Featured New Arrival; New Week – New Arrivals; New Grapelive Review for Terre Nere; Barolo at its Prime: 2003 Giacomo Conterno; Riotous Restocks: Popular Picks that are Back in Stock; Isole e Oleno; 98+ Points Alert! Freemark Abbey’s Bosche Vyd 2013 – Arriving Friday; Arriving This Week: Ken Wright’s Angela Estate Pinots & JM Pillot Chassagne; New Releases from Leonetti – Arriving Friday; Cantine Lonardo; Late Breaking News: Exclusive Dal Forno Library Release
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Featured New Arrival
This release from Thivin sold out the day it arrived last week – we’re pleased to be able to offer more. Final 4 cases!
Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Bottled 3 weeks prior to my visit, the 2015 Côte de Brouilly was very closed on the nose though you can tell that it is packed to the rafters with fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with intense red and black fruit, superb minerality and harmony, gradually building in the mouth with a compelling, tensile finish. What a fantastic Beaujolais in the making – about as good as it gets to be quite honest. If I taste a better QPR wine this year…no, just impossible.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Limpid ruby-red. Bright and energetic on the nose, displaying incisive red and dark berry, floral pastille and Asian spice scents and a zesty mineral topnote. Palate-staining raspberry and bitter cherry flavors deepen and become sweeter as the wine opens up. Delivers a serious dose of densely packed fruit flavor while coming off graceful, showing no rough edges and an impressively long, mineral-driven finish. This year’s rendition of this classic bottling is a must-buy for longtime fans of this historic estate.”
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New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Arterberry Maresh Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Ayres Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Winery note “Clean, crisp, and refreshing. Some things in life are just easy – like a perfectly chilled bottle of Pinot Blanc paired with abundant sunshine! Mineral tones and citrus highlights deliver an instantly refreshing sensation to your palate!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $19
Ayres Rose of Pinot Noir 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Winery note “A Rose of Pinot Noir where you can actually experience the Pinot Noir! We deliberatly pick this block of Pinot Noir specifically for our Rose. We find our eastern-most Pommard rows offers a nice spicy element to this Rose. Try it. You’ll like it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Twill Cellars Pinot Noir, Northern Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “Aromatically, intense notes of roses, burnt orange, cranberry, smoked cherry, hibiscus, cinnamon and strawberry can be found. On the palate, lots of blood orange, concentrated strawberry, rooibos tea leaf, and cranberry are tucked into a savory and taut frame. The finish is long, bright, chewy and rich.”
Twill Cellars Pinot Noir Johan Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Winery note “Hibiscus, smoked cherry, strawberry, and lemon verbena marks the initial aromatics. With air, deeper elements of cinnamon, chocolate, tangerine, and mint can be noted along with a bag full of fresh strawberries and chamomile. On the palate, the 2014 Johan is generous yet fresh. It has stuffing, but feels buoyant. This will provide a lot of enjoyment now, or could benefit from cellaring to allow some savory elements to develop.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Twill Cellars Syrah, Oregon 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “Initial primary aromas of olives, raspberries, rose petal, quinine, grapefruit, and coffee. With air, veiled black pepper, blackberry, plum, chocolate, and menthol. As the wine warms up from cellar temperature (55f) and with more air, notes of white pepper, cranberry, oolong, and lavender are noted. On the palate, the wine is full and rich, but seemingly mid-weight with brightness at its core. The tannins present like dark chocolate and cocoa nibs at this point, with flavors of coffee, cherry, olive, oolong and lavender carrying the wine through a structured finish. This wine will develop further complexity in a cool cellar, or can be enjoyed with some air over a few days’ time in its youth.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $27
California
Eric Sussman – County Line Rosé Elke Home Ranch, Anderson Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2015 Rosé Elke Home Ranch is absolutely gorgeous. Cranberry, orange zest, mint and floral notes are all given an extra kick of depth from the natural richness of the vintage, yet there is plenty of aromatic lift, freshness and vivacity. The Rosé is made from 100% Champagne clone Pinot Noir, whole-cluster pressed and fermented in neutral French oak. This is a gorgeous Rosé from Radio-Coteau’s County Line label.”
Saxum Vineyards James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles 2012 750ML ($149.95) $125 special
Wine Advocate 97+ points “There are 1,580 cases of the 2012 James Berry Vineyard and it reminds me of the 2009 Janasse Chaupin (which is one of Justin’s favorite wines). Incorporating more Mourvedre than normal, it’s made from 43% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise that’s aged in a combination of concrete and barrel. Rock star stuff, with fabulous black raspberry, cassis, spring flowers and charred meat aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, yet stays lively, incredibly pure and elegant, with lots of fine tannin emerging on the finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and have 15-20 years of ultimate longevity.”
France – Beaujolais
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Morgon Côte du Py has a very well defined bouquet, though clearly at the moment it is more closed than the 2014 Morgon Cuvee Corcelette. There is great mineralité here but the aromatics will need two or three years to fully open. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very fine acidity, harmonious from start to finish with a caressing dark cherry and mulberry finish that lingers in the mouth. This is an excellent Côte du Py for those prepared to afford it 3-4 years in bottle.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented aromas of ripe dark berries and candied violet, joined by slowly emerging hints of blood orange and cured meat. Palate-staining black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors unfurl and become sweeter with air, picking up an exotic touch of star anise on the back half. The mineral and floral notes come back strong on the clinging, gently tannic finish, adding energy and strong closing lift.”
France – Rhone
Michel Gassier Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Cercius 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah that’s brought up all in concrete tanks, the 2015 Côtes du Rhône Cercius is a gorgeous, sexy and seamless Southern Rhone that offers loads of sweet cherry, black raspberries, lavender, licorice and Provencal herbs in its medium to full-bodied. hard to resist style. It goes down way too easy, and is a total steal at the price. Buy a case and drink bottles over the coming 2-3 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Rouge 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2013 Nostre Pais Costieres de Nimes is a Châteauneuf du Pape look-alike. Made from 45% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault, it saw a long maceration and slightly more oak than normal due to the higher acidity that was common in the vintage. Roasted herbs, licorice, black raspberries and toasted spices are some of nuance here, and it’s medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling and textured, with sweet tannin. It’s a sexy, gorgeous wine to drink over the coming 4-5 years.”
France – Languedoc/Roussillon
Domaine Lafage Cotes du Roussillon Lieu Dit Narassa 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “From one of the warmest sites in France, the 2014 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lieu Dit La Narassa comes from 70-year-old vines planted in the black schist soils of Maury. Despite the rugged, hot terroir from where this beauty comes, the wine is pure silk and elegant, with lots of black raspberry, chocolate covered currants, pepper and olive notes giving way to a full-bodied 2014; it has polished tannin and a seamless texture. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah that was aged mostly in concrete tank (20% in demi-muids), drink it anytime over the coming 4-5 years.”
Domaine Lafage ‘Tessellae’ Carignan Vieilles Vignes, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “A crazy value, the 2014 IGP Cotes Catalanes Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes is one of the best examples of this variety from the Roussillon, and the fact that it sells for a song is just icing on the cake for the consumer. Coming all from schist soils and 70-year-old vines, raised 12 months in a mix of concrete tanks and demi-muids, it offers tons of black raspberry and black cherry fruit, licorice and dried spices to go with a super sexy, heady, seamless style on the palate that keeps you coming back to the glass.”
Italy – Piedmont
G.D. Vajra Aldo Freisa Kye Langhe Rosso 2013 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2013 Langhe Freisa Kyè is remarkably polished and, dare I say, elegant, in this vintage. The bombastic style of some years past has been supplanted by a much more silky, perfumed expression of Freisa. Bright, nuanced and finely sculpted, the Kyè offers extraordinary finesse. Lavender, rose petal, sweet red cherry and mint are laced into the exquisite finish. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “This red blends cherry, licorice, tar and earth notes with firm, well-integrated tannins, and is open and enjoyable now for the frank, vibrant fruit. Drink now through 2023.”
Italy – Tuscany
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Promis Toscana IGT 2013 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 92+ points “Angelo Gaja always presents one of the most exciting tastings of the year. The 2013 Promis (Merlot, Syrah and a small part Sangiovese) reveals all the hallmarks of the excellent vintage. The wine offers a supple and smooth entry that is creamy and delicious. Spice, dark fruit, cherry, blackberry, tar, resin and cola come to attention. The tannins still show some attitude so I would recommend giving this wine a few more years of cellar aging. The intensity, depth and persistency promise many years of forward-looking cellar aging.”
James Suckling 91 points “A delicious red with lots of plum and blueberry aromas and flavors. Hints of cream and cedar. Full body, soft tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very beautiful indeed. Drink or hold.”
Gaja Sito Moresco Rosso Langhe 2013 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
#91 Wine of the Year in 2015 – International Wine Report
International Wine Report 91 points “The 2013 ‘Sito Moresco’ Langhe Rosso is a bend composed of Nebbiolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers aromas of cherries and blackberries woven together with spices, leather and mint. This medium bodied red is refined with a fine texture and a pretty finish. Readers looking to taste a wine from this legendary producer which is approachable in its youth and comes at a relatively moderate price should consider this Cuvée from Angelo Gaja. (Best 2016-2023) – December, 2015 (JD)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $55
Italy – Friuili
Edi Keber Collio Bianco, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “Situated just a stone’s throw away from the Slovenian border, Edi Keber’s 10 hectares of vineyards grow on the classic “ponka” soil, a stony, friable marl that gives the wines remarkable weight and body. Extremely poor, the “ponka” naturally stresses the vines which produce very small quantities of grapes and provide a distinctive minerality, typical of the Collio region. Keber’s first bottled wines date back to 1957, although his family, originally from Vienna, has made wine for 350 years. Edi deeply believes in the unique character of the Collio terroir and his objective is to make, starting with the 2008 vintage, only one white wine that will embody the tradition of the Collio by blending the three varieties that have been grown in the area since before the two great wars: Friulano, providing for body and structure, Malvasia Istriana to impart the aromatic component and Ribolla Gialla for its acidity. Edi’s young son, Kristian, follows his father’s maverick footsteps helping in every aspect of the production. The grapes are picked at their highest possible maturity levels and are then fermented and matured in old cement vats, which according to Edi, add an element of “soul” to the wine as opposed to the sterility of stainless steel. Keber’s wines are deep, intense, long-lived, where generous fruit and terroir blend seamlessly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $33
Spain
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2016 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Winery note “Made from the indigenous grape varieties of Hondarribi Zuri and its red companion Hondarribi Beltza. The wines are fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic acid that gives the wine its natural spritz. By adjusting the blend to increase the amount of Hondarribi Beltza, the red txakolina grape, Ameztoi has made this rosé txakolina that retains all the freshness of traditional white txakolina but with a slight taste of strawberries and red candied fruit. Great for sipping while sharing a warm summer evening with friends.”
Bodegas Akutain Cosecha Rioja 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Grapelive 90 points “The Akutain Cosecha Rioja is beautifully fresh and lively with impressive purity and style. It’s mostly Tempranillo with a small amount of Garnacha that was fermented and aged in vats using native yeasts and comes from high elevation vines. Juan Peñagaricano (Akutain) is the winemaker and grower here. He is a traditionalist Rioja old school producer, heavily influenced by the grand Bodegas of Cvne and La Rioja Alta. He is tiny by comparison and handcrafts only a small amount of wine from three estate plots in Rioja Alta near Haro on clay-calcareous hillsides planted to mainly Tempranillo with Garnacha and Viura. I adore the vibrant unoaked Cosecha 2015 for its direct fruit, vibrancy and pure form. It’s a vivid terroir-driven beauty to enjoy young and often! Bright ruby and with light earthy tones, the Akutain Cosecha offers crushed blackberries, tart currants, cherry and dusty plum fruits with light mineral notes and spices with hints of chalk/stone, anise and lilacs. This is easy to love Rioja that has a bit of a Cotes du Rhone like feel, but certainly speaks of its Tempranillo character with a medium body and soft tannins. Imported by Jose Pastor Selections, Akutain is a label to look for delivering lots of value and old world charm, especially this 2015 Akutain Cosecha which will be great with a slight chill and with tapas, or summer picnics or BBQ parties as well as with almost anything you prepare on a Tuesday night. Drink now.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOCa 2014 750ML ($219.95) $199 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “There is a little more Syrah in the blend of the 2014 Clos Erasmus, where it reached around 30% to complement the majority of Garnacha. As is the norm, the wine matured for some 18 months before bottling, with most of the volume in French oak barrels, 40% of which are renewed each vintage, but there are also one or two amphorae. I tasted it next to the 2013 and as the 2013 required so much attention, it took some time to get to the 2014. It showed a bit shy at first, but when I finally came back to it, I found that it had really blossomed with a mixture of violets, ground, smoky meat and black raspberries. The slight increase in Syrah was noticeable, but it somehow also seemed to increase the voice of the slate in the bottle. The palate is medium to full-bodied with terrible balance and elegance combined with inner strength. This is simply terrific. 3,000 bottles were filled at the end of May 2016.”
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2014 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “I was really blown away by the aromatics of the 2014 Laurel. As soon as I put my nose in the glass I was transported to the vineyards of Gratallops, with a blast of wild herbs and flowers followed by a stream of smoked meat, juicy red currants and raspberries. It is mostly Garnacha but with some 10% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are cooled down during the night and in the morning some are destemmed, and some others are left with the stems on and fermented mostly with indigenous yeasts. The élevage here is one year in a combination of used oak barrels, oak vats, cement and amphorae. They have increased the volume of wine being raised in amphorae in this 2014. This might very well be the finest Laurel to date.”
Celler Cecilio Black Slate Gratallops, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “The Black Slate series wines are produced by different producers from different villages of Priorat for US importer Eric Solomon, as is the case of the 2015 Black Slate Gratallops from Celler Cecilio. They want to show the character of the Priorat grapes in the different villages. It’s a blend of Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah from (guess what?) slate soils that fermented separately with indigenous yeasts and with 20% of the volume being raised in oak barrels for some eight or nine months. I noticed the Syrah here, combined with classical Gratallops sweet Garnacha and a pinch of spices. The palate is medium-bodied, with the fine slate texture, generous, warm and showy, but without excess, with the graphite holding it together. This is a Gratallops Vi de Villa.”
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Give the Gift that Never Expires!
Can’t decide on the perfect gift?
Let them!
We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.
Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.
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New Grapelive Review for Terre Nere
Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘Vigne Niche’ Calderara Sottana Bianco Etna, Sicily 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 16 bottles available
Grapelive 93 points “The wonderfully brilliant and deep Carricante “Calderara” from Terre Nere is an absolute thrill with gorgeous detail, spice and earthy/mineral layers with exotic fruit and beautiful texture. This Etna Bianco comes from a single plot of vines that were planted in 1956 on the lava based soils which gives a slightly smoky and flinty edge to this wine. The palate is full and mouth feeling without being heavy, showing bright lemon/lime, dried ginger, pineapple and apricot/peach fleshiness along with delicate white flowers, passionfruit and earthy melon. Medium weight and lively throughout this Terre Nere performs exceptionally well from start to finish with sublime focus, the balance between lush and vibrant is spot on. While not cheap it delivers world class style and substance. I think this Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana is the best white I’ve ever had from this winery, and I highly recommend it to the volcano freaks out there, and to all that love intriguing whites. Drink this fascinating Etna Bianco from 2017 to 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $33.83
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Giacomo Conterno 2003
Barolo in its prime drinking window!
