Damiano Ciolli Cesanese di Olevano Romano Riserva Cirsium

Dried woody herbs and fruit that remains just the right side of porty. Very suave fruit on the palate though, grippy tannins, finishes with a slightly too dry character. File under unusual and really interesting.

From the wine list at Caffe Impero (NYC). First time for me trying this grape variety, Cesanese. Apparently it is known as the Roman grape and the friends we were dining with are heading to Rome in a week and wanted to give it a try. The color is dark in the glass, but the mouthfeel was much lighter than the color implied. Some dark and red berries on the palate with quite a bit of earthiness. Fresh acidity and …