Actually, I already let the word out on this one in my article featuring my top twenty wines under twenty bucks for the year. This is my number one wine of the year in that category. As my #1 wine, I thought it would be appropriate to make it my December pick at the store and on this blog. So here it is.
2021 Albea Comeluna Puglia Rosso (Puglia, Italy)… $16.
Deep cherry notes come through on the nose, joined by notes of dried bark, earth and hints of cinnamon and licorice. Intense cherry notes on the palate that are balanced by nicely integrated acidity. Earth and dried bark notes sneak out on the mid-palate into the complex and long finish of cherry liqueur, licorice, and hints of chocolate, mingled with the earth notes. Such good balance. It wants to go big and bold, but the structured tannins and earth notes keep everything in check. 85% Nero di Troia and 15% Primitivo (A+)
