Dolomiti Schiava

This wine pours up in a medium-dark ruby color, with some rosy lavender hints around the rim. The nose hit me as almost unpleasantly funky. And I like funk. There is an extremely earthy quality to the smell, almost burying the dark fruit. The mouthfeel is a bit thin, and the palate shows flavors of plum, black currant and blackberry. Notes of cola become more noticeable on the finish, putting me in mind of a Pinot Noir. It is a clean, fresh sip, with no oak to get in the way. The tannins are tame, so pairing with chicken is probably a better idea than beef.

Reductive and farmy fresh, likely too much for many. Pinot adjacent but with more herbal undertones. Schiava is typically trained Pergola. Also called Vernatsch and Trollinger. Nice packaging and sub $20 on the shelf. Organic.