11/11/15
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Flash Sale!
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri 2103 750ML ($29.95) $18 special
Case-6 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri 2103 750ML ($199.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Bolgheri Rosso Il Bruciato is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The wine offers red earth nuances with pressed violet, terra-cotta, leather and tobacco. Il Bruciato makes a smooth and silky entry to the palate and imparts more luscious fruit flavors along the way. This wine was first produced in 2002.” ML
For Top Tenophiles
Clos Fourtet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
#9 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator 94 points “Gorgeous, with a pure, unadorned violet aroma giving way to very ripe and stylish plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit. Offers a suave mouthfeel, with anise and tobacco hints filling the background. A finely stitched chalk note extends the finish. Not shy on depth, and sneakily long. Best from 2017 through 2030. 3,500 cases made.”JM
Robert Parker 95 points “Having just had the 2003 and 2005 from my cellar, I can attest to the magnificent turnaround in quality this famous estate on the eastern side of St.-Emilion has achieved. All of it is attributable to its dynamic proprietor, Philippe Cuvelier. The 2012 Clos Fourtet (usually 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) has beautiful blackberry and blueberry fruit and an inky purple color. With flawless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol, a full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning richness, this is impressive and certainly one of the vintage’s top wines. It should evolve beautifully for 15-20 years, and be drinkable in 3-4. Yields were a modest 32 hectoliters per hectare with the alcohol at 14%.”
Re-Arriving Friday
Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($34.95) $26 re-arrival special
Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($349.95) $279 re-arrival special (that’s only $23.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva is host to a beautiful mix of black mineral, fruit, dried mint and eucalyptus. The wine shows elegant evolution in the glass and backs it up with dry, polished tannins. This is a stunning effort available at a reasonable price. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. This is one of the nicest collections of new releases by Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s Felsina. At the edge of the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi denominations, the estate counts 475 hectares, of which 61 are planted with vineyard.” WA
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “Classicists, on the other hand, will flip out over the 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva. Black cherry, plum, smoke and menthol notes all jump out of the glass. The 2010 is translucent yet also rich, powerful and impeccably balanced. Ideally readers should cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, but that is going to be difficult considering how beautiful the wine is today.” AG
Conterno ’03!
Arriving Tomorrow
Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Case-6 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($799.95) $689 special
Case-12 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($1,549.95) $1,319 special
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.” (6/2014)
Arriving Mid-November
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($81.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: Our oldest vineyard is Abbey Ridge located high in the Dundee Hills at an elevation range of 500-700 feet. The first vines were planted here in 1976 and, as some of the oldest vines in Oregon, they produce some of Cameron’s finest wines.
Vinopolnote: A nod to Chablis here, with lemon rind and tart apple flavors. Very fresh and round, with nice minerality to compound the touch of weight on the palate. My, will this will age wonderfully…
Cameron Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2013 750ML ($81.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: “Clos Electrique is farmed organically which means that we use elemental sulfur during the growing season to prevent growth of powdery mildew and use copper hydroxide and leaf removal in the vicinity of grape clusters to inhibit botrytis. Insect pests are generally kept in check by cultivation of predatory insects with integrated cover crops. This is one of the warmer vineyard sites in the Red Hills of Dundee and usually is harvested during the second half of September. Yields of the “blanc” generally yields 2.0 tons per acre (27 hl/hectare).
Vinopolnote: Wow. Honeysuckle, citrus, tarragon, and honey cover the palate while remaining lively and buoyant. Layered and charming, maintaining a balance between force and elegance.
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($81.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: “At Abbey Ridge only organic sprays are used on the grapes. Moisture levels in the soil of this non-irrigated vineyard are managed by a rotating system of cover crops and tilled (or clean cultivated) areas. By adjusting mowed height of the cover crops relative to rainfall, appropriate quantities of water can be retained in the soil for the vines. The older vines have extremely deep roots to take advantage of moisture there during the dry, late summer months.”
Vinopolnote: Cranberry and spice and everything nice! Lighter bodied with more pronounced acid than Clos, with plenty of savory minerals and fleshy red fruit. Quite the contender for Thanksgiving!
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML($81.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: “(At Clos Electrique,) Each block of vines is planted to multiple clones. This technique increases the complexity of the resulting wines as well as giving the vineyard great resilience in the face of various of climatic and biological impediments. Most of the Pinot noir clones were planted in 1984 though some have been added along the way.”
