Wine Review: Ornellaia La Volte 2006 ($23)

The famous Ornellaia – made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot – will set you back about $150. I don’t doubt that it’s amazing. Wine Spectator rated the 2004 vintage the seventh best wine in the world last year.

I don’t have that kind of cash, but I did find a nice bottle from the same producer, for a more affordable $23. This week’s wine pick is La Volte 2006, a heavenly taste of the Tuscan coast. The wine is a well-rounded blend of Sangiovese (the Chianti grape), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Both the aromas and flavour really jump out at you. There’s a lot of plum on the nose, and some forest-floor elements that remind of fall leaves. It’s not a huge, tannic wine, but is chock-full of intriguing flavors, such as campfire smoke, liquorice root and jammy, dark fruit. A first-class effort.

Quaffability Rating: 89