AG (Andre Goichot) Cotes Du Ventoux 2008 France

A blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah make up this subtle and simple everyday red wine from the Cotes du Ventoux region of France. Medium to light weight with cloudy rose colors and aromas of cherries and stone. A muted palate of raisins, spice and black pepper with hints of strawberry and some floral notes. Nice acidity, mild tannins and a mellow balance, perfect for a pairing with pizza. Found this at The Wine Room of Forest Hills for about $14.

Navarro Correas Coleccion Privada Malbec 2008 Argentina

Dark bluish ruby tones marked by abundant texture and opacity, and visibly thick in the glass, this wonderful Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina is a full bodied powerhouse of fruit.

Aromas stand out up front showing fragrant violets, ripe blueberries and strawberries.... followed by chewy flavors of plum and red raspberry/strawberries, finishing with a soft smoothness that lingers nicely. Paired very nicely with a hanger steak, and a great deal at about $10 retail.

Tribute Scarpone Montelpulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2005

Displaying deep, dark ruby colors, this Montelpulciano d’Abruzzo is aged for 14 months in small French oak barrels. Brooding aromas pervade as if opening a barn door, with waves of musty wood, and full, ripe plums. The complex palate continues toward red fruits, white pepper, and a nicely textured and vegetal edge. Firm chewy tannins, but with a finely tuned balance.

Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Chile

From Chile's Rapel Valley, comes this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 5% Carmenere, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 68% of which was aged for 7 months in French oak barrels, while 32% was aged in stainless steel tanks, before bottle aging.

Aromas of red berries, spices, licorice, dried figs and cassis. Flavors: sour cherries, white pepper, structured with good long finish. Purchased on line for $13 from WineExpress.

2008 Winner of Wine Enthusiast's New World Winery .

Vista Flores Gran Lorca Poetico Petit Verdot 2007 Argentina

Made with 100% Petit Verdot grapes from Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, aged for a year in 90% French and 10% American barrels, and a limited production of 1200 bottles.

Dark ruby tones with a cool hue, intense aromas, black fruit, cassis, plums and black cherry, oak, solid texture and balanced, integrated tannins and a fine finish.

Trattoria Toscana

Last week I met with friends at Trattoria Toscana (64 Carmine Street) in New York's West Village. I had been there once before on my wife's birthday and enjoyed a very Tuscan dinner, and needed to return to sample more of their extensive menu and wine list. Franco Fazzuoli, and partner Raimondo Abreu are both nationally recognized chefs who previously founded Il Ponte Vecchio, Zinno, and Cent' Anni in Greenwich Village. The professional and friendly service along with fantastic Tuscan Cuisine makes this a Best Bet for a night out, and Franco makes you feel special when you visit, like an old friend returning home. Not to mention their 27 Zagat rating.

Scuola Toscana IGT Super Tuscan 2004
100% Sangiovese, deep warm red colors with aromas of ripe red cherries, vanilla, balsamic complementing big smoky flavors, concentrated licorice, red berries, spices and violets.

We started with mixed salumi and cheeses, Sicilian sardines over red peppers, Papardelle pasta with Rabbit Ragu, and a delicious steak.

In good weather the doors are all open and there are also some sidewalk tables, making it feel a bit like a sidestreet in Florence.

Fattoria del Cerro Chianti Colli Senesi 2008

From the Chianti Colli Senesi region, this red Italian wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Glycerine dominates, with dusty raspberries, earth, ripe cherries, balsamic, and an herbal finish. Found by the bottle at Il Poeta for $28, paired with appetizers of artichoke, papardelle with bechamel and pancetta, and main course of veal chop over salad.

Arturo Bertona Monte Cinco Malbec 2005 Argentina

The Bertona family migrated from Italy's Piedmont region in the late 1800's and now produce award winning Malbecs.

Impressive deep purple colors, a bit warmer around the edges and an opaque texture in the glass, with amazingly rich and focused vanilla aromas following, then encircled by a smoky ring.

Bold flavors reflecting dark chocolate with violets and mild spices, a good balance, then finishing long, clean and strong.

Teruzzi & Puthod Rondolino Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2007

From the beautiful city of San Gimignano in Toscana, one of the only white wines from that region with a DOCG designation, this 100% Vernaccia is the shade of young palm leaves, with golden citrus aromas unfolding to layers of pineapple and melon.

Well balanced and refreshing showing a fruity finish with hints of lime and green apple. Retails for about $15, contains 12.5% alcohol.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2004

Another taste from the Wine Spectator Grand Tour in NYC... The Chateau Lafite Rothschild is absolutely amazing with a nose full of deep, floral aromas, especially violets and blueberries.

A perfect balance of acidity and tannins combined with scrumptious flavors showing mild cherries and blue fruits makes this wine a dream.

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2004 DOCG

Aged three years in oak and 2 years in bottle, this beauty has earthy undertones of brush, with deep floral notes, bing cherries, mild red peppers, blueberries, and blackberries/cassis. A creamy cola finish that is smooth and pleasant and dried rose petals that goes on forever.

Sampled at Wine Spectator's Grand Tour in NYC this past week.

Viña Antigua Torrontes Ugni Blanc 2009 Argentina

A blend of half Torrontes and half Ugni Blanc (known as Trebbiano and is also used in the production of Cognac), this tasty but simple white wine from Mendoza, Argentina begins with pearly, mineral notes. The mid-palate follows with a full, fruity demeanor of pineapple, melon, pears and a buttery, round style, pleasant acidity and smooth finish.

photo © 2010 Michael McCoy

Ricominciare Altisimo Cabernet Franc 2006 Argentina

From Valle de Uco in Mendoza, Argentina comes this unbelievable 100% Cabernet Franc, aged for six months in oak barrels. Incredibly mellowed for such a short time in oak, this bambino has exotic aromas of violets with green peppers, a pleasantly chewy texture and follows with perfectly ripe flavors of blueberries, strawberries and hardy blackberries. On the mid-palate is cola, black pepper and dark glycerine with a wonderful finish of resinous black cherry. Sampled a day later and then two days later and only improved as time went by. Simply put, this wine is delicious.

photo © 2010 Michael McCoy