Friday was a scorcher, too hot for the patio, though Betsy sent me out to grill some squash. Main course was a lamb chop recipe from her Sonoma diet cookbook, with a tzaziki sauce. Cokbook suggested Zinfandel, but only ones in cellar required moving cases, and I was tired. I had no idea what to expect from my one bottle of Frappato, but decided to give it a try. The 2005 Valle dell'Acate Frappato was a very nice surprise, and not at all like any previous Sicilian wine I had tried. Bright raspberry and bitter cherry fruit, light-bodied, good acidity. Nose develops- very floral, with a earth/plantfood aroma I usually associate with Gamay. Despite lightness, there are some ripe tannins, and it stands up well to the lamb, while at same time handling the chile/cilantro crust. Nice wine, nice value at $14. B/B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency