2001 Tre Rose Vino Nobile de Montepulciano (Italy-Tuscany)

Deep purple color. It’s a juicy wine with notes of blackberry on the first encounter along with notes of cassis and cedar with come out as the wine aerates and softens. There’s a smokiness that emerges as well. It has a soft texture and a nice smooth medium long finish.

Very good wine at an affordable price. $15 from the usually ridiculously expensive D. Sokolin Wine on Long Island.

2003 Spy Valley Pinot Noir (New Zealand- Marlborough)

Spy Valley. New Zealand is on the map for Pinot Noir. Very juicy with a deep ruby red color. Black cherry aroma with a creaminess to the nose (if that’s possible) and texture. Hints of cedar and red licorice. Juicy and lush with a medium finish.

I’ve had the ’02 vintage of this wine and while it’s not as good as what I remember that to be, its still not bad and a solid B wine.

It was purchased for $32 at Chelsea Wine Vault but is generally not an easy wine to find around. However, at $32 I don’t think this is a great deal.