100% Sangiovese from 10-year-old vines planted on a Southern exposure in marine deposit and travertine soil in Terricciola, Tuscany. Fermented and aged in stainless steel – no oak – and then bottle rested for 2 years prior to release.
The only red wine produced by Ronco dei Tassi, the Cjarandon Riserva is released exclusively in favorable vintages for Collio reds. The wine takes its name from the vineyard where the grapes for this “Super Friulian” are grown, and this predominantly Merlot (with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) blend is aged for two years in Allier oak barrels plus an additional year in bottle, giving its intense ruby red color subtle garnet reflections as well. The nose is generous, intense and persistent with notes of dark fruit, black pepper and graphite. On the palate, the Cjarandon is bright and juicy, round, full and intense with a fine dusting of tannins and a beautifully long finish.
Intense ruby red with garnet reflections. Fruity, slight herbaceous, with distinct raspberry fragrance in youth, in time acquiring aromatic complexity and notes of cherry, berry, and violets. Full, dry, and slightly tannic, with great body and texture. Pairs well with both white and red meat, game, and seasoned cheeses.
Via Nuova (New Road) was the name of a small vineyard on the edge of the historical center of Barolo, the name coming from its proximity to the road (new at that time!) connecting Barolo to Novello. All that remains today of the road is a small walking path through the vineyards. The wine was produced as a single-vineyard Barolo for many years until, in 2010, this small Cru was incorporated into the larger Terlo subzone. And so, as a sort of homage to tradition, Barolo Via Nuova is now produced as a blend of 6 different vineyards: Terlo and Liste in Barolo, Ravera e Mosconi in Monforte d’Alba and Gabutti and Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba. This classic Barolo blend combines structure with elegance and complexity, emphasizing the particularities of each vineyard site. Though a bit timid when first opened, some time in the glass (or decanter) will reveal Via Nuova’s alluring ethereal floral and fruit perfumes.
Ateo (“atheist” in Italian) was first produced in 1989, a difficult vintage between two excellent years, as a result of the decision not to produce Brunello in less than ideal vintages. That vintage also represented the first harvest of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyards, the grapes that comprise the wine today. Ateo is a vibrant and juicy wine with intense herbal, spice and fruity (black cherry, plum) notes. A nice structure is supported by balanced tannins and indisputable personality.
A blend of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%), the Cuveè Novecento is a dazzling wine of extraordinary precision. Chalk, white flowers, mint, slate and lemon peel race out of the glass. This sparkling wine spends 7 years aging on its lees, yet remains remarkably fresh with hints of graphite-infused minerality laced throughout a translucent, magnificently pure finish.
This is a rich and intense wine, apparent immediately by its ruby red color. Soft tannins, well-balanced acidity and consistency are complimented by enchanting hints of wild berries and dried plums, accompanied by notes of coffee, eucalyptus and vanilla. This is a well-structured Merlot, expressing typical qualities of the variety, but also the unique character given by a partial “appassimento” for a portion of the grapes, typical of the region and style of the winery.
The Chianti Riserva is 100% Sangiovese from old vines (30 years), lending concentration and density. A welcome diversion from the textbook Chianti of the past, this is a surprising wine of personality and character with rich, saturated color and aromas of dark fruit, leather, wet earth and spicy overtones of cinnamon and clove. This Chianti is aged in large oak casks, imparting a broad and bold structure, yet the wine remains silky and aromatically precise at the same time.
The Nerello Mascalese grapes for the Etna Rosso Diciassettesalme come from the contrada of the same name. “Diciasettesalme” indicates the 25-hectare Cru, which corresponds to 17 (diciasette in Italian) Salme, an antique Sicialian unit of measurement. The lava-clay soil in the vineyard yields a wine with strength, dense tannins and an intense ruby red color. On the nose, mixed berry perfumes turn softly into herbal notes, such as mauve, thyme and juniper, interlaced with the mineral sensations typical of the variety and vineyards. Perfectly balanced tannins finish with a balsamic note.
100% Nebbiolo from 12-year-old vines planted on a southwest exposure in sandy calcareous clay soils mixed with seashells at 980 feet in altitude. Fermented in stainless steel and aged 12 months in medium-toasted used French oak. Then transferred back to stainless steel for 6 months, bottled and rested in bottle for 12 months.
