D'Angelo 2001, Aglianico del Vulture, Italy ($33)

Well I'd seen a whole load of hype about Aglianico del Vulture. Though not lifechanging this was a really, really nice drop of vino. It had all those things in a wine that make are so identifiably Italian without all the sour unbalanced bits. This was nicely balanced stuff with nice woody and finely tannined qualities. Drank well by itself and with barbecued food. The aroma nicely concentrated and made the wine seem more alcohoic tan its 13%. And it was refreshingly nice to get back to 13%. To this day I can't see the point of going higher. Buy (from Enoteca on Lygon Street) and enjoy.