Because life is too short for terrible wine, so I sacrificed my liver for your benefit! I present several outstanding wines that pack a lot more punch than their price tags. This month, I looked for refinement in every sip, as well as wines that go well with steakhouse fare or simply on their own.
Fitapreta – Preta Cuvée David Booth Grande Reserva
This is the greatest Alentejo wine I’ve tasted thus far. Wonderfully put together. After roughly 2 hours of decanting, it was excellent. On the nose, there’s dark red fruit, black fruit, and a hint of wood. On the palate, oak, blueberry and blackberry, earth, mushroom, pepper, tobacco, and floral notes are all nicely blended. It has a silky finish. The wine continues to evolve in the glass, and I reckon it will be amazing to keep for the next 10-15 years.
Winery: Fitapreta
Grapes: Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional
Region: Portugal / Alentejano
Wine style: Portuguese Alentejo Red
Ornellaia – Le Volte 2018
It’s undeniably good, and it punches much above its price tag. Ripe Mediterranean fruit. Blackberry, black currant, plum, and black cherry are all examples of black fruits. Spices and flowery aromas, with a long list of ingredients and great drinkability. This wine is a fantastic way to sample the style of the big brothers without breaking the budget. I particularly enjoy it with roasted meats or steakhouse meals.
Winery: Ornellaia
Grapes: 50% Merlot, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Italy / Toscana
Wine style: Tuscan Red
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Confidencial – Tinto Reserva
Magnificent deep red color; aromas of dark fruit, including blueberry, plums, and leather; long finish with a pleasant lingering aftertaste. Mouthfeel is viscous, with well-balanced tannin and acidity. With or without food, it’s a very drinkable wine. The finish is dry, with notes of prune, raisin, and minerality.
Winery: Confidencial
Grapes: Tinta de toro
Region: Portugal / Lisboa
Wine style: Southern Portugal Red
Alcohol content: 13.5%
The Prisoner – Red Blend
On the nose, dark fruits, wood, vanilla, and chocolate are present. This youthful 2017 vintage, which was newly released, impressed me. Rich tannins and full-bodied Chocolate with a hint of sweetness on the tongue. Syrupy finish for a luxurious look. This wine should improve with age. Excellent on its own or with meal.
Winery: The Prisoner
Grapes: Shiraz/Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Charbono, Petite Sirah, Grenache
Region: United States / Napa Valley
Wine style: Californian Red Blend
Les Volets – Malbec
Les Volets, a wonderful French Malbec, did not disappoint; aromas of blackcurrants and redcurrants, with gobs of blackcurrant jam on the palate. It has the same predilection for Argentine style as Rhône Syrah has for Australian Shiraz. The fruitiness is downplayed, and the finish is smooth, buttery, and vanilla.
Winery: Les Volets
Grapes: 100% Malbec
Region: France / Pays d’Oc / Haute Vallee de l’Aude
Wine style: Languedoc-Roussillon Red
Alcohol content:13.5%
Atlas Curates 