An Old Favorite- Under weird circumstances

Here's the scoop

Sicily (Sicilia)
Red grape= Nero d'Avola (90%)
Serious producer= Colosi
Here we go...

2003 (yes there is a story behind this old vintage)
Colosi Dry Red Wine

Deep brick red- still clear to pale rim
Blockbuster aromas of dried fruit (ripe), tar, tobacco,light spices, cherry...
Stewed fruits, but still vibrant with cherries and wild game components...
Moderate finish.

Now here's the story-
Old wine stored in horrible conditions (not mine)- not a wine to lay down, a "drink upon release" type, like "MOST WINES" (just ask me and I will elaborate)

and yet... it still SURVIVED!

Even in the worst storage conditions and beyond it's expected "shelf life"
it still SURVIVED.

The short story- Colosi wines are affordable and produced with utmost quality.

But What About...

Hey Everyone,
I am getting so many tweets about what I have tried and do not like (or "buy at your own risk", etc.). As you may well perceive, there are many wines (especially at this price point) which I would "never invite to dinner again".

I am asking you all to please let me know if any of these entries would be of any interest to you.
--------- Or ---------
I am completely committed to continuing my "best of" format as well.
Please let me know...

Affordable Old World Style Pinot Noir

Here is one of the many I've found:

2007 Agustinos Pinot Noir Reserva (Bio-Bio Valley Chile)

Medium to dark brick red. Very aromatic, with "Old World" herbal (eucalyptus)/spice/soil characteristic (think Sauvigny Les Beaune). Perfumed aromas of this fruit are nuanced with sweat and some tar; slight alcohol burn.
On the palate, a spicy, ripe, racy (pepper/plum) fruit is joined by a slight note of the aforementioned alcohol (and tannins). Good acidity and balance. Moderate finish. At $11 this opens the Pinot Noir door without breaking the bank.

Sensational Spanish Red

2004 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva-
Brick red. Immediate ripe, spicy Tempernillo aromas with an integrated vanilla/spicy oak component. On the palate, a well-knit marriage of ripe fruit (berries), spice, and vanilla (toasted barrel), with an earthy note and some tobacco. Smooth and elegant with modest complexity. Moderate finish. 90% Tempernillo (or Tinto del Toro) and 10% Graciano and/or Mazuelo, Rioja Reservas spend a minimum of 1 year in barrel and spend 3 years in the winery (between barrel and bottle aging) before release. Marques de Riscal is Rioja's oldest operating producer (dating back to 1860). Finding this wine in the New York City market for $14, is one of the ultimate "finds" that I base this blog upon...BUT...
I will get into other tastings/ideas/beliefs/trends, etc. soon. Please feel free to write in and add your own comments.

Quick Wine Shout Out

This is a terrific white wine that has been offered at "BLOW OUT PRICES" here in NYC- some good bottle age and from a world-renowned producer- check it out:

2005 Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio (Mastroberardino)
Deep gold- Ripe melon with hazelnut aromas- bracing (but balanced) acidity intertwined with rich ripe fruit (honey and melon). Small citrus component (a squeeze of lemon), some limestone and the hazelnuts- moderate to long finish.
100% Coda di Volpe del Vesuvio- grown nowhere else in the world... at $9 a bottle this is the buy of the summer- find it while you can.
Mastroberardino's entire lineup is worth checking out- phenomenal producer!