Though there are many types of Malvasia grapes grown throughout Italy, Malvasia Istriana (the name coming from the peninsula of Istria located in the Adriatic Sea) is undoubtedly considered the varietal of excellence when it comes to dry white wines. The grapes for this Malvasia come from 60 year-old vines planted in a miniscule terraced vineyard (less than 4 acres) with optimal southern exposure. Indeed, this is a wine of great equilibrium whose vinification and aging exclusively in stainless steel allow all the typical characteristics and aromas of the variety to come alive. On the nose, classic distinctive notes of peach and apricot blend with aromas of ripe pear, tangerine zest and floral notes of lime, acacia and wild flowers to close with a hint of aromatic herbs and light mineral underpinnings. A bright, round palate lifts the savory finish.
Delicious dark berry flavor and notes of pepper with a surprisingly refreshing acidity. This Cabernet Franc boasts a smooth and elegant mid-palate and graceful finish. The alcohol content is a moderate 12.5%, making this an ideal wine to enjoy with or without food. On warmer days, it’s nice served slightly chilled.
100% Merlot from 20 years old vines is an intense ruby red wine with garnet reflections. Fruity, slightly herbaceous, with distinct raspberry fragrance. Dry and slightly tannic, with medium body and texture, pairs well with both white and red meats.
The most recently acquired parcel, the famous Mosconi Cru in Monforte d’Alba was purchased in 2009. The vineyard’s particular heavy clay soil (in some areas calcium carbonate and iron give the soil a reddish-gray color) lends considerable structure to this wine, making it a Barolo ideal for aging. A garnet red color is complimented by open perfumes of flowers and mature fruit with some spicy notes. This is a long-lasting wine of power and concentration with firm, velvety tannins.
The Pianrosso has always been the Estate’s most representative wine, a Cru Brunello crafted from the finest Sangiovese grapes grown in the vineyard of the same name, in the heart of the Val d’Orcia. An intense and complex, fruit-forward bouquet reveals ripe red berry fruits and a variety of spicy notes. Warm, soft and harmonious on the palate, pronounced tannins, acidity and a savory note bring balance to the wine. An elegant wine with great potential for additional aging in the cellar.
This predominantly Pinot Noir (plus 10% old vine Chardonnay from La Spinetta’s Lidia vineyard) Riserva rests for seven long years on the lees, revealing a big, pure sparkling wine of extraordinary elegance, intensity and purity. The Special Cuvèe is rich and full-bodied with a perfect level of ripeness that tastes both sweet and salty at the same time. Enjoyable as an aperitif, this opulent Metodo Classico sparkling wine is also an excellent companion to a meal, particularly seafood.
The “Ripasso” (passed again) method was first introduced in the 1850’s and involves a secondary extended maceration and fermentation over Amarone grape skins. The process gives the wine greater complexity, a superior structure, bolder and softer body and an intense ruby red color. Though reminiscent of the more concentrated, dense Amarone wine, Valpolicella Ripasso is a younger, fresher expression. Tenuta Santa Maria continues the family tradition, producing a wine that is a true expression of the region’s indigenous Corvina, Rondinella and Corvinone grapes – elegant yet complex with warm, structured tannins, balanced acidity and rich fruit.
Colorino is a relatively unknown black-skinned Tuscan grape variety, predominantly used as a blending ingredient to add color to wines. Its small berries also have a significant level of tannin, resulting in quite structured wines. The Colorino di Casanova reveals up-front aromas of wild cherries, tobacco, smoke and leather with herbs and liquorice adding complexity to the finish.
The Etna Rosato is 100% Nerello Mascalese, from vineyards in the Diciasettesalme contrada, positioned just north of the volcano, with a mix of volcanic and alluvial soils. This highly-esteemed variety takes its name from the Mascali plain between Mt. Etna and the coast where it is thought to have originated. The variable volcanic soils of Etna combined with high vineyard elevations (some of the highest in Europe) help produce wines with immense character and complexity, and without the excessive weight that sometimes characterize Sicilian red wines from lower altitudes. The Rosato bursts with floral notes of iris, wisteria and rose, paired with the freshness of aromatic herbs. This is a rich, complex, flavorful wine that embodies the typical characteristics of the volcanic soil from which it comes.
