STUMBLING INTO A NORMAL RHYTHM (AS NORMAL AS IT GETS ‘ROUND HERE)

Thursday was us getting back into a normal groove, with our Cutting Edge rep, Lauren popping in for what was the beginning of Vino Espana day:

Piacere Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2006. Grade=Outstanding. A nice, simple red from Italy that was made more attractive by the price. A good Montepulciano for $6-$7 bucks? Hell yeah.

Terre d’Aleramo Dolcetto Monferrato 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Soft, fruity Piedmontese red with tart cherry, red raspberry and red apple peel notes. Nice acidity. Needs a big bowl of pasta. (I missed lunch.)

Terre d’Aleramo Barbera Monferrato 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Medium-bodied, with more tannic grip, and some dark cherry and red berry fruit aromas and flavors. A solid effort, made more appealing by the price.

Tarima Monastrell Jumilla 2008. Grade=Outstanding. This is Jorge Ordonez’s replacement in his book for the Finca Luzon, according to Lauren, and it is a winner. Silky and sexy with juicy, jammy black and blue fruit, lots of spicy characters, and a plush finish.

Triton Tinto 2008. Grade=Amazing. Damn, this is good stuff! 100% Tempranillo, and according to Lauren, Jorge’s replacement for the Altos de Luzon. This is a big, full-bodied red with some new French oak aging, loads of velvety tannins, and a lot of power and elegance. Incredible.