In 2003, Roberto Conterno decided to create just one Barolo, including all of the precious Montfortino grapes in the blend. It was a warm year, so the wine is soft and plush, yet showing “very little signs of the challenging growing season” as Antonio Galloni writes after tasting the wine 10 years in bottle.
While tasting through just before the initial release, Galloni wrote that “over the past few vintages Roberto Conterno has produced the best and most consistently outstanding wines in his venerable firm’s long history. The wines he has in barrel amply confirm this very positive trend.”
In Stock Now: No Further Patience Required:
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($149.95) $128 special
June 2014: Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is soft, silky and very nicely balanced, especially in its tannins, where the wine really stands out next to so many peers. Readers should open the 2003 at least an hour in advance to allow the aromatics to open up. This is a very sexy and open young Barolo from Conterno with very little signs of the challenging growing season. Drinking window: 2014-2028.”
October 2007: Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is a remarkable wine for the vintage. this deep, powerful Barolo reveals awesome richness and an almost liqueur-like quality to its fruit that is balanced by the chalky mineral notes that provide freshness on the fin ish and help convey an impression of notable balance. In 2003 there is no Monfortino, and the Cascina Francia surely benefits from the addition of that juice whichis mostly felt in the wine’s depth. Res isting the temptation to harvest too early, Roberto Conterno waited until October 8 to start picking in his Cascina Francia vineyard, long after most producers had already brought the fruit in. He had the benefit of the late September rains that helped restore at least a little freshness to the fruit, and as a result his 2003 Cascina Francia doesn’t have the aggressive tannins that plague so many wines. Simply put, this is a stunning Barolo made all the more notable by the challenging conditions the vintage presented.”
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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Riotous Restocks
Some of our most popular party picks are back!
Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Robert Parker 92 points “A steal from Lafage is the 2014 Bastide Miraflors, which is a Cotes du Roussillon, and a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, with the Grenache aged in concrete tanks and the Syrah in 500-liter demi-muids. Lafage makes more expensive wines than this, but certainly excels with his value lineup. He has really hit a home run with this 10,000-case cuvée. It is deep, ruby/plum/purple, with fresh notes of blackcurrants, plums, Provençal herbs as well as licorice. Deep, medium to full-bodied, with amazing fruit, the purity, authenticity and Mediterranean upbringing of this wine are obvious. Quite deep, round and succulent, this wine should drink well for another several years. This is one to buy by the case.”
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: Mostly from Briscoe Vineyard with some declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique fruit.
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz – Viognier, Central Victoria 2012 750ML ($24.95) $11.90 special
Wine Spectator Top 100 Wine in 2014 #98
Wine Spectator 90 points “Vibrant, expressive and distinctive, with citrus and mineral overtones around a core of blueberry and spice, lingering on the taut finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $19!
New Vintage!:
Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Rouge 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2013 Nostre Pais Costieres de Nimes is a Châteauneuf du Pape look-alike. Made from 45% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault, it saw a long maceration and slightly more oak than normal due to the higher acidity that was common in the vintage. Roasted herbs, licorice, black raspberries and toasted spices are some of nuance here, and it’s medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling and textured, with sweet tannin. It’s a sexy, gorgeous wine to drink over the coming 4-5 years.”
New Vintage!:
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2016 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
“Made from the indigenous grape varieties of Hondarribi Zuri and its red companion Hondarribi Beltza. The wines are fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic acid that gives the wine its natural spritz. By adjusting the blend to increase the amount of Hondarribi Beltza, the red txakolina grape, Ameztoi has made this rosé txakolina that retains all the freshness of traditional white txakolina but with a slight taste of strawberries and red candied fruit. Great for sipping while sharing a warm summer evening with friends.”
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Isole e Olena
“Proprietor Paolo De Marchi has left an indelible and highly personal stamp on Isole e Olena, and all of Chianti Classico for that matter… De Marchi stands apart from many of his colleagues for his vocal opinions and intense dedication to the vineyard above all else. Since taking over his family’s estate… De Marchi has transformed Isole e Olena into a powerhouse.” – Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate, June 2012)
Isole e Olena was created in the 1950s when the De Marchi family purchased and joined together two hilltop estates “Isole” and “Olena” in the Chianti region. The original Isole portion of the estate was founded in the 1700s as a farm growing a range of goods including grapes and olives. The 50 hectares of top-quality vineyards are on hillsides in Chianti, about 450 meters above sea level.
Paolo de Marchi took over the estate in 1976 and has been the driving force ever since. The estate manages to do what is usually impossible: balance the use of French grapes in the estate to make wines that are still classically Tuscan and also produce varietal wines of non-Tuscan grapes of the highest class.
Cepparello, a wine made from 100% Sangiovese, has long been the estate’s calling card, but everything from the basic Chianti to the Gran Seleczione is among the best in its class. The Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are also worth paying attention to if you like Bordeaux or wines of California. In short, it’s hard to find a winery, anywhere in the world, that does as many things well as Isole e Olena and we’re excited to showcase the wines for you today.
Below are six of the 17 in-stock wines from Isole e Olena:
Isole e Olena Collezione De Marchi Chardonnay Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 8 bottles available
Importer note “After many attempts at a white wine from Trebbiano and Malvasia, Paolo decided to use those grapes solely for Vin Santo and in 1987 made his first 100% Chardonnay. The vineyards are a mix of exposures from West, East and some North. Paolo likes to keep the heat accumulation down in the vineyard and extend hand time as long as possible. Harvest occurs in September. It’s fermented in stainless steel then sur-lie aged in French oak barrique, 1/3 new for 10 to 12 months depending on the vintage. Battonage for the first 6 months.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 10 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of currant, bark and orange peel. Nutmeg powder. Full body and chewy tannins. Savory, with balsamic and nuts. I love the juicy, decadent character to this. Drink or hold.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Isole e Olena’s 2011 Cepparello is remarkably silky, polished and refined, especially considering the challenges of the vintage. Dark red stone fruits, wild flowers, menthol and sweet spices all meld together gracefully in the glass. Voluptuous and racy but also an impeccably balanced wine with phenomenal length and a super-expressive finish. The 2011 will offer a wide window of drinking pleasure pretty much upon release. Drink: 2017-2026.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 8 bottles available
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 6 magnums available
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 3L ($399.95) $333 special, 2 jeroboams available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Cepparello is superb. Polished, silky nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 2013 exudes freshness and energy from start to finish. Succulent red cherry, plum, lavender and rose petal are some of the signatures. Aging in French oak shapes the wine nicely without marking it excessively. The purity of the flavors is striking. This is an especially cool, savory Cepparello built on finesse and persistence rather than power. Rain during harvest robbed the wine of some of its breadth. Otherwise, this is a striking Cepparello. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2006 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 9 bottles available
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2006 1.5L ($499.95) $389 special, 5 magnums available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2006 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a controversial wine and for good reason. Proprietor Paolo De Marchi was initially opposed to the idea of introducing the Gran Selezione category above the Chianti Classico Riserva. But more than a year ago, the Institute of Masters of Wine held a special dinner in Florence and producers were invited to pour only Gran Selezione wines. Paolo had an amazing barrel of Sangiovese put aside for a commemorative wine to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a winemaker. He hoped to dedicate that wine as a special limited release. Because he also wanted to pour something of his at the Masters of Wine dinner, he declassified the wine and re-registered it as a Gran Selezione. This also explains why it is from an older vintage. Most of his peers inaugurated this new category with the 2010 vintage. Only 1,800 bottles were made (of which 500 are put aside for the family’s personal use) and the blend consists of Sangiovese with 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Syrah. “I love Chianti Classico and I love super Tuscans,” says Paolo De Marchi. “This wine is a crossover of the two.” The wine shows gorgeous ripeness with brooding dark fruit, depth and extreme balance. This is a wine that makes a statement upfront both in terms of the quality of the aromas and its overall integrity and persistency.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Syrah Collezione de Marchi Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2008 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2008 Syrah Collezione Privata jumps from the glass with expressive, pungent aromatics and waves of super-expressive dark red/black stone fruits. Mint, sage, tobacco, rosemary and plums all develop in the glass, adding further dimensions of complexity. An intensely floral, savory finish laced with lavender, violets, rose petals and spices rounds things out. At six years of age, the 2008 Syrah remains fresh, vibrant and impeccable in its purity. In particular, the interplay of dense fruit and cooler, varietal Syrah notes is compelling.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2004 375ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ half-bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Deep amber-yellow. Sexy, kaleidoscopic nose combines exotic tropical fruits, chestnut honey, raisin, dried fig, caramel and a musky iodine note. Then sharply delineated and penetrating on the palate in spite of its honeyed sweetness, with superb acidity giving spine to the dried fruit and ripe citrus flavors. This wonderfully vibrant yet thick and rich Vin Santo coats the mouth on the long, smooth finish. Great stuff.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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98+ Points Robert Parker!
Arriving Friday from
Freemark Abbey
Freemark Abbey’s modern era dates back to 1967, when the winery was purchased quickly transformed into one of the most recognized and prestigious wineries in the 70’s and 80’s. Unfortunately, over time, quality slipped and the reputation of the once legendary winery fell into a bit of obscurity.
After a few ownership changes, the winery was sold in 2005 to Jackson Family, who have poured money and attention into it in a way that hasn’t been seen since the original heyday of the winery in the 70’s and early 80’s. Winemaker Ted Edwards was brought in and the winery has been on a steady path upwards ever since. The single vineyard wines are especially nice and Bosché, the most famous of these vineyard designates, is from an old vineyard that been producing spectacular wines for Freemark since the winery’s early days.
Arrowood is a similar story with a shorter timeline. Founded in Sonoma in 1986 by Dick Arrowood, the winery made a name for itself but then suffered a bit of a decline in the late 90’s. Recently, though, Arrowood has been on a roll, making full bodied Sonoma Cabernet from the west side of the Mayacamas range that rivals any Napa wine near it in price. We’re excited to feature both Arrowood’s wines and those of Freemark Abbey at the lowest prices in the country.
98+ Point Wine Arriving Friday:
Freemark Abbey Bosche Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Vyd 2013 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 98+ points “The famous Bosché Vineyard is a spot in Rutherford composed of gravelly, loamy soil and situated just at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. A blend of 93.8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.2% Merlot, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosché Vineyard was aged 28 months in French oak. This vineyard has turned out many a classic wine capable of lasting 30-40 years, and this 2013 is one of the all-time great Bosché Cabernet Sauvignons. It offers an inky ruby/purple color, a gorgeous nose of graphite, black cherry, wood spice and barbecue notes, enormous body and richness, and a heady, full-bodied, long finish of 50+ seconds with moderately high tannins. This is a great classic from Napa, but not one for drinking over the near-term. Give it 7-8 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 50 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also arriving Friday, March 24th:
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($44.95) $34.40 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Freemark Abbey’s generic bottling from Napa, is a brilliant example, and at $50, a heck of a value. It is also one of their larger cuvées at 24,332 cases. A blend of 75.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.9% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this wine spent nearly 26 months in oak. Opaque purple in color, it exhibits beautiful blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with hints of white chocolate, allspice and tobacco leaf. It is rich, full-bodied, seriously concentrated, and has 2013’s relatively serious structure and tannic clout. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years.”
Arrowood Winery Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley), all Knights Valley fruit in this vintage, is superb. Raspberry jam, spice, scorched earth, rose petal, cloves and new leather are some of the signatures. Knights Valley is often noted for Graves-like sense of gravel-infused minerality, naturally allied to a California expression of fruit. That is exactly what readers will find in the 2013.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arrowood Proprietary Red Blend, Sonoma 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A limited release blend of 63% Cab, 15% Cab Franc, 14% Merlot and 8% Malbec. Aged for 6 months in 38% new French oak.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Arriving Tomorrow:
Two Pinots at crazy-low pricing on a Ken Wright affiliated project in Yamhill-Carlton!
Angela Estate Abbott Claim Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($59.95) $36 pre-arrival super special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Editors’ Choice. Here is a powerful young wine with concentrated plum and cherry fruit. It’s beautifully built around perfectly ripened tannins that provide solid support without being intrusive. Compact and well proportioned, it lingers with highlights of espresso grounds, dark chocolate and black tea.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “This earthy style plays a woodsy, coffee and spice character against a core of black cherry, lingonberry and licorice flavors. The finish lingers against firm yet unobtrusive tannins. Best from 2017 through 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $40
The average price is $52
Angela Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 750ML ($44.95) $28 pre-arrival super special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points –Cellar Selection– “The label does not bear the name Angela Vineyard, but the fruit is estate grown. This is a tight, focused, young red wine, with tangy raspberry fruit that touches on black cherry. Vivid and penetrating, it needs plenty of time to breathe, and as it does it reveals subtle layers of mocha and caramel. This has the bones to age. Drink now through 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37.99
The average price is $41!
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Arriving this week:
Chassagne magic from JM Pillot
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Les Grands Champs, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Importer note “From a parcel on the southeastern end of Chassagne Montrachet, this wine now passes its elevage in stainless steel tank to preserve its freshness. It shares the broad shoulders and dense texture of the wines of Chassagne. Bottled twelve months after the harvest, this wine establishes the base-line for the generous, open style adopted by Jean-Marc Pillot for all of his wines. In years of normal production, we import 2400 bottles for the US market.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumes, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “Bright lemon-yellow. Knockout nose combines musky grapefruit oil, lemon, lime, leesy baked bread and pungent crushed stone. At once penetrating and refined, conveying superb energy and precision to its bulletproof fruit. Extremely young but not hard, this premier cru reverberates and rises on the very long finish. I underestimated this wine a year ago.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Les Chenevottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “Pale, bright yellow. Penetrating aromas of lemon, minerals and white flowers. More austere than the Chaumes, offering brisk, intense flavors of lime and crushed stone. Boasts terrific inner-mouth energy and finishes with palate-saturating minerality.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Morgeot Les Fairendes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(30% new oak; Pillot has picked this parcel much earlier since 2012): Bright, pale yellow with green highlights. Aromas of lemon, lime and vanilla, plus a flinty note of limestone reduction. Highly concentrated and powerful, dominated in the early going by tactile, rocky minerality. A superb mineral-driven example of Morgeot with the spine for a slow and positive evolution in bottle.”
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Les Grandes Terres, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Importer note “This little red is a favorite of ours for its rustic, wild berry fruit and ebullient palate presence. The vineyard is located south of Chassagne in the town of Remigny. Some of the vines are quite old, approaching the 60-year mark (as of 2012).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Arriving Friday from Leonetti
Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) $108 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Impenetrably dark. An explosive nose of coffee, red and black fruits, Russian sage, and garden herbs. Lesser notes follow of crème cassis, currant, and black olive. On the palate, the wine is dense, sweet, and broodingly dark. Simply perfect fine-grained tannins melded with laser-focused acidity deliver impressive length that lingers on the palate.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Leonetti Cellar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Winery note “This 100% Merlot pours inky into the glass. The nose is deep and intricate with top note florals lifting it higher as it opens. Tightly focused, the wine saturates the palate with dense blue and black fruits that linger endlessly. An immensely pleasurable wine, it possesses all the attributes that make Walla Walla one of the world’s premier places to grow Merlot.”
Leonetti Cellar Reserve, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($179.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Always our finest effort and the flagship of Leonetti. The 2014 pours into the glass dark and foreboding. The nose instantly delivers jasmine and white flowers. A second smell and taste reveal tar, asphalt, cassis, bramble fruit, white fir, and dried florals. The palate is seamless with impressive length, polish, and a plush, delicious finish. I’m incredibly proud of this Reserve vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $162
Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Dazzling, dark ruby color. An alluring nose and palate of wet stones, crushed cherries, and ripe strawberries, with lesser notes of sawdust, crème vanilla, elderberries, and roses. The palate is alive with a brilliance and levity that is incredibly refreshing. The tannins are fine-grained with perfect balance and a delightfully satisfying finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Cantine Lonardo
Our Favorite Campanian
When it comes to Italy, Tuscany gets all the glory. Part of the reason for that is where we (Americans) vacation, part of that is wealth and history, but we should be paying more attention to the wines of Southern Italy.
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 and if more of the wines were at the level of Cantine Lonardo, the region would be famous again.
Sandro Lonardo is a schoolteacher who also makes wines, both from vineyards he farms and from grapes he buys from local farmers. Mostly he makes wines from the Aglianico grape, which is the “Barolo of the South” according to popular wisdom. Unlike some producers, he resists the temptation to use lots of barrique or new wood and yet the wines aren’t rustic monsters. There is a freshness and approachability that surprises, given the reputation of the grape and the warm climate. Lonardo also makes a white from a nearly extinct grape called Grecomusc, which is almost like a cross between Chenin Blanc in its texture and acidity and Muscat in terms of fruit and aromatics.
Cantine Lonardo Wines Available Here Now:
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi ‘Grecomusc’ Campania IGT 2013 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 90 points “Dark yellow. Intense pear, baked apple and sweet spice notes on the aromatic nose. Bright and fresh, with tactile orchard fruit and stony flavors complicated by a savory quality. The very long finish shows a repeating lemony nuance and peppery zing. Outstanding stuff. Lonardo deserves praise from wine lovers everywhere for having resuscitated Grecomusc’, a rare aromatic white variety from Campania.”
VinopolNote: A rare, white variety grown ungrafted.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Aglianico Rosso Irpinia, Campania 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “Intense ruby red colored wine, dense and opaque. The nose is rich and lingering with hints of ripe fruits, balsamic notes and a spicy quality. The taste is warm, with austere tannins and some persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2007 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2007 Taurasi is a gorgeous, round Taurasi with impeccable class and elegance. Ripe dark fruit, smoke, minerals and ash flow from this graceful, elegant wine. The Taurasi here can at times be a touch rustic, but not in this vintage. The 2007 impresses for its sensual personality and harmony. It is a brilliant effort that makes me look forward to the Riserva with great anticipation. The Taurasi saw 30 days of contact on the skins and was subsequently aged for 18 months in 500-liter French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfiltered and unfined.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Coste, Taurasi DOCG 2009 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Taurasi Coste will reward readers with glorious drinking over the next 15-20 years, perhaps longer. Rich, ample and racy on the palate, the 2009 shows the more voluptuous side of Taurasi, with layers of dark fruit that continue to open up in the glass. Earthy, leathery notes add nuance on the powerful finish. The 2009 is very much old school in style, but with a touch of early approachability that is a positive for such a big wine.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65.99
Cantine Lonardo Arriving Friday:
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi ‘Grecomusc’ Campania IGT 2014 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata – Vinous Media 90 points “Bright straw. Lime and botanical herbs on the fresh nose. Rich and dense but juicy, showcasing precise fresh citrus and spicy flavors that linger long on the almost creamy aftertaste. Lovely Grecomusc’ from the producer who first rediscovered this long-forgotten aromatic variety that gives wines not unlike dry white Muscat wines. (Grecomusc’ is what the grape is called in dialect; the variety’s official name is Roviello.)”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Aglianico Rosso Irpinia, Campania 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata – Vinous Media 89 points “Medium red. Reticent nose hints at red berries, licorice and wild herbs. Then bright and juicy, with excellent spine to the flavors of red fruits, licorice and minerals. Well-balanced wine with an echoing finish, if not the greatest complexity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata – Vinous Media 94 points “Deep ruby. Ripe black cherry, flint and herbs on the profound, complex nose. Bright, dense and rich; lively acidity lifts the almost decadently ripe red cherry fruit, nicely framed by sweet, polished tannins. Finishes long and ripe with a bright, refreshing floral nuance. Outstanding Taurasi that manages the neat trick of being remarkably concentrated yet very light on its feet. Bravo!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Coste, Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata – Vinous Media 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 lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cantine Lonardo – Contrade di Taurasi Vigne d’Alto, Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata – Vinous Media 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 in the USA today!
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Dal Forno Unique Library Release
Arriving Late April
“As always, these are some of the richest and most textured wines being made anywhere in the world. A visit to this spotless winery in Illasi is all it takes to understand the maniacal drive for perfection that informs everything the Dal Forno family does” –Antonio Galloni
We’re offering two unique library releases from the winery cellars – a once in a lifetime deal – arriving in April.
