In This Newsletter:
Tuscan Treasures Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Benjamin Romeo
Tuscan Treasures Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Benjamin Romeo
“I don’t think there is another winemaker in Italy who can match [Paolo de Marchi’s of Isole e Olena] skill across that many different varieties… Don’t miss these wines.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Among the many excellent estates located in Panzano is Fontodi, one of the finest wine estates in the world…” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Tuscan Treasures Sale
Stock Up & Save On
Isole e Olena & Fontodi
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Isole e Olena & Fontodi
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Isole e Olena & Fontodi
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, February 2nd at 9 am Pacific.
“Among the many excellent estates located in Panzano is Fontodi, one of the finest wine estates in the world…” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Tuscan Treasures Sale
Stock Up & Save On
Isole e Olena & Fontodi
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Isole e Olena & Fontodi
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Isole e Olena & Fontodi
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, February 2nd at 9 am Pacific.
Isole e Olena:
Paolo de Marchi led the Isole e Olena estate from 1976 until he sold it to the owners of Biondi-Santi in 2023. The quality of the wines during his time likely led to such illustrious interest. He was well-known as one of Italy’s finest winemakers, in part due to his love of the local hero of a grape: Sangiovese.
Unlike most renegades who either fled to the Tuscan coast or started blending in international varieties, he wanted to create a wine that centered Sangiovese. Back then, Chianti regulations stipulated that a certain proportion of white grapes be included in red wines.
In 1980, de Marchi released his first vintage of Cepparello, a 100% Sangiovese wine. He bottled it under the broad category of “vino da tavola”, as did other early “Super Tuscans” such as Sassicaia. You could say he foresaw that what Chianti needed wasn’t necessarily more grapes (French or white) but instead a more focused approach on what makes the region great. And de Marchi knew that that was Sangiovese. Cepparello shows the nuance and bright fruit you’d expect from a classic wine of the region combined with the density and complexity of top-tier, noble wines.
This is not to say that de Marchi is opposed to “international” (aka French) varieties. Instead, perhaps, it would be more apt to describe him as focused on single-varietal wines as a way to express his winery’s terroir. Elegant and polished, his 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines are top class examples that can stand their grown against the finest triple-digit examples from France or California.
Fontodi:
As one of Tuscany’s top estates, Fontodi crafts some of the finest wines in the world. The wines effortlessly showcase the high-quality and harmonious base material. Its terroir is unique and a perfect home for its Sangiovese vines. The estate’s vineyards are planted along a high elevation hill of Conca d’Oro (“the golden shell,” named for its shape) and its south-facing amphitheater. Here, the high elevation and shape of the land offer long and warm summer days and a wild diurnal temperature swing. The calcareous clay and schist soils are optimal for producing ripe yet balanced Sangiovese.
The Manetti family purchased their property in the village of Panzano in 1968. (Before that, they crafted terracotta tiles from the soil, so you could say they know the land and soil intimately.) Their wines quickly brought international attention to this tiny village, home to other famous estates such as Molino di Grace and Rampolla. Today, Giovanni Manetti helms the estate and is president of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, the regional winegrower association.
Fontodi’s flagship bottling, the Flaccianello della Pieve, is one of Tuscany’s most sought-after Sangiovese wines. Its class seems inevitable when you consider that each year it is made with only the finest vineyard blocks from their exquisite holdings. Built for the long haul, this is an ideal Sangiovese for a long-term cellaring and a rival to Soldera, Biondi-Santi Riserva, Pergole Torte, Valdicava’s Madonna… you name it—though the Flaccianello tends to cost less than its peers. Heck, this would be a cult wine selling for thousands if the vineyard was in Napa or Bordeaux.
Fontodi is certified organic with 70 hectares of vines across their 130 hectares of land. The family is strongly committed to organic agriculture, writing that they believe that by “respecting the environment means wines that are better, purer, and a truer expression of the grape and the territory.” The sentiment extends into the winery where the aim is to preserve the “natural integrity of the grape, in order to exalt the character and elegance of the wines.”
These are gorgeous wines to wow lovers of bold, terroir-driven reds, now on our three-day sale.
We offer eleven in-stock Isole e Olena & Fontodi options on sale now, including:
Fontodi Dino Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $75, that’s $71.25 at 5% off and $67.50 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2018 Dino, Fontodi’s 100% Sangiovese done in amphora, is so intriguing. The purity of the Sangiovese fruit is just remarkable, as is the wine’s energy. Readers will have to look past a bit of spritziness (that dissipates with air) but there is so much to like in the 2018, starting with its exceptional balance and poise. With a bit of air, the 2018 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. I am really intrigued to see how the 2018 ages, as that is one of the biggest question marks for wines made in this style. Bright acids add a good deal of supporting structure that suggest the 2018 has at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”
Unlike most renegades who either fled to the Tuscan coast or started blending in international varieties, he wanted to create a wine that centered Sangiovese. Back then, Chianti regulations stipulated that a certain proportion of white grapes be included in red wines.
In 1980, de Marchi released his first vintage of Cepparello, a 100% Sangiovese wine. He bottled it under the broad category of “vino da tavola”, as did other early “Super Tuscans” such as Sassicaia. You could say he foresaw that what Chianti needed wasn’t necessarily more grapes (French or white) but instead a more focused approach on what makes the region great. And de Marchi knew that that was Sangiovese. Cepparello shows the nuance and bright fruit you’d expect from a classic wine of the region combined with the density and complexity of top-tier, noble wines.
This is not to say that de Marchi is opposed to “international” (aka French) varieties. Instead, perhaps, it would be more apt to describe him as focused on single-varietal wines as a way to express his winery’s terroir. Elegant and polished, his 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines are top class examples that can stand their grown against the finest triple-digit examples from France or California.
Fontodi:
As one of Tuscany’s top estates, Fontodi crafts some of the finest wines in the world. The wines effortlessly showcase the high-quality and harmonious base material. Its terroir is unique and a perfect home for its Sangiovese vines. The estate’s vineyards are planted along a high elevation hill of Conca d’Oro (“the golden shell,” named for its shape) and its south-facing amphitheater. Here, the high elevation and shape of the land offer long and warm summer days and a wild diurnal temperature swing. The calcareous clay and schist soils are optimal for producing ripe yet balanced Sangiovese.
The Manetti family purchased their property in the village of Panzano in 1968. (Before that, they crafted terracotta tiles from the soil, so you could say they know the land and soil intimately.) Their wines quickly brought international attention to this tiny village, home to other famous estates such as Molino di Grace and Rampolla. Today, Giovanni Manetti helms the estate and is president of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, the regional winegrower association.
Fontodi’s flagship bottling, the Flaccianello della Pieve, is one of Tuscany’s most sought-after Sangiovese wines. Its class seems inevitable when you consider that each year it is made with only the finest vineyard blocks from their exquisite holdings. Built for the long haul, this is an ideal Sangiovese for a long-term cellaring and a rival to Soldera, Biondi-Santi Riserva, Pergole Torte, Valdicava’s Madonna… you name it—though the Flaccianello tends to cost less than its peers. Heck, this would be a cult wine selling for thousands if the vineyard was in Napa or Bordeaux.
Fontodi is certified organic with 70 hectares of vines across their 130 hectares of land. The family is strongly committed to organic agriculture, writing that they believe that by “respecting the environment means wines that are better, purer, and a truer expression of the grape and the territory.” The sentiment extends into the winery where the aim is to preserve the “natural integrity of the grape, in order to exalt the character and elegance of the wines.”
These are gorgeous wines to wow lovers of bold, terroir-driven reds, now on our three-day sale.
