2019 Torre Mellotti "Scaia" Cabernet

Notes from andy:

“I have always felt that it is necessary to have a cabernet sauvignon on any by the glass list. Our opening night cabernet by the glass, Viticcio “Bere”, from Tuscany was a beautiful, silky wine but sadly, we bought every case in the state and had to move on. I blind taste all of my wines by the glass, because they are what most of our diners will experience with their meal, it is so important that they exhibit the utmost quality and connection to our food.

I was kind of shocked once we unveiled the bottles, to learn that I had chosen a Venetian cabernet over many others. Tuscany is the region we typically think of when we think of the growth and production of cabernet sauvignon in Italy. But this wine had everything I was looking for. Ripe, but not over-ripe dark fruits, fine tannins, and a long finish. Structured enough for grilled red meats like our Steak Tagliata yet soft enough to pair with any of our pastas or even our gulf fish dishes. Plus it was priced where I needed it to be to deliver value.

This wine is 100% cabernet sauvignon, but what makes it stand out is that it utilizes distinctly Italian techniques common in this region and which are rarely seen elsewhere. Labeled an “IGT” wine, it is freed from the typical restrictions for producing DOC and DOCG wines in the area around Venice. Yet, the wine maker chose to utilize the “appassimento” technique traditionally utilized for Corvina grapes in Valpolicella to make amazing wines like Amarone. 50% of the grapes are dried for a month in order to increase concentration (through reduced water content) but also to allow them to mature and evolve in complexity. The resulting wine is full-bodied, intense, and rich, with flavors of dried fruit, spices, and a hint of sweetness.

As KPB will tell you, I try to revisit this baby every few days because it really is a special wine and one that I am proud to serve at Pulcinella!”