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.
The Cottanera 2024 Etna Bianco has a very fragrant bouquet with floral notes, lemon blossom and tropical fruits that give this wine a very playful and accessible character. It does not have the austerity and savory qualities that you sometimes find with this grape. Instead, it adopts those sweeter notes over a straight-shooting, medium-plus mouthfeel, making this wine ready to drink straight out of the gate.
Bright and aromatic, this offers exotic fruit character with hints of dried flowers, spices and stones. Medium-bodied, juicy and lightly saltine with a dry, mineral-driven finish. Carricante.
The Cottanera 2023 Etna Bianco punches above its affordable price point. You get great value with this pretty wine that offers enticing aromas of white flower, honey, citrus, crushed stone and sea salt. The bouquet shows balanced intensity, and although the wine is thin and easy in terms of mouthfeel, you get plenty of freshness to pair with fried finger foods or appetizers.
The nose is simultaneously tangy and warm, with aromas of gooseberries, white peaches, lime and apricot, while an undertone of new sneaker provides balance. The slick palate brings more stone fruit and citrus, with a saltiness that sets up a bitter almond finish.
This has notes of lemons, chamomile and sweet basil. It’s bright and fruity, with a medium body and fresh, creamy finish. Carricante.
The best Etna Bianco wines under 20 euros according to Gambero Rosso in 4 labels - This year we sampled approximately 350 Etna wines on-site for five days. Some offer an excellent quality-to-price ratio. The Etna Bianco 2022 from Cottanera is vibrant green in the aromas of grapefruit, mint, and fresh oregano, which reappear in a fruit of extreme pleasantness.
The 2022 Etna Bianco lifts from the glass with a savory blend of dried flowers, stone dust and freshly sliced nectarine. Lifted in style, it displays ripe pit fruits and a sensation of liquid stone guided by fresh acidity. The 2022 finishes crisp and long, with a tart citrus concentration that puckers the cheeks and keeps the taster looking back to the glass for more.
The team at Cottanera have really honed in their talents and experience when it comes to making white wine with the extremely popular Carricante grape. From a good vintage, their 2021 Etna Bianco is super zesty and fresh with all kinds of exciting citrusy and mineral notes. Winemaking sees cryomaceration and nine months of aging on the fine lees in stainless steel. This is such a fun, and easy wine to drink, especially if a summer sunset or beach panorama is on the schedule. Production is 40,000 bottles.
White peaches and apricots appear on the nose before contouring notes of limes and pencil eraser. Mixed citrus and more white peaches mingle on the palate, and a through line of acid balances the dense fruit for a lovely tension.
Pale straw yellow with green reflections. Pronounced aromas of gooseberry, lemon, lemon balm and freshly cut grass, with a hint of tomato leaf in the aftertaste. Fresh and juicy on the palate, lively drinking, ends with a long and clear finish.
Aromas of jasmine, grapefruit and fresh rosemary. Medium-to full-bodied with an oily texture. White smoke colors the stone-fruit and fresh-herb notes on the palate. A hint of banana leaf comes through.
White peaches and apricots appear on the nose before contouring notes of limes and pencil eraser. Mixed citrus and more white peaches mingle on the palate, and a through line of acid balances the dense fruit for a lovely tension.
This vivid and refreshing wine is an excellent introduction to the dry whites from Etna, with a wide spectrum of fruit aromas, from red apple to white peach via a slew of citrus. Sleek and polished, medium-bodied palate with lovely mineral freshness at the finish. Drink now.
Pale shimmering silver yellow. Pronounced aromas of lemon balm, freshly cut grass, tomato leaves in the background, a hint of fumé. Takes itself up with tension, very juicy in the drink, persistent with a fine arc of tension, ends minerally and on meadow hay.
The 2019 Etna Bianco is a terrific and fundamentally food-friendly and immediate white made with Sicily's excellent Carricante grape. This is the estate's entry-level white, ready for an easy salad topped with grilled chicken or grilled shrimp, but don't be fooled by that accessible price tag. This bottle packs enormous charm and complexity with citrus, pomelo, white peach and generous mineral notes that add salty sensations to the finish.
The 2019 Etna Bianco is sweetly perfumed, presenting white flowers and ripe apple balanced by lime zest and crushed stone. Its silky textures envelop the palate with orchard fruits and cooling minerals, complemented by vibrant acids and taking on a richer sensation as notes of almond come forward toward the close. This tapers off floral and fresh, leaving a subtle twang of sour tropical citrus.
Scents of apple blossoms lead into flavors of crisp apple, lime and Asian pear in this bright, saline wine; hints of white pepper emerge on the clean, mineral finish.
Inviting nose with subtle aromatic notes of jasmine flowers and peach. Round and very juicy in the base and course, also a lot of green peach, long finish.
Medium yellow straw with an olive tinge. Shows a complex nose of cherimoya, lemon pith and fresh herbs that are picked up and amplified with subtle citrus notes on a lanolin like, slippery textured palate. Finishes with excellent persistence and lingering rich lemon/mineral extract. Made of 100% Carricante from estate vineyards at 750m elevation, fermented in stainless steel and aged sur lie for 6 months.
The Cambria family's passion and expertise are especially evident even in an entry-level white such as this. The 2018 Etna Bianco is a refreshingly fragrant and zesty wine with citrusy aromas of bergamot and lemon blossom followed by white peach. The wine is tonic, fresh and easy-drinking. Cottanera also makes a more structured, single-vineyard expression of Carricante from the Contrada Calderara, but I already reviewed the current 2016 vintage of that wine last year.
Newly trimmed grass springs out from the glass here, joining lemons, limes and Granny Smith apples. Medium to full body, pure acid crunch and a bright finish. Delightful transparency. Drink now.
The Cambria family's passion and expertise are especially evident even in an entry-level white such as this. The 2018 Etna Bianco (with 44,000 bottles made) is a refreshingly fragrant and zesty wine with citrusy aromas of bergamot and lemon blossom followed by white peach. The wine is tonic, fresh and easy-drinking. Cottanera also makes a more structured, single-vineyard expression of Carricante from the Contrada Calderara, but I already reviewed the current 2016 vintage of that wine last year.
Crystalline pale yellow. Bergamot, cilantro, guava and white peach on the nose. Then rich and dense with an almost oily quality to the fresh citrus and herbal flavors. Finishes long and clean with zingy harmonious acidity and a rising note of peppery fresh ginger. This offers a curious combination of aromas and flavors typical of wines made with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Cottanera first produced a Carricante in 2009 and has slowly been replacing plantings of international reds with this indigenous white variety. Aged on the lees in stainless steel for six months, the wine boasts a heady nose of a dewy spring morning. Lemon verbena, fleshy stone fruit and pear emerge from the mouth-watering, juicy core and a mineral-like sensation kicks in on the finish.
The Cambria family has produced a very bright and vibrant expression of Carricante. The 2017 Etna Bianco shows bright floral intensity with sweet tropical fruit and apricot. The wine is a tad shorter and thinner in this hot vintage. Drink this Etna Bianco within the next 5 years.
Luminous straw color. Ample and soft on the nose, with ripe aromas of citrus fruits and sweet resin. Then more vertical in the mouth, with notes of lime dominating on the pretty, very long and clean finish. A blend of Carricante grapes form the Calderar, Diciasettesalme and Cottanera contrade (beware that the back label states just the first two, but it's not so). A lovely Etna Bianco.
This shows some real precision and purity on the nose with grapefruit and bright, pomelo notes and some squeezed lemons. The palate shows lots of intense and textured fruit, which dances around some good acidity. Flavorful, oily finish. Pure carricante
A white that is very citrusy and salty with dried peaches and apples. Medium to full body, bright acidity and a long finish. Drink now.
Pale yellow. Lemon drop and green apple on the fresh nose. Deep and dense but bracing, delivering lovely lemony cut and serious underlying minerality to the apple and nectarine flavors. The long finish features brisk acidity and terrific grip.
Aromas of citrus, white stone fruit and vegetal hint suggesting tomato leaf lead the way. The racy palate offers grapefruit, pineapple, fresh white peach and flinty mineral while a pleasantly bitter note closes the finish.
Editor's Choice. Made entirely with Carricante, this opens with a lovely fragance of Spanish broom, lychee, white fuit and Mediterranean herb. The juicy, linear palate delivers creamy green apple, bright citrus and mineral. Drink through 2017.
Editor's Choice. This beautiful wine opens with aromas of peach blossom, stone fruit, citrus and slate. The structured but refined palate delivers juicy grapefruit, green apple, aniseed and lovely mineral alongside fresh acidity and finessse. It's already delicious but will develop more complexity. Drink now through 2020.
(100% carricante): Very pale yellow-green. Intense mineral and floral aromas are complicated by notes of citrus peel, white peach and crystallized ginger. Then bright and juicy on the palate, with a very firm mineral underpinning giving shape and lift to the flavors of apple, nectarine and spices. The long finish features lingering nuances of white flowers and talcum powder. Already accessible but this wine ought to develope nicely over the next couple of years.
Very dry and dusty, this bleand of Carricante and Catarratto does a great job of showing the volcanic characteristics of Mt. Etna. There is fruit in the form of citrus, pear and melon, and the wine presents a tangy grapefruit finish, with a pretty mineral nuance as well.
Crafted from the autoctonous Sicilian grape Nerello Mascalese, a dark-skinned variety that grows most commonly on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna, the grapes for this daily red come from some of the most prestigious “contrada” or single vineyard sites. The Etna Rosso DOC is vibrant ruby red in color with evident floral notes, fresh and intense, accompanied by perfumes of wild berries, currant and raspberry. In the mouth, the wine is lean, yet velvety, with long, sweet tannins complemented by lively and persistent fruit.
The 2023 Etna Rosso lifts from the glass with an inviting bouquet of autumnal spice, sage and dried black cherry. It's lifted and pretty in character with juicy acidity and violet-laced red and blue fruit tones. The 2023 aims to please, tapering off fresh.
A red with balance and finesse plus fine tannins and a fresh finish. Medium body, good fruit and a clean finish.
The Cottanera 2022 Etna Rosso delivers bright fruit aromas of redcurrant, cherry and pomegranate seed. There is a pretty tartness at the back that adds to the wine's firmness and length. This Etna red is accessible and ready to drink, but it has enough textural strength to pair with breaded veal cutlets or deep-fried chicken.
The nose is defined by floral, perfumed aromas of rose petal, cherry blossom and bergamot, with an herbaceous current of thyme and sage. On the palate, strawberries bring out a richer cherry note, but the overall feel remains sunny, floral and citrus, even in the face of taut tannins and sharp acid.
The 2022 Etna Rosso opens with a woodsy blend of savory herbs, underbrush and red licorice. There’s a lovely inner sweetness here, with crisp red and blue fruits that swirl across a stream of zesty acidity. The 2022 lingers long yet remains remarkably fresh, finishing with a note of tart blackberry.
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.
Sweet melon, spice and minty herbs come together as the 2024 Etna Rosato opens in the glass. This is round and supple, with a burst of ripe pit fruits over a core of juicy acidity. The 2024 closes with a pleasant lift.
A pale and perfumed rosé with notes of cherry blossom, peaches, rose hips and strawberries. Medium-bodied, creamy and delicate yet with plenty of flavor and a dry and delicious finish. Nerello Mascalese.
The Cottanera 2022 Etna Rosato is beautiful in the glass, with pink, gold and copper highlights. The wine's color is achieved with just three or four hours of skin contact and finishes in steel. Fruit for this wine comes from a vineyard site that is specifically farmed to make rosé. The bouquet leans toward floral aromas at the front and fruity aromas at the back. It shows balance and precision with a mineral-driven finish. Proprietor Francesco Cambria tells me that 2022 was a hot and dry year and that 2021 was more balanced overall. This is one of my favorite Italian rosés, especially at this price point.
