Ok, I waited as long as I could. You don’t know how difficult it is to have a bottle of Le Volte on the shelf for a week. All I did was look at it! Until today…

Cork: Authentic

Name:Le Volte
Type:Meritage - Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (exact percentages not given)
Vintage:2003
Region:Tuscany
Country:Italy
Producer:Ornellaia
Price: $22.99
Purchased at:Wine’s Best Buy
Date:10/12/2005
Served With:Ala Carte
Appearance:Thick and juicy, robust. Excellently spaced legs
Aroma:It smells GOOD! I’m kind of at a loss for a good description.
Taste:The moment of truth…drum roll please! Smooth. Oh, yes…I’ve had this taste in my mouth before! (bonus points if you know what movie that comes from!). It has a very even taste. Great tannins and acidity. Seems a perfect fit for my tastes as the flavor spreads evenly throughout the tongue and cheeks.
Comments: Many times the taste of a wine or a food is influenced by the surroundings that one finds themself in, both good and bad. I believe that very thing applies with this wine as the first time I ever drank it I was out with friends, in a quaint Italian restaurant and the wine was flowing very nicely. However, during the 2 times I’ve had it since then it has continued to live up to the original great taste! It seems to be a perfect fit for my palate and because I like this wine so much I’m forced to create a new “The List” and it will be for wines uder $25. This one is the first to make it!

Incidentally, when I was creating this post I originally picked the Red Wine/Meritage category but upon further review, it can ony be called a blend. Thanks to an article in the Washington Post from September of 2004 by Ben Giliberti,

“So the requirements for Meritage were set forth: A red Meritage wine must be made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the classic Bordeaux grape varieties. The proportions may vary, but at least three of the grape varieties must be used.”

Since Sangiovese is an Italian grape this wine could not be considered a Meritage. Oh, well. The name has a nice ring to it but it will have to fit into the “Blends” category!