News — Italy

"Brovia's 2016s are all finesse" Part Two
2016 Brovia Barolo Garblèt Sué

The 2016 vintage represents a high point for this great traditionalist. Just like the 2016 normale, the 2016 Garblèt Sué is one of the best examples of the wine that we've tasted. 

Magnificence in Montefalco:
2015 Bea Montefalco Rosso Riserva "Pipparello"

The wines of Bea are unforgettable.

There's a wildness to them and yet something undeniably noble about the wines as well.  It's a combination that few wines are able to achieve, and it is seriously compelling. 

"One of Italy’s most iconic producers"
2015 Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzo

Valentini's Trebbiano is a wine that makes its own category.

It's not Trebbiano, it's Valentini's Trebbiano.

Barbaresco Crown-Jewel:
2016 Castello di Verduno Barbaresco Rabajà

Rabajà is one of Barbaresco's crown jewels.

It is a dazzling wine. The site produces wines of impressive power, but that's only part of the story. Rabajà is above all about completeness and elegance.

The Don't Miss 2016 Barolo:
2016 Oddero Barolo Villero

I tasted the 2016 Villero during my visit to Piedmont last fall and was blown away. Tasting through the 2016 Barolos and Barbarescos really drove home what an important vintage it is. Even in the context of a great vintage, Oddero's Villero left a deep impression. 

"My answer is: Carema" Part II:
2016 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Nera

Earlier this week, we offered Ferrando's 2016 Etichetta Bianca. Today, we return with the much more limited Etichetta Nera.

Compared to Etichetta Bianca, Etichetta Nera is richer, denser, more masculine, and intense. It’s a powerhouse wine, but with breathtaking finesse.

Bartolo Mascarello:
From Freisa to Barolo in Magnum

The Mascarello estate makes some of the most soulful and compelling wines anywhere.

Today, we're happy to pay tribute to Mascarello with an offer that covers three vintages of their Barolo, including 2010 and 2013, and their Freisa, Dolcetto, and Barbera. 

"My answer is: Carema"
2016 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca

Carema is alpine Nebbiolo of breathtaking grace.

For decades, Ferrando's Carema has been the benchmark for the beauty and profundity that Nebbiolo achieves in the northern extremes.

Piedmont Rarity:
2018 Giuseppe Rinaldi Langhe Nebbiolo

The wine world has become obsessed with Rinaldi's soulful, finessed, and old school style.

It's become nearly impossible to find the wines in quantity. Today, I'm happy to offer the 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo, one of the hardest wines in the lineup to find.

Real Deal Sangiovese:
2017 Podere le Boncie Rosso di Toscana Le Trame

Boncie is producing some of our favorite expressions of Sangiovese.

Every time we open a bottle of the Le Trame, we're blown away.

The Le Trame is a seriously compelling, multifaceted, and personality-filled bottle. In short, Le Trame is the real deal, a bold example of how great Sangiovese from Chianti Classico can be. 

"The 2015 is utterly captivating." - Lowest Price:
2015 Antinori Tignanello

Since its first vintage in 1971, Tignanello has turned out no shortage of stunning wines. No matter how you cut it, the 2015 stands out as one of the greats.

Piedmont & Tuscany: Bartolo Mascarello, Castello dei Rampolla, Cerbaiona, Conterno, Montevertine, Stella di Campalto, & More

Today, I'm happy to offer some of my favorite producers in Piedmont and Tuscany. The list below covers everything from magnums of Bartolo Mascarello Barolo and old Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco to Vajra's Freisa.

"Simply on another planet" - Miani:
From Friulano to Refosco

The wines of Miani are some of Italy's most sought-after cult wines. Tasting them is an unforgettable experience. Miani makes dramatic, flamboyantly rich, ruthlessly driven, and powerful wines. But somehow, they carry all their muscle and velvet with elegance.

Magnificence in Montefalco: 2015 Bea Sagrantino Pagliaro

Few wines deliver the mysterious depth and sheer soulfulness that Pagliaro does. For us, Bea's Sagrantino Pagliaro is one of the most compelling wines in all of Italy.

Italy 1989-2016:
Canonica, Cerbaiona, Conterno, Giacosa, Miani, Montevertine, & More

Today, I'm happy to offer a thorough cross section of our Italian inventory.

“One of the most compelling and important wines in all of Tuscany” - 2013 Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva

There are few wines over the past five years that have captured my imagination like the Chianti of Castell'in Villa. This is Sangiovese as it should be: finessed, harmonious, and understated. 

“Absolutely Delicious” - 2017 Giuseppe Rinaldi Dolcetto d'Alba

The wines of Giuseppe Rinaldi are among the greatest traditional wines of the Piedmont. They hardly need an introduction. The wine world has become obsessed with Rinaldi's soulful, finessed, and old school style.

The Alpine Distance Runner
2015 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Nera

The longevity of Ferrando’s Carema Etichetta Nera is legendary. Neal Rosenthal, Ferrando’s importer, speaks of a 1964 Etichetta Nera that hit its apogee in 1998—at 34 years of age. This is a bottle that rewards patience.

One of Italy’s most iconic producers."-Antonio Galloni
2015 Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzo

Valentini's Trebbiano is a wine that makes its own category. It's not Trebbiano, it's Valentini's Trebbiano. If Trebbiano has any reputation at all, it is for watery, simple, limp wines - the Oxford Companion to Wine calls the grape "undistinguished."

"This is such a beautiful wine."
2015 Serafino Rivella Barbaresco Montestefano

For years, the wines of Serafino Rivella were only known to a small group of insiders. In the past few years, that's started to change quickly. The wine possess such an honesty and precision that it's hard not to be wowed by them. They have plenty of finesse and feel almost devoid of artifice.

"Bucking every trend and modern convention"
- 2016 Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

An encounter with the wines of Emidio Pepe always leaves a deep impression. In short, they are nothing short of magical.

“Simply one of the world’s elite wines”
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte

The wines of Montevertine reach a level of nobility, elegance and age-worthiness that's simply extraordinary. In Montevertine’s hands, the Sangiovese grape reaches an unparalleled level of incisive class. Le Pergole Torte represents the pinnacle of Montevertine's incredible lineup.

Hitting A High-Water Mark, Again
2013 Roagna Barolo La Pira

Simply put, Roagna is at the top of their game. There are very few producers working in Piedmont at their level. 

"The 2014 is a superb wine" -
2014 Brovia Barolo Unio

The past handful of vintages have offered ample evidence that Brovia is at the top of their game. Their 2014 Brovia Barolo Ūnĭo may offer the most persuasive argument for inclusion among Piedmont's elite.