Bright shiny pink. A hint of flint, orange zest and pink grapefruit on the nose. Elegant on the palate, with a juicy, racy train, pleasant freshness and a long finish.
A charming nose of strawberries, lemon cream and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied with plenty of mineral complexity. Roses, berries, wet stone and steel on the palate. Bright acidity. Fresh.
BEST BUY! Pink grapefruit, white peach and ripe melon start on the nose and follow through onto the palate, where they stretch their legs in a polished, mouthcoating texture with citrus notes perking up the finish.
Loads of mineral character to this, from hot tile to chalk, together with notes of sour cherries and even a hint of damson. Medium-bodied with the same complex character to the lingering flavors. Well-balanced, serious rosé, made from nerello mascalese grapes. Enjoy now.”
The 2020 Etna Rosato is incredibly pretty with its bouquet of dusty dried flowers, peaches and white smoke. Its silky textures give way to a more tactile and almost crunchy display of pit fruits and minerals, yet it’s all under an air of honeyed florals. There’s a lovely salinity that lingers long, while residual acids keep the mouth watering for more.
Light pink with an apricot tinge. Vibrant scents of peach flowers, yellow raspberry, and mandarin zest with a mineral edge. This superbly balanced, medium weight rosé is crisp and incisive on the attack with tangerine citrus, pomegranate and a hint of apricot, finishing with a complex and persistent aftertaste. 100% Nerello Mascalese.
Showing an elegant pale pink color with polished copper highlights, the Cottanera 2019 Etna Rosato is a fabulous wine and one that transports you to an imaginary world of sand beaches and sunshine. In reality, this delicate rosé is born in the blackened volcanic soils of Etna. However, its sunny disposition suggests purity and transparency. The bouquet offers sour cherry and cranberry with hints of rosemary essence and crushed stone. These are gorgeous results that will appeal to all lovers of rosé wine.
I remember when the Cambria family of Cottanera first introduced this wine a few years back. They knew exactly what they wanted, and they have stuck to that goal with consistency. The 2018 Etna Rosato opens to a pale pink color and offers bright perfumes of almond blossom, sweet nectarine and wild cherry. The wine's color intensity is beautiful, with pale pink luminosity that shines with copper and gold. Served well chilled on a scorching summer day, it would be a great match to shrimp and seafood couscous. This is a terrific Rosato from Southern Italy—and a great value to boot. Some 17,500 bottles were made.
A beautiful rosé with white roses, cherry blossoms and freshly squeezed nectarines, as well as some nutmeg and ground spices in the background. Medium body, very focused acidity and a mouth-caressing finish. Drink now.
Pale onion peel pink. Fresh juicy pomegranate, violet and saline nuances on the nose and in the mouth. Lots of flavor and sneaky concentration on the long juicy finish. Well done.
A tangy and fruity rosato that is also fresh and lively. Dried peaches, cherries and pumice undertones. Full body and bright acidity. Pretty as always. 100% nerello mascalese. Drink now.
Cottanera does a terrific job with its entry-level wines in this newly released vintage. The 2017 Etna Rosato (made with 100% Nerello Mascalese) is a lovely wine with much appeal and an accessible, versatile style. The wine opens to a pale pink color with bright luminosity. It ends with vibrant crispness
Pale onion-peel pink. Fresh and floral aromas hint at raspberry spicy plum and minerals. Clean and bright, with lively, almost shrill acidity that really extends the orchard fruit and berry flavors on the long back end. Made from the Diciasettesalme vineyard on the north-exposed slope of Etna, a high quality site for Nerello Mascalese from where Cottanera makes some lovely Etna Rosso wines as well.
Bright light pink. Fresh aromas and flavors of red berries, jasmine and minerals. Finishes long and savory, offering a hint of residual sugar and youthfully chewy, peppery tannins. A more-concentrated-than- usual Rosato from this producer specifically and from Etna in general. Made with 100% Nerello Mascalese.
The FABIVS is made from 100% Syrah, one of the first pure Syrah wines in Montalcino. The name is dedicated to Fabivs de’Vecchis, the Montalcino bishop responsible for the construction of the Palazzo Piccolomini in 1672. Complex and persistent notes of currant, blackberry, plum and cherry are enriched by elegant aromas of tar, dark chocolate and spice. This full-bodied wine is warm and soft in the mouth with persistent, well-balanced tannins. A powerful wine that is exceptional any time, now or after some repose in the cellar.
A rare look at Syrah from the cool Montalcino climate, the 2019 Sant'Antimo Fabius is packed tight with blackberry and black cherry along with spice, sweet tobacco and smoked bacon. There's a lot going on aromatically speaking, but the wine stays clear of the heavier black pepper or cured leather aromas that you often get in New World Syrah. I love the soft texture, freshness and tension that this extremely well-priced wine exhibits. The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona estate is located in a rather cool location with south-facing vines and well-draining galestro soils on the back side of Castelbuovo dell'Abate. I always like to think of this tiny hilltop hamlet as the place where the day's sunbeams shine in Montalcino before sunset. This estate is certified for organic farming.
This 100% Syrah opens with black-skinned berry, cedar and green peppercorn aromas. On the concentrated palate, fine-grained tannins support ripe black currant, tobacco and licorice. Drink through 2026.
A pure expression of Syrah, the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2016 Sant'Antimo Fabius is an impressive expression of the grape. Syrah always tends to show opulent richness and succulence, and although you get that here, I'm also reminded of its Tuscan roots. It tends to be more compact and linear overall. This wine pulls in opposite directions, and that's what makes it most interesting. You will recognize those varietal characteristics for sure, but they are ultimately overridden by the wine's Tuscan identity. With 8,000 bottles made, this is a terrific value.
Lots of currant, blackberry and flower aromas follow through to a full body with tar, meat, dark-chocolate and spice character. Always an outstanding syrah. Drink or hold.
Laced with cherry, strawberry and licorice flavors, this red is compact and almost chewy in texture, with a bright structure and a long, tobacco-tinged finish. Syrah. Drink now through 2020. 650 cases made.
Aromas of dried fruits with hints of smoked meat and walnuts. Full body, with loads of fruit and juicy, velvety palate. Intense finish. This is a pure Syrah with beautiful richness and texture. Drink or hold.
A wine that shows a lots of raisin fruit, with meat and mahogany character. You can really see the influence of the hot growing season. Round and ripe, with fruit-coated tannins. Best after 2011. 550 cases made.
The 2007 Fabius reveals layers of dark, instrospective fruit. There is plenty of richness and depth in the glass, altough slight suggestions of heat come through from time to time. Hints of mocha, chocolate and spices inform the finish. Fabius is Syrah from time to time. Hints of mocha, chocolate and spices inform the finish. Fabius is Syrah from vineyards in the Sant'Antimo appellation just outside the classic Brunello producing zone. Though unquestionable a beautiful wine, varietal character doesn't seem to be a priority as it s nowhere to be found. Anticipated matruity: 2012-2019.
Vineyards for the Fiano are planted on opposite north/south sides of the Arianello hillside, indisputably one of the best locations for Fiano. One side is rich in complex volcanic soils and the other in clay and calcareous soils, resulting in a lively wine with white peach, lemon, lime and crushed stone on the nose, enhanced by elegant notes of flowers and aromatic herbs. In the mouth, it is pure, fresh and juicy, finishing with outstanding length and great acidity. The Fiano di Avellino is a true expression of territory.
Dusty dried flowers and shavings of ginger give way to orange sorbet as the 2023 Fiano di Avellino slowly evolves in the glass. The nose opens with pretty inner sweetness that is quickly balanced by saline mineral tones and citrus-laced orchard fruits. It finishes with exceptional length and perfume, leaving a hint of sour melon and spice to linger.
The 2021 Fiano di Avellino dazzles with a mineral-tinged blend of musky peach and sweet white flowers. It's soft and round on the palate, with a salty flourish up front, further complicated by zesty acidity and tart orchard fruits that cascade throughout. Ginger and sour melon hints linger as the 2021 finishes with youthful tension.
The 2020 Fiano di Avellino opens with a subtle blend of lime-spritzed apples and crushed stone. It’s soft-textured with a crisp minerality that nicely offsets its ripe orchard fruits. A honeyed inner sweetness lingers as the 2020 finishes incredibly fresh and clean yet still impactful. Nicely done.
A mix of sweet pear, lightly roasted almonds, minty herbs and smoke rises up from the 2019 Fiano di Avellino. Its textures are silky-smooth complemented by ripe orchard fruits and hints of candied lime. This remains energetic throughout, as residual acids tug at the cheeks, and hints of sour citrus slowly taper off.
Crisp, fresh fiano with bright peach, pear and mineral notes. Medium body with a tight feel to the palate. But very clean. Drink now.
Bright greenish yellow. Crystalline, pure aromas of apple, lime pith, pear and herbs. Fresh and juicy, with lovely inner-mouth peach and lime perfumed and depth. Plenty of focus and energy on the long finish, which showcases subtle sweetness and strong dusting of powdered rocks.
This shows chiseled detail in its apple and pear flavors, with a pleasant edge of tartness and a light, honeyed finish. Match its floral delicacy with filet of sole.
Bright, green-tinged pale yellow. The lively nose combines white peach, lemon, lime, crushed stone and a floral note. Very pure, fresh and juicy, showing good stuffing and a very impressive early personality. Finishes with outstanding length and acid grip and repeating white flower notes.
Vivid straw-green. Powdered rocks, green apple, chamomile and lemon verbena on the deep, complex nose. Then juicy, dense and well balanced, with precise, impressively lingering pomaceous orchard and white stone fruit flavors given outstanding clarity and cut by lively, harmonious acidity. Lovely Fiano that finishes with hints of crystallized ginger and white pepper.
Located in Irpinia, the Fiano grapes come from north to northeast facing slopes at 500-600m altitude. Hand-harvest and vinified in stainless steel followed by 10 months tank ageing, this delicious, concentrated, classy example shows a pale lemon hue and some restrained herbal notes on both nose and palate, allied to zesty acidity and a touch of Italian bitterness. Drinking Window 2018 - 2024.
This white opens with heady aromas of white spring flower, orchard fruit and pastry cream. On the medium-bodied palate, notes of white pepper and ginger underscore apple and citrus while mineral and almond wrap up the close.
Bright pale straw-green. Orchard fruits, hazelnut and jasmine on the nose. Then sneakily concentrated and very vibrant on the palate, with nectarine and green apple flavors lifted by a white floral note and nicely supported by a refreshing, zingy citrus spine. Finishes long and energetic, but with a little less complexity than the 2013.
Bright straw. Complex aromas of ripe apricot, apple, minerals and chlorophyll. Densely packed but with harmonious acidity contributing intensity and brightness while lifting the orchard fruit and flinty flavors. Finishes with hints of crushed stone, jasmine and chamomile. This is very stylish.
A small production of Cru Fiano di Avellino crafted from grapes grown in the Neviera Contrada, named for its particular north-facing exposition where, in Renaissance times, the snow (neve) was conserved as ice in a large well-like recipient until the following summer. Still today, this is the area where vineyards experience the most significant differences between day and nighttime temperatures, granting the wines freshness, elegance, complexity and longevity. Vinified and aged in a combination of stainless steel and oak, the resulting wine is intense, persistent and complex on the nose with enveloping citrus and balsamic notes upon tasting. This is a wine conceived for lengthy periods of aging where it will gain even more complexity and appeal.