Vinopolnote: We fought, with all our might, to not spit the wine when we first tasted a few afternoons ago. So much depth here, all in harmony, with tamarind and cherries meeting blood orange and spices. It drinks well now and will drink well down the road. Will be hard to resist, let alone share…
Cameron Nebbiolo, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: “In 1994 we planted a small experimental row of 2 different clones of Nebbiolo. Our thinking was that Barolo/Barbaresco lie on the 45th parallel and besides nebbiolo they are one of the few locales in the world where hazelnuts (nocciolo) grow. We cleared an orchard of hazelnuts to plant our vineyard. By 1999 we were convinced that we could in fact successfully grow nebbiolo here and so started grafting and planting. By 2003 we had planted a half-acre and by 2006 we were able to produce our first commercial batch of nebbiolo. Since we have adopted the long aging regimen typical of Barolo and Barbaresco, our first nebbiolo was not released until Fall of 2010. Thus 2007 is slated to be available in Fall of 2011. Quantities are extremely small at this point.”
Vinopolnote: Lighter than previous vintages, but still so full of character and pretty aromatics. Brick-red, with more than enough acid alongside the fistful of earth, kitchen spice, and dark red fruit it delivers.
Winemaker’s note “The wine got a full 12 months of lees contact which gives it exceptional mouth feel. The total production came from 35 year-old vines at Abbey Ridge Vineyard so I guess we could put “Vieille Vigne” if we wanted (except we’re not that obnoxious!).”
Cameron Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”
VinopolNote: 100% Pinot Gris from Abbey Ridge vineyard made as an ‘orange’ wine. Grapes are harvested just as the seeds begin to brown. The grapes are crushed and the juice is left on the skins for 4-5 hours to extract color before pressing. The wine is aged for 6-8 months in neutral barrique to stabilize color and to allow the proteins to settle out without filtration.
Donnhoff, Alzinger and Willi Schaefer New Arrivals
John Gilman 89+ points “The 2014 Tonschiefer is a lovely wine, with a bit different expression of minerality than the Estate Trocken, as these grapes hail entirely from the Leistenberg and are a on a bed of carbon-slate that is geological outlier of the coal beds in the Saar. The nose offers up a lovely constellation of tangerine, a hint of white cherry, wild yeasts, slate, citrus peel and a gentle topnote of lemongrass. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and quite suave on the attack, with lovely focus and grip, ripe, well-integrated acids and a long, balanced and quite classy finish. Lovely juice and a fine value. 2015-2025+.” JG
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John Gilman 89-90+ points “The 2014 Krötenpfuhl Kabinett had just been bottled as well- this time only a few days before my visit and was a bit out of sorts as a result. The nose is open and juicy at the present time, offering up scents of apple, peach, lovely soil tones, a touch of beeswax and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is medium-full, accessible and succulent on the attack, with a nice core of fruit, good complexity and a slightly pinched finish at the present time, from the very, very recent bottling. I am sure this will be very tasty, but it was not entirely on form at the time of my visit. 2015-2025.”
Terry Theise notes “Best! Ever! Vintage! Spritzy, brilliant, seeming to show every green thing (lime-zest, verbena, anise hyssop, wintergreen) atop the salumeria savor. Somehow this has fallen in love and is telling everyone in the world.”
Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special
John Gilman 91+ points “I did not take note on the alcohol level of the Kahlenberg this year, but the Höllenpfad Trocken bottling comes in between twelve and 12.5 percent alcohol, and I have to assume it is the same for the Kahlenberg. The 2014 Höllenpfad is really lovely in this vintage and very, very reflective of its unique, red sandstone soils on both the nose and palate. The lovely nose offers up
scents of pink grapefruit, tart orange, lemongrass, a dollop of wild yeasts and a very complex base of minerality. On the palate the wine is medium-full, pure and more filigreed, with a lovely core, bright acids and lovely focus and grip on the long, vibrant and really quite elegant finish. This is a touch more feline than the Kahlenberg and gets the slight nod in 2014 as a result. 2018- 2035+.” JG
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John Gilman 91 points “The 2014 Kahlenberg Trocken hails from grapes with Spätlese must weights this year and is a notable step up from the first two, very good wines. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a classy blend of white cherries, apple, spring flowers, a lovely base of soil and a youthful topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is medium-full, bright and nicely reserved on the attack, with a fine core, bright acids and superb backend energy and cut on the long finish. This is really high class juice that would age long and happily under cork, though I cannot remember which closure it was destined to receive. 2017-2035.” JG
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Terry Theise notes “A “little” wine with big density, tactile with extract, scree, rock-dust; more boxwood than green bean (though that too is there), but it’s the clarity and mineral authority so impressive here.”
all of 13% alc.”
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Terry Theise notes “A most unusual Loibenberg, really sinewy and “green” like a chewy salad of herbs and mustards. The tulip shows more roasted red pepper and a spicy “sweetness.” I find the wine outstanding, and all of 13% alc.”
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Terry Theise notes “11.5% alc. Compelling aroma, especially from the tulip. (Zalto is seriously wrong for this wine!) This has all the positive attributes of “underripeness,” compactness, mineral density. It has bits of all the Grand Crus from an early picking due to stem-rot. Fennel-frond, grassy green tea; it made me dream of mid-November woods, when the threads begin to show.”
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John Gilman 88+ points “The “basic” Trocken Riesling from Christophe Schaefer is really a pretty wine that year, with a lovely interplay of minerality, pure fruit and excellent acidity. The very bright and stylish nose offers up scents of lime, green apple, slate, bee pollen and petrol. On the palate the wine is medium-full, long and nicely focused, with a very good core, excellent balance and a long, crisp and zesty finish that closes with impressive grip and bounce. Good juice. 2015-2025+” JG
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John Gilman 89+ points “As I have written in the past, I really enjoy Feinherb bottlings from top producers and wish more of these types of wines found their way to the US market. The 2014 from Weingut Schaefer is very stylish and classy, with about eleven percent alcohol and around eighteen grams per liter of residual sugar striking a lovely balance. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a pretty blend of white cherries, apples, slate, a touch of apple blossoms, orange zest and a bit of petrol in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-full, bright and bouncy, with a good core, zesty acids and lovely focus and grip on the complex and vibrant finish. 2015-2025+.” JG
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John Gilman 90 points “The Estate Riesling from Weingut Schaefer in 2014 finished off nicely at between thirtyfive and forty percent residual sugar, to balance out nine grams per liter of acidity and is really a beautiful bottle of wine. The bouquet offers up a complex and youthful bouquet of pear, apple, a touch of orange zest, a fine base of slate, petrol and a nice esthery topnote of bee pollen. On the palate the wine is medium-full, pure and bright, with a fine core, vibrant acids and superb filigree and focus on the long and classy finish. I really love the balance of this wine in 2014 and this will be one of the great sleepers to be found in the vintage. 2015-2030+.” JG
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John Gilman 94 points “The 2014 Himmelreich Kabinett is outstanding in this vintage, as it delivers great purity and filigree on both the nose and palate. The lovely bouquet wafts from the glass in a blend of green apple, lime, a touch of tangerine, excellent slate minerality, lime blossoms and just a touch of smokiness in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, transparent and dancing, with a lovely core, classic Kabinett weight and balance, bright acids and superb length and grip on the focused and complex finish. Great juice. 2015-2035.” JG
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John Gilman 93+ points “The 2014 Domprobst Kabinett is also excellent, and as is customary with the two top vineyards in Graach, the Domprobst is more reserved in personality out of the blocks than its colleague from the Himmelreich. The bouquet offers up a deep and primary blend of apple, pear, petrol a lovely base of slate and again, a gentle touch of smokiness. On the palate the wine is deep, medium-bodied and very transparent, with a rock solid core, crisp acids and a very long, currently fairly reserved finish. This is an excellent Domprobst Kabinett in the making, and given that wines from this vineyard always start out life a bit less expressive than the Himmelreich, I would not be surprised to see this wine’s score climb a bit with sufficient bottle age. 2019-2040.” JG
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Evesham Wood
Stunning New Releases
The estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec, is planted on an east facing slope overlooking the Willamette River. It has iron-rich soils and is planted to several varieties. While the Evesham Wood wines tend toward elegance and the Haden Fig wines towards more fruit-forward notes, both are expressive examples of their (all dry-farmed) vineyards.
Erin Nuccio purchased the Evesham Wood estate from founder Russ Raney after working several years at the winery while also developing his own original label, Haden Fig. Erin’s aim is to continue in the style of minimal intervention at optimal (not over-) ripeness and reduced yields to allow vineyards to express themselves.
The estate was founded in 1986 and inspired by Burgundy and Alsace. The estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec, is planted on an east facing slope overlooking the Willamette River. It has iron-rich soils and is planted to several varieties. While the Evesham Wood wines tend toward elegance and the Haden Fig wines towards more fruit-forward notes, both are expressive examples of their (all dry-farmed) vineyards.
