Fly Wines: Welcome to the Vine High Club

Wine clubs can be a whole lot of fun, and I just got this box by Fly Wines, whose goal is to share independent wineries from around the world with its customers. I have two daughters so you're damn right I'm gonna mention this is a woman owned business, aaaaand a black woman owned business. That is friggin' awesome.

So Fly Wines just launched recently and their first offering is four wines (in 187ml bottles) by Fortino Winery out of Santa Clara, California. Which was a good decision because the wines are very nice, and I always love seeing something different that doesn't get into the market of my area often like a Sangiovese from California.

But just by everything that I see, Fly Wines has their stuff together. They have an excellent presentation, with obvious care into their image, and they ESPECIALLY have beautiful and protective packaging. I've seen wine clubs that showed up with awful presentation and packaging, but Fly Wines is top notch in this area. The best I've personally seen yet of its kind.

Getting a delivery from this wine club would be a pleasure. I'm gonna give it a big thumbs up!

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Banshee Rosé 2019

Oh I love Banshee's wine so much, and this Rosé in no exception! The 2019 vintage is salmon in color and made with 48% Sangiovese, 25% Grenache, 16% Syrah, 8% Barbera, and 3% Zinfandel. Cantaloupe is all over it, with honeydew melon, lemon, and toast. I could smell it all night! This is not a quaffing rosé. This is one that you want to cradle and savor.

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #3!

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Grapes & Capes Episode #3: Robots don't eat cookies

Michael and Joey read The Ultimates #1 and Vision #1 while tasting Oak Farm Vineyards Fiano, La Crema Sonoma Chardonny, and Banshee Rosé. Wines provided by Colangelo & Partners.

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Wine #1: Oak Farm Vineyards 2018/2019, sitting on the leese

Comics #1: The Ultimates #1 (2002)

Wine #2: La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018, New World wine vs Old World wine, effects of oak, what is Zinfandel

Comics #2: Vision #1 (2015), Tom King's Batman, War of Jokes and Riddles, Tom King's comicsgate controversy, Scarlet Witch

Wine #3: Banshee Rosé 2019, how they make pink wine, orange wine, dry rosé vs sweet rosé

Comics #3: the death of Deadshot, DC Universe Infinite, HBO Max, call Tony Stark at 212-970-4133, Marvel getting cosmic

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Wine Review: Castello di Albola Chianti Classico Riserva 2014

The Castello di Albola Estate is situated in Radda at the heart of the Chianti Classico DOCG appellation, where the legacy of grape cultivation dates back to the time of the Etruscans. The Acciaiuoli family commissioned the estate to plant its lofty vineyard in Chianti Classico in the 15th century as a symbol of their high status. Over the centuries, many noble Tuscan families have owned the property, and the estate has earned various accolades for its wines. In 1979, the Zonin family acquired Castello di Albola promising to uphold the estate’s excellence for future generations. The wines produced in Castello di Albola have earned the iconic “Gallo Nero” symbol from the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, which guarantees the highest standards in winemaking.

The 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. The grapes are hand harvested, and the must is placed in horizontal vinification tanks for three weeks until malolactic fermentation is complete. It spends 15 months in oak. 10% is aged in Allier oak barriques, and 90% is aged in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. Then it spends another year in stainless steel tanks before seeing three months of bottle aging. It has a 13.5% ABV.

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Wine Review: Le Maciarine Montecucco Rosso 2015

So just a few days ago I admitted that I had to use a backup bottle from my own collection for my review because the bottle that I had scheduled to review was corked. Well, that corked bottle was Maciarine Montecucco Sangiovese 2015. And that says nothing about that wine because corked bottles just happen. It comes with the territory.

But what does say something is the haste that they showed, after I informed them of the faulty bottle, to replace it. In no time at all I saw their Le Maciarine Montecucco Rosso 2015 at my doorstep and I was quite surprised to see it arrive so quickly. These guys are invested in their brand and their online reputation. That's a pretty valuable asset to guys like myself... if the product is good.

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Wine Review: Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico 2015

Well, it's time to use one of my backup bottles because the wine that was penciled in to be reviewed today was corked. Nothing but liquid moldy basement. So this bottle of Castello di Bossi CC 2015 was a gift from a sales rep and I've just been keeping it in my wine fridge for a day like this one! Thanks, Gary!

With a history dating back to the 9th century AD, the Castello di Bossi estate has evolved with the times. A dynamic team leads the estate and never shies from technological innovation, while remaining true to the terroir of Chianti. It is this balance that has been a key part of Marco Bacci’s vision as he has brought Castello di Bossi to the highest ranks of international wine. As the mastermind of Castello di Bossi, he oversees all operations, from beginning to end, with careful attention to detail. In the last 10 years, Marco has added two properties to his holdings: Renieri in Montalcino and Terre di Talamo in the Morellino di Scansano appellation.