Dusty florals, a whiff of autumnal spice and dried apricots form a captivating bouquet as the 2020 Fiano Riserva Neviera di Sopra comes to life in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced, silken and pliant, with a lovely inner sweetness and a sensation of mineral stone. Hints of green melon linger through the long and wonderfully fresh finish as the 2020 leaves savory herbal tones to slowly fade.
The name carries within one of the characteristics of this fine white wine that originates in the prestigious "cru" of Arianello. Because it is true that we are in Campania, and therefore in the South of Italy; but it is equally true, and those who deal with Irpinian whites know it well, that there is little heat of this Mediterranean area. Rather, in the Neviera di Sopra '19 -first vintage produced- there is the coldness of the icy peaks, the feeling of the rock that combines with that typical smoky timbre of the most identifiable Fianos. One also finds citrusy traits reminiscent more of lime and green grapefruit than lemon, for an aromatic profile that closes on a refined puff of anise. The mouth cuts, with disruptive acidity, and stitches, with an iodine-soaked sip of mineral sensations, all in a context where at the end of the games the satisfying feeling of having tasted a great label remains.
The 2019 Fiano di Avellino Neviera di Sopra lulls you in with a beguiling display of wild herbs, incense, sour apples and crushed oyster shells. It enters the palate more like nectar than wine, impossibly rich and opulent, yet then traverses to the savory spectrum with saline-tinged orchard fruit, hints of kiwi skins and lime. This tapers off incredibly long, potent and lightly structured, packed full of acid and citrus tension. Wow. The Neviera di Sopra is a new entry to Rocca del Principe's single-vineyard Fiano selection. Talk about getting off on the right foot.
Grapes for this 100% Fiano wine come from the renowned Contrada Tognano, historically considered one of the most exceptional sites for this traditional grape. This Cru wine is produced from a careful selection of grapes harvested from vines grafted with the century-old Fiano clone (pre-phylloxera). An ideal combination of soil, microclimate, altitude, and east-facing exposition make for a particularly characteristic wine. The Fiano di Avellino Tognano boasts great structure, acidity and complexity while typical varietal aromas of white fruits and citrus combine with mint and slightly toasty notes. Unique hints of hydrocarbon become more evident with time.
The 2020 Fiano di Avellino Rierva Tognano combines richness with verve, wafting up with a sweetly smoky blend of crushed rocks and dried apricot. This is textual with a pleasant inner sweetness up front, as a cascade of lime-tinged orchard fruits flow throughout. The 2020 finishes youthfully tense and savory, with a salty sensation that contrasts nectarine tones. This is a total pleasure to taste today, yet it has the balance to mature beautifully over the next five to eight years.
Crushed rocks, raw almonds, young peach and mint aromas form a complex bouquet as the 2019 Fiano di Avellino Riserva Tognano opens in the glass. It floods the palate with an intense mix of saline minerals and zesty green citrus, as notes of tart green apple combine with an enriching hint of hazelnut. This finishes with medium length and a cool-toned feel, ending with a salty sensation.
Notes of herbs, nuts, toasted bread, lemon and orange peel and a blend of flowery grassiness are on the nose before the palate turns fruit-forward with mixed citrus, melon, pear and white peach.
Flavors of tart lemon and green apple are crisp and precise, with focused acidity that carries the wine as it gains pleasant smoky tones.
A tight nose, which shows citrus fruit, white peach and chamomile. Medium-bodied with very bright acidity that carries the fruit and floral character well. The exacting balance of delicate flavors that this wine effortlessly juggles makes it a pleasure to drink now.
The 2018 Fiano di Avellino Tognano is an understated beauty, as it opens slowly with a delicate display of honeyed flowers, chamomile, and white smoke. It takes time in the glass for notes of lemon oil, nectarine and minty herbs to evolve. This fills the palate with soft, pliant textures and ripe orchard fruits complemented by notes of almond paste, as a reverberation of saline-minerals generates toward the close. The 2018 Tognano leaves the moth watering, while it slowly fades from the senses with notes of sweetened sun tea and a salty flourish.
With fruit grown in the sandy, volcanic-ash soils of the Avellino province, the Rocca del Principe 2017 Fiano di Avellino Tognano is a beautifully fragrant and pure expression of the Fiano grape that really gets down to the basics. The wine shows fresh fruit aromas of peach and white flower, all framed delicately by ash and crushed river stone. This wine is quite delicate and fresh, but it definitely excels in terms of its purity. This was a release of about 3,000 bottles.
Luminous straw-green. Minty herbs, nectarine and stones on the bright, fresh nose. Clean and lively flavors similar to the aromas convey outstanding clarity and cut. Finishes long and pure, with hints of peppery ginger and minerals. Outstanding Fiano di Avellino from a recognized master of the variety and 100-year-old plants - a winning combination. I am glad to find that Tognano, in this vintage at least, speaks more than it has in the past of both the Fiano variety and the Arianello terroir, as opposed to winemaking methods such as extended lees contact, the yeasty-herbal character of which dominated previously.
Released one year (or more) later than its peers, the 2016 Fiano di Avellino Tognano shows more depth and structure than the lower-tier Fiano released by Rocca del Principe (from the 2017 vintage). This has to do with the two very different vintages—the more balanced 2016 and the hotter 2017 vintage—as much as it has to do with this wine's extra year of bottle age. However, at its core, this wine offers easygoing aromas of citrus, white peach and crushed mineral. Fruit comes from 28-year-old vines in the Contrada Tognano in Lapio. A mere 3,000 bottles were made.
Tognano comes from Contrada Arianiello, one of the highest and most suited village sites for the Fiano grape, where Rocca del Principe owns 10ha -five of which are Fiano vines. The wine is focused on delicate minerality with a slightly petrolly aroma, possibly due to the warm 2015 vintage. It's lemony in flavour with an outstanding savoury, black olive complexity and depth. Taut and vibrant, it would be the perfect match for spaghetti with clams.
The 2015 Fiano di Avellino Tognano shows a rich, creamy and more mature flavor profile. This is a soft, lean to mid-weight white with abundant tones of stone fruit, melon, sweet almond and salty mineral. The mouthfeel is round and supple. Tognano is macerated on the skins for 12 hours and aged on the lees with frequent stirring for 12 months. That's how the wine gets its pretty texture. Some 3,000 bottles were made.
Golden-tinged straw-yellow. Potpourri and sweet spices complicate yellow apple and apricot on the nose and palate. Dense and savory, with a tactile component on the long peppery finish. Less fruity and floral thanthe 2016 Fiano di Avellino, and deeper but less concentrated and layered than the 2015 Fiano Tognano. Though I realize Tognano is an important Fiano cru, the wine seems to me (in this vintage, at least) to speak more of the winemaking - such as a much longer stay on the lees, for example - than of the specific terroir.
This white opens with heady aromas of white spring flower, orchard fruit and pastry cream. On the medium-bodied palate, notes of white pepper and ginger underscore apple and citrus while mineral and almond wrap up the close.
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.
The 2020 Blanc de Noirs For England Pas Dosé opens in the glass with a whiff of dusty dried flowers, white peaches and iodine. It presents a wave of silken bubbles and pretty inner sweetness, all offset by tart pit fruits and a tinge of lemon and lime. Inner florals resonate as the 2020 finishes with wonderful length, potent yet crisp, leaving a twang of grapefruit that keeps the senses salivating for more. (Lot# 07/24). Drinking Window: 2024 - 2028
This straw-colored sparkling wine has aromas of apricots, raspberries, orange rind, gingerbread and walnuts. It’s medium-bodied, bone-dry and balanced, with delicious, varied fruit and bread flavors.
Ripe stone fruit, candied orange peel, toasted almonds and cream on the nose. Fresh and vivid with fine mousse and clean, tangy acidity that adds tension and length. Mineral finish. Drink now or hold.
Aged for over 40 months on the lees, this 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine defines posh. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, peach, grapefruit, acacia honey, and rhubarb entice. Tartness and vibrance create a textured and layered palate finishing with zippy acidity.
Showing a slightly copperish tinge to its appearance, the Contratto 2018 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé For England offers an ample and generous style with orchard fruit, Golden Delicious apple and freshly baked pie crust. This vintage is more closed initially, so give it time. The beading is soft and creamy, and the wine offers substantial fruit weight.
Intense orange gold. Very fragrant nose, clearly of fresh yellow peach, white flowers, some candied citrus zest, iodine, after a while of walnuts. In the mouth there is hearty, ripe peach fruit, with dense bubbles, something breaks in at the back and ends bone dry.
Packaged in a heavy bottle, the Contratto 2017 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé For England is almost closer to a rosé sparkling wine than a white one. There is a dim ruby hue in its color. It shows lots of heft and intensity with peach, spice, saffron, raw honey and baked apple. This medium to full-bodied sparkler offers lasting richness.
Notes of dried cherries, pomegranate skins, lavender and spices. Dried blood orange, too. Medium- to full-bodied and dry with a chalky texture and fine mousse. Structured with crunchy acidity and a polished, mineral finish. Drink now.
The For England Blanc de Noirs Pas Dosé shows a fresh toasty nose of light red berries. Dry on the attack with a fine mousse. Well balanced and clean on the palate with good flavor and a crisp, dry finish with lingering toasted grain notes. A well-made, all Pinot Noir sparkler aged a minimum of 42 months sur lie before bottling.
The Contratto 2016 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé For England (packaged in a heavy glass bottle) reveals an extra layer of spice on the bouquet. The wine starts off with pretty apricot and orchard fruit nuances but segues to a touch of cinnamon, dried ginger and crushed stone. The beading shows some spice as well, thanks to its sharp persistence.
A salmon-orange colored sparkling with aromas of raspberries, cherries, grapefruit, toasted brioche and almonds. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity and tiny, sleek bubbles. Lovely zestiness and savory, saline character. Bone-dry and fresh. Drink now.
The 2016 Pas Dosé Blanc de Noir For England is a varietal Pinot Noir that is significantly more pink than white in color. Here I’m finding a fruit-filled bouquet of peaches, strawberries and melon complemented by hints of raw almond. It fills the palate with an elegant stream of silky bubbles, showing more savory than sweet, as salty minerals and tart orchard fruits settle upon the senses. The cheeks pucker with residual tension, as a salty flourish gives way to bitter hints of citrus rinds. This may not follow the general expectations of Blanc de Noir, but it certainly is a gorgeous Alta Langa Pinot Noir. (Lot# 22/07/21)
The most structured and important of these sparkling wines from Contratto, the 2015 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé For England opens to a pretty golden appearance with light copper highlights. The bouquet is solid and beautifully put together with equal billing to orchard fruit, crushed stone and toasted almond. This wine is more mineral-driven than it is yeast-driven, and that is the most compelling trait of sparkling wines made in the up-and-coming Alta Langa appellation.
The 2014 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé For England sparkles with lots of creamy beading. This is a white expression of Pinot Noir that has a golden hue veering toward a pinkish tint but only very slightly. The wine shows loads of citrusy definition at the back with notes of tangerine and pink grapefruit. The finish is dry, fresh and tonic.
A dense and layered sparkling wine with lots of bread dough, cheese and dried fruit on the nose and palate. Full body. Flavorful finish. Very drinkable and vinous. Drink now.
This is the only Contratto wine from the up-and-coming Alta Langa appellation in Northern Piedmont that is currently gaining a lot of attention for its quality white and sparkling wines. The other Contratto wines tasted in this report are all part of the umbrella Vino Spumante di Qualità grouping that is not linked to a specific territory. The 2013 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé For England (100% Pinot Nero) sees fruit sourced from the Loazzolo vineyard, some 600 meters above sea level. This is a beautiful wine that spreads thickly over the palate, imparting aromas of apricot, candied orange and toasted almond. Tangy mint or dried sage are highlights on the creamy finish.