2013’s Arriving this week from Evesham Wood
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($49.95) $42.95 pre-arrival special
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Big!
Large Format Italian
For the cellar, Thanksgiving,
or Holiday parties!
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva DOCG 2006 1.5 L ($219.95) $149 special, 1 magnum available
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of sausages, ripe fruit and flowers turn to mushrooms and truffles. Full body, with velvety tannins and a decadent finish. A wine that changes continually in the glass. This is delicious and exciting now. Late release of this wine. Why wait to open and drink this?”
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2006 Barolo Riserva is also impressive with a streamlined and elegant feel enhanced by pretty accents of dried flower, tar, spice, cassis and black pepper. There’s a delicate and mysterious aspect to the wine that keeps your attention focused. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dense, vibrant and packed with cherry and raspberry flavors, this red shows eucalyptus, tobacco and leather accents. Tight and resonant, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral and spice. Best from 2015 through 2032.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Smoke, tobacco, licorice, leather, spices and dried cherries all meld together in the 2006 Barolo Riserva. The 2006 spent 6 years in cask, which has dried out the fruit and given the flavors slightly more tertiary nuances. In my view there are very few wines – anywhere in the world – that can support this much time in barrel without losing freshness. Dried cherries, tobacco and earthiness linger on the close.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Borgogno’s 2008 Barolo shows what a beautiful vintage this is. Dark red cherries, plums, tobacco, wild flowers, savory herbs and tobacco are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. Over the last two years, the 2008 has blossomed beautifully in bottle. This is the best bottle I have tasted so far. The 2008 is a blend of fruit from San Pietro, Bricco delle Viole and Cannubi/San Lorenzo, all in the village of Barolo.” AG
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Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2007 Barolo is gorgeous. In keeping with the style of the house, it boasts a considerably firm core of tannin that supports the fruit. There is plenty of 2007 intensity and richness in the glass, but those elements are balanced by the wine’s pure structure and inner tension. The 2007 can be enjoyed young if given some air, and it should drink nicely for a dozen years, if not longer. Even with all the tannin, I don’t see this being an especially long-lived Barolo.” AG
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Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2005 Cepparello is striking. It possesses stunning depth and a darker profile of fruit than is typical. The 2005 was quite compact when first released, but what a difference a few years in bottle make. Today the 2005 has begun to blossom into a big, dramatic wine for the year. As was the case throughout most of Chianti Classico, 2005 was shaping up to be a great year until the rains arrived just before harvest. This is a fabulous effort on its own, but especially notable for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.”
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Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 1.5L ($159.95) $133 special, 10 magnums 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
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Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia stands out for its exceptional finesse and delicacy. Sweet rose petals, mint, cinnamon and red berries are all laced together in a soft, polished Barbera long on class and finesse. Perfumed notes continues to open up in the glass, while brighter, more saline-inflected notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. This is a magnificent showing. Ideally, readers will be able to give the 2012 at least another year or two in bottle.” AG
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barbera d’Alba 2011 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special, 20 magnums available
James Suckling 95 points “This is so powerful and flavourful, with masses of character of peaches, blackberries and minerals. It is full and very round with fine tannins and bright acidity. Love the aftertaste. An incredible Barbera. This shows the master winemaking ability of Roberto Conterno as well as the greatness of 2011 for Barbera in Piedmont. Drink now.” JS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Conterno’s 201 Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia emerges from the glass with an exciting mélange of savory herbs, rose petals, wild flowers and dark red fruit. Here the expression of fruit is broad, ample and generous, with layers of fruit that cover every inch of the palate. The Cascina Francia is expansive, while the Cerretta is a bit more focused. Both are fabulous.” AG
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 3L ($299.95) $249 special, 1 jeroboam available
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of wet earth, meat and dried fruits. Some nuts and spices. Complex. Full body, with super fine tannins and fabulous intensity and richness. Dried cherry and candied citrus fruit. Fabulous finish. You want to drink this now. But shows superb finesse and intensity. Why wait?(1/15)” JS
Wine Spectator 95 points “Saturated with cherry, raspberry, spice and tobacco aromas and flavors, this strikes a balanced between the supple texture, succulent acidity and refined yet gripping tannins. Really sings on the lingering finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WS
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Wine Advocate 94 points “From the 6.25-hectare Rancia vineyard, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia shows a more elaborate and stylized personality with ripe fruit tones, bursting cherry, perfumed violets and rose petal. Those floral notes add a feminine touch to what is in fact a wine of power and determination. It shows a beautiful evolution in the glass as well, with dusty mineral notes that add to the overall elegance of the dry, polished finish. This is one of the best Riservas of 2011.” ML
