~14US, 100% Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Moscato d’Asti gets maligned as a syrupy-sweet bubbly brunch wine. I can’t say that I drink much of it - but this example bucks the trend and reveals a more serious (and seriously delicious) wine.

It poured clear and bubbly - like Crystal Pepsi - but the nose was filled with light floral and peach aromas. A little Mister Bubble soapiness popped up too. Light, sparkling, and effervescent on the palace, with a decent amount of sweetness -  but nothing out of whack in terms of acidic balance.

Short finish but overall a clean, pretty wine that would serve well as an aperitif, or lighter digestif. It may even pair well with some hard cheeses. It’s not going to change the world, but I will change some folks’ impression of Moscato d’Asti.

Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo Piedmont 2006: Bright, fresh. Some interesting vegetal notes and sour cherry. Irony (bloody?) and sweet finish. Superb value.

Apex II Cabernet Columbia Valley 2004: Christmas spices, vanilla, currants. Oaked, but proportionate to the fruit. Very friendly, smooth, and full-bodied. Round, soft tannins.

Leviathan California Red 2005: Deep and brooding - black fruit and brambles, with some curry and dusty aromatics. Full-bodied and weighty, liqueur-like. Reminds me of The Prisoner, but with some deeper 2nd and 3rd tier aromatics and a slightly firmer stucture on the back-end. Decadent as all get-out.

All 3 wines were knock-out efforts with the Rib roast dinner - the Barbera being the surprise of the night, Apex being the easiest drinker, and Leviathan living up to expectations and the high bar of winemaker Andy Erickson.