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.
This sparkling wine has a salmon-orange color and notes of pomegranates, grapefruit and dried strawberries. It’s dry and tangy but fruity, with bright red-fruit flavors, fine bubbles and a tasty finish.
This has a richer, peach-pink color with a copper hue to it offering ripe peaches, cooked apples, pastry crust and toffee. Tense and mineral on the palate with creamy mousse and tangy acidity that gives it crunchiness and verticality. Long finish. Drink or hold.
With lively and very active beading, the Contratto 2018 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England reveals a pinkish copper hue with steady foam. The bouquet offers citrus, pink grapefruit, unripe peach and crushed stone. As it opens in the glass, you also get faint tones of sweet breakfast pastry. These results are elegant and silky.
Loads of citrus, leaning toward bitter orange and ruby red grapefruit, emerge from this wine. The palate is tart and zippy, with a touch of green guava candy, bright acidity and great structure finishing with a tight and persistent perlage.
The Contratto 2017 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England opens to a pale cranberry-pink color with amber highlights. The beading is fine and silky. In terms of this sparkler's aromas, you get tart citrus and lots of grapefruit with some orchard fruit, toast and crushed mineral. This wine shows a steely, tonic and firm personality, although you do also taste some of the soft, hot-vintage fruit.
The Contratto 2016 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England shows pretty color saturation with an elegant pink hue and hints of shiny copper. This wine made exclusively with Pinot Noir offers a heavier center of gravity and more fruit weight, with spicy and tonic beading on the close. This more full-bodied style allows for plenty of orchard fruit, crushed mineral and some baked bread.
A salmon-pink colored rosé with aromas of dried raspberries, sour cherries, orange zest, walnuts and croissants. It’s medium-bodied with a bright, savory and flavorful palate. Silky bubbles. Some salted-citrus and herb notes. Dry and very fresh. Drink now.
Opening to a pale pink color, the 2015 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England is a graceful and elegant sparkling wine with tart berry aromas, wild strawberry and pink grapefruit. Background tones include almond pastry and crushed rock or aspirin. This is a lean sparkling wine that shows extra volume thanks to the lively nature of its fine beading and soft foam.
The 2015 Pas Dosé Rosé For England lifts from the glass with a sweetly scented mix of peach skins, strawberries and chamomile offset by hints of smoke. This is savory and decidedly mineral in style, with an elegant bead of creamy bubbles that give way to tart orchard fruits and hints of custard. It tapers off clean, leaving a tug of sour citrus and a bitter twang of hazelnut. (Disgorgement L. 05/03/20)
The 2014 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England is a beautiful Pinot Noir rosato with lots of bright fruit and a refreshing snappiness to it. It pours to a graceful light pink color and serves notes of tangerine skin and lemon zest. You really feel the acidity on the tip of the tongue here, with sharp, linear edges. This is my favorite expression among these new releases from Contratto.
Aromas of cheese, bread dough, strawberries and orange peel. Full-bodied and very dry with plenty of fruit and an orange-peel and dried-apple aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a pure expression of Pinot Nero from the estate's oldest vines. The 2012 Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England sees one hour of skin contact for the delicate, pale pink color that characterizes this important sparkling wine. The bouquet offers fresh tones of wild berry, forest floor and menthol notes, but the biggest segment of aromas is linked to yeast-driven tones of freshly baked baguette and morning croissant. This is a full-bodied rosé sparkler that is drinking delightfully at this very moment.
Lots of cooked strawberry, rose petal and cooked lemon. Some peach, too. Full body, tangy fruit with bright acidity and a long and flavorful finish. A rich sparkling wine with energetic acidity. Very vinous. Drink now.
One of my favorite rosé sparkling wines in the world with light fresh-strawberry and lemon-rind undertones. Full body, bright acidity and a flavorful finish. Yet bright and lively. Caressing texture. Very dry and delicious finish. Drink now.
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.
The 2023 Bianco Fosarin mixes Pinot Bianco, Friulano and Malvasia Istriana to create a rich and enticing bouquet of sweet spice, chamomile, almond custard and lemon curd. It reverberates with zesty tension as sour lime combines with salty minerals over a stream of stimulating acidity. Incredibly long, it resonates with nuances of sour melon and spearmint while a saline concentration lingers. The balance and contrasting nature of the 2023 is out of this world.
A complex wine with ambitious style. Aromas of ferns, white peaches, lots of white pepper and toasted notes. The attack is silky on the palate, medium- to full-bodied, with elegant, integrated acidity, a super-polished finish and a long aftertaste. Drinkable now, but will last.
This is rich and floral with ripe peaches and apples and a zesty, honeyed fragrance to it. Full and layered with creamy texture. A little salty and mineral with some richness and depth to the fruit. It has an oily texture but keeps freshness and tension. Drink or hold.
Named for the eponymous vineyard, this is a blend of 40% Pinot Bianco, 40% Friulano and 20% Malvasia Istriana. Bright, medium-intense yellow; aromas of golden apple, wet stone and goldenrod tea. Medium-full with excellent concentration, this offers beautiful texture, excellent persistence and wonderful Collio typicity. The finish offers notes of basil and pea. Pair with rich seafood or and enjoy over the next 5-7 years.
This is an excellent example of Collio Bianco, which is typically a selected blend of grape varieties. It shows outstanding balance–concentrated flavors of both orchard fruit and savory herbs, good freshness, a firm backbone, and a full, lightly creamy mouth feel. A blend of 40% Tocai Friulano, 20% Malvasia Istriana, 40% Pinot Bianco from the 180m high Fosarin vineyard of 50-year-old vines in sandy marl soils. Pinot Bianco aged in second-hand Allier barriques for approx. 6 months, Malvasia and Friulano aged in stainless steel tanks for 6 months.
This is the top-shelf white wine from Ronco dei Tassi. The 2018 Collio Bianco Fosarin is a blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano and Malvasia, released in numbered bottles. Exactly 13,234 bottles and 300 magnums were made, and I tasted bottle number 1,706. There are immediate notes of peach, melon and minty pear. As the wine opens in the glass, it begins to show some nutty aromas and pastry cream. This is a textbook wine from Friuli that gives us an authentic taste of the region's celebrated blended whites. Serve it slightly below room temperature with a platter of local cheeses. I very much enjoyed the Fosarin.
Chamomile, dried pineapple, waxed lemon and a hint of green olive on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with tangy acidity and a layered, saline finish. Drink or hold.
Graphite, yellow apple and freshly baked bread aromas escape the glass. On the medium-bodied, elegantly structured palate, vibrant acidity accompanies yellow peach, lemon drop candy and grapefruit before a toasted almond close.
There's some real complexity to this white with white stones and citrus highlighting suble aromas of loquat and nectarines. Hints of apple pie, gazpacho and croutons. Laser-sharp acidity cuts cleanly through a finely formed conjunction of citrus and stone fruit. Medium-bodied and tightly knit. Drink now.
Dried-nutmeg and white-pepper notes are a pretty complement to playful aromas of peach pit and chamomile tea. There's real density to this palate, which is only medium to full in body, but possesses an intricate structure of razor-edged acidity slices pastry-like strands in two. Drink now.
Good full yellow. Pear, peach, Thai basil and a hint of crushed stone on the nose. Dense and supple with juicy but rich flavors of peach and ripe apple complicated by aromatic spices and tropical fruit that speak of a strong presence of Malvasia Istriana in the blend. A broad, rich wine that manages to stay refined and light on its feet, finishing with a whiplash of lemony freshness. A little more complexity and I would have scored it higher, but this is a very successful wine given the difficult vintage.
A dense and fruity white with lots of tropical fruit character like mango and pineapple that follow through to a full body, bright acidity and a fruity finish. Drink now.
Wow. This is like white pepper with sliced pears and then lemons. Full and fruity with lots of crisp acidity and flavorful finish. Drink now.
Fruilano (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.
A delicate and intense wine with a layered nose and a smooth palate. Peach skin, peach tea, spring flowers, ferns and good intensity. An almost oily texture with vibrancy, a medium body and long, refreshing acidity.
The 2023 Friulano is a total pleasure on the senses, with a vibrant bouquet of green melon, spearmint and hints of kiwi wafting up from the glass. It is soft and round with ripe stone fruits and crisp mineral tones propelled by a core of brisk acidity. Sweetly focused yet beautifully balanced, this tapers off long and potent yet spry, leaving a candied lime twang that refreshes the senses.
Notes of beeswax and honey with ripe pears and citrus peel on offer. Medium-bodied with a silky, polished texture and attractive stone fruit crunchiness. Delicious and textured. Drink now.
Light floral honey, almond and a hint of yellow peach on the nose. The palate is full and round with flavors of pear, melon and honeyed chamomile with bright acidity. Finishes with good length. A single vineyard Friulano from the 50+ year old vines of the Montona Vineyard.
Bright, medium-deep yellow; aromas of melon, apple peel and a hint of green mint. Medium-bodied with very good concentration, there is very good acidity, impressive persistence and lovely texture. Offering noteworthy complexity and very good typicity, pair this with many types of white meats and enjoy over the next 3-5 years.
Lime-curd, fresh-pear, papaya and apricot-stone aromas. It’s medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity and a creamy, oily texture. Layered. Drink now.
Delicate scents evoking yellow peach, citrus, and spring blossom aromas come together on this savory, enveloping white. The fresh, medium-bodied palate shows ripe pear, grapefruit, apricot and a hint of fresh bread dough alongside tangy acidity. It closes on a hazelnut note.
A dense and layered white with aromas and flavors of sliced lemons and limes. Medium body. Tangy and crisp. Drink now.
Intense dried-herb and grassy character and overtones of grapefruit and gooseberries give this immediate sauvignon blanc-like appeal. The full bodied-palate is quite composed, though, with an elegant strand of acidity cutting through the round, textured fruit. Drink now.
The fresh lemony nose doesn’t show what a striking wine this is at first. There's a serious structure and bright acidity in this clean yet multilayered dry white. It defies all the conventional categories. A crisp and complex finish, which suggests this is just beginning to give its best. Drink or hold.
Straw green. Delicate herbs, lime and floral aromas on the enticing nose. Then clean fresh and juicy, with outstanding inner-mouth perfume to the ripe pomaceous orchard fruit flavors. Finishes long with a whisper of pear, minerals, sweet spices and noteworthy clarity. A knockout Friulano.
A drier style of friulano with sliced pear and apple character. Some peach skin. Medium to full body. Delicious fruit at the finish. Drink now
A fresh and tangy white, with dried peach and apples that follow through to a full body, with dry and mineally finish. Lots of character. Drink now.
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.
A complex wine with ambitious style. Aromas of ferns, white peaches, lots of white pepper and toasted notes. The attack is silky on the palate, medium- to full-bodied, with elegant, integrated acidity, a super-polished finish and a long aftertaste. Drinkable now, but will last.
Aromas of white flowers, fresh apricots, peaches, lemon curd and crushed almonds. It’s medium-to full-bodied with crisp acidity and a dense, creamy texture. Drink now.
Aromas of mature yellow stone fruit, grapefruit and beeswax mingle together in the glass. Mirroring the nose, the medium-bodied, savory palate features ripe apricot, peach and hazelnut before finishing on a honeyed note. Fresh acidity accompanies the rich flavors.
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.
Rich, dark-fruited character with spicy and earthy undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and wide on the palate, with layers of velvety tannins and a deep core of fruit. Good concentration and volume. Lingering finish. Drink or hold.
An attractive and focused colorino with sliced cherry, watermelon and orange peel aromas and flavors. Medium body. Firm tannins and a crisp finish. Drink now.
