Solestium-Salice Solentino Reserva 2005 @@@@@ (5 corks!)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

I've been on an Italian Red kick lately. The Solestium Salice Salentino is a dynamite wine. Named for a small municipality in the "heel of the boot," this wine is a wonderful alternative to Chianti. Unbelievably smooth but full-bodied, I served it at a dinner party and it was extremely well-received. It's a very drinkable red, smooth oak taste that lifts into your nostrils. It finishes with the most delicate bit of dryness. This is a superb wine alone or as a compliment to cheese---to be honest I drank it with a shake n' bake pork chop and it was equally satisfying. As you know, I have tried a multitude of wines and although many are unimpressive or with no extraordinary definitive character, this is truly a remarkable wine that deserves commendation for its exquisite flavor from start to finish. As good wines should, the flavor only improves over time. It was just as tasty the next day as it was when I popped the cork.