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “A wine of incredible density, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is virtually impenetrable, but dazzling just the same. Rose petal, mint, sage, rosemary, leather and smoke hit the palate in a voluptuous, racy Rancia. The 2011 should drink well earlier than many other recent vintages, but it should also age nicely. The fine, silky tannins are a bit uncharacteristic for a young Rancia. Over the last few years, the 2011 has really started to come together. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.” AG
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is utterly magnificent in this vintage. Usually a powerhouse, the 2008 is incredibly refined to the point it seems to literally hover on the palate. It is a wine of exquisite grace and beauty. All the elements are in place. I could describe the aromas and flavors, but that would be doing this majestic Barbaresco a huge disservice. Ultimately, the 2008 Rabaja, is all about textural finesse and pure elegance. This is another breathtaking wine from the Produttori. A king among kings. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” WA
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Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is exquisite and harmonious from start to finish. Among the more structured 2008s, the Montestefano is the wine that most hides its tannin, as the fruit is intensely perfumed, rich and totally seductive. Today the Montestefano provides the illusion of being relatively accessible, but it is virtually certain to shut down in bottle. The 2008 boasts striking aromatics, seemingly endless layers of fruit and power to burn. Readers can think of the Montestefano as a synthesis of Montefico, Ovello and Rabaja. Not bad, to say the least. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” WA
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Wine Advocate 95+ points “The Produttori’s 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a reference point wine for the village, even if, in truth, Ovello is a fairly diverse zone with many exposures. Firm, steely tannins support a core of expressive fruit in this vibrant, energetic Barbaresco. The 2008 is going to require considerable patience, but it is striking, even today. Sweet floral notes reappear on the vivid, utterly breathtaking finish, adding lift, precision and vibrancy. This is a stunning wine from the Produttori. The style is built on tension, energy and focus; in other words, all the qualities Ovello is known for. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” WA
Stephen Tanzer 95+ points “Full, deep ruby-red. Restrained but highly complex nose melds strawberry, raspberry, currant, mocha and dried flowers; less exuberant today than the Samassa. But the sweetest and lushest in the mouth of these ’99s: hugely rich, creamy and seamless but with terrific supporting vinosity giving it a lightness of touch.” ST
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Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Highly complex aromas of raspberry, woodsmoke, spices, pepper and Havana tobacco. At once lush and sappy in the mouth, with the creamy sweetness of a fruit liqueur complemented by notes of tobacco, chocolate and mocha. Shows a distinctly roasted character without losing its balance or verve. Explosive, seamless Barolo that saturates the palate with fruit. Finishes with slow-building tannins and outstanding persistence.”ST
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Antonio Galloni 90 points “Sweet tobacco, dried cherries, plums, savory herbs and menthol are all laced together in the 2010 Primofiore. This a distinctly savory Primofiore, with pretty floral and herbal notes that dominate over the fruit. Still, there is a lot to like in the 2010, most notable the purity and delineation of the flavors. A kick of acidity adds brightness on the finish. The Primofiore is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernets seeing a slight amount of drying.” AG
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Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2005 3L ($599.95) $499 special, 1 jeroboam available
Antonio Galloni 89 points “Quintarelli’s 2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore is laced with dried flowers, mint, dried cherries and anise. The fresh, cool growing season resulted in a bright, somewhat slender Valpolicella with lively acidity. At the same time, the flavors are a bit forward, suggesting, the 2005 needs to be enjoyed sooner rather than later.” AG
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Wine Spectator 96 points “Warm and chewy, this red exhibits cedar, sandalwood, tobacco and leather accents enhancing the core of cherry and raspberry. As this plays out on the palate, the wine turns more supple and vibrant, building to the long, expansive finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.”WS
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Wine Advocate 96+ points, Wine Spectator & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.”WA
Vietti Barbaresco Masseria, Barbaresco DOCG 2006 3L ($499.95) $399 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Advocate 93 points, Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good deep red. Medicinal cherry and violet on the nose, with a hint of nuts. Sweet and fresh, with excellent inner-mouth energy and floral lift. But this also boasts an opulent texture, with the sweet tannins arriving late. I find this softer than the 2005 version, but again these tannins reminded me of a Barolo.”ST
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Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2007 Barbaresco Masseria flows gracefully from the glass with fabulous aromas of crushed flowers, berries, spices and minerals. It is a wonderfully perfumed, elegant Barbaresco of the highest level. Supple and open today, it promises to drink well to age twenty, if not significantly longer. Hints of the profound 1989 Barolo Rocche – one of the all time greats here – lingers on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.”
Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2006 3L ($829.95) $699 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Bravo! The Brunate cru has awarded Vietti with a stellar product: a wine that is unusually dark and plush with impressive intensity and crafted aromas of black fruit, spice, earth, licorice, balsam and gianduia chocolate-hazelnut spread. The soft, velvety texture is seductively delicious and the wine will age many long, glorious years.” WE
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good medium red. Perfumed aromas of camphor, brown spices and menthol. Silky-sweet and aromatic in the mouth, with lovely class and a light touch for a wine with such a plush texture-no doubt due to a mineral element that reminded me of Musigny. Very intensely flavored, suave Brunate with an impressive rising finish. A superb showing: this has the structure for a slow evolution in bottle but the complexity to give it considerable early appeal.”ST
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2006 1.5L ($399.95) $349 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2006 Barolo Lazzarito has begun to show the pedigree of this great Serralunga site now that Vietti has backed off the French oak, and the 2006 is nothing short of superb. A melange of dark, mineral-infused fruit flows from the glass as the large-scaled Lazzarito gradually shows off its class. Licorice, tar, smoke and earthiness add layers of complexity and nuance. The Lazzarito is still the Barolo that spends the longest number of months in French oak following the malolactic fermentation, but that period is down to several months from a full year the wine spent in small barrels up until 2001 or so. One day the Lazzarito may challenge the Rocche as Vietti’s signature Barolo, and that day may be closer than most people realize. This huge, imposing Barolo will require patience, but it is nothing short of superb. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.”WA
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Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2007 Barolo Lazzarito is a superb, plush wine loaded with dark fruit, flowers of all sorts, sweet menthol and minerals, all of which flow through to the long, powerful finish. The wine’s inner perfume emerges over time, adding even more nuance and subtlety to this big Barolo. The 2007 Lazzarito is far from an open, easygoing wine, in fact it needs time, and lots of it. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2042.”WA
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Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Bright, dark red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of bitter cherry, blackberry, mint, blood orange and white peach. Then dense, sweet and pliant yet penetrating thanks to terrific vibrant acidity. For a medium-bodied wine, this communicates an impression of strong dry extract. The firm tannins arrive late, allowing the wine’s finishing fruit to expand and stain the palate. Classic 2010 energy here.” ST
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95 points Antonio Galloni “La Gerla’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is absolutely delicious. Dark red cherries, plums, mint, smoke, tobacco and licorice flesh out in a wine that offers notable depth, structure and power. The 2010 is medium in body and also quite polished, yet there is a level of inner sweetness and perfume that makes the wine incredibly appealing, even today. Ideally, though, readers should give the 2010 at least a few years in the cellar. The precise, delicate finish is a thing of beauty”
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Good full red. Smoke and a suggestion of exotic fruits on the very ripe nose, complicated by leather, black olive and game nuances. Thick and surprisingly deep, with a high-pH mouth feel. Finishes with substantial tannins that currently cut off the wine’s fruit. The leathery quality gives this a slightly rustic quality.”
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Antonio Galloni 94 points “It’s fascinating to taste the 2011 Teroldego Morei next to the Sgarzon. Here the flavors are more intensely savory and mineral-driven. This parcel is planted on an old river bed rich in rocks and sand, a terroir that gives the wine much of its distinct personality. The Morei shows a bit less opulence than the Sgarzon, but also more length and tension. Pomegranate, plum, sage, smoke, violets and graphite add nuance on the brilliant finish.”AG
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Foradori’s Teroldego Morei is once again compelling in 2012. A host of intensely savory/mineral notes meld into a core of dense dark red and black stone fruits. Grilled herbs, lavender and smoke follow, adding considerable aromatic intrigue. Big tannins support the huge, explosive finish in a wine endowed with magnificent complexity and pedigree. The dark, brooding finish is particularly of note. Today, the 2012 stands out for its superb complexity and undeniable pedigree. The Morei was vinified and aged in upright terra cotta amphorae.”AG
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Raspberry jam, black cherry compote, smoke, incense, blood orange and game flow across the palate in Foradori’s 2011 Teroldego Sgarzon. A rich, sumptuous wine, the Sgarzon impresses for its pure volume and resonance. The 2011 has more than enough density to support at least a handful of years of aging. What a gorgeous wine this is.”AG
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