Cantina Zaccagnini Tralcetto Montepulciano 2013 DOC

Zaccagnini produces this beautiful Riserva (grapes grown, vinified and bottled on Estate) made from 100% Montepulciano grapes fermented in stainless steel and aged in oak for 6 months before bottle aging for 3 months.

A steal at $15 a bottle, this red has a lot going for it. Fruit forward but with an Old World attitude. Ruby colors the glass showing medium body, floral notes of violet and lavender, swimming with spices and tea leaves. The palate has a vibrant intensity displaying ripe plum, cherry and black olives. Bright acidity and smooth tannins, complex and concentrated finish. Try it you'll like it!

Antico Fuoco Rosso

Still doing research on this one as far as whether it's from Puglia or Verona, but... wherever its from it's a good one! As far as I can tell it's made up of 60% Corvina with 40% Merlot grapes and aged in neutral barrels for 6 months. The wine menu indicated some Negroamaro in the blend but I couldn't confirm that fact.

The color is a deep purple and weighing in fairly hefty with consistency of light syrup. Aromas of summer fruits ripened on the vine, black currants and black cherry. The palate goes to marzipan and stewed fruits with a slightly bitter citrus edge, nicely balancing the dry acidity with mild tannins, reminding me of a Ripasso or Amarone because of its concentration of flavors. Chewy with lots of texture.

If you have more details about this one please comment below.

Tenuta Terraviva Lui Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

This Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is a biodynamic red wine macerated in stainless steel then fermented in old French barriques for 12 months before bottle aging for 6 months before release. Ruby colors the glass while aromatics showing black cherry, forest floor and musk. Fruit dominates the palate via soft tannins and mild acidity. Good everyday wine to have with a meal.

The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

The Federalist expresses this revolutionary blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Syrah and 1% Sangiovese. Different blocks were fermented separately to preserve the character of each. Aged for 15 months in new oak.

Very dark purple in the glass, with good weight; on the nose a playful cherry creamsicle set against an earthy leather, after breathing a while opens to ripe blackberry and spices.

On the palate... OMG, blueberry pie a la mode! (with vanilla ice cream), black fruits really noticeable at back of tongue along with sour cherry. Chewy texture, good ripe fruit with excellent tannin structure. SRP $17.76.

Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Near perfect conditions made 2012 a banner year for California's grape growing season, and here's a Cabernet that proves it without breaking the bank. Sourced from Napa, Lodi, Paso Robles and Monterey, with a blend of 76% Cabernet, 13% Syrah, 7% Zinfandel and 4% Merlot, this juicy red is a study in supple tannins and bright acidity. Aged in American and French oak barrels for 8 months.

Reddish purple hues coloring the glass, with an opaque density, fruity aromas of cassis, blueberry, and some red fruits, along with subtle hints of vanilla bean. Then the palate shows ripe flavors of plum and black cherry, underscored by more red and black fruit.

Can't go wrong with this one at about $9!!!!

Ca Ed Balos Moscato D'Asti

This one makes me smile. It could be the sparkling in the glass... or the peach aromas that remind me of summer. The little things in life... that make you feel happy... just to be alive.

All this from a little grape called Moscato Bianco, grown in Piedmont, Italy. At harvest the grapes are soft pressed, fermented in controlled temperature steel tanks, then the fermentation process is stopped at the precise moment to attain a higher residual sugar, sparkle and lower alcohol content. But the sweetness is in no way cloying and seems just right to me.

Colors in the glass are clear straw with intense aromas of apricot, peach and honeysuckle along with a slightly sweet palate and hints of citrus and elderberry. The finish is long and satisfying. Will pair well with soft cheese, Italian Pastries or fresh fruit.

Salute!

Slow Wine 2016

If any of you wine lovers are in NYC today, try to make the Slow Wine 2016 event at the Highline Ballroom, 431 west 16 Street. Check out Italy's selection of biodiverse wines.

Rosenblum Cellars Vintner's Cuvee XXXVI Zinfandel, California

From Sonoma, this is an excellent value at about $11. Aged for 8 months in American oak, prior to bottling a bit of Petit Syrah is added to round out the profile. Notes of blue and red fruits including blackberry, blueberry are prevalent on the nose, while the palate shows signs of raspberry, white pepper and spice. Chewy and rambunctious, this is a good everyday wine you can pair with barbecue or pizza easily. Enjoy! You may be able to find it for much lower price depending on your location.