Valle dell'Acate | Il Frappato | 2005

This is a very special lighter-bodied red wine, one of my favorite things I've tried this year. It's quite juicy and tasty, with very distinct red berry flavors and then a surprising hit of freshly-ground black pepper on your tongue. Great at any time of year for lighter meals or anything with tomato sauce, or when you really want a red wine even in the middle of summer (in which case you could chill it slightly).

NAME: Valle dell'Acate "Il Frappato"
GRAPE: Frappato (a little-known Sicilian red grape)
PLACE: Sicily, Italy
VINTAGE: 2005
STYLE: fresh, prickles your tongue, juicy, light/med body, little tannin, good acidity
FLAVORS: strawberries, red fruit, black pepper, minerals
PAIRING: Tomato sauce, lighter meat dishes
PRICE/SOURCE: $14.99 at Astor Wines