The 2008 Il Colorino di Casanova comes across as quite rich and dark in its wild cherries, tobacco, smoke and worn-in leather. This shows excellent balance in a brooding, yet mid-weight style.
The 2008 Il Colorino di Casanova comes across as quite rich and dark in its wild cherries, tobacco, smoke and worn-in leather. This shows excellent balance in a brooding, yet mid-weight style.
A touch animal in aroma, yet on the palate there's plenty of pure cherry, with fine depth underneath. Elegant, pretty and vibrant overall, with a long finish. Best from 2013 through 2022.
The 2006 Il Colorino di Casanova is a rock-star, especially for the money. Vibrant dark fruit, minerals, rosemary, menthol and spices are just some of the nuances that flow form this powerful, authoritative red. The harmony of the fruit and the overall balance are simply exceptional from start to finish. This is another fabulous wine from proprietor Giorgio Rivett's Tuscan property near Pisa. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. These are two brillant, absolutely delicious reds from La Spinetta's Tuscan estate in Terricciola. Readers will have a lot to look forward to if proprietor Giorgio Rivetti and his team can maintain this level of quality going forward. For now, both the Gentile and Colorino are highly recommended for their absolute quality and value.
The 2005 Colorino di Casanova is the darkest and most powerful of these three wines. A dark, plush core of wild cherries, plums , underbrush, leather and licorice hides behind a wall of imposing tannins. The wine needs a few years for the elements to meld together, but there seems to be quite a bit of potential here as the wine opened up beautifully with some time in the glass. Sweet menthol, spice and mineral notes linger on the long, satisfying finish. This is a beautiful effort from Giorgio Rivetti. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017. Although proprietor Giorgio Rivetti is best known for the wines he makes in Piedmont, his Tuscan offerings have come a long way in the last few years.
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.
Attractive nose of ripe cherries, dried blood oranges and hints of cedar. spice box and minerals. Medium-bodied, juicy and smooth, with textural, crunchy tannins. Delicious and easy to drink. Drink now or hold.
Aromas of red licorice, balsamic, cedar and sour cherry. Medium to light body. Fine tannins and a fresh finish. Hints of cedar and terracotta at the finish. Drink now.
Open and fragrant nose of fresh roses, rich raspberries and sugared strawberries. Very fine-footed on the palate, delicate, pleasant drinking flow, compact fruit, has fine red berry notes on the finish.
Prugnolo Gentile is a clone of Sangiovese that comes from the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation. Giorgio Rivetti is doing a lot of work with this clone at his Tuscan property near Pisa. The 2013 Il Gentile di Casanova opens to a dark color with red cooper highlights. The aromas are raw and genuine with black fruit, spice and rusty nail. The wine offers heft and power, although it does loosen up to show pretty elegance and silkiness in terms of mouthfeel. If you are hankering for an authenthic taste of Tucany, this wine will do.
Resembles a Brunello, showing menthol, wild rosemary, eucalyptus and juniper aromas and flavors surrounding the core of cherry fruit. Still firm and unyielding, with a mix of bitterness and sweet fruit. Fine length. Sangiovese. Best from 2016 through 2025. 1,000 cases made.
Scents of super-ripe dark cherries, tobacco, spices and leather waft from the glass as the 2006 Il Gentile di Casanova opens up. A vein of minerality frames the fruit beautifully through to the long, creamy finish. The La Spinetta house style built on ripeness and textural depth is in evidence in this Sangiovese-based red but is not as overdone as in previous wine. This is a gorgeous juice. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.
The 2005 Gentile di Casanova (Sangiovese) is dark, brooding wine packed with dark cherries, smoke, underbrush, leather and tar. There is terrific density, richness and energy, all of which come together in this stylish, generous red. The finish is refined and harmonious. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2013. Although proprietor Giorgio Rivetti is best known for the wines he makes in Piedmont, his Tuscan offering have come a long way in the last few years.
A virile wine indeed, the Maschio da Monte explodes on the nose with a lavish bouquet of dark fruit, spice and vegetal notes. The tannins are soft and elegant supported by a notable, silky structure and long and persistent finish. This is a wine that promises exceptional cellaring potential, becoming increasingly harmonious in its evolution.
Brilliant purple colour with ruby red highlights. Expressive bouquet of preserved plum and blackberry, with notes of leather, iodine and tobacco leaf. Very sweet on the palate, opulent and with firm tannins and above-average length.
Rich, shimmering purple red with a brightening rim. Memorable on the nose, with preserved cherry, ethereal notes of varnish, followed by tobacco and bacon. Lush on the palate, with lots of hearty fruit, milk chocolate, juicy and persistent.
Rich blackberries, chocolate, sweet spices and a hint of black pepper. Medium to full body on the palate with nicely chewy tannins and a fluid, lengthy finish. Ripe and juicy. Drink now through to 2028.
Ripe black fruit, bay leaf, musk and chocolate on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Rich and juicy with a plush texture and concentrated, fruity core. Drink from 2022.
The 2018 Rosso Piceno Il Maschio da Monte is darkly perfumed and dusty in character, with musky black cherries, giving way to brown spices, tobacco and hints of lavender. This is silky and elegant in feel, with a polished wave of ripe red and hints of blue fruit that gain a more tactile edge, as saline-minerals collect toward the close. Hints of licorice and rose linger long through the lightly structured finale, as this tapers off refined and classically dry. Il Maschio da Monte is a blend of 90% Montepulciano to 10% Sangiovese that is already quite pretty today, but it will only get better with another year or two of cellaring.
Blueberries and crushed-slate notes with some basil leaf on the nose. Full body. Chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Muscular wine. Give it a year or two to soften.
A ripe and rich wine with linear tannins and plenty of dark fruit, as well as walnuts. Full body and firm tannins. Delicious. Drink or hold.
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 dusty nose with subtle notes of cherries, wild berries, dried orange peel, spices and some earthy nuances. Medium-bodied, polished and linear, with fine tannins. Shows focus and balance with its vivid acidity and savory, lingering aftertaste. Drink now or hold.
Vibrant wild strawberries and ripe cherry tomatoes give way to savory aromas of grilled meat, mushrooms and balsamic vinegar on the nose before the palate returns to the strawberries and gives them a pop of acidity and firm tannins.
A delicious red with berry, spicy chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. Medium body, fine tannins and a crunchy finish. Drink or hold.
Luminous ruby red. Fragrant nose of fresh plums, juicy cherries and ripe raspberries, particularly inviting. Juicy and balanced with great freshness and concentrated fresh fruit, medium bodied, lots of drinking fun!
This is a pure expression of Sangiovese from 15-year-old vines in the little-known Terre di Pisa appellation. The 2014 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese Il Nero offers aromas of pressed rose, wet earth and wild Mediterranean brush. The Tuscany signature here is very strong indeed. The wine offers a level of distinct structure and power that is not unlike a Brunello di Montalcino or a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It is aged in ten-year-old oak casks for further integration, definition and stability. Menthol-like freshness appears on the close.
Animal aromas give way to cherry, raspberry and white pepper flavors on the palate, backed by stiff tannins. The aftertaste is long, with firm grip. Decant. Drink now through 2024.
The estate's 2008 Il Nero di Casanova (Sangiovese) presents an intriguing profile of dark cherries, leather, licorice and tobacco, all of which come together in a medium-bodied, relatively delicate frame that is typical of Sangiovese. The Nero shows lovely inner sweetness and perfume through to the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
This pale orange-pink Tuscan Rosè is a blend of Sangiovese and Prugnolo Gentile (a Sangiovese clone). Tart and juicy, with citrusy grapefruit and tangerine dominating the nose and mouth, the wine’s aromatic profile is enriched by white peach and strawberry and floral and mineral notes. The Rosè shows great clarity, with a suave, penetrating finish that lingers with a floral tenacity. A great summer wine and an excellent accompaniment to fish and poultry.
94+ Points, David Gettenberg “Wait until you try La Spinetta’s 2024 “Il Rosé di Casanova”! The palate bursts with refreshing, crunchy red fruit. This particular vintage of La Spinetta is an absolutely joyful Rosato and one to buy by the case(s) to last you all summer long. Vibrant flavors of freshly picked strawberry, tart cherry, watermelon rind, pomegranate, lime, and white peach. Crisp acidity is the hallmark that gives the wine its zesty, refreshing finish. Organic farming provides a pure expression of Tuscany's most popular grape, Sangiovese. You can officially add Tuscany to your list of wine regions that produce stunning Rosé. It even gets better with age! A case of Spinetta's Rosé can be drunk over the next 3-4 years. Buy enough for the entire summer.
La Spinetta has created this sophisticated wine from Tuscany with an equal measure of Sangiovese and Prugnolo Gentile, a Sangiovese clone. It has a pale peach color, beautifully integrated aromas, with flavors of tangerine, Meyer lemon, grapefruit, strawberry, and peach with saline mineral notes. It is dry, crisp, and refreshing, perfect for a summer meal. Made with organic grapes.
This has a peach-pink color, with stone fruit, dried orange and dried flower aromas and flavors. Crunchy and minerally on the palate, with a medium body and attractive salinity at the end. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.
The 2023 Il Rosé di Casanova is exotic and distinctive. Almost Sauvignon-Blanc-like in character, it fleshes out with kiwi, gooseberry, grapefruit, thyme and tomato leaf notes. Bright, fleshy and lightly grippy (in a good way), demanding another sip. A tropical-inflected hint of mango and papaya sticks around after the finish.
A blend of musky dried peaches and apricot offset by savory herbs wafts up from the 2022 Il Rosé di Casanova. It’s zesty and wickedly fresh, with vibrant acidity and wild citrus notes that excite the senses. The 2022 finishes floral and crisp, showcasing nectarine hints. Il Rosé di Casanova is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile.
The 2021 Il Rosé di Casanova is lovely with a bouquet that’s more savory than sweet, mixing crushed rocks with white strawberries and peach skins. While soothingly soft, there’s a salty core of minerality and vibrant acidity that creates a juicy and energetic expression, further accentuated by hints of sour melon. The 2021 tapers off remarkably fresh with a candied citrus twang and leaves the mouth watering for more. The Il Rosé di Casanova is an equal-parts blend of Sangiovese and Prugnolo Gentile."
Salmon-orange color with aromas of cherry stones, herbs, grapefruits and cranberries. It’s tangy, juicy and fresh, with a medium body. Crunchy citrus and herb notes. 50% sangiovese and 50% prugnolo gentile. Drink now.
From year to year, the Il Rosé di Casanova continues to impress, and the 2020 is no different. Here I’m finding a contrasting blend of spiced citrus and tart apples offset by wild herbs and crushed stone. It’s silky in feel yet lifted and spry, casting ripe orchard fruits and inner herbal tones across a wave of vibrant acidity. A lingering note of salinity and hints of lemon peel keep tension high throughout the mouthwatering finale. This is an equal-parts blend of Sangiovese and Prugnolo Gentile.
Spinetta’s 2019 Il Rosé di Casanova is stunning in the glass, wafting up with a seductive bouquet, mixing lime and ripe melon with crushed strawberries. It floods the palate with spicy red fruits, complemented by juicy citrus and brisk acids, which keep the expression wonderfully fresh. The finish is long, as an air of minerals and fresh florals hover above salty minerals which beg you to take another sip.
The Fifty Best hosted a rose wine tasting where 30 contenders were evaluated for the distinguished "Best Rose" awards for 2019. The Fifty Best is very pleased to announce that La Spinetta Il Rose di Casanova 2018 was awarded a Gold medal.
Pale pink. Grapefruit aromas are dominant on the nose and in the mouth. Tart and juicy, this tastes and smells like a pink-colored Sauvignon Blanc, so this will likely find many fans, but I was left scratching my head. Finishes bright and juicy. A blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile (the biotype of Sangiovese typical of the territory of Montepulciano).
