Wednesday Newsletter 10-28-20

Stella di Campalto is a force of nature—a woman with a vision for how Sangiovese is best expressed and the will to ensure that every single bottling is as perfect as possible.  Her wines are vivid, powerful expressions of the southeast corner of Montalcino and her commitment to quality (which includes holding back the wines several additional years before release) means that they’ve become wines to pay attention to for Italian wine collectors.

Stella took over Podere San Giuseppe, a farm and winery that was founded in 1910 but had been abandoned in the 40’s and replanted her current vineyards by herself.  She farms all of her land with Biodnynamic principles and her goal is first and foremost to express the terroir of Brunello to the utmost.  That includes holding back her wines until she thinks they ought to be released. These are epic wines—Brunello for the lover of top-tier Burgundy.  

“Stella di Campalto would tell you that the location of her vineyards chose her, as her passion for the land and culture turned into a love for wine and, of course, Montalcino… Her Brunello is released a year later than other producers, designated as a Riserva, and it is worth waiting for. Luckily, she also produces a Rosso from a declassified barrel of Brunello, which is not to me missed. These are wonderfully aromatic, sometimes even exotic wines that flaunt their primary fruit while remaining true expressions of Sangiovese, and they are classic in structure.” –Eric Guido, Vinous Media

Arriving Friday, October 30th

Stella di Campalto Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 13 bottles available
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 93 points “Very pale red. Delicately spicy and herbal nuances complement red cherry and berries on the perfumed floral nose. Then similarly impressive in the mouth, with sneaky concentration and depth to the redcurrant, strawberry and floral flavors. Finishes long and suave, with saline nuances but enticing lovely sweetness. Knockout Rosso.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2015 Stella di Campalto Rosso di Montalcino shows a beautiful translucent ruby color, with a bouquet of sweet florals and dusty spice giving way to fresh strawberries, white smoke, and hints of leather. On the palate, soft textures flesh out across the senses in a wave of pure bright cherry, lifted by a core of vibrant acidity, which energizes yet also adds sweetness to its pretty red fruits, as minerals settle in and inner floral tones develop. The finish is long yet quite feminine, resonating on ripe red fruits, sweet florals, and spice, with lingering acids which sizzle on the senses. The 2015 is an understated yet remarkably pretty vintage for the Rosso; it’s a wine that begs to be drunk, not tasted, showing all the best qualities of the vintage while maintaining perfect form. It also worth mentioning that this was tasted within a flight of 2015 Brunellos, and it held its own.”

Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Deep red. Initially slightly reduced, but clears with aeration to showcase peach, blood orange, cinnamon, balsamic oils, and talcum powder on the pretty but still youthful nose. Fresh and juicy, but boasting noteworthy size to the pretty red berry and floral flavors. A complicating note of cocoa and coffee rises to the fore on the long juicy finish that showcases sneaky concentration and lurking tannic power. Still youthfully chewy and with some oak that needs to be resolved, but this is a very promising Brunello.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “I could sit with this glass of 2013 Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva for hours, simply taking in its bouquet, as it rises up from the glass with an alluring and intoxicating display of crushed ripe strawberries, both rich and sweet, giving way to exotic spice, rhubarb, dusty florals, and mineral tones. On the palate, it’s taking a turn to the savory side, as fleshy textures are offset by zesty acids, with a mix of cherry sauce, spice, wild herbs, and minerals drenching the senses, as pretty inner floral tones develop. It finishes fresh, yet buzzing with energy, contrasted by a tart berry twang, with resonating minerals, spice, and just a hint of fine tannin. This is so clean, so pure, and so easy to like, yet decidedly savory as well. The 2013 Riserva will have a lot of fans and comes off to me as a perfect mix of the 2008 and 2010 vintages.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $215

We’re proud of our curated stock 50 of Brunello & Rosso wines in stock now. 

Shop such selections as Il Poggione, Biondi Santi, Casanova di Neri, & La Fortuna on our web store!