100% Barbera from 20-year-old vines planted on a Southwest exposure in calcareous clay soil at an elevation of 820 feet. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak for 12 months with additional bottle rest for 12 months.
Fosarin, from six-acre vineyard of the same name, is a blend of roughly equal parts Pinot Bianco and Friulano with 20% Malvasia Istriana. Pinot Bianco undergoes fermentation and a brief aging in used barriques, providing backbone and finesse to the wine. Friulano and Malvasia are vinified only in stainless steel, Friulano delivering mid-palate weight and richness while Malvasia endows the Fosarin with the exotic aromatics (think anise, peach and yogurt) that really drive the wine. Fresh and fruity when young, the blend becomes ample and spicy with age, displaying a rich palate, depth and texture classic of Friuli wines. The Fosarin encompasses all the finest characteristics of the territory from which it comes: a perfectly calibrated wine, impeccable balance between elegance and power, and a satisfyingly sapid and fruity ending. This is Friuli in a glass.
An approachable, medium-bodied Cabernet with generous fruit expressions of blackberries, cassis and other dark berries enveloped in a velvety smooth texture and pleasant spicy notes. Though this wine can be aged a few years, it is enjoyable already young, particularly in accompaniment to red meat or a cheese plate.
The soil composition (a perfectly amalgamated mix of Tortonian and Helvetian soils, particularly rich in sand) and an ideal southern-facing vineyard exposition allow Chiara to produce an extraordinarily harmonious wine from Cannubi, the most famous Cru vineyard in all of Barolo. This is a regal wine whose nose expresses a myriad of sweet perfumes of spice and ripe fruit accompanied by the typical balsamic (mint and eucalyptus) notes characteristic of this unique vineyard. On the palate, an impressive structure and decisive tannins are complimented by a long, elegant finish.
Brunello di Montalcino is a classic expression of the Sangiovese Grosso grape from estate vineyards in the prestigious Val D’Orcia. This is an intensely perfumed and rich wine with dried flowers, red berry fruits and notes of spice and fresh mushrooms. Full-bodied, yet warm and soft, with a well-balanced palate, fine tannins and incredible length.
This Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir presents an especially focused expression of Pinot Noir, from old vines grown 740 meters (2,428 feet) above sea level. The For England entices with lots of creamy beading and a golden hue veering toward a slightly pinkish tint. Loads of citrus (tangerine, pink grapefruit), mint and crushed white flowers open to reveal small red berries and a hint of the earthiness typical of Pinot Noir. The dry finish and alluring acidity make this wine an ideal accompaniment to food.
This is a traditional Valpolicella, representative of the region and Bertani family tradition. The “Classico” designation refers to the areas where the very first Valpolicella vineyards were planted – on quality hillside sites, yielding the best fruit and therefore best wines. Typical aromas of fruit (blueberry, cherry) are accented by spicy notes of cinnamon and pepper. The palate is soft, fruity and warm with structured tannins, balanced with a pleasant acidity and a long finish.
Prugnolo Gentile is a Sangiovese clone from the Montepulciano, receiving particular attention from Giorgio Rivetti at La Spinetta estate in Tuscany. The wine opens with raw, genuine aromas of black fruit, spice, liquorice and menthol, offering heft and power, but also good acidity and ripe silky tannins. Pretty and elegant in the mouth, the Gentile presents an authentic taste of Tuscany.
The Carricante grapes for the Etna Bianco Contrada Calderara come from 45 years old vines in the Calderara contrada, one of Etna’s most highly regarded Cru. The soil in this vineyard is a mixture of black pumice and basalt, the result of thousands of years of lava flows and volcanic deposits and enhances the typical minerality of the Carricante variety. Welcoming perfumes of lemon flowers, elderflower, chamomile, bergamot, sage and fresh oregano are intertwined with white peach and yellow plum. A saline vitality explodes on the palate, enhancing the wine’s supple body. This is undoubtedly a white wine destined for ageing.
