Vitiano 2009

Cabernet Sauvignon - Sangiovese - Merlot Blend
Montecchio
Italia

I reviewed a Vitiano blend way back in 2008 (it was a 2005), from Umbria. I gave it a (gulp) 7.0. This 2009 Motecchio blend is an improvement. While it was fairly good alone, it tasted much better with dinner - roasted green beans with garlic and olive oil and organic ground turkey sauteed with garlic, thyme, olive oil and a little tomato-basil sauce.

This was much better than the last Vitiano I had a few years back. As it is in the 90's temp-wise, I was really hoping for a chilled white when the Guy called from the road and asked if I wanted any wine tonight. However, I knew the dinner I was making had some Italiano influences and I also knew he prefers red to a chilled white, so I told him to look for a dry Italian red if possible. This really did not disappoint, especially with dinner. There was some vanilla (which of course I am very partial to in my wine, whether red or white) and dark berry flavor. I initially found it to be dry but with a slight "grapey" flavor (which I don't like), but with the food it took on a more intense flavor with herb nuances. I LOVE herb flavor in my wine and it does indeed tend to sway my preferences.

So today I was happy to have the house to myself for the first time in a LONG time (way too long BTW). I was doing laundry and sorting through all the "clutter" for a good portion of my day. At around 4:00 I decided to take a break, grab an unsweetened iced tea (my fav drink next to a good wine), and made some guacamole. I went out into the heat and sat under my umbrella - there was a really nice breeze if you sat still. 

I called my grandmother who happens to be my last remaining grandparent (for a very important reason I believe). She didn't answer. I called her cell and her home phone. Then I just sat in silence. Then I thought about my Uncle Bob. Tomorrow is his birthday. He died last year, on the day of my deceased grandmother's memorial service, July 8th, 2011.  That made me think of her, my Nana. The day of her memorial service I received the devastating news of my uncle's passing. So I found myself out on my patio today having these feelings for my grandmother who passed because I never really "properly" mourned her at her service as it was only my much younger uncle I could think of (and for good reason as my grandmother was in her 90's and hadn't been herself in the good portion of a year and my uncle was so full of life who had two children just beginning their own family lives and careers). 

Anyway, I found myself feeling really sad and missing my grandmother - so much so that I was emotional and said out loud how much I wish I could call her and talk to her one more time. At that very  moment, my other grandmother called. It was like a divine intervention for me. Okay, call it silly if you are not open-minded. I happen to be very open-minded and am proud of it! For you see, my grandmother that passed I called "The Artist" (she was an undiscovered water color talent who put family first). My grandmother that I am blessed enough to still have here at 91 years old I (fondly) called "The Aristocrat" (she was wealthier and had more opportunities in life). They lived extremely different lives. And each responded to me as a child in very different ways. One was very demonstrative of her love (the Artist) and one was very matter-of-fact and seemed to be uncomfortable with feelings (the Aristocrat) - whether that was imagined by me or not will never truly be known. In a twist of wonderful irony  my "Aristocrat" called me within minutes of my breaking down in remembrance of my "Artist"and told me she loved me - not something she would have done years ago. But it is something I was always used to hearing from my "Artist" who passed and I was missing and always miss in my life as the years continue to pass. So, yes it was ironic, but it also was a testament to my dear "Aristocrat" grandmother who has lived long enough to know what truly is important, and therefore I find it so much more meaningful that she be the one who remains here in my life - giving me what I so longed to hear from her ages ago as a child.

Many thanks to my buddy Rich at work who burned me 34 of  the very retro-sounding The Black Keys songs and made them jump to one of my fav driving CD's.

See the moonlight shinin',
On your window pane,
See it leave you,
As faithful as it came,
Please yourself,

So you don't have to,
Be afraid,
Make amends,
Or carry on another way,
Another way,
Oh~oh,

The Lengths - by the Black Keys



8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol. 
$10 / 750 ml.