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Wine Review: Parmoleto Montecucco Sangiovese 2015

Parmoleto was founded in Montecucco, Italy, in 1990. Their Montecucco Sangiovese is 100% Sangiovese from vineyards 200 meters above sea level with southwest exposure and a prevalence of clay in the soil. It spent 12 months in barriques and has an ABV of 14%.

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Clearance Wine Quickie: Fattoria Paradiso Vigna delle Lepri Sangiovese Riserva 2009

Phew! This is supposed to be a quickie so the long-ass name of the wine is enough! Jeez! This is a Sangiovese di Romagna that is now officially 10 years old and it's still drinking just fine. It's medium bodied with tart cherries, blueberries, leather, and cigarette box. There's some surprise strawberry on the finish along with lively acidity and nice chalky tannin still going strong. Very good deal at the discounted price!

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Wine Review: Rocca di Montemassi Le Focaie 2016

In 1999, continuing their company’s expansion in Tuscany, the Zonin family acquired this 430-hectare property in the Maremma, of which 180 hectares are planted with vines. The lordly mansion has been restored to its ancient splendour, the little lake - inhabited by splendid swans – is a mirror for Venus, the Museum of Rural Civilization, unique of its kind in the Maremma, has found its “home” in a wing of the property whose original architecture has been restored and made extraordinarily efficient. - RoccaDiMontemassi.it

Le Focaie is an introductory level wine by Rocca di Montemassi out of Meremma, Tuscany. It's 90% Sangiovese and 10% of other varieties on the estate that aren't specified. But it could Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and/or Merlot, as those are the other red varieties planted there. The wine spent twelve months aging in oak, and that's all I really know about it. Other than it has an ABV of 13%.

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Clearance Wine Quickie: Cecchi La Mora Morellino di Scansano 2013

90% Sangiovese with the remainder all native Tuscan varietals. Lots of cherry on the nose with strawberry licorice and hot cinnamon. On the palate it's light bodied with tart acidity and soft tannin. The flavors are fruit forward with lots of cherry and blueberry, backed up with clay and a little olive. Hey, it's okay. I'm happy with it for the discount.

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Clearance Wine Quickie: La Braccesca Sabazio Rosso di Montepulciano 2012

Yet another one off the clearance shelf! Can you tell that somebody is trying to move old, slow-moving product? This is 80% Prugnolo Gentile (AKA Sangiovese), 10% Merlot, and 5% Canaiolo Nero. The nose is outstanding with floral notes, blackberries, chocolate, and popcorn. It's light to medium bodied with dusty tannin and some bright acidity that isn't too tart. There's flavors of cherries, Fruit Roll-up, and spices. It's very much fruit forward and candy-ish but also very dry. This is a solid bottle of wine for the regular price and it's still holding up nicely after six years.

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Wine Review: Tenuta Alzatura Montefalco Rosso DOC 2014

This week I'm reviewing two wines from Montefalco, Italy. Today I'll be doing Tenuta Alzatura Montefalco Rosso DOC 2014 and on Sunday it'll be Antonelli Montefalco Sagrantino 2012.

Montefalco is an ancient town and commune within the Colli Martana DOCG of Umbria and it's been one of those hot wine regions of late that everybody is talking about. Montefalco has three tiers to its wine categorization: Montefalco DO, Montefalco DOC (Montefalco Bianco, Monterfalco Rosso, Montefalco Rosso Riserva), and Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG. Forgive me if I've missed any.

MONTEFALCO
IMAGE CREDIT: tenutastella.it

The Montefalco DOC, both for Bianco (white) and Rosso (red), was created in 1979. So I was a fetus when this DOC was born. Nice. The Rosso has to have a minimum from 60% to 70% Sangiovese, at least 10% to 15% Sagrantino, and pretty much whatever you want for the remaining 30% or less. It also needs to be aged for eighteen months. However, as you'll see, that doesn't appear to mean just oak aging but includes bottle aging.

Tenuta Alzatura Montefalco Rosso DOC 2014 is 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, and 15% Merlot. Fermentation was done using "traditional" temperature control (I'm not sure what "traditional" means, like if it's not in stainless steel or whatever) on its skin at 61°F for fifteen days, then it saw fourteen months in barriques (not the minimum for aging) and another four months of bottle aging (putting it right at the eighteen month minimum for aging).

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Wine Review: Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2015

Over the course of this week I've reviewed three wine's by Falesco's Vitiano label. I started off with their 2016 Bianco, then their 2016 Rosato, and now finally I'm tasting their 2015 Rosso. Falesco is located in Italy's Umbria and was founded in 1979 by two legendary winemakers, Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella. In 1995 they introduced the Vitiano label, seeking to find a balance between tradition of native grapes and the versatility of international varieties. Basically, Vitiano is their affordable, easily-approachable label for the average consumer.

The 2015 Rosso is 34% Sangiovese, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 33% Merlot. The vineyard was planted in 1992 and is 1,000 about sea level, and the vines are trained as spur-pruned cordon. The wine sees twelve days of fermentation in stainless steel tanks and fifteen days of maceration. Then it goes into French oak barrels for three months before it's bottled, and then three months of bottle aging before release. The final ABV is 13.5%.

