2005 Poderi San Lazzaro "Grifola" Marche IGT (Previously $35.)

This wine is really great, it has body, depth, power, complexity and shows its best when it has been open in a decanter for about 2+ hours! This wine feels like a Rhone wine, that fullness in the mouth, breadth, richness, cheek stretching but at the same time it has Brunello like length, focus, complexity and a finish that is endless. This is really dynamite wine capable of aging for another decade + easily but you need to try it now so you can experience the real flavors of a real wine. Trust me on this, it is great.

Poderi San Lazzaro is a young winery, but one to keep an eye on. When I was the buyer at Pizzeria Mozza, their Rosso Piceno "Poderi 72" was one of the best selling wines on our list. The "Grifola" is their top tier offering, and is a delicious wine. It is a Marche IGT, as the DOC for Rosso Piceno Superiore mandates that there must be a minimun amount of Sangiovese in the blend. This is 100% Montepulciano, and is a beautiful expression of the grape. It has the roasted fruit, lightly roasted coffee, and warm earth/animal/"sauvage" quality ("salvatico" in Italian) that one would expect from great Montepulciano. But while powerful, it does however have more elegance and balance that the somewhat more burly offerings from further south in Abbruzzo. The alcohol (14% on the label) is a little noticable on the finish, but can be easily tamed by avoiding an overly spicy dish and staying with some roasted meats, stews, or a veggie lasagna. Will easily age a few more years but is drinking perfectly now. By the way "Grifola" means "little stream" in the the dialect of Le Marche. There's a little stream in the vineyard. I'm told it also, curiosly enough, is the name of a type of local mushroom.

This is not your typical Montepulciano! This is one of the biggest, darkest, richest Montepulcianos without crushing your wallet nor tearing your mouth apart with young harsh tannins. Aged 16 months in French barrique that gives it a touch of elegance. This has been a favorite of mine for several vintages, and it is drinking great right now, but will keep for several more years.

(Score based on my quality to price ratio at $24 club price). Wow, this one is simply gorgeous and drinking well right now. One of the great values of Marche, and the perfect montepulciano to share with your friends who can't seem to kick their California cab, syrah or zin habits. Hey - I love Cali wines when the value is right, but in the $24 class, there aren't many American reds that can compete with this Poderi San Lazzaro.