The Monaci Maru Negroamaro is on sale at your local BevMo, but it’s cheaper in the link below. The Negro Amaro grape is grown exclusively in Southern Italy; the Puglia region to be specific. This isn’t a wine seen very often, so cheers to BevMo for throwing one up on their shelves. The wine is definitely worth a taste, especially if you are into the dark, murky fruit flavors and love tobacco wines. The only caveat is that if you open this, you should drink the whole bottle, which makes it a party or long-meal wine. It lost all of its pop after one day.

Color

Dark red with brown. Very dirty looking, but full-bodied.

Nose

Definite must and tobacco on the nose. It opens up beautifully to great fig, dried cherry, cinnamon and anise scents.

Taste

More and more figs. The figs are on a roll lately. The wine takes a moment on your tongue before exploded in figs. However, they quickly fade and are replaced with cavendish tobacco, spices and a think, muscular dose of leathery tannins. Very interesting because the wine seems to go back and forth between the fruit and the elemental flavors. The finish is decent, but not lingering.

With Food

Never had an actual tobacco wine on Wine Welfare before, but if you ever wanted to enjoy a Cuban cigar or a pipe with a glass of wine, this is it. Of course, liquers, sherry or brandy might work better, but if you’re not into those, pop one of these open and enjoy with a good smoke.

$10.95 at NapaCabs.com!

Remember to subscribe to get all the latest reviews from Wine Welfare!

Also check out:

2007 Mazzone Immensus Malvasia

This is a brilliant, 100% Malvasia that is at an absolutely ludicrous price right now.

Color

Light gold in color, but with a nice thick look. Definitely not a weak-looking white.

Nose

Very light and not heavy-handed, despite the color. Good citrus here: lemon and orange. There is also an element of heavy cream to it.

Taste

Remember 50/50 bars? This is what this wine reminds us of. Great richness, good acidity, with fresh-cut pineapple and a finish that lasts quite awhile. The tangy flavor makes you want more. Let it warm up a bit and you will see just how light but full this thing can be.

With Food

Great for cream sauces and lemon chicken. Shellfish would also work quite well, so long as you don’t have too much butter with it, as that could all get a bit overwhelming for your mouth.

Only $5.50 on sale at WineLibrary.com!

Remember to subscribe to get all of the latest suggestions from Wine Welfare!

Also check out: