In This Newsletter:
Under the Tuscan Sun:
Vinopolis Goes on Holiday
Chianti, Castello’s and Conspiracies:
Del Trebbio’s Storied Reds, Just Arrived!
Vinopolis Shipping Alert:
Have wine on hold waiting on weather?
Now’s the time to schedule your shipment!
Reply to this email or call to schedule.
In the beginning there was Biondi Santi….
Yes, Biondi Santi created the genesis of modern Brunello: the combination of bottling 100% Sangiovese wine from Montalcino, propagating the Sangiovese Grosso clone, and finally (in 1966) helping draft the regulations for the Brunello DOC. The foundational work did not stop there however, with Biondi Santi undertaking some of the first Massale or heritage selections on their estate to identify the best clones for winemaking. These results paid off in spades, with Biondi Santi’s genetic material being some of the most sought after clones of Sangiovese in the world. We’re excited to offer several exciting selections in stock now, including a new vertical pack of the riserva and an extremely rare winery cellared release.
Biondi Santi makes Brunello that all other estates are judged against. Their estate, Il Greppo, occupies some of the most hallowed ground in the Brunello appellation, in the heart of Montalcino. Their standards are high (they rarely release riservas) and their style defines classic. The wines are powerful, but not overwrought, elegant but emphatic. With the oldest vines on their estate now approaching 90 years old, there’s a level of depth and power in Biondi Santi that’s unprecedented anywhere else in Montalcino.
Brunello is largely considered the King of Sangiovese, oftentimes being the most structured, tannic and rustic in all of Tuscany. A result of a high elevation hills, a unique clone of the Sangiovese famous for power and village standards built for long-term aging all converge to make some of the most in-demand wines in the world.
In Stock Now from Biondi Santi:
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe- Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight. Drink 2022-2035.”
James Suckling 95 points “Love the dried lemon rind, florals and red fruits. Medium to full body and a solid core of fruit and spices. Long and flavorful finish. Just a hint of sweet tobacco. Better in 2020.”
The ancestral home of Sangiovese, Chianti produces the widest array of styles in part due to stratified geological, topographical and administrative processes. As one of the first established wine regions in Italy after the country’s unification in the 30’s, Chianti is synonymous with Italy’s quality revolution in recent decades.
You can often find bright and juicy Sangiovese or highly structured and rustic examples from the same producer offering an expression for every palate. These wide ranging styles are in part due to the soil differences seen the further up the hills, with heavy clay and compacted sandstone giving way to limestone sand and marl on the higher elevation sections. The high percentage of clay in the soil contributes the famous terra-cotta rusticity of Tuscan wine, and can be seen in even Bordeaux blends.
The top offerings of Chianti Classico are sourced from hilltop plantings, which allow for temperature mitigation during the occasionally sweltering growing season in addition to providing a higher degree of ripeness. Often featuring older vines and élevage in new oak these are among the most bold and age worthy examples of Sangiovese in the world and are the blueprint for domestic efforts by producers like Leonetti.
Chianti Classico in stock now:
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 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.”
James Suckling 95 points “Powerful, tight red with currant and plum character. Hints of new wood and bark. Full-bodied with dark berries and hints of dark chocolate, as well as other dark fruit. Flavorful finish. Solid. Needs time to open. Better after 2022.”
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 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.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Fontodi 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is a standout wine of the dry vintage. This pure Sangiovese opens to a dark garnet color with more visible concentration and density compared to recent past editions. This is a beautiful wine with pliant tannins, dark fruit richness, balanced acidity and a fruit-forward 15% alcohol content. The wine is big and bold when weighed on the Flaccianello scale (and even more so when weighed on the Sangiovese scale) with dark cherry, plum, spice, violet, chalk and campfire ash. Despite that power and inner opulence, this wine adds that zesty Sangiovese character with fresh acidity and an energized approach. This Flaccianello is whole and complete with the natural firmness and structure to hold it steady during the aging process. A small part of amphorae-aged fruit is added to the blend.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine purity to the black cherry, black currant and blackberry flavors in this expressive red, with refined tannins. Everything is in the right proportion as this remains vibrant and focused, with iron and oak spice accents adding depth as this builds to a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very high-toned and muscular red with crushed cherries, blackberries and walnuts. Some dried earth. It’s full-bodied and chewy with solid tannins that form the wine. Beautiful ripe fruit in the center palate. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022.”
Felsina Berardenga Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2017 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Plenty of fruit concentration with cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and lots of concentration. Intense and rich. Give it a year or two to come together.”
Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is incredibly polished and sophisticated. Silky tannins give the 2017 its racy, sleek personality. Over the last year, the 2017 has really settled into a gorgeous place. There is plenty of vintage 2017 intensity, but Rancia is distinctly medium in body and restrained. The wilder side of Sangiovese, one of the signatures of Rancia and Fèlsina more broadly, tastes a bit baked out. I can’t wait to see how the 2017 develops over the coming years and decades.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Rancia is always one of my favorite wines from this storied appellation (and the Castelnuovo Berardenga subzone). This vintage threw quite a few challenges at the winemaking team, but the Fèlsina 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia emerges intact, intense and beautiful. It is virtually unscathed by the heat and drought that marked this growing season. In fact, that brilliant radiance, linearity and energy of the Sangiovese grape comes through loud and clear. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, wild berry, toasted almond, violet and potting soil. My score is a little lower (compared to past vintages) in terms of mouthfeel because I found this edition to be a bit shorter and less impactful on the finish, but not by much. It ages in barrique for up to 20 months.”
Decanter 93 points “In 2017, Giovanni Poggiali describes the work in the vineyard as focused on the vines’ root system to reduce water stress. Harvest started 15 days earlier than average and at the beginning of September he did a qualitative thinning to get rid of any shrivelled bunches or those showing problems with ripening. Fèlsina’s flagship wine, Rancia is still brooding. Plum and tar show up on a backdrop of vanilla and exotic spice. Though fruit is supple, layers of assertive tannins need time to loosen their grip. Appetizingly savoury, this finishes with an intense, irony character.”
Montevertine Toscana IGT Tuscany 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Montevertine is fabulous. Bright and translucent in the glass, the 2018 is elegant and light on its feet like few, if any, vintages I can remember. Rose petal, mint, lavender and bright red/purplish berry fruit linger. The 2018 is one of the most refined, understated Montevertines ever. Silky, elegant and gracious, the 2018 is an absolute winner.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This wine celebrates 100 years of family legacy connected to Montevertine’s legendary founder Sergio Manetti. The bottle shows a little logo on the front label to commemorate the anniversary. The 2018 Montevertine follows the traditional blending formula of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino that goes through a simple winemaking process that starts off in cement and continues into oak casks for 24 months. Keeping in with the well-established house style, the wine delivers enormous quality and clarity of fruit with bright cherry, rose, cassis and fragrant potting soil. These elegant results capture the promise of Sangiovese.”
Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’ – ‘Ama’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2015 1.5L ($69.95) $39 special, 25 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “So much sweet tobacco and cherry character here with hints of smoked meat. Medium body, fine tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Acid tension give this definition. Tangy. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “The raspberry and cherry flavors are immediate in this elegant, balanced red, followed by accents of earth and spice. Not excessively long, but well-proportioned. Drink now through 2022. 900 cases imported.”
Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’ – ‘Ama’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’ – ‘Ama’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Fragrant and refined, this features enticing aromas of rose, iris, woodland berry and crushed botanical herb. Medium bodied and loaded with finesse, the elegant palate features juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and dark culinary spice. Polished tannins and fresh acidity keep it well balanced. Drink through 2028.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “This is the quintessential happy wine from Tuscany that will easily pair with wintery pici al ragù or summery pasta al pomorodo. There is enormous versatility in the all-season Castello di Ama 2018 Chianti Classico Ama. The wine is round, plump and approachable. It offers enormous freshness and the bright berry intensity of the Sangiovese grape. Red cherry and cassis are backed by red rose petal and softly fragrant potting soil. I tasted this wine immediately after Castello di Ama’s Pinot Nero di Toscana Il Chiuso, and I was struck by the similarities of the two wines in terms of silkiness and those pretty rose aromas. An ample 105,000 bottles were made.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Ama shows just how promising the vintage is. A burst of sweet red cherry fruit, cedar, leather, spice and orange peel give the 2018 a feeling of exuberance that is impossible to miss. The purity of the flavors is just striking. This is such a beautiful wine.”
Under the Tuscan Sun:
Vinopolis Goes on Holiday
Chianti, Castello’s and Conspiracies:
Del Trebbio’s Storied Reds, Just Arrived!
On the Horizon:
Tuscan Wines Coming Soon
Vinopolis 101:
Chianti Classico
Producer Spotlight:
Castello Di Ama
Tuscan Wines Coming Soon
Vinopolis 101:
Chianti Classico
Producer Spotlight:
Castello Di Ama
Blending with Bolgheri:
Italy’s Bordeaux playground
Brunello:
The Crown Jewel of the Tuscan Crown
It can be said that the entire nation of Italy is a breadbasket, with some of the best agricultural products in the world being grown from “tip to tail” as the saying goes. The most emblematic of this reputation is Tuscany, which has served as an ambassador of Italian culture to the world with her art, storied history and of course stellar wines!
The landscape of Tuscan wine is largely dominated by Sangiovese, a crossing of two ancient varietals that became the country’s workhorse grape in the 15th century. Especially favored by the Medici clan, the varietal can be considered the beating heart of Italian wine with examples available from nearly every part of the mainland, especially in the central provinces.
As a result of this patronage and proliferation there are now over 60 permitted clones for use in wine production, allowing for a tremendous variety of expression in the finished wines. That being said, Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot have all established “Summer homes” in Tuscany, comprising some of the most in demand bottlings in the country.
Chianti, Castello’s and Conspiracies:
Del Trebbio’s Storied Reds, Just Arrived!
In the Western outskirts of Florence lies a sleepy estate, blanketed in oak and olive trees with a castle and a story. Castello Del Trebbio, the ancestral seat of power for the Pazzi Banking family was founded in the 15th century and served as their base of operations against the legendary Medici family.
Approved by not endorsed by the current Pope at the time, the Pazzi family sought to kill Lorenzo and Giuliano D’Medici in order to depose their extensive influence in both banking and the Signoria (The merchant republic predating the unification of Italy). The Pazzi Conspiracy as it’s now known was a monumental failure, resulting in Lorenzo d’Medici erasing the entire family from public eye and confiscating their assets.
In the resulting decades the Castello was used primarily as an agricultural operation, with the current generation of owners bringing the estate in to the current millennium. Needless to say they’ve been much more successful as a winemaking operation than conspiracy startup, farming biodynamically with no synthetic inputs. Everything at the estate is done with as little disturbance to nature as possible with this philosophy also guiding the winemaking.
Castello Del Trebbio wines in stock now:
Castello del Trebbio Chianti Superiore DOCG Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $14 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Falstaff 92 points “Sparkling ruby red. Intense and appealing nose with notes of cranberries and cherries. Good consistency on the palate, opens with fine-meshed, well-integrated tannins, clear fruit in the final.”
Italy’s Bordeaux playground
Brunello:
The Crown Jewel of the Tuscan Crown
Under the Tuscan Sun:
Vinopolis Goes on Holiday
Vinopolis Goes on Holiday
It can be said that the entire nation of Italy is a breadbasket, with some of the best agricultural products in the world being grown from “tip to tail” as the saying goes. The most emblematic of this reputation is Tuscany, which has served as an ambassador of Italian culture to the world with her art, storied history and of course stellar wines!
The landscape of Tuscan wine is largely dominated by Sangiovese, a crossing of two ancient varietals that became the country’s workhorse grape in the 15th century. Especially favored by the Medici clan, the varietal can be considered the beating heart of Italian wine with examples available from nearly every part of the mainland, especially in the central provinces.
As a result of this patronage and proliferation there are now over 60 permitted clones for use in wine production, allowing for a tremendous variety of expression in the finished wines. That being said, Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot have all established “Summer homes” in Tuscany, comprising some of the most in demand bottlings in the country.
Chianti, Castello’s and Conspiracies:
Del Trebbio’s Storied Reds, Just Arrived!
In the Western outskirts of Florence lies a sleepy estate, blanketed in oak and olive trees with a castle and a story. Castello Del Trebbio, the ancestral seat of power for the Pazzi Banking family was founded in the 15th century and served as their base of operations against the legendary Medici family.
Approved by not endorsed by the current Pope at the time, the Pazzi family sought to kill Lorenzo and Giuliano D’Medici in order to depose their extensive influence in both banking and the Signoria (The merchant republic predating the unification of Italy). The Pazzi Conspiracy as it’s now known was a monumental failure, resulting in Lorenzo d’Medici erasing the entire family from public eye and confiscating their assets.
In the resulting decades the Castello was used primarily as an agricultural operation, with the current generation of owners bringing the estate in to the current millennium. Needless to say they’ve been much more successful as a winemaking operation than conspiracy startup, farming biodynamically with no synthetic inputs. Everything at the estate is done with as little disturbance to nature as possible with this philosophy also guiding the winemaking.
Castello Del Trebbio wines in stock now:
Castello del Trebbio Chianti Superiore DOCG Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $14 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Falstaff 92 points “Sparkling ruby red. Intense and appealing nose with notes of cranberries and cherries. Good consistency on the palate, opens with fine-meshed, well-integrated tannins, clear fruit in the final.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Castello del Trebbio De’ Pazzi Toscana IGT Tuscany 2014 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “This rich red has mellowed, offering black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit, accented by leather, tobacco and herb hints. The chalky tannins are integrated. Should become even more supple with time. Drink now through 2023. 1,280 cases made, 350 cases imported”
Wine Spectator 92 points “This rich red has mellowed, offering black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit, accented by leather, tobacco and herb hints. The chalky tannins are integrated. Should become even more supple with time. Drink now through 2023. 1,280 cases made, 350 cases imported”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vinopolis Shipping Alert:
Have wine on hold waiting on weather?
Now’s the time to schedule your shipment!
Reply to this email or call to schedule.
Brunello: The Crown Jewel of the Tuscan Crown
In the beginning there was Biondi Santi….
Yes, Biondi Santi created the genesis of modern Brunello: the combination of bottling 100% Sangiovese wine from Montalcino, propagating the Sangiovese Grosso clone, and finally (in 1966) helping draft the regulations for the Brunello DOC. The foundational work did not stop there however, with Biondi Santi undertaking some of the first Massale or heritage selections on their estate to identify the best clones for winemaking. These results paid off in spades, with Biondi Santi’s genetic material being some of the most sought after clones of Sangiovese in the world. We’re excited to offer several exciting selections in stock now, including a new vertical pack of the riserva and an extremely rare winery cellared release.
Biondi Santi makes Brunello that all other estates are judged against. Their estate, Il Greppo, occupies some of the most hallowed ground in the Brunello appellation, in the heart of Montalcino. Their standards are high (they rarely release riservas) and their style defines classic. The wines are powerful, but not overwrought, elegant but emphatic. With the oldest vines on their estate now approaching 90 years old, there’s a level of depth and power in Biondi Santi that’s unprecedented anywhere else in Montalcino.
Brunello is largely considered the King of Sangiovese, oftentimes being the most structured, tannic and rustic in all of Tuscany. A result of a high elevation hills, a unique clone of the Sangiovese famous for power and village standards built for long-term aging all converge to make some of the most in-demand wines in the world.
In Stock Now from Biondi Santi:
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe- Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight. Drink 2022-2035.”
James Suckling 95 points “Love the dried lemon rind, florals and red fruits. Medium to full body and a solid core of fruit and spices. Long and flavorful finish. Just a hint of sweet tobacco. Better in 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($579.95) $419 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 94+ points “Dark red. Musky nuances give way to brighter red fruit, licorice and herbal aromas. Rich and dense, with flavors of red cherry and minerals lifted by hints of orange peel and bergamot, not to mention noteworthy but harmonious acidity. Finishes long with youthfully chewy tannins and lingering hints of violet. This strikes me as a slightly readier to drink version of Brunello Riserva from Biondi-Santi, but as always, it improves greatly with aeration so decant at least six hours ahead for maximum enjoyment.”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “A warm summer yielded this rich and opulent 2011 Riserva. Only fruit from the estate’s oldest vines (some up to 80 years of age) makes it into this bottling, and that old-vine concentration shows in the wine’s dense flavors: notes of black cherry and umeboshi plum layered with iodine, basil and smoke. The tightly packed flavors need time to unfold, so it’s best to decant this several hours before serving.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1983 750ML ($1499.95) $1199 special, only 1 bottle available
***Winery Cellared Release***
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed July 2021] This precious bottle is part of Biondi-Santi’s late-release program for collectors (I tasted bottle number 10,723). The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is showing beautifully on its aging timeline, although this bottle is slightly more evolved since I last tasted this vintage in 2019 before the pandemic. With slow and measured determination, the bouquet embraces dried fig, cured bresaola, burnt caramel, wet campfire, dried oregano and a familiar aroma that reminds me of the Florence leather market. However, there is a lot of life and vertical lift in this Riserva, thanks in great part to the beautiful freshness that keeps the tannins alive and adds a pop of pretty acidity to the close. The wine shows its age with pride and grace, and the final results are quite spectacular. In fact, I’m opening the drinking window up by an additional five years thanks to the latitude and depth shown here.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo ‘La Verticale’ Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Tuscany Case-3 ($2299.95) $1899 special, 1 mixed case available
A Case Of Three 750ml Bottles
Mixed case: 1x 2008, 1x 2012, 1x 2013. No substitutions.
Review for 2008 vintage:
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The delightful 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is expressive and feminine with crushed chamomile, forest fruit, bramble, tar and licorice. It renders a stirring, melodic performance that plays out slowly but with determination. Drink: 2017-2030.”
Review for 2012 vintage:
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “You will notice the dedication printed below the label of the wine label. It reads: “Dedicato a Franco Biondi Santi.” Indeed, the Biondi-Santi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the last vintage made by the towering father figure of Brunello whom most everyone referred to as the “gentleman of Montalcino.” Il Dottore, as he was also respectfully addressed, died at age 91 in April 2013, and he was very active in the winery as this magnificent wine took shape. This Riserva is a true work of beauty. It is released one year later than usual. The wine reflects the natural heft and power of the 2012 vintage, and it also shows that distinctive open-knit and accessible personality that characterizes this warm and sunny growing season. Il Dottore’s magic touch is revealed in the level of fine detail and precision that transcends vintage, grape and territory. That extreme focus is an achievement of this estate alone located in the celebrated Il Greppo property. This Brunello pours from the bottle with a magnificent garnet color, and it evolves in the glass with dark fruit, candied orange peel, spice, licorice, anise seed, cola and balsam herb. The aromas are magical and ethereal, albeit slightly ripe and soft as expected of this vintage.”
Review for 2013 vintage:
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The Biondi-Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a stunning wine from all points of view. Seamless integration and elegant complexity are what stand out, and it’s worth dedicating a few extra lines to the aromatic depth that is put so beautifully on display as the wine slowly unfolds. The bouquet starts off with wild cherry, earth, wet ash, crème de cassis and pruny chocolate. With extra time, there are hints of dried tobacco leaf, sandalwood and mossy forest floor. These lead to a fine tail of dried herb, bay leaf and a touch of rusty nail. The Riserva comes in numbered bottles, and I opened number 04277. To the palate, the wine is streamlined and silky with smooth tannins and a well-managed 13.5% alcohol content. The oak presence is reduced to a minimum, offering mild hints of spice and the delicate sandalwood or dried fig aroma I described above. Fresh acidity is the glue that gives the wine buoyancy and staying power. At this young stage, this 2013 vintage could be considered a bit shy or slow to start, but this will play out to great advantage in the long term as the wine continues its bottle evolution.”
Looking for Biondi-Santi? How about the vineyard next door for a fraction of the cost? Coming from a single vineyard neighboring the Biondi-Santi estate, this is already a steal before you consider farming practices and vintage conditions. The juice from this high-density, high-elevation (almost 4,000 feet above sea level), organically farmed estate, is vinified by Roberto Cipresso. Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you may be familiar with his work. He is perhaps best known for his Argentine label Achaval-Ferrer. But he also famously created a papal cuvée for His Holiness John Paul II, and crafted the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Cuvée commissioned by the Italian Republic to celebrate 150 years of unification.
This is a Brunello built for long-term aging, given the ripe fruit profile and richly developed tannins from the 2015 vintage. La Fiorita means “flowery” in Italian and this certainly comes through in the wine with notes of rose petal, rosemary and flowering oregano. These qualities have already been harmonizing during the additional time in vat and bottle required by the Riserva classification. Expect this wine to continue improving for at least 10 years, as even La Fiorita’s entry-level Brunello is famously austere. But if you can’t wait that long, a few hours in a decanter will have it singing.
La Fiorita in stock now:
La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Tuscany 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “Highly Recommended. This rich red is energetic and balanced, saturated with black cherry, plum and mineral flavors. Accents of wild rosemary and sage chime in as this remains fresh and long on the iron and underbrush aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2045. 310 cases made, 100 cases imported. — BS.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This Riserva from La Fiorita boasts a full and generous style with pretty richness, concentration and ample intensity. This pretty wine really does hit those 2015 vintage expectations dead on. The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva offers plush fruit and good softness with cherry, cassis, spice, potting soil and candied orange peel. There is balanced intensity here with Sangiovese purity that cedes to lightly toasted aromas.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of plums and berries with flowers and dried meat. It’s full-bodied with round, juicy tannins and an extremely polished and beautiful finish. Hints of walnut and spice at the end, not to mention ash. Very attractive to taste now, but better after 2025.”
Love Brunello ? We have 76 different examples on our Web Store!
Ian D’agata-Vinous 94+ points “Dark red. Musky nuances give way to brighter red fruit, licorice and herbal aromas. Rich and dense, with flavors of red cherry and minerals lifted by hints of orange peel and bergamot, not to mention noteworthy but harmonious acidity. Finishes long with youthfully chewy tannins and lingering hints of violet. This strikes me as a slightly readier to drink version of Brunello Riserva from Biondi-Santi, but as always, it improves greatly with aeration so decant at least six hours ahead for maximum enjoyment.”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “A warm summer yielded this rich and opulent 2011 Riserva. Only fruit from the estate’s oldest vines (some up to 80 years of age) makes it into this bottling, and that old-vine concentration shows in the wine’s dense flavors: notes of black cherry and umeboshi plum layered with iodine, basil and smoke. The tightly packed flavors need time to unfold, so it’s best to decant this several hours before serving.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1983 750ML ($1499.95) $1199 special, only 1 bottle available
***Winery Cellared Release***
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed July 2021] This precious bottle is part of Biondi-Santi’s late-release program for collectors (I tasted bottle number 10,723). The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is showing beautifully on its aging timeline, although this bottle is slightly more evolved since I last tasted this vintage in 2019 before the pandemic. With slow and measured determination, the bouquet embraces dried fig, cured bresaola, burnt caramel, wet campfire, dried oregano and a familiar aroma that reminds me of the Florence leather market. However, there is a lot of life and vertical lift in this Riserva, thanks in great part to the beautiful freshness that keeps the tannins alive and adds a pop of pretty acidity to the close. The wine shows its age with pride and grace, and the final results are quite spectacular. In fact, I’m opening the drinking window up by an additional five years thanks to the latitude and depth shown here.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo ‘La Verticale’ Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Tuscany Case-3 ($2299.95) $1899 special, 1 mixed case available
A Case Of Three 750ml Bottles
Mixed case: 1x 2008, 1x 2012, 1x 2013. No substitutions.
Review for 2008 vintage:
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The delightful 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is expressive and feminine with crushed chamomile, forest fruit, bramble, tar and licorice. It renders a stirring, melodic performance that plays out slowly but with determination. Drink: 2017-2030.”
Review for 2012 vintage:
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “You will notice the dedication printed below the label of the wine label. It reads: “Dedicato a Franco Biondi Santi.” Indeed, the Biondi-Santi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the last vintage made by the towering father figure of Brunello whom most everyone referred to as the “gentleman of Montalcino.” Il Dottore, as he was also respectfully addressed, died at age 91 in April 2013, and he was very active in the winery as this magnificent wine took shape. This Riserva is a true work of beauty. It is released one year later than usual. The wine reflects the natural heft and power of the 2012 vintage, and it also shows that distinctive open-knit and accessible personality that characterizes this warm and sunny growing season. Il Dottore’s magic touch is revealed in the level of fine detail and precision that transcends vintage, grape and territory. That extreme focus is an achievement of this estate alone located in the celebrated Il Greppo property. This Brunello pours from the bottle with a magnificent garnet color, and it evolves in the glass with dark fruit, candied orange peel, spice, licorice, anise seed, cola and balsam herb. The aromas are magical and ethereal, albeit slightly ripe and soft as expected of this vintage.”
Review for 2013 vintage:
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The Biondi-Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a stunning wine from all points of view. Seamless integration and elegant complexity are what stand out, and it’s worth dedicating a few extra lines to the aromatic depth that is put so beautifully on display as the wine slowly unfolds. The bouquet starts off with wild cherry, earth, wet ash, crème de cassis and pruny chocolate. With extra time, there are hints of dried tobacco leaf, sandalwood and mossy forest floor. These lead to a fine tail of dried herb, bay leaf and a touch of rusty nail. The Riserva comes in numbered bottles, and I opened number 04277. To the palate, the wine is streamlined and silky with smooth tannins and a well-managed 13.5% alcohol content. The oak presence is reduced to a minimum, offering mild hints of spice and the delicate sandalwood or dried fig aroma I described above. Fresh acidity is the glue that gives the wine buoyancy and staying power. At this young stage, this 2013 vintage could be considered a bit shy or slow to start, but this will play out to great advantage in the long term as the wine continues its bottle evolution.”
Looking for Biondi-Santi? How about the vineyard next door for a fraction of the cost? Coming from a single vineyard neighboring the Biondi-Santi estate, this is already a steal before you consider farming practices and vintage conditions. The juice from this high-density, high-elevation (almost 4,000 feet above sea level), organically farmed estate, is vinified by Roberto Cipresso. Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you may be familiar with his work. He is perhaps best known for his Argentine label Achaval-Ferrer. But he also famously created a papal cuvée for His Holiness John Paul II, and crafted the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Cuvée commissioned by the Italian Republic to celebrate 150 years of unification.
This is a Brunello built for long-term aging, given the ripe fruit profile and richly developed tannins from the 2015 vintage. La Fiorita means “flowery” in Italian and this certainly comes through in the wine with notes of rose petal, rosemary and flowering oregano. These qualities have already been harmonizing during the additional time in vat and bottle required by the Riserva classification. Expect this wine to continue improving for at least 10 years, as even La Fiorita’s entry-level Brunello is famously austere. But if you can’t wait that long, a few hours in a decanter will have it singing.
La Fiorita in stock now:
La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Tuscany 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “Highly Recommended. This rich red is energetic and balanced, saturated with black cherry, plum and mineral flavors. Accents of wild rosemary and sage chime in as this remains fresh and long on the iron and underbrush aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2045. 310 cases made, 100 cases imported. — BS.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This Riserva from La Fiorita boasts a full and generous style with pretty richness, concentration and ample intensity. This pretty wine really does hit those 2015 vintage expectations dead on. The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva offers plush fruit and good softness with cherry, cassis, spice, potting soil and candied orange peel. There is balanced intensity here with Sangiovese purity that cedes to lightly toasted aromas.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of plums and berries with flowers and dried meat. It’s full-bodied with round, juicy tannins and an extremely polished and beautiful finish. Hints of walnut and spice at the end, not to mention ash. Very attractive to taste now, but better after 2025.”
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Vinopolis 101: Chianti Classico
The ancestral home of Sangiovese, Chianti produces the widest array of styles in part due to stratified geological, topographical and administrative processes. As one of the first established wine regions in Italy after the country’s unification in the 30’s, Chianti is synonymous with Italy’s quality revolution in recent decades.
You can often find bright and juicy Sangiovese or highly structured and rustic examples from the same producer offering an expression for every palate. These wide ranging styles are in part due to the soil differences seen the further up the hills, with heavy clay and compacted sandstone giving way to limestone sand and marl on the higher elevation sections. The high percentage of clay in the soil contributes the famous terra-cotta rusticity of Tuscan wine, and can be seen in even Bordeaux blends.
The top offerings of Chianti Classico are sourced from hilltop plantings, which allow for temperature mitigation during the occasionally sweltering growing season in addition to providing a higher degree of ripeness. Often featuring older vines and élevage in new oak these are among the most bold and age worthy examples of Sangiovese in the world and are the blueprint for domestic efforts by producers like Leonetti.
Chianti Classico in stock now:
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 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.”
James Suckling 95 points “Powerful, tight red with currant and plum character. Hints of new wood and bark. Full-bodied with dark berries and hints of dark chocolate, as well as other dark fruit. Flavorful finish. Solid. Needs time to open. Better after 2022.”
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 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.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Fontodi 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is a standout wine of the dry vintage. This pure Sangiovese opens to a dark garnet color with more visible concentration and density compared to recent past editions. This is a beautiful wine with pliant tannins, dark fruit richness, balanced acidity and a fruit-forward 15% alcohol content. The wine is big and bold when weighed on the Flaccianello scale (and even more so when weighed on the Sangiovese scale) with dark cherry, plum, spice, violet, chalk and campfire ash. Despite that power and inner opulence, this wine adds that zesty Sangiovese character with fresh acidity and an energized approach. This Flaccianello is whole and complete with the natural firmness and structure to hold it steady during the aging process. A small part of amphorae-aged fruit is added to the blend.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine purity to the black cherry, black currant and blackberry flavors in this expressive red, with refined tannins. Everything is in the right proportion as this remains vibrant and focused, with iron and oak spice accents adding depth as this builds to a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very high-toned and muscular red with crushed cherries, blackberries and walnuts. Some dried earth. It’s full-bodied and chewy with solid tannins that form the wine. Beautiful ripe fruit in the center palate. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022.”
Felsina Berardenga Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2017 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Plenty of fruit concentration with cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and lots of concentration. Intense and rich. Give it a year or two to come together.”
Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is incredibly polished and sophisticated. Silky tannins give the 2017 its racy, sleek personality. Over the last year, the 2017 has really settled into a gorgeous place. There is plenty of vintage 2017 intensity, but Rancia is distinctly medium in body and restrained. The wilder side of Sangiovese, one of the signatures of Rancia and Fèlsina more broadly, tastes a bit baked out. I can’t wait to see how the 2017 develops over the coming years and decades.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Rancia is always one of my favorite wines from this storied appellation (and the Castelnuovo Berardenga subzone). This vintage threw quite a few challenges at the winemaking team, but the Fèlsina 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia emerges intact, intense and beautiful. It is virtually unscathed by the heat and drought that marked this growing season. In fact, that brilliant radiance, linearity and energy of the Sangiovese grape comes through loud and clear. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, wild berry, toasted almond, violet and potting soil. My score is a little lower (compared to past vintages) in terms of mouthfeel because I found this edition to be a bit shorter and less impactful on the finish, but not by much. It ages in barrique for up to 20 months.”
Decanter 93 points “In 2017, Giovanni Poggiali describes the work in the vineyard as focused on the vines’ root system to reduce water stress. Harvest started 15 days earlier than average and at the beginning of September he did a qualitative thinning to get rid of any shrivelled bunches or those showing problems with ripening. Fèlsina’s flagship wine, Rancia is still brooding. Plum and tar show up on a backdrop of vanilla and exotic spice. Though fruit is supple, layers of assertive tannins need time to loosen their grip. Appetizingly savoury, this finishes with an intense, irony character.”
Montevertine Toscana IGT Tuscany 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Montevertine is fabulous. Bright and translucent in the glass, the 2018 is elegant and light on its feet like few, if any, vintages I can remember. Rose petal, mint, lavender and bright red/purplish berry fruit linger. The 2018 is one of the most refined, understated Montevertines ever. Silky, elegant and gracious, the 2018 is an absolute winner.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This wine celebrates 100 years of family legacy connected to Montevertine’s legendary founder Sergio Manetti. The bottle shows a little logo on the front label to commemorate the anniversary. The 2018 Montevertine follows the traditional blending formula of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino that goes through a simple winemaking process that starts off in cement and continues into oak casks for 24 months. Keeping in with the well-established house style, the wine delivers enormous quality and clarity of fruit with bright cherry, rose, cassis and fragrant potting soil. These elegant results capture the promise of Sangiovese.”
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We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
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Producer Spotlight:
Castello Di Ama
Castello Di Ama
Consider Castello di Ama, one of our in house favorites from the village of Ama. If you were to put a bullseye over the Chianti Classico region, Castello di Ama would be almost dead center, at an average elevation of 1600 feet above sea level. Climatically perfect for growing Sangiovese, the area was first cultivated by the Etruscans before becoming a famous wine village in 1773. As the legend goes, the Grand Duke of Tuscany was so impressed with the wine and sightseeing that he wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion.
Founded in 1978, Castello di Ama was also instrumental in the region’s promotion from DOC to DOCG in 1984. They haven’t been content to sit on their laurels however, and have undergone major overhauling of their vineyards and fermentation facilities. These changes are clearly paying off, with the wines exhibiting the quintessential sour cherry, dark chocolate, terra cotta and sage character of a good Chianti. Made from Sangiovese accented with a sprinkle of Merlot, this is drinking beautifully now but would also be right at home in the cellar for 5-7 years.
Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points ” The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is rich, sensual and inviting, as it so often is. The addition of Merlot to Sangiovese yields a Chianti Classico built on textural resonance, with silky tannins, soft curves and tons of sheer allure. The 2016 won’t be ready to drink anytime soon, but it is unquestionably a great wine in the making. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, menthol, licorice, cloves and new oak infuse the creamy, voluptuous finish.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Mature black-skinned berry, rose, tilled soil and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus shape the nose. The bright, elegant palate has energy, tension and depth, delivering ripe wild cherry, red plum, licorice and crushed botanical herb. Taut, fine-grained tannins lend polished support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. A gorgeous wine. Drink through 2031.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “From the small vineyard facing Castello di Ama from the north, the 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto la Casuccia shows a dark and hearty side with rich fruit that flows steadily from the bouquet. Like the other new releases from this iconic estate, this wine shows a pretty earthy note that is particularly well defined and fine-tuned in this vintage. The fruit is broad, thick and horizontal. This is a Sangiovese painted with broad brush strokes. It’ll stand another decade or two, or open it sooner with a pappardelle al cinghiale.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This aromatic Chianti Classico features violet, black cherry, leather, earth and spice flavors. A laser of bracing acidity and muscular tannins runs underneath. The balance tips toward the tannins today, but put this in your cellar for another few years. Sleek and very long. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2042. 315 cases made, 40 cases imported.”
James Suckling 95 points “A dense and layered red with spice and berry character. Medium to full body. Blueberry, wet-earth and walnut undertones. Iodine. Shows structure and intensity. Drink in 2020 and onwards.”
Founded in 1978, Castello di Ama was also instrumental in the region’s promotion from DOC to DOCG in 1984. They haven’t been content to sit on their laurels however, and have undergone major overhauling of their vineyards and fermentation facilities. These changes are clearly paying off, with the wines exhibiting the quintessential sour cherry, dark chocolate, terra cotta and sage character of a good Chianti. Made from Sangiovese accented with a sprinkle of Merlot, this is drinking beautifully now but would also be right at home in the cellar for 5-7 years.
Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points ” The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is rich, sensual and inviting, as it so often is. The addition of Merlot to Sangiovese yields a Chianti Classico built on textural resonance, with silky tannins, soft curves and tons of sheer allure. The 2016 won’t be ready to drink anytime soon, but it is unquestionably a great wine in the making. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, menthol, licorice, cloves and new oak infuse the creamy, voluptuous finish.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Mature black-skinned berry, rose, tilled soil and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus shape the nose. The bright, elegant palate has energy, tension and depth, delivering ripe wild cherry, red plum, licorice and crushed botanical herb. Taut, fine-grained tannins lend polished support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. A gorgeous wine. Drink through 2031.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “From the small vineyard facing Castello di Ama from the north, the 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto la Casuccia shows a dark and hearty side with rich fruit that flows steadily from the bouquet. Like the other new releases from this iconic estate, this wine shows a pretty earthy note that is particularly well defined and fine-tuned in this vintage. The fruit is broad, thick and horizontal. This is a Sangiovese painted with broad brush strokes. It’ll stand another decade or two, or open it sooner with a pappardelle al cinghiale.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This aromatic Chianti Classico features violet, black cherry, leather, earth and spice flavors. A laser of bracing acidity and muscular tannins runs underneath. The balance tips toward the tannins today, but put this in your cellar for another few years. Sleek and very long. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2042. 315 cases made, 40 cases imported.”
James Suckling 95 points “A dense and layered red with spice and berry character. Medium to full body. Blueberry, wet-earth and walnut undertones. Iodine. Shows structure and intensity. Drink in 2020 and onwards.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’ – ‘Ama’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2015 1.5L ($69.95) $39 special, 25 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “So much sweet tobacco and cherry character here with hints of smoked meat. Medium body, fine tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Acid tension give this definition. Tangy. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “The raspberry and cherry flavors are immediate in this elegant, balanced red, followed by accents of earth and spice. Not excessively long, but well-proportioned. Drink now through 2022. 900 cases imported.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’ – ‘Ama’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’ – ‘Ama’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Fragrant and refined, this features enticing aromas of rose, iris, woodland berry and crushed botanical herb. Medium bodied and loaded with finesse, the elegant palate features juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and dark culinary spice. Polished tannins and fresh acidity keep it well balanced. Drink through 2028.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “This is the quintessential happy wine from Tuscany that will easily pair with wintery pici al ragù or summery pasta al pomorodo. There is enormous versatility in the all-season Castello di Ama 2018 Chianti Classico Ama. The wine is round, plump and approachable. It offers enormous freshness and the bright berry intensity of the Sangiovese grape. Red cherry and cassis are backed by red rose petal and softly fragrant potting soil. I tasted this wine immediately after Castello di Ama’s Pinot Nero di Toscana Il Chiuso, and I was struck by the similarities of the two wines in terms of silkiness and those pretty rose aromas. An ample 105,000 bottles were made.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Ama shows just how promising the vintage is. A burst of sweet red cherry fruit, cedar, leather, spice and orange peel give the 2018 a feeling of exuberance that is impossible to miss. The purity of the flavors is just striking. This is such a beautiful wine.”
Blending with Bolgheri: Italy’s Bordeaux playground
Bolgheri is unique amongst other Tuscan appellations in a number of ways. The most standout of these in the appellation requirements, which do not require any influence from native Italian varietals in stark contrast to other villages that require at least a dollop of Sangiovese. Tempered by breezes from the Mediterranean with soils rich in fossilized sea-life and minerals, these are among the most plush and ripe wines in the entire region. Featuring the plush richness of Napa with quintessential Tuscan earthiness, these are fantastic alternatives to more in-demand appellations at comparable or better return!
Bolgheri Wines in stock now:
Tenuta Argentiera ‘Argentiera’ Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and the Cabernet Sauvignon logically feels and tastes most prominent. This is a dark and penetrating Tuscan red that is beautifully elevated, thanks to the extremely elegant and buoyant quality of the aromas. They lift gracefully from the glass with light-footed, almost fleeting character. However, don’t underestimate the power and the concentration of the wine, because this vintage delivers both with abundance. I’ve had my eye on this estate since the vineyards were first planted some 20 years ago, and there is no doubt that this vintage brings Tenuta Argentiera into a new era as a Bolgheri protagonist. Some 80,000 bottles were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castello di Bolgheri Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “Very tightly wound, with a dense bed of tannins providing support for the black currant, black cherry, wild herb, mineral and earth flavors. Ripe, yet lively, showing fine intensity on the fruit-, mineral- and tar-filled aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
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On the Horizon: Tuscan Wines Coming Soon
Arriving Saturday, January 22nd, 2022
Caiarossa ‘Aria’ Rosso di Toscana IGT Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The selection of grapes in this blend has changed a bit, with much younger vines of Syrah, older Alicante vines, filled out by Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2015 Aria di Caiarossa goes through 20% new oak and shows a nice richness and velvety mouthfeel. It is immediate and exuberant and a bit sweeter than past vintages.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Alicante opens with aromas evoking mature dark-skinned fruit, underbrush and cooking spice. The firm palate delivers ripe black plum, clove and star anise alongside polished tannins. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Wine Spectator 90 points “This red leans toward the fruity side, offering cherry and plum flavors, accented by wild thyme, rosemary, iron and tobacco notes. Solidly built, with a line of dry, dusty tannins on the finish. Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2025. 7,600 cases made, 1,500 cases imported. — BS”
Caiarossa ‘Aria’ Rosso di Toscana IGT Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The selection of grapes in this blend has changed a bit, with much younger vines of Syrah, older Alicante vines, filled out by Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2015 Aria di Caiarossa goes through 20% new oak and shows a nice richness and velvety mouthfeel. It is immediate and exuberant and a bit sweeter than past vintages.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Alicante opens with aromas evoking mature dark-skinned fruit, underbrush and cooking spice. The firm palate delivers ripe black plum, clove and star anise alongside polished tannins. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Wine Spectator 90 points “This red leans toward the fruity side, offering cherry and plum flavors, accented by wild thyme, rosemary, iron and tobacco notes. Solidly built, with a line of dry, dusty tannins on the finish. Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2025. 7,600 cases made, 1,500 cases imported. — BS”
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Check out our other offerings by Caiarossa today!
Arriving February, 2022
Cerbaia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2001 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cerbaia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2001 750ML ($419.95) $279 special, (That’s only $26.50 per bottle!)
Direct From The Winery Cellar!
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Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.