I’m a huge fan of the intensely flavorful wines produced by Luca Fedrigo at L’Arco Vineyards near Verona. So, I have a tendency to hoard whatever bottles from L’Arco happen to come into my possession. I won’t admit how many bottles of L’Arco’s Amarone Classico della Valpolicella, Pario and Rùbeo I have tucked away in our wine unit – but I think my collection of those wines rivals my wife’s collection of boots. (Though I’m not sure if even my appreciation for those wines matches the fervor of Cara’s obsession with boots.)

All that to say, it’s almost unheard of for me to open a bottle of L’Arco on the spur of the moment – it usually comes with much fanfare from me and rolling of eyes from Cara. But last night I uncorked a 2004 Rosso del Veronese from L’Arco. The Rosso is L’Arco’s entry level offering, and it’s much lighter (and more affordable) than the other wines from there. I thought it fit a simple Friday night steak better than L’Arco’s bigger reds.

The Rosso is a brick red, medium-bodied blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, Sangiovese and Teroldego grapes, that is aged for 9 months in stainless steel and 12 months in Slovenian oak. As I mentioned, it’s much lighter than L’Arco’s other reds, so it exhibits more red fruits than dark fruits. It begins with aromas of cherries, strawberries, leather and tobacco that give way to flavors of raspberry, rhubarb, jam and plums, with noticeable sweetness on the finish.

L’Arco Rosso del Veronese 2004

We enjoyed the 2004, but to be honest the fruit flavors seemed to have faded a bit from what we recalled, and there was a hint of chalkiness on the finish. I don’t believe the Rosso was ever intended for long aging, so those were probably signs that the 2004 may be a little past its prime. But who am I to judge – I’m probably a bit past my prime, too . . . and I’m still fabulous. (Cue eye roll from Cara.)

Salute!

Suggested pairing:

Monk’s Mood – Thelonious Monk (1957)