'11 Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore

[Innkeeper]

2011 Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore ($9.99 Trader Joe's; alcohol level: 13.5%). This wine on Wine-Searcher goes as high as $23. At that higher price you can get a better choice of a Ripasso, but at $9.99 it is a terrific buy. It is inky black on the eye, gives you dried fruits like cherry and raspberry on the nose and upfront; with savory notes of tobacco and coffee in the middle with smooth tannin despite it's youth, and a very nice finish.

We matched it with our first cow free lasagna (made with cheeses from buffalo, sheep, and goat), and salad. It went over just fine with our Memorial Day weekend crowd.