~$20US, 100% Nebbiolo, Langhe, Piedmont,  Italy

Vibrant ruby color, with some transparency. Lively aromas after about an hour of breathing - yielding black cherry, roses, violets and some wet-stone aromatics. Fairly tannic and upright on the palate, bright and fresh but astringent towards the end. More black cherries and black tea, with a strange latex-balloon component that seemed to come out over time. Medium bodied - (the fruit probaby comes from younger vines and saw very little oak) but a handsome food partner with heftier pastas, veal, or pork.

When this wine was on, it was on - long and effortless. But on day 2, it started to pull apart a bit - the fruit softening a little while the tannins remained firm and separate. A baby Barolo. Drink this wine on the younger side, and with food, and it will bring serious enjoyment.

Feudi di San Gregorio Aglianico Rubrato, Campania 2005: Black cherries and tea on the nose. Linear - starting velvety on the palate, transitioning to a firm, dry finish. Young. Dried herbs emerged with time. A sleeper value.

Clos Du Prieur, Coteaux de Languedoc , 2003: Devilishly drinkable, with massive wild berries jumping from the glass. Subtle White pepper and balsam supporting. Acidic lift balances things just right. Still sturdy enough for 2-3 more years of upside. Simply one of the finest sub-$20 red wines I’ve had from the region.

François Chidaine, Les Tuffeaux, Montlouis-sur-Loire, 2005: Chenin Blanc. Lush and tropical nose,  complex with shiitake mushrooms lurking beneath. Wild honey, lemon and a toasty bitterness on the palate that meshed really nicely with the bright acidity and tad of residual sugar. Long and minerally. Very little impression of sweetness - just a deliciously balanced white wine with many years ahead of it.

Salomon Undhof Hochterrassen Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, 2007: Perfumed nose, with floral and melon notes dancing. Sharp acidity but disappointingly thin on the palate. ~Eh~ now, but maybe apt to improve if it fattens up with age.

Moccagatta Langhe Nebbiolo, Langhe, 2005: Firm and rustic, but juicy up-front. A medium-bodied and fresh expression of Nebbiolo bringing the classic violet and cherries. A perfect introduction to the varietal and the Piedmont region for weeknight drinking.

~$15US, 100% Cabernet Franc, Bougueil, Loire Valley, France

Via Kermit Lynch. Berry patch vs. vegetable garden. Fresh spinach and tart cherries, with a slight bell-pepper aroma. I expected a bit more brawn given the vintage, but the wine proved to be light-medium bodied with surprisingly bright acidity. Dusty tannins smoothed out and sweetened as the wine breathed. Chalky mineral-laden finish. Oh-so-drinkable weeknight food wine - it was empty when I went for that last glass.

Old-skool, old-world Loire Cabernet Franc, for pasta primavera and grilled chicken. Another year or two in bottle would beef up this this mustachioed-vest-wearing-sonumagun-of-a-wine.