Reds-Case (if money were no object) | $52/bottle (Iron Bridge) or $40/bottle (Total Wine – but without the Iron Bridge’s excellent beef tenderloin) | Iron Bridge | Total Wine | This has been a consistent favorite of mine. Used to be from Orin Swift but I’m told it was sold—it’s still a great wine though. Wine Advocate (90 points) says “Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a big, peppery, meaty, Rhone-like bouquet with hints of bay leaf, unsmoked cigar tobacco, black currants and sweet jammy cherries.” I’ll go along with that!
Brunello di Montalcino, La Lecciaia 2007 Reserve
Reds-Glass | $39 | Pine Orchard | Be sure you try the Reserve version of this one! Drinking the Brunello di Montalcino, La Lecciaia 2007 Reserve and its non-reserve cousin on the same night was interesting and instructive. I started the non-reserve bottle 2 nights ago, and was a bit disappointed, but when I went back to the store looking for some Italian reds for tonight’s Lasgna dinner, I saw the reserve, and was instantly suspicious that the high rating quoted for the bottles receiving prominent display at the front of the store were actually meant for the Reserve. Well the reserve was definitely better than the non-reserve, but still not “95-97”. [more detailed review on the way]
Meursault Les Vireuils Benjamin Leroux Chardonnay 2009
Whites-Bottle | $60 | Special Order ? TBD | When you can’t throw down the dough for Puligny-Montrachet, this Meursault will fit the bill nicely. Not a patio pounder, but this wine will appeal to delicate palates with layers of citrus, light butter and hazelnut. A special occasion wine for the Chardonnay aficionado. Buy a bottle.
Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni Montepulciano Sangiovese Malvasia Nera Primitivo Negroamaro
Reds-Case | $42 | Special Order – Decanter | Sticker shock I realize but holy crap, you must drink this wine. You never see a blend like this from Italy and everything about this wine including the heft of the glass of the bottle screams quality. The taste is off the charts and the blend offers big full flavor of Southern Italy (Primitivo, Negroamaro) with an awesome balance of milder Italian reds to deliver a fantastic wine. Tannins, yes, but smooth, spicy vanilla and you can taste some plums and raisins (okay you can call them currants if you’re Fancy Nancy). Had this in Little Italy in Baltimore after helping celebrate a legal and long-overdue wedding. I know it’s a lot of money, but get this and a hunk of cheese instead of going out to dinner and you won’t be sorry. Wine nerd note: Cinque Autoctoni = 5 indigenous grapes used to make the wine. This is the premium wine you try. Eric Stein at Decanter can order it for you – 1 case = 6 bottles = $270 or so with tax.