Mandino Cane, Dolceacqua Superiore, Vigneto Arcagna, 2005 (Italy) - I bought this because a store owner in Boston's North End recommended it both as a unique grape varietal (Rossese) but also because the maker was an 80 year old man who just retired and sold his vineyard so this was the last year for this brand.  I looked on the web and found evidence backing up the claim.  So how was it?  Curiously it poured looking more like a rose, yet clearly the tasting wasn't rose.  It has substantial persistent tanins and tastes of very mild cherries which really lingered (I still got hints of it later that same night).  The cork had an amazing bouquet too but it appeared to change over time.  And the whole thing seemed to have higher than average alcohol although the bottle claimed only 13.5%.  Well, it was indeed a unique and interesting experience and our whole tasting group at work liked it though none would have given it two stars.  Personally I'd score it 7 out of 10 for above average, mainly because we have no rossese experience to compare it to.

Bucci, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Classico Superiore, 2007 (Italy) - This was a retrial for the grape at our wine tasting group at work because we had expected a two star grape based on its neighbors on our grape chart but the first sample fell short.  This sample was quality and all agreed it was a big step up from the first Verdicchio, yet it still didn't garner the 2nd star (despite being a $27 bottle).  Probably the biggest difference was the bitter almond finish was more pleasant in this sample.  Still, it's quality, I'd give it 6 out of 10 for upper average.