CAVIT COLLECTION-A GREAT PRICED WINE

At a former archbishop's castle located in the Dolomite Alps on the shores of Lake Toblino, over 2,000 years ago the Tyrolean mountain folk introduced the Romans to the practices of trellised vines and wood barrels. Since then, winemaking has been a way of life in Trentino–Alto Adige, which is known as one of Europe's oldest wine regions and one of Italy's best. The castle, Maso is now home to Cavit.

No other place could create a wine this magical. With its warm summer days, cool mountain nights and well-drained, stony soil, Trentino–Alto Adige offers an excellent combination of a temperate climate and superb growing conditions.

MY FAVORITES

Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot-2005 from Washington

columbia-crest.com $10-13 750ML

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, 2005, This Sonoma Valley Merlot ias a varietal classic with distinctive Sonoma County style-spicy herb and vanilla overtones, which give way to full strong black fruit on the palate, nuanced with chocolate. Its round, generous tannins give it a big finish. $19-24 per 750ML its worth it

Bella Sera-(Beautiful evening)- There Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, as other reds are, for their price, very good. A product of Italy with low sulfites. 1.5 liter $10-12. Great dinner wine for pasta.

2008-RED ROCK Reserve Merlot-A favorite at the pub with the Purple Lip Gang.

Merlot by nature is a soft, enjoyable wine with lush, plum-like flavors and notes of blackberry and cherry. The grape is naturally low in tannins with a smooth and velvety finish. It is no surprise then, that the Merlot grape, which originated in France, is still the most widely planted varietal in Bordeaux. With its introduction to California, where well-drained soils and warmer climates bring out the best in this early-maturing varietal, Merlot has yielded exceptional wines marked by natural balance, smooth tannins, and rich concentrations of fruit. Enjoy a glass with the Gang at O'Shea's Olde Inn, with the fire roaring, relaxing in a 1837 Pub on Cape Cod, as "Velvet" Joe MacDonald says "it doesn't get much better than this". Even more so when Joe is performing.

BOGEL VINEYARDS-PHANTOM-A must for any red wine consumer, the quality, body and taste will not disappoint,

The coveted Phantom, Bogle’s apparition of three unique varietals, combines lush berry and fierce spice into a wine of complex character. Vivid essence of black pepper, dark fruit and juniper haunts the nose, while brighter flavors of blackberries and blueberries glance off the palate. From the shadows, toasty cinnamon and nutmeg emerge, subtly embracing the deeply luscious and succulent fruit to create a full-bodied, ruby rich wine. Captured in 1, 2 and 3 year old American oak barrels, this wine showcases the best these distinct varietals have to offer.

Though the wine is remarkable now, age in the bottle will only integrate the three varietals more. Welcome the winery ghost into your home again with this latest vintage, and enjoy with full-flavored and hearty meals…before it vanishes again.

Petite Sirah 53% - Zinfandel 44% - Mourvèdre 3%