Di Vinci 2004 Chianti, Italy
This is a fine example of a new world Chianti. Concentrated notes of cherries and hints of gun metal mineral are true to the sangiovese flavor profile. Very smooth, with soft tannins that do not override the ripe fruit flavors. There is a hint of vanilla on the mid-palate and finish.
-BF $12
Where to find this wine:
City Wine, Bonnie Brae, Superior Liquors

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Da Vinci Chianti 2003 Classico, Italy
Silky fruit flavors with soft tannins. Hints of kiffer lime and gun metal flirt with a black cherry palate. Fruit forward, but very balanced with enough acidity and tannins to be served at meals. -BF $20
Where to find this wine:
Meridian Wine & Spirits, Highland Vineyards

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Da Vinci Classico Riserva Chianti, Italy
A spicy canvas of black cherries with splashes of cinnamon, vanilla, clove, and rosemary. The acidity and tannins are soft and balanced, but will allow this wine to cellar for a decade or so. -BF $26
Where to find this wine:
Meridian Wine & Spirits, Highland Vineyards

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Da Vinci 2003 S.to Ippolito, Tuscany, Italy
This is a Super Tuscan that has really broken the mold. Made from Tuscan grown syrah and merlot. This combination would never be allowed in a bottle labeled Chianti, but now flexes it muscles as a fine Tuscan red. Chewy plum, chocolate, and blackberries, flavors with hints of white pepper and vanilla. This is an intense and very complex wine. -BF $40
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Da Vinci 2000 Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello is a clone of sangiovese and is reputed to be the longest lived out of all the Tuscan wines. This Brunello is incredibly dense. Notes of plums, wild cherries, currants, and vanilla. Slight hint of cedar and minerals. This one needs to breathe over night to open up or cellar for a few years. -BF $70
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Regaleali 2004 Bianco, Sicily, Italy
Sicilian producers embrace their indigenous grape varieties. This white is a blend of Sicilian inzolia, cataratto and grecanico, three unusual, yet graceful grapes. Very bright and mouthwatering with good acidity to fruit intensity. Distinct apricot notes evolve into notes of green apple on the finish. Lovely, refreshing, and perfect for food with its refreshing crispness. -BF $13
Where to find this wine:
Bonnie Brae

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Tasca d'Almerita 2004 Leone, Sicily, Italy

Hints of citrus and flowers on the nose. Refreshing with notes of lemons, peaches, and apples on the palate. This wine has a long, lingering finish with a hint of melon. An interesting white deserving of a special meal, perhaps some grilled tuna or risotto. -BF $20
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Regaleali 2004 Rose, Sicily, Italy
Strawberries jump out of the glass as you bring it to your nose. This wine is made by resting the wine on the nero de avola skins. The palate is loaded with strawberries, lime zest, and blond cherries. This is rich, with a slight grip from just the perfect amount of tannins. -BF $13
Where to find this wine:
Bonnie Brae

Regaleali 2003 Rosso, Sicily, Italy
This wine is aged in Slovenian oak vats, one of my personal favorite oak treatments. Notes of cinnamon spice on the nose. It is soft and fruit forward on the palate, with notes of plum, blackberry, and spice. This is a very good example of how tasty nero d'alvola can be. -BF $12
Where to find this wine:
Superior Liquor