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Library Pack ($1,999.95) $1,799 pre-arrival special
A unique, one-time deal, this vertical case pack offers two bottles each of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 vintage.
2010 Vintage:
James Suckling 97 points “Aromas of roses and other flowers with a deep fruit intensity. Full-bodied, dense and ultra-fine with a beautiful texture. Lots of new wood now but this will amalgamate with time into the wine. Fabulous potential. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like a gymnast, this focused red shows both power and grace. Finely meshed flavors of blackberry puree, fig cake and Earl Grey tea leaf are framed by refined, dusty tannins, with a lasting finish expands on the palate with spice and smoky mineral details. Drink now through 2030.”
2009 Vintage:
Wine Advocate 97 points “I’m not sure how anyone can resist a wine like the 2009 Amarone della Valpolicellla Monte Lodoletta. It would be impossible to exaggerate the enormity of this wine. Romano Dal Forno has his critics, of course: Some people find his wines exaggerated and too big to drink. They have a point, but you can not doubt the sheer quality of winemaking that goes behind this monumental wine. Dal Forno’s Amarone is a message of optimism that speaks to the infinite possibilities that can be achieved with a simple fruit like the grape. The decadent and layered bouquet offers slow pulses of black fruit, tar, teriyaki, mesquite and prune. The wine wraps like a thick blanket over the palate. This beautiful bottle should be aged ten more years.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most sexy, open-knit young Dal Forno Amarones I can remember tasting. An enticing mélange of mocha, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and leather captivates the senses. Incredibly open today, the 2009 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring or aged for twenty years, perhaps beyond. Although the 2009 doesn’t quite reach the heights of the truly epic vintages here, it comes very close and will provide considerable pleasure sooner than many of those wines. I don’t think I have ever tasted a young Dal Forno Amarone with this much allure.”
2008 Vintage:
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella is compelling. With a little air, the tannins begin to soften, releasing a myriad of intense dark aromas and flavors. Bittersweet chocolate, cloves, violets, plums and blackberry jam cover every inch of the palate in a stunning, headspinning Amarone that captures all of the best qualities of the year. When Romano Dal Forno’s wines are on, there is nothing quite like them, and that is certainly the case here. If opened young, the 2008 needs a little air. Actually, a lot of air.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella (with fruit sourced from the high density Monte Lodoletta vineyard) opens with immense darkness and the kind of midnight impenetrability you never see on any color wheel for fine wine. Its off the charts appearance is followed by similarly unique aromatic intensity and versatility that spans from blackberry syrup and candied prune to chewing tobacco, black peppercorn and rain-soaked asphalt. This is but a baby that will require loads of time in your cellar before it enters its prime drinking window. Because Dal Forno did not make Amarone in 2007, the wait will seem that much longer. Having said that, this wine is very different from the 2006 Amarone despite the fact 2006 and 2008 were relatively similar cool vintages overall. I distinctly remember the impossible tightness and astringency of the tannins in 2006 when tasted at the same young stage in the wine’s life. The 2008 Amarone, on the other hand, is much softer and a tad more approachable in contrast. Ultimately, this wine promises a graceful, steady and long evolution. Drink: 2017-2035.”
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto Library Pack ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special
A unique, one-time deal, this vertical case pack offers two bottles each of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 vintages.
2010 Vintage:
James Suckling 95 points “Amazing aromas of dried fruits, burnt orange and walnut skin. Full-bodied, chewy and very rich and dry, with wonderful tannin-fruit tension. It’s layered, textured and complex. A triumph.”
2009 Vintage:
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Built like a tank, the 2009 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a masterful achievement. This wine shows so beautifully, especially in a warm but balanced vintage like 2009. The fruit is expressive and articulate with deep layers of blackberry preserves, dried cherry, dark chocolate, espresso bean, mesquite smoke and soy sauce. The mouthfeel is super rich and concentrated as the Dal Forno signature style would dictate. The tannic bite is still strong and this wine needs a few more years to stretch out its muscular build. I’d suggest drinking it after 2018.
2008 Vintage:
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A dark, super-ripe wine, the 2008 Valpolicella Superiore is fabulous in this vintage. Smoke, tar, incense, licorice and blackberry jam hit the palate in a massive, intense Valpolicella loaded with class and personality. Even with all of the concentration, the 2008 is quite a bit less tannic than some recent vintages have been, which makes it accessible even today, especially if given a little air. There is a lot to admire in this drop-dead gorgeous Valpolicella from Romano Dal Forno.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2008 Valpolicella Superiore hails from the famed Monte Lodoletta cru and immediately struts its stuff: It opens to huge intensity, an inky appearance and tight tannic astringency. Great care is taken to transform each berry of fruit into this dense, syrupy wine that is redolent of bitter chocolate, dried fruit, blackberry preserves, baking spice and toasted herbs. The oak tannins dry every last drop of moisture from your mouth. The blend is 70% Covina and Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta and 5% Croatina aged 36 months in barrique. This wine has a long, long way to go. Don’t even think of popping the cork for five years or more. Drink 2018-2035.”
These are the only listings in the USA today!
Thank you for reading!