Wine

You'd probably like Le Volte.

Le Volte (Tenuta dell'Ornellaia) 2001 ($19-$25; Italy): Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is a legendary estate, famous for its Cabernet-Merlot blend, the eponymous Ornellaia ($125-$150), and more recently, for its rare, Merlot-based Masseto ($225). Le Volte has long been the second-tier wine of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, made by the same winemaking team but selling for far less. Unlike the estate's Bordeaux-style premier wines, Le Volte is made mostly from Sangiovese, the traditional red grape of Tuscany, with lesser amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blended in.

Although previous vintages of Le Volte have been decent, the newly released 2001 is the first Le Volte to fully merit the Ornellaia name. In short, it is a total knockout. Where previous vintages have tended to be somewhat simple, the 2001 is dense, powerful and heady, with super-ripe plum/prune fruit reminiscent of the flagship Ornellaia. In fact, Le Volte is now matured for 10 months in the oak barrels previously used for aging Masseto and Ornellaia, which further enhances the resemblance. The bright, fruity side of Sangiovese plays particularly well against the backdrop of the estate's Cabernet and Merlot, which tend to be extra deep and earthy. Pure, youthful and accessible, this impressive wine is ready now, but will easily hold for two or more years in a cool cellar. (Robert Mondavi Imports)

 

Why would you stop at 2 glasses?

 

Australian Merlots

 

put a cork in it