With 14.3% alcohol and costing under $24, the 2009 TorCalvano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano scored 17 points on the Dionysian scale of a possible 20. I think they come together at 15 years. This one’s only eleven.

Made with the same grape as Brunello, but on different soil, I think Vino Nobiles are a better buy. This one has spice, sun-dried tomato, and a medium body. It opened more and more with air for an hour. Montepulciano is a beautiful Tuscan city.

We had it with a pasta meal; light red sauce, not filled with heavy meat. The Italian loaf with whipped butter married especially well with the wine.

I’ll save the last half of the case for the future. Seek them out from TorCalvano or most any other producer from that area. In Vino Veritas.