Prime Wine

To anyone that has not previously had a Clos Saron wine, one would think "California, warm weather, close to Oregon, of course this is what Syrah would taste like." And, that would sadly be the quintessential "judging a book by the cover." Air ball. The decomposed granite (red clay) the vines grow in sound perfect for Syrah. However, it gets so hot the vines shut down during the prime weeks ripening should be occurring. Not 2017, an abundance of rain helped control the excessive heat and the result is the stunning, medium (not heavy) bodied, deeply nuanced 2017 "Stone Soup." Endless aging potential!

RED WINE, Italy: Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino, 243 DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI 'Prime Donne' 3L (Double Magnum), 2010, $2, 080

Quinta Das Maias, Dao Vinho Tinto, 2017 {Certified Organic Super Complex Portuguese Red}, Quinta das Maias is a prime example of the passion with which newly-crafted wines from the Dão region are formed. Located 600 meters above sea level on a high plateau in the area, it's a gorgeous-looking wine farm owned by Luis Lourenço, a former mathematics teacher, who has taken a methodical approach to winemaking and controls all its processes, $15