The Flight
San Matteo Gavi DOCG 2022 $20 - 100% Cortese vines planted in sandy marl and marine deposits, south facing with vine age between 15 and 40 years. Aromatic nose with notes of flowers, white peaches and minerals. Fully dry with crisp acidity, the palate is flinty with Layers of fruit and textured creaminess; beautifully balanced. Hints of peach, pear and flowers wrap around the generous finish.
Cantina Frentana DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Vallevó” 2023 $14 - This cooperative, located in the foothills of the Majella massif facing the Adriatic Sea, was founded in 1958 and now employs 100 growers. The wines uniformly display rich, clean fruit, vibrant acidity and soft, developed tannins.
Avignonesi IGT Rosso di Toscana “Cantaloro” 2020 $17 - A versatile, young red wine with a ruby red color and a bouquet characterized by inviting aromas of black cherry pie, black berries, thyme, red pepper grains and exotic spices. The taste is medium-bodied, fruity and smooth with a long lingering, dry finish, reminiscent of undergrowth, with an underlying hint of menthol. Blend: 60% Sangiovese, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot.
Cantina del Pino DOC Barbera d’Alba 2023 $20 - The Vacca family traces its viticultural origins in Piemonte back to the wines that came to be known as Barbaresco,a position solidified when they purchased portions of the Ovello vineyard in the early twentieth century. Since then,their name has been synonymous with the famous local co-op and their work with the most famous producers from around the village. In the mid-1990’s, Renato Vacca, along with his father Adriano, created Cantina del Pino, bottling the 1997 production as their first vintage.
Reverdito DOCG Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 $20 - Rising star Michele Reverdito works 27 acres of vines, both around his estate in La Morra as well as in Monforte, Serralunga and Verduno., Two acres each are Barbera and Dolcetto,the remaining Nebbiolo. In the vineyards, he works traditionally and sustainably, eschewing herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In 2015, Dante Scaglione, formerly of Bruno Giacosa, joined the team.
Bonus Wines
Cigliuti Barbera Serraboella d'Alba 2022 $25 - "The 2022 Barbera D'Alba Vigna Serraboella is a blend from three parcels of the southwest lower vines below the Nebbiolo, and the other two are on clay soil and southeast-facing. All the wines are fermented spontaneously, and the Barbera is aged for 18 months in Slavonian oak and French oak 500-liter tonneau. The nose is floral, ripe, and inviting, showing off the lavender floral notes that always sing in this wine. It has a slightly rustic feel, with fresh earth, blackberries, and leather. The palate is structured and full, with good freshness of acidity and ripe, well-defined tannins that feel livelier and more energetic if served a touch cooler.
Reverdito Barolo 2019 DOCG $37 - Grapes drawn from four Barolo communes, Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra, and Verduno. Fermented in steel and aged in large, neutral oak botti. This is a suave and silky Barolo, with a nose of pie cherries, roses, raspberries and strawberries with touches of anise and vanilla. The palate is framed with long, velvety, mature tannins, flavors of warm black fruits, black soil, and dried herbs. Incredible texture and elegance for an amazing price.
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 $42 - #13 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024, 95 points: "The core of cherry, pomegranate and raspberry fruit is detailed with Tuscan scrub, iron, vanilla and tobacco notes as this intense red builds in power to the expansive conclusion, where its fruit, mineral and wild herb flavors converge. Shows fine balance and length; this just needs time to absorb the oak.