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]
Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Reds-Case | $24 | Pine Orchard | Really, really good Italian red – 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet. [more elaborate review on the way…].
Montebuena Rioja 2010
Reds-Bottle | $9 | Decanter | Great Rioja. Had been burned out on Riojas from drinking too much Marques de Caceres and had forgotten that Tempranillo from the Rioja region is meant to have wide appeal. This Montebuena Rioja is a flavorful, easy-drinking red and would make a great base for some Sangria (just add some Sherry, Cointreau, orange slices, lemon slices). If you need an affordable, easy-drinking red that goes with a wide variety of food, grab a bottle or two of this.
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.
Bogle Essential Red 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Petite Syrah
Reds-Glass | $9 | Decanter | Solid Big Red from California. Bogle makes great wines (their Petite Sirah varietal is awesome) but here they mixed their great wines into a good, solid blend. Blackberry, oak, medium tannin (inside of cheeks will feel dry and dusty after your swish inside) and long finish make this a great house big red if you like big flavor and medium-big tannins in your wines. Perfect for grilling steak or having with sharp cheese. NOTE: some people think tannins = headaches and that’s just not the case or at least not always. Tannins can come from oak barrels (subtle) and the grape skins themselves (big). If you think wine gives you a headache check to see if you have oak / tree allergy and steer towards wines fermented without barrels – you can taste the wood in this, and it is a solid wine that delivers good flavor at great value.
Daglia Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Reds-Bottle | $18 | Total Wine | This recommendation is all about value. I must preface my opinion by disclosing that I suffer from cellar mouth. Seldom does any wine please my palette as much as a Napa Valley cab would. Based on prices, I assume others concur — a premium is levied on Napa’s wines, particularly its cabs. Even bad Napa cabs are usually pretty good. Good ones are typically $20 per bottle and great ones are $60 and up. For me, Daglia is better than good and less than great. At $18, it’s a better value than most in its class.
Camaraderie Cellars Merlot 2007
Reds-Bottle | $20 | Total Wine | I carry good news for those like me who have given up on Merlots because they are too thin and simplistic. This one is different! Rich, bold, robust, full-spectrum flavor. You’ll notice a difference in color as soon as it’s poured. Nose and flavor match. It’s cab-like but different.
Codici Salento Primitivo
Reds-Glass | $12 | Decanter | Nice big Italian red. 14% alcohol, tobacco / chocolately Southern Italian yummyness. From Salento in the region of Puglia – the heel of Italy’s boot. Trusted stand-by. Remember – Primitivo = Zinfandel, so if you like big California Zinfandels for your reds, try some Primitivos. You might find just as nice or nicer for less cost.
Santagostino Baglio Soria Firriato Nero d’Avola and Syrah
Reds-Bottle | $25 | Decanter | Very good, very powerful (14.5% alcohol) non-Italian, Italian wine. You know right away that something funky is going on when Syrah is listed on an Italian Red. In this case, it works. Winemaker is willing to forgo DOCG, DOC official ratings to try something new and it’s a hit. Complex enough to drink on its own (Italian wine is usually meant to go with / be essential part of food), you can drink this now or save for a long while. Next time someone asks you to bring a nice Italian red, grab a bottle of this. Would have rated a case if the price were $5 – $10 less.
Trentadue Old Patch Red Zinfandel Petite Sirah Carignane
Reds-Case | $13 | Decanter | Awesome California red blend (primarily Zinfandel) – fantastic on its own or with big meats or heavy cheeses. 13.9% alcohol is well balanced and the 70% Zinfandel 20% Petite Sirah and 10% Carignane work fantastically well together. Great big red.