Next to Amarone [and a couple other things], Ripasso is one of my favorite wines. While it's not normal for most imbibers to just whip it out for any occasion, depending upon the Ripasso, you can sometimes get away with it. I chose to pair this with some boneless sirloin and some green beans, and it was great. I actually thought that I had a Salice Salentino, and that is was from an importer that I know, but I was wrong on both accounts.

The wine itself is very smooth, having just the slightest hint of tannins in it. The flavor is consumed with a deep presence of dark plums, with just the slightest tinge of smoke. This in itself is a completeness, an ample satisfaction that would do well with many different dishes, or by itself.