We offer eleven in-stock Isole e Olena & Fontodi options on sale now, including:
Fontodi Dino Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $75, that’s $71.25 at 5% off and $67.50 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2018 Dino, Fontodi’s 100% Sangiovese done in amphora, is so intriguing. The purity of the Sangiovese fruit is just remarkable, as is the wine’s energy. Readers will have to look past a bit of spritziness (that dissipates with air) but there is so much to like in the 2018, starting with its exceptional balance and poise. With a bit of air, the 2018 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. I am really intrigued to see how the 2018 ages, as that is one of the biggest question marks for wines made in this style. Bright acids add a good deal of supporting structure that suggest the 2018 has at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96+ points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a dense, packed wine. It is also surprisingly, almost shockingly backward. That is probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers hoping to get an early glimpse into the 2017 before it shuts down may have a hard time doing that, as today acids and tannin dominate. I expect the 2017 will be stellar in another 4-5 years and drink well to age 25-30 if not longer. Proprietor Giovanni Manetti gave the 2017 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask.”
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $159, that’s $151.05 at 5% off and $143.10 at 10% off, 34 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is fabulous. Dark, sensual and enveloping, the 2017 captures the essence of the house style in its textural richness and baritone inflections. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate infuse the 2017 with tremendous richness. The 2017 spent 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask, the same aging regime as the Vigna del Sorbo, but with a bit more new oak. That approach worked very well, as the Flaccianello stands out for its exceptional textural elegance and finesse. It is a positively stellar wine.”
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2017 3L Displayed Price: $379, that’s $360.05 at 5% off and $341.10 at 10% off, 2 double-magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata opens to an enriched appearance with round fruit and loads of deep intensity. What is remarkable about this Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon (blended with very small parts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot) is that it shows none of the greenness or tightness often associated with the grape. This warm and sunny vintage has ironed out any wrinkles and contributes to the loose, rich fabric of the wine. This wine shows lushness and balanced integration. It’s a lovely expression whose berry and forest endnotes make it perfect for a rosemary and garlic roasted lamb. Only 6,000 bottles were made.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Lots of blackcurrants and currant bush with some graphite and black ink on the nose. Full-bodied with a chewy and polished tannin backbone and lots of blue fruit and stones in the finish. Sandalwood and violets, too. Great structure at the end. Give this time to soften. Try after 2025, but will age for a long time.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Syrah Toscana IGT 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $75, that’s $71.25 at 5% off and $67.50 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2019 Syrah Colleziore Privara is quite delicate and silky in this vintage, with a distinctly red-fruited profile that is unusual. Spice, orange peel, dried flowers and white pepper lend brightness to a Syrah that is both deep and light on its feet. I especially admire the vibrancy here.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our eleven Isole e Olena & Fontodi selections now!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Benjamin Romeo
Though only founded in 1995, Bodegas Contador quickly gained a superb reputation for outstanding terroir and skilled winemaking. Only 200 bottles were released of this 2004 La Vina de Andres Romeo, and we have just five bottles remaining on our Close-Out Sale. It was in this vintage that the winery, owned and run by Benjamin Romeo, winemaker at Artadi, became famous with a string of high scores from the Wine Advocate. Discover what wowed the critics with a perfectly aged bottle from our temperature-controlled shop!
In Stock and On Close-Out Sale Now:
Bodegas Contador – Benjamin Romeo ‘La Vina de Andres Romeo’, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ml Was $199, Now $179, 5 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 98 points “There are a mere 200 bottles of the 2004 La Vina de Andres Romeo. This wine is tightly wound and remains an infant developmentally. Nevertheless, all the ingredients for greatness are present but it will take a decade of cellaring for them to be full expressed. This sensational effort should easily drink well for 40-50 years like a great first growth Bordeaux.”
In Stock and On Close-Out Sale Now:
Bodegas Contador – Benjamin Romeo ‘La Vina de Andres Romeo’, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ml Was $199, Now $179, 5 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 98 points “There are a mere 200 bottles of the 2004 La Vina de Andres Romeo. This wine is tightly wound and remains an infant developmentally. Nevertheless, all the ingredients for greatness are present but it will take a decade of cellaring for them to be full expressed. This sensational effort should easily drink well for 40-50 years like a great first growth Bordeaux.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $219.99
We offer 179 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Racines
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Racines
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Racines
Steinmetz
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Steinmetz
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Steinmetz
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Racines sale ends Friday, January 31st at 9 am Pacific. Steinmetz sale ends Saturday, February 1st at 9 am Pacific.