These days, my favorite Saturday nigh activity is a nice dinner out with my girlfriends.  One recent Saturday with the true chill of fall in the air, we wanted something cozy.  I think Sarah’s specific words were “a cozy wine bar with comfort food”.  We chose Dell’Anima and bellied up to the bar in search of wine and comfort food.  With so many restaurants to choose from, Dell’Anima had fallen off my radar, I hadn’t been since dinner once within the first year of moving to NY (7 years ago!).  They also have a great wine bar next door with small plates, where I had this wine a few years ago.    

In sticking with our “theme” of cozy and comfort, we each ordered a glass of the 2013 “Donnaluna” Aglianico from producer De Conciliis.  This was a varietal I knew I had come across at some point but couldn’t remember exactly what it was most similar to.  It’s known as one of the higher-quality red grapes from the Campania region in southern Italy.  The De Conciliis Estate is slightly closer to the Mediterranean, providing a milder climate that gives this wine a softness and finesse that isn’t found in all Aglianicos (some have higher tannins making them suitable to aging but not meant to be drunk young).  I would equate it to a mix between my favorite characteristics of a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was bright and fruity but had a luscious, slightly jammy, round finish and hints of earthiness that was exactly what we were looking for.  Paired with a kale salad and the hanger steak and we had our perfect night out.  We were tempted by dessert (the chocolate cake sounded right up my ally) but decided on another glass of wine instead, I guess this is adulting.