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Wine Review: Falesco Vitiano Rosato 2016

Over the course of this week I'm be reviewing three wine's by Falesco's Vitiano label. I started off with their 2016 Bianco, now I'm on their 2016 Rosato, and then finally I'll taste their 2015 Rosso. Falesco is located in Italy's Umbria and was founded in 1979 by two legendary winemakers, Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella. In 1995 they introduced the Vitiano label, seeking to find a balance between tradition of native grapes and the versatility of international varieties. Basically, Vitiano is their affordable, easily-approachable label for the average consumer.

The 2016 Rosato is 30% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Aleatico. The vineyard was planted in 1985 at 990 feet above sea level on sedimentary clay with calcareous deposits. It has a brief maceration of two days to extract color and flavor, and then it's fermented in stainless steel tanks for ten days. 40,000 bottles were produced and it has an ABV of 12%.

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The Dueling Montepulcianos: Vino Nobile vs d'Abruzzo

One thing that often follows the common "I was at a restaurant last night..." beginning of a sentence from a wine consumer to a wine professional is its completion with "and I had a Montepulciano." This is one of those I love my job moments because now I get to completely geek out with a customer so I can help them. Not only do I need to dig for clues to figure out what kind of Montepulciano they had and prevent them from purchasing the wrong kind, but more importantly I get to educate the public! "Come with me, citizen," I think to myself, "Step into my domain and we shall explore the world of Montepulciano!"  

Essentially there are two different Montepulcianos. There's wine from a Montepulciano region and then there's wine made from the Montepulciano grape varietal. Both are red. Have you seen Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or its little brother Rosso di Montepulicano? And have you seen Montepulciano d'Abruzzo? These two Montepulcianos share the love of confusing us Americans with fancy Italian words but they're drastically different. This is because at its very core Italy doesn't like to do anything if it's not complicated. But let's start with the basics:

So Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or Rosso di Montepulciano are mostly made from Sangiovese, which is the grape used in Chianti, from the village named Montepulciano in Tuscany. Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2010 was my wine pick of the month in September of 2016.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is mostly made from the grape called Montepulciano in the more southern region of Abruzzi. Because the Montepulciano referred to here is a grape variety, this is the Montepulciano you'll see come from other places in Italy (without the d'Abruzzo part) and even across the world. Back in April of this year I reviewed THP Montepulciano 2014 by Llano Estacado out of Texas! That's right; TEXAS!

Now, that's a very simple explanation. Easy enough, right? But you know I'm not going to just leave it like that for this blog. Just like Italy, I don't like to do anything if it's not complicated. Alright, tell ya what, I'll go easy on this article and won't get too technical, okay? I need to ease my way back in to writing these monthly articles. Now let's go even further in to the dueling Montepulcianos. And let's drink them, too.

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Wine Review: Cecchi Chianti Classico 2014

The Cecchi family got into the winemaking business in 1893 with Luigi Cecchi, and the first bottles of Cecchi labeled wines were produced in the early 1900's. However, the land that their winery and estate vineyards are on has been making wine for over a thousand years. Today it's run by Andrea and Cesare Cecchi, and they pride themselves on their practice of sustainability.

My favorite thing about Cecchi actually isn't their wines, although they're good too. Cecchi has among the coolest social media accounts for wineries.They're constantly posting stuff on their Facebook and Instagram and it's almost always awesome. From vintage photos, gorgeous vineyards, behind the scenes looks at tastings and harvests, delicious food, interesting articles, and etc. They're also HIGHLY interactive and helpful with their followers. Cecchi is on top of the social media game.

Today I'm reviewing their 2014 Chianti Classico. It's 90% Sangiovese and I'm assuming the other 10% is Canaiolo and/or Cabernet Sauvignon. It saw 12 months in oak, two months bottle aging, and has an ABV of 13%.

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September Wine Pick: Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2010

This WINE PICK of the month was written for the Luke's of Cape Cod website.

I really wanted to make my wine pick for this month one from 2010 as a toast to my daughter's sixth birthday and, luckily for me, this beauty is currently on that vintage. Carpineto is based in the Chianti region of Italy and they produce many different kinds of Tuscan wine, from entry level to high class. But there's really nothing that they do that isn't outstanding.

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December Wine Pick: San Felice Chianti Classico 2012

This WINE PICK of the month was written for the Luke's of Cape Cod website.

I had this wine at a trade tasting in the spring and walked away saying to myself (and anybody else who would listen) "that was the winner of the night." I then proceeded to bring it into the store without haste, and it's now my Chianti recommendation of choice.

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March Wine Pick: La Maia Lina Gertrude Toscana

This WINE PICK of the month was written for the Luke's of Cape Cod website.

La Maia Lina means “little pig” in Italian. Gertrude is the local name for a breed of miniature pigs native to Tuscany. So the name of this wine pretty much translates to “little pig little pig”. Now you’re supposed to say “let me in” and it’ll refuse and then you huff and puff, etc.

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