They opened a new Whole Foods in the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax, VA. It is supposedly their new prototype store. I can see why. The fresh foods, fruits, meats, pastries, etc. are amazing. They have a wonderful wine selection as well as a tasting room. The room has about 50 bottles hooked up to a machine that gives you tastes for a fee. You have to buy a smart card ahead of time, and each wine taste is priced differently. What a concept! They have a $400 bottle you can taste for like $18. Most tastes are in the $1-3 range.

The wife and I bought some bread and cheese, but no wine on this trip. We are still well stocked from the last Total Wine visit. On another note, Whole Foods did have the Tait Ballbuster Shiraz I talked about before ($22). We came home and opened a red to have with our bread and cheese.

Cantine dei Marchesini Castelli Romani Rosso 2003

A nice color, right in the middle of light and earthy, depending on your lighting. The taste was leathery and peppery. Not as much fruit as I would have liked. With cheese it was pretty good. On its own, I would have to pass. As a food wine, not bad.