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Tasca d'Almerita 2003 Lamuri, Sicily, Italy
Tasty 100% nero d' avola offering. Fragrant and spicy on the nose, which leads to flavors of plums, cherries, anise, and chocolate. There is a touch of jamminess, but the wine is balanced with its integrated tannins and mouthwatering acidity. I tasted the Regaleali, Lamuri, and Rosso de Conte in a row and was thoroughly impressed with each one. -BF $20
Where to find this wine
Superior Liquors
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Tasca D'Almerita 2002 Rosso de Conte, Sicily, Italy
With a beautiful purple hue this wine is very special. Old vine nero d'avalo, Alberto Tasca D'Amlmerita claims he is drinking vintages of this wines in the 1970s right now. (I believe him.) Chocolate, cherries, vanilla, mocha, and cherry brandy, this wine is layered, complex and dense. A smooth, interesting red. A great gift for Dad or for yourself. Drink it now or cellar it for a decade, it is a steal at this price. Exceptional! -BF $40
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Rotari NV Brut
Zesty and refreshing, this inexpensive bottle of bubbly is a great value. Notes of green apples, blond cherries, and fresh baked cardamom bread fill the palate. There are hints of apricots lingering on the finish. Because it is made from both chardonnay and pinot noir, two of the three official Champagne grapes, Rotari NV Brut's quality presides over many sparkling wines in its category. -BF $14
Where to find this wine:
Superior Liquors

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Feudo Arancio 2004 Grillo
Subtle, with hints of summer flowers on the nose. On the palate this wine is soft and polished with flavors of lemons, honey, blossoms, and perfume. Softer acidity makes it a delicious summer sipping wine. Delicate and elegant.
-BF $10
Where to find this wine.

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Mezzacorona 2003 Riserva Pinot Grigio
The pinot grigio is crisp with notes of melon, pear, and citrus. There is a soft polished note that allows it to stand up to the cream sauce. Lovely use of old oak barrique. A touch Alsatian. -BF $16
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Mezzacorona 2004 Chardonnay
The chardonnay is ripe and exotic with notes of pineapple, yet fresh and crisp with flavors of apple. The use of oak is prudent, allowing the crisp flavors of chardonnay to bloom in the glass. -BF $10
Where to find this wine:
Superior Liquor, Highland Vineyards

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Feudo Aranico 2003 Nero D' Avola
I loved this wine. Delightful nose of roses and licorice. On the palate it is medium bodied making it a good choice for chicken and lighter dishes. Flavors of dark chocolate, roses, cola, black cherries, anise, and vanilla fill the mouth. Light tannins and a touch of lingering acidity on the finish are a winner. An interesting red that offers a welcome change of pace. -BF $10
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Rotari NV Demi-Sec Spumante
Delightful! Notes of wedding cake, tangerines, and honey grace this layered, rich sparkling wine. It is a touch sweet, but makes the perfect pair for fruit or other lighter desserts. Would also make a wonderful after dinner drink when the meal was hot food like blackened steak or Cajan snapper. -BF $14
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Inama 2004 Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy
"Minerality, elder flower, chamomile, like all the classic wines it is not a fruit driven wine, it is floral." Stefano Inama

Rich, yet delicate and floral, it has a complimentary mineral flavor on the finish. Like a bouquet of flowers, it persists long after the wine has been drunk. -BF $15
Where to find this wine:
City Wine, Corks, Bonnie Brae

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Inama 2003 Foscarino, Veneto, Italy
A lovely nose of flowers and sunshine. Notes of summer flowers, almonds, and lemons evolve until the finish. A touch of fresh thyme adds a spicy touch. -BF $17
Where to find this wine:
City Wine

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Inama 2004 Sauvignon, Veneto, Italy
Citrus nose leads to a smoky palate. Hints of cream and tropical fruit fill the mid-palate. Lime zest lingers on the finish. A bright, refreshing wine that is both elegant and perfect for food. Very Loire-like, earning the name Fumé. I really enjoyed this wine. Where to find this wine:
City Wine

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Inama 2000 Bradisismo, Veneto, Italy
Roasted, smoky notes of vanilla on the nose. This blend of cabernet sauvigon, merlot, and carmenére offers a synergy of flavors that is reminiscent of Bordeaux, with an Italian flare. Spicy, toasty, notes of mocha, cigar, and licorice grace the palate on a canvas of cherry and plum. Allow this one to breathe a few hours (or more) to get the full expression of the fruit. -BF $38
Where to find this wine:
City Wine

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