2003 La Corte Re

[Drew]

Puglia. Negroamaro and Primitivo blend. Dark ruby in the glass with a reticent nose of cherry, tobacco and a whiff of raisin. Flavors follow nose with the addition of spice, leather and a slight hint of chocolate. The wine showed restrained elegance rather than rusticity which surprised me. Enjoyed with a baked rigatoni with meat, sausage and gravy made from heirloom tomatoes. Wonderful with the meal but only average as a stand alone. Very enjoyable and only paid $15. 14.6% Alc/vol.

Drew

[Drew]

This wine showed very well last night with a meal of seafood linguini with red sauce which, If I say myself, was top restaurant quality. I made a portabello red sauce with crab meat hours before the meal. Just prior to serving I slowly re-heated the sauce and added bay scallops, shrimp and the stock made from the shrimp shells with white wine and garlic. Just before serving added some cream and red pepper flakes. Served with shaved Romano-Pecorino cheese. This wine paired beautifully and showed brighter flavors with snappy acidity minus the raisin nose and note, which almost makes me believe the first bottle was slightly oxidized. Eileen loved the meal as violent weather passed thru Ocean City.

Drew

[winoweenie]

Now THAT'S what I be talkin' 'bout.....ww

[hotwine]

Dang, I just slobbered all over the keyboard... Mighty nice, Drew.