The 2018 Sportoletti "Villa Fidelia" Rosso highlights the refined and refined nature of Umbrian wines which represent the most excellent red wines of Central Italy. The Sportoletti family presents this wine by 70% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc while upholding their dedication to quality and local character. The vineyards of this blend are located in the Assisi area of Italy where the clay-limestone soils and temperate climate allow for slow and balanced ripening. The wine presents itself in a deep ruby color when held against the light. Aromatic scents of black cherry along with blackberry and cassis meet with violet and graphite and vanilla and sweet spices. Forest floor scents and tobacco notes emerge subtly in the wine. This full-bodied Villa Fidelia shows velvety texture together with ripe tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the dark fruit flavors fresh. The plum and blackcurrant and dark chocolate flavors are balanced by cedar and clove notes before a long-structured finish. This wine complements roasted lamb and aged Pecorino as well as hearty pasta meals and requires 5 to 7 years of age. A beautiful Umbrian red wine that harmoniously unites intense character with refined elegance.

This wine surprised me a lot more than I thought it would. I always trust our buyers, they have amazing palates, and bring in some monster deals, but this one still caught me off-guard. This is a classic BDX-style blend, with really dark and intense fruit while pulling back and being just shy of full bodied. For just $15, this is a wine that really shouldn't be ignored by anyone who comes to us in part for our aforementioned monster deals. You get a lot for the price, there's a little touch of rustic barn on the nose, but right after there it gets intense quick. The fruit is dark and inky, compote of blackberries, a little stewed cherry, and a long touch of barrel spice. The palate is dark and chewy at first, but the great acidity stops it from being too much and delving too deep. More blackberry, cherry, a little bit of raspberry, dried green herbs, and then a healthy bit of chewy tar on the very finish. This is a dark and brooding wine that has a little bit of lightness its the midst of it, kind of like me after a long weekend. This is just top notch table wine, made to be had with whatever you want to have it with. I'd probably go red meat or braised meats, but I could see this working with chicken or pork with the right sauce. Fantastic value.

This one is for sure for my value driven crowd - this wine completely over-delivers for the price. Rich with a tiny bit of rustic characteristics, this Bordeaux blend hits all the right notes for my new world wine lovers. Dense but soft, this wine has aromatics of earth, touch of leather, and dried plums and blueberries - on the palate you get a little savory herbs, well integrated oak and baking spice, and grippy but approachable tannin. You want a wine to go with some steak, prime ribs, or fatty pork belly? This is the wine that'll take on all three no problem.