The Ronco dei Tassi Ribolla Gialla is a fruity and elegant wine, a stellar example of the powerful and complex white wines produced in the Cormòns area of Fruili, with a freshness that lends balance and precision. The utmost attention and care are given to the grapes during each step of the production process, from the vineyard to the bottle, resulting in an impeccable wine that is rich in aromas and flavors and is truly representative of Cormòns. On the nose, a bouquet of lime flowers and dried cedar makes way for a rich, yet taut and agile, infusion of acacia, yellow plums and white tea on the palate. A long finish with notes of quince and toasted almonds charms right up to the end.
Friulano (Tocai Friuliano) is the most important white grape variety in the Fruili region. Vigna del Lauro’s single-vineyard Friulano expresses typical varietal notes of citrus, pear and almond, rounded out with elegant floral perfumes and a rich, creamy texture that is a perfect accompaniment to food. A quintessentially Friulian white wine.
The Clic Bianco is a blend of the local Friuliano with two international white grapes, Chardonnay and Riesling, each variety providing its own unique contribution to the wine. The Chardonnay undergoes partial malolactic fermentation, adding body and richness, while the Friulano contributes typical fruity notes of pear and almond and zesty acidity. The Riesling lifts the wine’s aromatics and offers an inviting freshness on the palate. The Bianco is a wine that is truly the sum of its parts, together highlighting the unique complexities typical of the region’s most interesting white blends.
This wine is a youthful expression of Nebbiolo, the same grape variety that makes up the region’s most famous wine, Barolo. Some of the younger vines from the Ravera vineyard in Monforte d’Alba are used to produce this Nebbiolo d’Alba. The unique characteristics of this particular parcel of vineyard and terroir are best expressed when the wine is aged in small oak barrels, resulting in a kinder, more delicate wine – a perfect balance between elegance and structure. Elegant perfumes of red fruit on the nose give way to dry, velvety tannins on the palate.
The Rossofonte is produced from a careful manual selection of Estate-grown Sangiovese Grosso grapes, a serious wine that captures the essence of the Ciacci style. Though far from ordinary, this red is naturally more approachable than the Brunello, with fruity perfumes of wild cherries and ripe berries and balsamic notes of tobacco, cedar mint and lavender. Sensations of sweetness and acidity alternate in the mouth, to finish with fine, powdery tannins and spicy nuances of star anise and pink pepper.
A classic Piedmont sparkler crafted from 100% Chardonnay grown on hillside vineyards located 650 meters (2,133 feet) above sea level. The wine opens up beautifully in the glass to reveal exceptional power, depth and intensity with characteristic varietal notes of citrus, orchard fruit and white peach. Floral notes and slate are enhanced by a crystalline purity and texture, enchanting in the mouth with an enveloping creaminess and fine and persistent bubbles. An ideal accompaniment to seafood.
This IGT wine is a fruity, spicy blend of a traditional Veronese variety, Corvina, and international grapes, Merlot and Syrah. The Pràgal opens with an enchanting bouquet of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherries alternating with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper. The addition of partially dried grapes (Corvina) lends soft tannins balanced with bright acidity; this wine charms with great structure and persistence.
Made from 100% Aglianico, the most noble of southern Italian red grape varieties, coming from the Contrada Campore vineyard. The Taurasi Aurelia is aged 24 months in oak, followed by an additional 12 in bottle, resulting in a complex and well-balanced wine with excellent aging potential. The nose offers typical aromas of dried cherry, black licorice, tobacco and dried herbs while the full mouth is supported by linear tannins and smoky mineral notes for a lingering, spicy finish.
This is a pure expression of Sangiovese from 20-year-old vines surrounding the Casanova winery. The Nero di Casanova offers a complex aromatic profile of pressed rose, wet earth, liquorice and wild Mediterranean brush, fully expressing its Tuscan fingerprint. This wine has a distinct structure and power not unlike the more well-known Brunello or Montepulciano and aging in ten-year-old oak casks adds further integration, definition and stability to this exciting wine.
A pure expression of Mt. Etna, the Etna Bianco is 100% Caricante, an ancient Sicilian white grape variety, thought to have been growing on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna for at least a thousand years. Planted at high altitudes on the steep slopes of Mt. Etna, the grapes ripen slowly and steadily throughout the long growing season. On the nose, the Etna Bianco is bursting with citrus notes of lemon and cedar with orange blossom and jasmine. A full-bodied palate is supported by the marked acidity typical of this variety, imparting freshness and a long finish.
