Tag Archives: italian wine

Wine of the Day: Three Friulian Whites from I Clivi 6-15-16

I Clivi di Ferdinando Zanusso ‘San Pietro’ Friulano Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2014 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

I Clivi di Ferdinando Zanusso Ribolla Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2014 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

I Clivi di Ferdinando Zanusso RBL Brut Spumante, Friuli-Venezia Giulia NV 750ML ($27.95) Buy Now: $24 specialiclivi

Fruili Colli Orientali, old vines, organic viticulture, small producer, no malo or oak: Italian white wine in its pure nature, like Boticelli’s Birth of Venus. Ferdinando Zanusso has been making his I Clivi wines for some 25 years now, with devotion to the land, the Friulano and Ribolla grapes, and the traditions of Friuli. The results resonate with character, elegance, and precision. My one-word description of these wines: lithe.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: COS Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 5-25-16

cosfrapAzienda Agricola COS Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2014 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

I don’t need to dress a wine like this up all that much: COS make riveting, multifaceted Sicilian wine for the masses and this is by no means an exception. Sprightly red fruit and wild herbs spread out on the palate with laser-like precision; the closing song is full of energy and persists with two encores. I absolutely adore this wine, which tastes unquestionably Sicilian yet should appear to fellow Cru Beaujolais fiends, Pinot lovers, and those who seek out wines of character and value across the nooks of northern Italy. -Tyler

Not convinced? Spectator, help me out here!

Wine Spectator 90 points “A vibrant red, with light tannins framing flavors of dried marjoram and thyme, crushed currant, wild strawberry and star anise.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: A&G Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 4-28-16

Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $46 special

Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) Buy Now: $469 special

Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) Buy Now: $249 special

Natale Fantino Dardi Barolo 2010Why we love the Fantino Dardi: Value and depth. I’ve had a few “wow! wines” from Fantino recently, and though this particular bottling may be in its early stages, it’s still beautiful. Aromatically stunning and steeply, fantastically deep in flavor. By all accounts, will age with grace. – Tyler

Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 4-19-16

Paolo Bea Sagrantino 2008Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 750ML ($89.95) Buy Now: $79 special

Sagrantino di Montefalco is a brawny, tannic wine. Bea’s interpretation of the grape entails careful winemaking with an aim to limit intervention. There’s so much structure here, with a musical balance of muscle and grace – the smoke and spice conjure thoughts of campfire and fragrant cigar boxes, while a coquettish blend of cranberry, dark chocolate, granite-tinged minerals, and freshly-tilled earth dances across the tongue.

The surest bet is to decant the wine, taking little sips as you revisit over the course of two to three days, perhaps more for the uber-curious. Keep it in the fridge in the interim, but allow plenty of time for it to reacquaint with room temperature before you pour those ensuing glasses.Read the rest

Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato Barolo DOCG 2008 – April 2016

Mascarello Monprivato 2008Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) Buy Now: $149 special

Wine Spectator 95 points#6 Wine of the Year in 2013 – “Detailed and fragrant, offering floral, strawberry, cherry, licorice and spice flavors, this is elegant and underlined by a strong mineral streak. Well-proportioned, picking up intensity and complexity on the long, savory finish. Extremely fresh and classy”

Antonio Galloni – Vinous 95+ points “Mauro Mascarello’s 2008 Barolo Monprivato is a much more lifted and translucent wine than the 2006 Le Vigne. A wine that needs considerable air, the 2008 only starts to blossom with a few hours in the glass. Monprivato is often quirky, but the 2008 is a real moving target. Just this week alone I have tasted six bottles of the 2008 and found the wine a bit all over the place, especially compared to other wines from the same year.… Read the rest