Lonardo: Our Favorite Campanian
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
“… you only have to taste the wines of Contrade di Taurasi/Lonardo, Guastaferro, and Mastroberardino, for example, to realize that world-class wines could be made with the Aglianico grape” – Ian D’Agata, Vinous
The wines that Sandro Lonardo makes are some of the best values in powerful, Italian red wine. Based in Taurasi, he works primarily with the local Aglianico grape to produce wines that combine power and intensity with site-specific nuance that rivals the best wines in Barolo and Tuscany. Were we to transplant these wines to Tuscany or the Piedmont, you’d be looking at a triple-digit bill per bottle, but instead they’re the price of a mid-tier producer’s cru wines.
To Italian insiders, this isn’t news. After all, Campania, the area around Naples, has been famous for its wines since the Greeks settled it. There are numerous references to the quality of the wines in Roman writings. If more of the wines were at the level of Cantine Lonardo, the region would be as famous as Barolo, Barbaresco, or Brunello.
Sandro Lonardo is a schoolteacher who also makes wines, both from vineyards he farms and from grapes he buys from local farmers. His wines are known for their commitments to traditional practices in the vineyard and winery. Lonardo’s Taurasi is made from ancient Aglianico vines planted at 1300 feet above sea level, grown organically in a tall pergola in ancient volcanic ash with a base of limestone and clay. The very best lots are kept separate and released as single vineyard bottlings.
In the winery, he limits the use of barrique and new wood, yet the wines aren’t rustic monsters. There is a unique freshness and approachability, given the reputation of the grape and the warm climate.
We’re offering of his flagship Taurasi, one of the best values in the genre, plus rare library stock for his two single vineyards Coste and Vigne d’Alto. The 2011s—a warm year that produced exceptionally powerful reds—have just entered their drinking windows, but will comfortably age for another decade. Snag at least two bottles, one for short term consumption and the other for longer aging. These prices will look laughably low in a few years.
The wines that Sandro Lonardo makes are some of the best values in powerful, Italian red wine. Based in Taurasi, he works primarily with the local Aglianico grape to produce wines that combine power and intensity with site-specific nuance that rivals the best wines in Barolo and Tuscany. Were we to transplant these wines to Tuscany or the Piedmont, you’d be looking at a triple-digit bill per bottle, but instead they’re the price of a mid-tier producer’s cru wines.
To Italian insiders, this isn’t news. After all, Campania, the area around Naples, has been famous for its wines since the Greeks settled it. There are numerous references to the quality of the wines in Roman writings. If more of the wines were at the level of Cantine Lonardo, the region would be as famous as Barolo, Barbaresco, or Brunello.
Sandro Lonardo is a schoolteacher who also makes wines, both from vineyards he farms and from grapes he buys from local farmers. His wines are known for their commitments to traditional practices in the vineyard and winery. Lonardo’s Taurasi is made from ancient Aglianico vines planted at 1300 feet above sea level, grown organically in a tall pergola in ancient volcanic ash with a base of limestone and clay. The very best lots are kept separate and released as single vineyard bottlings.
In the winery, he limits the use of barrique and new wood, yet the wines aren’t rustic monsters. There is a unique freshness and approachability, given the reputation of the grape and the warm climate.
We’re offering of his flagship Taurasi, one of the best values in the genre, plus rare library stock for his two single vineyards Coste and Vigne d’Alto. The 2011s—a warm year that produced exceptionally powerful reds—have just entered their drinking windows, but will comfortably age for another decade. Snag at least two bottles, one for short term consumption and the other for longer aging. These prices will look laughably low in a few years.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Lonardo
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Lonardo
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, August 20th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Lonardo
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, August 20th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer six Lonardo wines on our three-day sale now, including:
Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2016 Taurasi is dark and earthy. There’s a mentholated herbal quality that helps lift its musky black fruits. This flows easily across the palate, carried by a core of juicy acidity while taking on a distinctly savory quality toward the close. The 2016 finishes grippy, spicy and long, with nuances of blackberry that linger. (Drink between 2025-2036)”This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto, Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ points “Deep ruby with a purple tinge. Reticent nose at first, only hinting at dark cherry, sassafras and sandalwood. Then very concentrated and dense, displaying almost opulent, sweet nuances of oaky torrefaction to the coffee, cocoa and dark cherry flavors. This outstanding Taurasi finishes extremely long, rich and seamless. It’s virtually impossible to pick between Lonardo’s two crus in 2011, and both will have many admirers.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto, Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Perfumed and loaded with finesse, this single-vineyard wine opens with enticing scents of violet, ripe black-skinned fruit, new leather and baking spice. Made with 60- to 100-year-old plants, the smooth, delicious palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, plum, licorice and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins, making it one of the more elegant expressions of Taurasi out there. A mineral note energizes the lingering finish. Drink through 2032.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cantine Lonardo Taurasi Riserva DOCG 2011 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “The 2011 Taurasi Riserva pulls you close and holds your attention firm with its deeply alluring bouquet of crushed black cherries, plum sauce, autumnal spices, woodland herbs and hints of animal musk. This fills the palate with rich, pliant textures and ripe red and blue berries, as nervous acidity maintains wonderful freshness, and sweet notes of cinnamon, clove and tobacco form toward the close. There’s plenty of tannic grip here, yet it’s balanced by the 2011’s mix of opulent, concentrated fruit and contrasting sour citrus tones that resonate for what feels like a full minute. Even as you contemplate the experience, minerals, hints of iodine and rosy inner florals can still be sensed upon the palate. Make no mistake, this is a full-throttle expression of Taurasi, but it will win the hearts of collectors who enjoy a bigger and old-school style.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cantine Lonardo Coste, Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ points “Deep ruby. Floral nuances complicate the red and dark berry, ink, sweet spice and flinty aromas and flavors. Dense and seamless, showing a multilayered personality and remarkable complexity of flavor. Finishes very long and with repeating, lingering hints of ink and flint.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo ‘T31’, Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The new T31 is from 100+ year old ungrafted vines on a mix of limestone and volcanic soils, elevage 3 years in tonneau with another 5 years aging in bottle.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shop our six Lonardo selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Weingut Knoll
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Knoll
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Knoll
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, August 18th at 9 am Pacific.