A very pretty of Tuscan rosato with aromas and flavors of peaches, lemons and watermelon. Medium body, bright acidity and a clean finish. Drink now.
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.
A pale silver/straw color, the 2023 Vermentino is a great Sauvignon Blanc-like expression with refreshing tropical fruit notes of guava, tropical flowers, white grapefruit, and sea spray. The palate is salty and savory, with pithy lemon citrus notes, impressive bright acidity, and a persistent, focused feel. I am impressed with this wine and would recommend it over the coming 5-7 years.
The 2023 Vermentino is a wild, exotic wine. Tangerine peel, mint, jasmine, passionfruit and white flowers are all amplified in this intensely aromatic, tropical white. There's just enough to keep things in balance.
The 2022 Vermentino is a rich, exotic white. Passionfruit, mango, white flowers and apricot are all nicely amplified. Readers will find a textured, resonant Vermentino that is best enjoyed with similarly rich foods.
Lemons, grapefruits, jasmine, green apples, sea shells, and thyme on the nose. It's so fresh and vibrant, with zesty acidity and a linear, focused palate. Minerally at the end. Drink now.
Bright citrus, herbs and meringue are all on offer here. Medium-to full-bodied with good density to the center palate. Good acidity drive, too. Finishes quite long. Drink now.
Shows lovely freshness with fresh herbs, sea salt and green apples. Medium to full body, pretty lemon pith and grapefruit and a clear-cut finish, drawn out nicely through pretty acidity. Drink now.
Italian Vermentino is enjoying a moment of immense popularity, and it's easy to see why. The 2017 Vermentino is bright, crisp and linear. The Casanova della Spinetta property is located near the Tuscan Coast, not too far from Pisa and Volterra. That slightly inland positioning means that this expression does not have the chiseled citrusy quality you often get with the grape. Instead, this loose and fresh white (made without malolactic fermentation) offfers yellow fruit flavors with an elegant mineral signature of crushed oystershell. Fruit is selected for this wine during four separate harvests.
A delicious and tangy white with sliced apple, pear and fresh lemon character. Medium to full body, layered and energetic. Shows depth and beauty at the finish. Drink or hold.
100% Sauvignon Blanc, planted at 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level in sandy soil, this fresh white is bursting with bright aromas of green pear, yellow plum, sea salt and a whole garden of fresh herbs (particularly sage). Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are carried out in 200L French oak casks, enhancing the wine’s concentration and structure. A delicious savory note, accompanied by a gripping minerality and acidity, make this a great food wine.
The 2022 Langhe Bianco (Sauvignon) is a rich, heady wine. It's also one of the best whites I have ever tasted from La Spinetta. Apricot, white flowers and lightly honeyed, creamy notes open first. A touch of lees-stirring amplifies flavors and textures. I especially admire the wine's textural presence.
A flavorful, fruity and tangy white with aromas of quince, pineapples, mango stones, yellow plums and lemon peel. Fantastic concentration, with bright citrus and tropical fruit underlined by sharp acidity. Drink now.
A pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc, the La Spinetta 2019 Langhe Bianco is a pretty wine that graces the palate with peach, citrus, yellow rose and beeswax. It boasts a lean but crisp personality and would pair perfectly next to the exotic flavors of Thailand or Vietnam.
Chamomile, toast, dried lemon and nougat on the nose with a touch of volatility. It’s full-bodied with tangy acidity and an oily texture. Zesty and nutty. Drink now.
Subtle flowery, creamy aromas, toffee, some wood, but also mineral notes, some nettle, white currant. Firm acid and phenolic structure in the mouth, robust and slightly astringent, still closed, with powerful extract, compact and long, very good potential.
Spiced pears, dried grapefruit zest, smoke and hay on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with crisp acidity. Lightly bitter citrus pith and peel on the palate, too, with some dried herbs. Drink now.
Sliced apples and lemons on the nose and palate. Medium body with pear-drop undertones and a clean finish. Drink now.
A whole graden of fresh herbs on the nose, plus a touch of cassis. Concentrated, elegant and minerally, this will really shine on the dining table. Long finish with lemon and lime zest. Drink now.
The folks at La Spinetta were inspired by the great Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre and the Loire and have used those wines as a model for this Piedmont expression. The 2015 Langhe Bianco Limited Edition( with fruit harvested at 600 meters above sea level near the town of Mango) is a contained and legant expression. The vines were planted in 1999. There is varietal purity here, but it is not delivered with pungents aromas. Instead, you get perfumed peach, honeydew melon and fresh mint. The mouthfeel shows a good level of volume and density. Production is small at only 4,000 bottles.
Ben Turnò means “bentornato” (or “welcome back”) in the Piedmontese dialect and refers to two very significant events in the winery’s (and Ezio Cocito’s personal) story: the reacquisition of this portion of vineyard previously leased to another vintner and the return of Ezio Cocito’s only daughter from a long period abroad. Intense and captivating, this is an extremely aromatic expression of Arneis, with generous aromas of baked apricots, honey and Golden Delicious apples. Some of the luster typical of the Arneis variety comes through on the palate, while the Sylvaner and Chardonnay add a lively peach-like fruitiness contrasted by subtle herbal notes and intriguing minerality. Produced from old vines, this is a unique and enchanting wine with exceptional appeal, a new approach to Arneis.
The 2024 Langhe Bianco is a very pretty, aromatic wine. Apricot, mint, green apple, jasmine and light tropical inflections grace this attractive, distinctive white. The Bianco is a blend of Arneis, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer. The 2024 is beautifully done.
The 2023 Langhe Bianco is a gorgeous, Arneis-based white. Hints of pear, white peach, chamomile, spice and light floral overtones grace this super-expressive white. The 2023 is terrific. Drink it over the next few years.
The 2022 Langhe Bianco is a delicious Arneis-based white. Pear, apricot, white flowers and dried almond build nicely, with pretty, exotic notes that lift the finish. A brief period of skin contact adds gorgeous textural resonance.
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.
Intense ruby red with pale reflections. Typical, elegant bouquet, first nose with pepper, later sour cherry, violet, chocolate and tobacco. Full-bodied, precise taste, intense fruity body with a backbone of sweet tannins.
The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo is a brilliant ruby hue and is highly charming on the nose, with aromas of ripe raspberries and floral, sweetly perfumed notes. The palate has ripe tannins and is medium-bodied, with a clean and approachable, pure feel throughout. It a lot of clarity and is a gorgeous wine that’s going to drink well any time over the next 6-7 years, but I love this for its freshness.
The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo is fruit-forward with its aromas and is noted with ripe raspberry and a darker mineral profile. It also displays more richness in the palate as well as more structure, with comparatively broad shoulders, while retaining great purity. An outstanding red, it is deserving of holding and drinking 2024-2030.
This sleek red is both firm and balanced, showing aromas and flavors of rose, strawberry, cherry and wild herb and lingering with fruity, savory and minerally notes. Drink now through 2025.
The 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo is a very serious wine in its peer group. Aromatically expressive and deep on the palate, with terrific supporting structure, the 2016 has so much to offer. Crushed raspberry, tobacco, dried herbs and mint all grace this exquisite, wonderfully nuanced Langhe Nebbiolo from Chiara Boschis. There is so much character here.
A more delicate style, boasting red fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a touch of flowers. The structure here is softer and the finish long. Drink now thorugh 2024. 600 cases made, 350 cases imported.
Bright strawberries in a fragrant mode, as well as some cedary oak punch. There's a wealth of punchy cherries on offer. Good concentration and balanced fruit for the ample structure, too. Drink or hold.
The 2015 Langhe Nebbiolo is a food-friendly wine with an easy-drinking personality. Some 30% of this Nebbiolo blend is made with the Rose clone that is so light in color, the clusters look pink when they reach full maturity. In fact, the wine's color is impacted here. It boasts a light garnet or ruby shine. The wine is polished and clean with some drying tannins on the finish. The mouthfeel is compact and streamlined, but the wine ends with a pretty offering of wild berry and blue fower.
Freshly cut flowers and generous sweet red berry fruit give the Langhe Nebbiolo much of its sensuality and overall appeal. Medium in body and nicely lifted, the 2015 is a terrific choice for readers who want to drink a top-notch, artisan wine without spending a fortune. The 2015 is a especially fine edition of this wine. Don't miss it.
The entry-level 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo offers tonic, bright fruit in a simple context. The wine offers linear tones of cherry, wild berry and pressed blackberry with light accents of spice and tobacco at the back. It ages in neutral oak and the fruit integrity is very intact as a result. In the mouth, this easy Nebbiolo shows tight lines and refreshing acidity. The 2013 vintage is a promising one for this varietal.
The current expression of La Spinetta’s Langhe Nebbiolo is crafted from declassified Barbaresco and Barolo Crus, making it one of the most compelling values in Piemonte. The fruit now comes from the prestigious Barbaresco vineyards of Bordini, Gallina, and Starderi in Neive, as well as Valeirano in Treiso — all renowned for producing complex and age-worthy wines. A small percentage of Nebbiolo also comes from the Garretti Barolo Cru in the historic village of Grinzane Cavour, adding further depth and structure. The wine is racy and beautifully layered, showing vivid notes of red cherry, raspberry, and crushed blueberries, laced with floral highlights, sweet spices, and a subtle minty lift. It’s full-bodied and expressive, yet elegant and polished, offering the charm and complexity of its noble origins in a style meant to be enjoyed young — though it certainly has the bones to evolve gracefully over several years.
The 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is superb. Strong floral and savory notes open first. Dried herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, graphite and crushed flowers are beautifully delineated in the glass. The 2024 is classy and refined, with more than enough depth to pull it all together. This is a stellar wine, especially in the context of the year.
Just bottled, the 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is terrific. A blend of La Spinetta's four sites (Starderi, Valeirano, Gallina and Campè), the Langhe Nebbiolo is an excellent introduction to the Spinetta range. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, lavender and dried herbs are all amplified in a succulent, opulent Langhe Nebbiolo that over-delivers.
Bright ruby-hued, the 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo shows off notes of ripe red berries, candied roses, and sweet tea. Medium-bodied, this one’s a crowd pleaser, with all its components moving with ease to the palate, An inviting wine with a supple texture, it will continue to drink well over the next several years.
The organic La Spinetta 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo reveals medium-rich concentration and bold aromas of dark cherry, wild plum and dried blueberry. That primary fruit is framed by tar, smoke and sweet spice. This is an entry-level Nebbiolo with a bolder style and more concentration than your standard Langhe Nebbiolo. Drink this wine while the fruit is freshest.
Lots of nutmeg and floral aromas to the red fruits. Medium body. Chewy texture. Fresh at the finish. Some bitter lemon and mahogany. Drink now.
The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo is a gorgeous wine that shows how compelling the vintage is. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and new leather are all dialed up in this decidedly potent, virile Langhe Nebbiolo.
Fresh and floral with cherries and nuts on the nose and palate. Medium to light body. Crisp finish. Drink now.
Giorgio Rivetti is very proud of this wine and his work in this classic, slightly cool vintage. The La Spinetta 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo offers dark tones and bright fruit definition with forest berry, wild rose and cedar wood. I actually tasted some ripeness and softness in this wine, which adds to its immediate and universal appeal. You could pair a wine like this with a wide range of foods, from pasta to breaded veal. Fruit comes from the youngest plants in the Starderi vineyard (in Barbaresco), and the wine is aged in barrique.
Attractive dried-berry, orange-peel and mineral character here. It’s medium-bodied and juicy with candied citrus. Flavorful finish. Drink now.
