on the nose, not dark enough to be sour cherries so I'm hedging towards raspberries!  A meaty, gamey element, maybe some roast venison aromas.  A spicy element, some alcohol coming to the fore, with a flavour that reminds me of blackcurrant boiled sweets.  Not a bad wine, just a bit muted, and, for £11, I'd expect a bit more.  6/10

2005 Vigin Moody Nebbiolo £16.99
Quite brown colour, and the nose is of lots of sweet cherry jam with a little menthol and some lavender.  The palate has some cherry stone, a bit of tar and liquorice elements but it is a bit too jammy.  There is a nice eucalyptus element to it though, and whilst it is a bit fruit driven, it is a tasty enough wine.  7/10  It reminds me of a young red port without the fortification and the sweetness - so not really like a port at all!