Friulano (the locals still call it Tocai despite the 2007 ruling to ban the use of “Tocai” on the label) is the Fruili region’s most important grape. This white wine is intense and fruity on the nose with elegant perfumes of acacia flowers. In the mouth, it is fleshy and rich with a creamy texture and distinct varietal notes of citrus, pear, liquorice and almond and the classic minerality of the Collio.
This lightly oaked Chardonnay is a fine example of the Friuli terroir, expressing classic weight and structure with aromas of crisp apple, white flowers and subtle hints of tropical fruit and vanilla spice. A lively palate with a satisfying weight, this wine finishes with just the balance between fruit, minerality, and acidity. The value of this Chardonnay cannot be overstated compared to classic Burgundy or California Chardonnay.
Fermented and refined solely in stainless steel, this is an elegantly aromatic and medium-bodied Chardonnay with fresh notes of green and yellow apple and pear. A partial malolactic fermentation makes the wine fuller and rounder with an alluring slightly creamy texture. The Chardonnay perfectly embodies the Clic philosophy of making wines to be enjoyed, even better if enjoyed with friends.
Often considered the “younger sibling” to the more structured Brunello, the Rosso di Montalcino is also produced from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Red berries (raspberries, wild strawberries) with hints of flowers, citrus and spice on the nose open to a medium-bodied palate, with nice structure and fine tannins. Though the Rosso can age quite well, this red is immediately approachable, an enjoyable wine to drink now while the Brunello waits patiently in the cellar…
This is a gorgeous pale pink rosato, made from the estate’s oldest vineyards of Pinot Noir. Bright fruit and attractive, fresh perfumes of tangerine peel, orange, mint and cranberry give the wine a refreshing vitality and energy. In the mouth, the For England is a precise and sculpted sparkling rosè whose vibrant acidity lends sharp, linear edges and an undeniable appeal.
Of Piedmont’s three principal red grape varieties, Barbera is the most representative of the region, producing a medium-bodied wine that is enjoyable young, but can also age quite well for a few years. This Barbera d’Alba spends more than a year in oak barrels, granting it the “Superiore” designation and making for a more expressive wine. An intense ruby red with violet reflections, red fruits with a hint of spice come through on the nose. A full, round palate is supported by the marked acidity typical of this variety, imparting freshness and a harmonious finish.
Along with the white Fiano, Aglianico is the most representative red wine from the Campania region in southern Italy. The Irpinia is produced from fruit grown on the esteemed Contrada Campore vineyard, at 500 meters (1640 feet) a.s.l. This is a rich and intense wine, with a complex array of aromas including red and black fruits, earth, spice and herbs. Though full in body with a long, velvety finish, this is a very approachable Aglianico, and undoubtedly a great value.
This fresh, lively white sees only stainless steel with aromas of bright citrus, flowers, herbs and a touch of meringue on the nose. Nuanced and wonderfully focused, the Vermentino has an energy and acidity that drives the wine’s enticing personality. This is a medium-to full-bodied wine with good density, ideal enjoyed quite young.
The Barbazzale Etna Rosso is based predominantly on the indigenous Sicilian grape Nerello Mascalese, a dark-skinned variety that grows most commonly on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna. This highly regarded variety tends to produce wines that reflect their surroundings, resulting in firm, fresh reds with fruity, herbaceous flavors, excellent minerality and an earthy nuance and an elegance and finesse often compared to that of Pinot Noir. Nerello Cappuccio completes the Etna Rosso blend (as is typical of Etna Rosso DOC wines) lending color and perfume, as well as softening out some of Nerello Mascalese’s harder edges. On the nose, the wine entices with aromas of raspberries, blackberries and wildflowers entwined with a touch of minerality. The palate is fresh and aromatic, balanced by good tannins.
100% Pinot Grigio from 20-year-old vines planted on a western exposure in rocky and calcareous clay soil at an elevation of 1000-1500 feet. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 3 months on lees. A delightfully aromatic, nuanced and crisp Pinot Grigio with notes of white flowers, mineral, green pear, white peach and a hint of saltiness that leads to a pallet of abundant, fresh fruit that mirrors the aromas and a zesty finish.