La Spinetta's 2015 Langhe Nebbiolo is mostly young-vine fruit from Starderi. Racy and layered, the 2015 offers a beguiling mix of bright red cherry fruit and floral, spiced, minty notes that add perfume. I would prefer to drink this pretty, expressive Langhe Nebbiolo over the next handful of years.
Aromatic and exotic, exuding floral, raspberry, licorice and medicinal herb aromas and flavors. Firm, yet balanced and lingering on the finish. This needs air, so decant two to three hours ahead of drinking. Drink now through 2023.
The 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo is one of the best values in La Spinetta's lineup. The darker side of Nebbiolo comes through in this powerful, deep wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, spice, new leather and a kiss of French aok hit the explosive finish. Frankly, this is better than many Barbarescos readers will come across. Most of the fruit for the Langhe Nebbiolo comes form Starderi, in Neive.
The 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo is simply beautiful. Medium in body, it floats on the palate with red cherries, flowers, spices and minerals, showing an ethereal, delicate personality that is uttery convincing. The fruit blossoms nicely on the palate, with an attractive roundness that balances that tannins exceptionally well. This entry-level rd is the hidden gem in La Spinetta's line-up, and it is highly recommended. La Spinetta's Langhe Nebbiolo is made from young vines in the Starderi vineyard and spends 12 months in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017. This is a hghly successful set of new releases from La Spinetta. The wines show great balance and class across the board.
Readers who want to experience a La Spinetta wine without breaking the bank should start with the 2005 Langhe Nebbiolo. It is a gorgeous effort redolent of crushed flowers, spices, menthol and sweet fruit. Made in a full-bodied style, it offers outstanding poise and balance, with an inviting fresh finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. This is avery strong set of releases from La Spinetta and proprietor Giorgio Rivetti. The 2004 Barbarescos are easily the best of his career. The wines still see 100% new French oak, but toast levels have been reduced and the Barbarescos now spend 12 months in oak rather than the 18 months they saw in previous vintages. Both cahnges have had a remarkably positive effect in allowing more site-specific character and Nebbiolo fruit to come through. The 2003 Barolo Campe shows that Rivetti is making important strides with this wine as well. ONly the 2005 Barberas are disappointing, but that is not entirely surprising given the uneven growing season. In the past La Spinetta was an estate that relied just as much on style as substance.The 2004 Barbarescos, and specially the Satrderi, are the first wines that truly live up to the glamorous image that Giorgio Rivetti has masterfully succeeded in creating.
“Le Vaglie” was created in 1992, with the twofold intention of diverging from the classic frameworks of traditional Verdicchio while at the same time paying tribute to the winemaking history of the Marche region. The experiment was undoubtedly successful, presenting a wine with the typical almond aromas and flavors that also surprises with complexity and captivating freshness. In 1992, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Le Vaglie, the winery introduced five colorful labels alongside the traditional white label, a stylistic choice that continues today, delighting the wine’s numerous fans.
Clean and crisp, showing iodine character, white pepper and fern as well as restrained stone fruits. Light-bodied yet silky in texture with crisp acidity. Poise and balance. Drink now.
Top Wine and Best Buy The Slow Wine guide recognizes wines from producers who use sustainable farming practices doesn’t review those who use chemical herbicides.
A lovely mint herbal tinge gives way to sweet smoke and Granny Smith apples as the 2022 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Le Vaglie opens in the glass. Seductively smooth and ripe, this excels with its contrasts of sweet and salty as ripe orchard fruits and mineral tones mingle throughout. It finishes long and fresh with nuances of candied lime and green melon that pinch at the cheek. Le Vaglie demonstrates tremendous balance and remains a remarkable value.
Pleasant scent of yellow stone fruit, citrus fruits and elderberry. lively acidity on the palate, precise fruit, green apple, medium, salty finish.
The 2021 offers a bright straw-yellow color with a lovely nose of ripe peach, lemon and a touch of apricot. The palate is juicy and well balanced with well-defined fruit.
The 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Le Vaglie is quite coy in the glass, as nuances of young peach and pear are complemented by hints of chamomile. It washes across the palate with saline intensity and tart orchard fruits, creating a tense yet also juicy sensation. The 2021 finishes lightly structured with a staining of primary concentration and hints of savory spice. A little more time in bottle should allow the Le Vaglie to come further into focus.
Lemon zest, fresh pears, herbs and apricot stones on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a focused, flavorful palate. Bright and fresh finish. Drink now.
Bright straw yellow. Slightly restrained on the nose, yellow fruit, delicate pear. Tight on the palate with a lot of draw, lively, stretches crisp and racy over the tongue and retains a light melt, balanced and good length.
Floral scents lead into flavors of green apple and lime couched in a creamy texture. The wine takes on savory hints with air, while lingering saline notes draw out the finish.
A light and bright nose with lemons and fresh herbs, as well as sliced fennel. The fresh, bright palate has a light and juicy feel. Crisp finish. Drink now.
A tight and phenolic white with sliced pears and apples and a hint of bitter lemon. Medium body, fresh and a lightly chewy finish. Drink now or hold.
The 2017 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Le Vaglie from Santa Barbara is decidedly rich and intense from the very first tilt of the glass. Le Vagile mixes green citrus, wild savory herbs, crushed apple and a hint of roasted almond. Its textures verge on oily, perfectly offset by stimulating acids and saline-minerality which creates a cascading effect to the ripe orchard fruits and spices that resonate throughout. This is perfectly in line with the Santa Barbara style, blending richness, ripeness and aching tension to create an extremely pleasurable Verdicchio.
Produced from the typical white Veronese Garganega grape and cultivated with low yields, this Soave presents a complex bouquet of exotic fruits, pears, peaches, herbs and almonds with a generous minerality and hints of toasted vanilla. A pleasant surprise to the palate, rich and compact in the mouth while sustained by fresh acidity and persistence. The variety’s distinct flavor intensifies the softness of the wine.
Brilliant straw yellow. Yellow apple, nectarine and floral notes on the nose. Great texture on the palate, refreshing acidity, juicy-salty finish.
Slightly smoky, with a stone-fruit core. Light-bodied, it shows moderate to refreshing acidity and a polished finish with a bit of savoriness.
The 2024 Soave Lepiga opens with a savory blend of crushed green apples, lemon oil and wet stones. It is soothingly round with ripe pit fruits and a pretty inner sweetness offset by brisk acidity. Gently chewy yet fresh, the 2024 leaves a subtle mineral tinge to linger.
Bright straw yellow with green-gold reflections. Open with notes of citrus and meadow flowers. Vivid with coconcetrated fruit. Juicy and fresh until the lingering finish.
Notes of pear and some white melon, on the nose. Nice play on the palate, sweet fruity fullness, spreads well, salty in the finish.
Aromas of white stone fruit, peach peel and almond. Medium-bodied with notes of peach and nectarine on the palate. A hint of tangerine sweetness on the finish.
A fresh and crisp Soave that shows sliced apples, pears and a hint of white almond. Bright acidity cleanses the palate before a pithy and refreshing finish.
Intriguing nose of lemon sherbert and nougat that turns more spritzy on the medium-bodied palate, over a base of mineral and nutty spice. Interesting white. Drink now.
Rich and complex in the glass it offers fatty notes reminiscent of butter, white chocolate and withered flowers. Medium body, simple structure and a luminous finish. Drink now.
Cooked apples, preserved lemons and waxy orange peel. Medium-bodied and fruity with pretty, pear-drop character and some subtle acidity crunch. Drink now.
Smoky aromas, as well as violets, lemons and some slate. Medium body, bright acidity and a clean finish. Drink now.
The Chardonnay Lidia is produced according to a Burgundian blueprint, seeking freshness and minerality and always keeping the alcohol in check, never above 13.5%. From the same high-altitude vineyard site as the Sauvignon, after primary and malolactic fermentations in oak, the Chardonnay spends an additional year aging in a combination of large casks and neutral barriques. Though crafted to withstand some cellaring, the Lidia is creamy and layered even at a young age, with exotic fruit aromas of pineapple and peach and enticing mineral nuances. Finishes rich and dry with a hint of butterscotch and subtle lingering fruit.
The 2022 Chardonnay Lidia is laced with hints of lemon confit, white flowers, tangerine oil, chamomile and a kiss of French oak, all in a silky, polished frame. The long, effusive finish is quite attractive. This is a fine vintage for the Chardonnay.
The organic La Spinetta 2021 Piemonte Chardonnay Lidia, in a heavy glass bottle, has aromas of canned fruit, corn kernel, pastry cream, almond and toasted bread. The oak notes are quite evident in this creamy Chardonnay from northern Italy. This is a release of 2,500 bottles, with fruit from the village of Mango. It ages in botte grande for 12 months.
This toasty chardonnay has notes of cedar, toasted hazelnuts and apple crumble on the nose, as well as a touch of flint. It’s full-bodied and broad-shouldered with firm and fragrant woodsy influences. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2025
The La Spinetta 2020 Piemonte Chardonnay Lidia offers a creamy, mid-weight texture with pomelo fruit, preserved lemon, baked peach and tropical tones. The wine wraps over the palate with silky intensity. It closes with a hint of tart citrus. Lidia is aged in oak, stainless steel and bottle, with each passage lasting 12 months.
A medium-to full-bodied white with aromas of grilled hazelnuts, baked apples, lemon curd, pie crust and buttered toast. Excellent energy and acidity, with a lightly buttery texture and subtle toastiness. Elegent expression. Drink now or hold.
The 2019 Piemonte Chardonnay Lidia shows a pretty golden hue and mid-weight texture. That natural structure supports apricot, baked apple, spice and toasted nut. Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, the wine imparts smooth layers of mature fruit that drive a long and elegant finish.
Dried apples, waxed lemon, jasmine, nutmeg and smoked almonds on the nose. It’s full-bodied with fresh acidity and a waxy texture. Flavorful with complex layers of fruit and spice. Delicious now.
Layers of ripe nectarine, mango, cream and toast on the nose. It’s full-bodied and ripe, yet with elegance and poise. Hawthorn and smoked-almond flavors, balanced by crisp acidity. Drink or hold.
La Spinetta's 2017 Piemonte Chardonnay Lidia is an oak-aged wine that sees its fruit from a hillside vineyard in the area of Mango at a high 500 meters above sea level with loose, sandy soils. These conditions add to the freshness of the wine that comes through clearly, even in a hot vintage like this. This wine shows some pointed acidity or sharpness, followed by stone fruit, tropical tones and green papaya. The oak is played well, adding mild notes of tasted spice and hazelnut. Production is small.
Tangy and fruity with sliced-apple and cooked-pear character. Honey, too. Medium to full body. Bright acidity and a clean finish. Drink now.
Plenty of smoky oak here, but the concentrated, dried-pear character takes it in its stride. Vibrant for a 2015 with ton of energy at the long, clean finish. Drink or hold.
The 2015 Chardonnay Lidia Limited Edition is intentionally executed according to a Burgundian blueprint. This is intended to withstand some moderate cellar aging, and it offers a creamy, layered mouthfeel even at this young stage. It goes through its primary and malolactic fermentations in oak and is aged in a combination of large casks and neutral barrique. This vines were planted in 1993. Some 4,000 bottles were made.
A minerally nose of chalk, lime cordial, preserved lemons and hints of vanilla. Medium body, tangy acidity and a tension-involved finish. More like Chablis and delicious. Drink now.
A wine with brightness, clarity and crisp, precise fruit and flavors. Full-bodied but remains crisp and focused. Very long finish. A fresh, exotic chardonnay. Drink now.
A round, rich white sliced-apple, yogurt and honey character. Hints of apple pie. Drink now.
