Val Di Suga Brunello di Montalcino 2001

$40 for a brunello -- who could say no?

This wine didn't come through for me. It wasn't particularly smooth, or acidic, or fruity, or anything. It didn't scream brunello.

With food, this wine is considerably better. On the second night, it paired nicely with a nice USDA prime sirloin, and on the third, it went down very smoothly with some simple pork. Food balances out the edginess and helps the smooth tannins shrine through.

Overall though, it didn't hit the spot for me.

Rating: 3/5
Price: $40
Bought from: BevMo, Stevens Creek Blvd.

Vitae Sangiovese Puglia 2005

This is a real surprise. Sangioveses under $20 have typically been very unkind to me. Lose, acidic, not a lot of finesse. Those disappointments led me to the $20 and above super tuscans, and for a while, that's where I stayed.

This Sangiovese is different. It is not 'distinctively sangiovese' -- instead of big, bold, earthy berries it has a measured acid and a very smooth follow through to finish. Alcohol content is low, so it was easy to drink too.

On the second day the acid does pick up more, but it still downs a Spaghetti alla Puttanesca very well. And the rest of the bottle was perfect with the well aged Piave I just bought.

Rating: Excellent, 4/5
Price: $10
Bought from: Vintage Wine Merchants, Santana Row

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