Who doesn't love bubbles!? It's one of the few wines you can drink at 9AM without anyone raising an eyebrow and drink until the ball drops at midnight. Cava is refreshing, lightly textured, and affordable. Best yet, at 0/btl, you won't cry if your mother-in-law puts OJ in it! I've been a fan of this one for years for the money - enjoyable straight and great for craft cocktails/mimosas.
An excellent example of Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. The winemaker is James MacPhail (over 100+ that have scored 90pts or more) and is the brain child of fine wine importer extraordinaire, Peter Deutch, and legendary sports announcer, Jim Nantz. Who says money can't buy good wine!?
The Scavino family has making wines from the region known for Barolo for over 100+ years. What doesn't go in to their estate wines winds up in this exceptional house red. Easy-drinking food wine for any occasion.
Clean, refreshing summer wine with a very strange providence. It's 100% Pedro Ximenez, a grape indigenous to Spain for making fortified wine (Sherry). Except this is from Chile and made in to a still wine that bears NO resemblance to it's European manipulations. Beautiful, tropical aromatics, and a mouth-watering finish - perfect deck wine for summer/
Tolaini "Legit"
From the Heart of Tuscany
Tolaini "Legit", 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tuscany, IT, $44.99/btl
94pts, Wines Spectator, 92pts Wine Advocate
One of the best kept secrets in the world (aside from where are Jimmy Hoffa's remains), is that Tuscany does some award-winning Bordeaux varietals. Case in point, Legit by Tolaini. 90+ ratings across the board, including 94pts from Wine Spectator and 92pts Wine Advocate.
The label is a far cry from the estate's traditional packaging. Upon it's inception with their US importer, both parties agreed this wine "was a Legit Cabernet Sauvignon, with a true sense of place and an Italian Soul." In wanting to pursue the name LEGIT, only one person came to mind. A person who embodied stylish originality and eternal hipness, an artist referred to as the "Genius of Modern Music" - Thelonious Monk.
From a retailer's perspective with a musical background, I appreciate it, but it doesn't help it jump of the shelf. But at any given tasting, it's a show-stopper! It drinks like a Bordeaux with a New World flair. They only produce it in the best vintages, with 2018 being the most recent.
If you haven't explored Bordeaux varietals from Italy, you owe it to yourself. Granted, they are few and far between, however, they're amazing when you get your hands on one. You could honestly mistake some of them for Bordeaux at a fraction of the price. Start with Tolaini, and feel free to hit me up for some other recommendations.