Tonight I opened the 2008 Sorcerer's Stone, a blend of Zinfandel 85%, Petite Sirah 10% and Teroldego 5% and right off the bat a relationship began. Not being a wine connoisseur, I love it when I open a new wine and just fall in love with what I found or what, in this case, was sent to me for tasting. The finish was dry, smokey and extra long.

Castellani is using organic methods of winemaking, aging 12 months in French oak barrels, and blending 85% Teroldego and 15% Syrah grapes from Poggio al Casone estates. For so young a wine this one shows a maturity and texture that can only get better with time.

The Teroldego is a swaggering grape with the gusto of the Trentino region of Italy. This tasting was also offered by Vincent from Vinifera at In Vino. With deep colors and full flavor, this one has backbone! Aromas of black currant, bright cherry, cedar, wood and violets are a preview to flavors of earth, mushrooms and spicy minerality.