Vitiano Umbria

2009
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese & Merlot Blend


This was an improvement over Big House red, which I am beginning to think I over-rated. I don't like that I have to cool it to keep it - which means I have to pour it an hour or so before I want a sip so that it comes to room temp. And then it tastes so different. It would probably come to room temp sooner if I didn't keep our house temp at only 60 (Brrrrrrr!) to save $$ on oil! However, that said, it never really "warms" up the way I like my reds.

Anyway, this isn't about Big House at all, it is about Vitiano. And Vitiano is a really good vanilla-oak-cherry dry wine with thyme essence.

I enjoyed this on its own, but it was very good with fettucine and broccoli rabe, chicken sausage, mushrooms, Gouda and some crushed red pepper with a little grape seed oil. I highly recommend this "Super Tuscan" category wine.


So, I am a Steve Poltz fan. He played for awhile on the road with Jewel and they have co-written songs together. But my absolute favorite song of his is from the soundtrack of the movie Notting Hill. The song from the actual soundtrack is electrified and has bagpipes, whereas other versions do not. This, for me, is the sexiest song ever written. Word is that he wrote it for Jewel, though they have not been romantically linked, but whoever it was he had in mind, is the luckiest girl in the world to have someone seeing her in this manner.

I love everything about you
I love the way you comb your hair
And I love the way you sachet in the room
Your perfume lingers in the air
I love everything about you, whoa-oh, about you

I love the way you lick your lips, dear
You got fireworks in your head
And I love the way you bring me water
When I'm thirsty in your bed
I love everything about you, whoa-oh, about you

You were surely kissed by angels
Look at the freckles on your face
You got the devil in your eyes
You disappear without a trace

I love sneaking up behind you
When you're looking in the mirror
The way your eyes lock into mine, dear
Without guilt, without fear
I love everything about you, whoa-oh, about you


8.25 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.

Vitiano Cabernet Merlot-Sangiovese

2005
Falesco
Umbria, Italia

Probably won't intentionally drink again.

I have to be careful here to not hurt The Guy's feelings. He brought this home proudly. He even saved it for a few days until I made lasagna. He was disappointed when he tasted it and, I have to admit, the bouquet gave the impression it was going to be very good. The taste started off with immediate blackberry flavor and slight pepper, then it totally petered out into a thin, dry, metallic taste. Disappointing. I was making dinner when we tried it, so we didn't have it with food. The Guy decided it needed some cheddar crackers and cheese. Once he tasted it again following his "appetizer" he said it was "much better". So I did the same only I didn't find it to be much better. However, it was better with the lasagna and a garlic-oregano bagquette.

Bottom line: It tasted it's price.

No poems, no thoughts, just a song occupying my head for days:

Searching for an answer
Where the question is unseen
I don't know where you came from
And I dont know where you've gone
Old friends become old strangers
Between the darkness and the dawn
Amen omen
Will I see your face again
Amen omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you

Amen Omen
Ben Harper

7.0 out of 10
$8-$10 / 750 ml bottle
13% alc. by vol
http://www.winebow.com/