Sliced apple and bread crust aromas follow through to a full body, with pineapple and mango flavors and a ripe fruit aftertaste. Features lots of dried tropical fruits , with mineral and white pepper. Drink now. 250 cases made.
Mossone is the result of Stefano Antonucci’s constant endeavor to produce wines of the highest quality, whether underlining the value of autochthonous Marche grapes like Verdicchio and Montepulciano or experimenting with the most famous international varieties, like this Merlot. In fact, this wine is dedicated to Stefano, whose nickname is “Mossi.” In the glass, the wine is a bright and intense ruby red while the bouquet emanates aromas of marasca cherries, blackberries and red fruit combined with earthy sensations and typical Mediterranean aromatic herbs (sage, rosemary, etc.), liquorice and balsamic notes. Upon tasting, the wine is harmonious and fresh with an elegant expression of fruit, fine tannins and a long, persistent finish, almost savory.
An extravaganza of blackcurrant, eucalyptus, fresh florals and herbs which ripple across the sleek, elegant tannins and sumptuous core of spicy oak. Very long and utterly irresistible.
Gold Medal An extravaganza of blackcurrant, eucalyptus, fresh florals and herbs which ripple across the sleek, elegant tannins and sumptuous core of spicy oak. Very long and utterly irresistible
Bright ruby red. Toasted nose of milk chocolate and vanilla, plus rich cherry fruit, finishing with liquorice and mint. Initially notes of cranberry on the palate, with textured notion and course, precise, warm-hearted, juicy and with pithy tight tannins on the finish.
Inky purple stains the glass as the 2019 Rosso Mossone wafts up with a savory blend of incense and spice, giving way to dried blueberries and sage. This flows across the palate like pure silk, lifted and refined, with depths of dark red and blue fruit that drench the senses in youthful concentration. A bitter twang of espresso bean is offset by sour citrus and residual acids as the 2019 finishes long, lightly structured and full of potential. The Mossone is a varietal Merlot that matures for sixteen months in new, medium-toast barriques. It’s a gorgeous wine in the making. Drinking Window: 2027 - 2036
Wild, peppery herbs, menthol, bright cherries, blueberry skins and a whiff of vanillin oak all come together as the 2018 Merlot Mossone opens in the glass. This is like pure silk on the palate, yet with a savory wave of woodland berries, minerals and inner earth tones that penetrate deeply. Nervous acidity and a bump of tangerine adds gravitas, leading into its long, structured and almost-smoky finale. The Mossone is all about youthful tension today, yet all the components are in place for a long, steady and pleasure-filled evolution.
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.
Attractive, fresh character with citrus fruit, green olives, jasmine and sea shells. Even and lengthy on the palate with a medium body and sleek, creamy texture. Some saline undertones. A little oily, in a good way. Drink now.
Water lily, peach blossom, spiced pear and waxed lemon on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity and waxy texture. Fruity and flavorful with lightly bitter citrus-pith notes. Drink now.
Aromas of yellow stone fruit, Alpine herb and wet stone shape the nose. Reflecting the aromas, the medium-bodied, rounded palate offers peach, yellow apple and mature grapefruit before a flinty finish. Tangy acidity keeps it juicy.
Dried-apple rind, loquat and buttercups come to the surface. Medium-to-full bodied and quite mouth-filling with a solid backbone of acidity and undertones of spices. Drink now.
Quite intense aromas of peach pit and dried apricots transform slowly into riper tropical-fruit nuances such as mangoes and papaya. There's real density on the full-bodied palate, which also supports a graceful frame of bright acidity. Drink now.
Good pale yellow-gold. Captivating aromas and flavors of white peach, white flowers, rose petal, white pepper and minerals. Juicy and brisk, with cool citric cut and lift, along with a spicy ginger note that adds complexity and a flinty aroma of reduction. Finishes very long and penetrating, with a vibrant flavor of lemon zest and repeating floral notes. Owner Fabio Coser is a real Malvasia Istriana variety expert and this vintage has seen Ronco dei Tassi produce yet another outstanding example of this wine. It strikes me as being even better than some other outstanding Malvasias made by Ronco dei Tassi in the recent past.
A malvasia with character and style showing medium body, spice and fresh lemongrass and dried mango undertones. Fruity yet dry and stylish. Excellent example. Drink now.
Pathos is a perfect intermingling of the elegance and intense aromatics of Cabernet Sauvignon, velvety balance of Merlot and the rich, spicy character of Syrah. These quintessential French grape varieties are perfectly at home in the rolling Marche territory as well, thanks to the temperate Mediterranean climate. Intense ruby red with penetrating aromas of berries (blackberry, raspberry), red fruits (cassis, ripe cherry) and a range of spices (red pepper, cacao, menthol), this wine is exceptionally smooth in the mouth, making it all the more enjoyable. In Greek, Pathos is “the appeal to emotion” and this wine does just that, with its sweet and inviting tannins, minerality and lingering persistence.
Bright, rich ruby red. On the nose elderflower and blood orange to the fore, then juicy cherries plus subtle wood and earthy tones. An echo of wild berries emerges with time. On the palate it's juicy and polished, with hearty fruit and youthful tannins, leading to a medium length finish.
Ashy minerals on top of the crushed blueberries, blackberries and roasted spices, showing point-on ripeness. Medium to full body on the palate with precise tannins rounded by blue fruit and a composed, juicy finish. Long and intrinsically balanced. Nothing sweet here. Drink or hold.
Dark and inviting, the 2020 Rosso Pathos smolders up with wild blueberry and dried black cherry notes accentuated by suggestions of mint and clove. It’s silky and soothing, motivated by vibrant acidity as a massive wave of mineral-laced red and blue fruits easily flow across the palate. The Pathos steadily gains in youthful tension, leaving a staining of primary concentration and grippy tannins to linger, yet through it all, freshness is maintained. This blend of 34% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah will require patience.
Intense purple red. Floral and fruity notes on the nose, leaving a sweet and fresh impression, with a fresh peppermint finish. The sip is juicy and fresh, with a hint of savouriness and renewed menthol notes, with almost creamy tannins and a powerful, juicy finish.
Blackberries and plums mingle under an air of crushed stone, violets and lavender as the 2018 Rosso Pathos evolves in the glass. This is velvety-smooth, creamy in feel, further accentuated by opulent red and black fruits, yet somehow savory and nicely lifted by cooling minerality. There’s not a hard edge in sight, as sweet herbal tones, tobacco and dark chocolate resonate throughout the long and lightly structured finale. The Pathos, a blend of near equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, is already hard to ignore, yet cellaring will help to integrate its oak and bring forward further depths.
The Millesimato has the bright intensity and definition of the highest caliber sparkling wine. A Pinot Noir (~80%) and Chardonnay (~20%) blend, this wine is hand-riddled in the cellar where it ages nearly 5 years before release. In the mouth, it is creamy and rich with fine, soft beading. Abundant honey, apricot and sweet almond meld with notes of lemon mousse and honeydew, resulting in an undeniably delicious and appealing wine.
Walnuts, brioche, dried apples and preserved lemons on the nose, followed by a creamy, mellow and dry palate with fine bubbles. Attractive salty and nutty undertones.
This is rich and creamy with notes of glazed lemons, candied peaches, bread crust, almonds and dried flowers. Dry with fine bubbles and vivid acidity with creamy texture that extends to a long, polished finish.
The Contratto 2020 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dosé opens to a luminous golden color with a very faint hint of shiny copper. The beading is slower and softer in this wine, and it proceeds to the palate with easy tones of peach, tropical fruit and baked pear. This hot- vintage wine does not taste as fresh as some of its predecessors.
The 2020 Millesimato Pas Dosé is understated, blending an airy mix of dried flowers and white smoke. It floods the palate with a wave of saline-infused bubbles as a tinge of ginger gives way to green apples and a tart twang of sour citrus. A green melon resonance lingers on as the 2020 finishes with medium length, fresh, yet full of tension. (Lot# 05/24)
Hidden Gem" This wine opens with aromas of ripe apples, grilled lemon peel, flinty minerality, roasted nuts and lemon curd. The wine offers a creamy texture balanced by solid acidity, reminiscent of a lemon drop finishing with finesse and an elegant perlage.
A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Contratto 2017 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dos opens to a pale pink color and ripe fruit aromas. There is a note of mature peach and some saffron, all surrounded by easy, round softness. The texture is what stands out most here in this very pretty rosè sparkling wine. This mid-weight effort ends with a pretty spot of citrusy freshness.
Showing a pale pink appearance, the Contratto 2015 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dosé shows a fine and tight personality that is reinforced by the delicate nature of the beading. To the bouquet, it reveals peach, grapefruit and a touch of baked almond biscuit. The blend is 85% Pinot Nero and 15% Chardonnay.
Sweet green melon, white flowers and sweet smoke waft up from the 2015 Pas Dosé Metodo Classico Millesimato. This saturates the palate with mineral intensity while also soothing it with a cooling wave of silken bubbles. The 2015 is nutty and rich, but also finely sculpted, with vibrant acidity that maintains fantastic balance. It leaves a salty, savory sensation throughout the mouthwatering finale, as the cheeks pucker to a twang of sour lime. This is a blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay that could give many NV bottles of Champagne a run for their money. (Disgorgement L. 12/05/2021)
When Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta acquired Contratto in 2011, one of the first things he did was purchase vineyards in Alta Langa. 'Pinot Noir for me is one of the best varieties for Metodo Classico production,' he says, and the altitude of the vineyards enable high quality Pinot Noir to be grown. Aged on its lees for 60 months, the nose is biscuity with a delicious red fruit and mushroom fragrance. The palate is savoury and dry, yet there's a touch of juiciness to the mellow bruised apple, red berry and subtle stone fruit flavours. The acidity is fresh and slightly saline, in no way aggressive. It works so well with the gentle mousse, just caressing your mouth rather than ripping it apart like some younger sparkling wines can do. There's a hint of truffle on the finish, and this would go incredibly well with a wild mushroom risotto. Disgorged 31 January 2020. Drinking Window 2020 - 2026
Packed in a dark bottle, the Contratto 2014 Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dosé (disgorged in November 2019) is a slender and direct wine with apricot, nectarine and some dried orange skin. This is a medium-weight sparkling blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with an elegant mouthfeel and lots of pretty elegance offered along the way. There is some dusty mineral on the close.
The 2013 Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dosé has the bright intensity and definition of the highest caliber sparkling wine. This blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay is creamy and rich in the mouth with fine, soft beading. You'll pick up notes of lemon mousse and honeydew melon. It would go beautifully with delicate seafood dishes.
A blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, the 2012 Metodo Classico Millesimato Pas Dosé ages on the yeasts for five years. Riddling is done by hand. This is a mid-weight sparkler that borders closely on being full-bodied. The mouthfeel is beautifully creamy and rich with abundant apricot, honey and sweet almond. I tasted this wine after a 30-wine flight of Barolos and Barbarescos and I cannot exaggerate how delicious and appealing this wine ultimately proved to be.
A frothy and rich sparkling wine with lots of cooked-apple and peach character, as well as cream undertones. Full body, bright acidity and a flavorful finish. This is a sparkling wine for food! Drink now.
What a pleasure it is to see the 2010 Metodo Classico Millesimato, a wine I first tasted during dosage trials last year. In my opinion, this is the first wine that shows where Contratto is headed. A blend of old-vine Pinot and Chardonnay, the 2010 graces the palate with green pear, flowers, mint and white pepper. The flavors are dry, brisk and bracing, but there is also plenty of depth and textured in the glass. This is a fabulous showing. Disgorged November 22, 2013.
The Montecucco Sangiovese represents a sophisticated expression of the noble Sangiovese grape, a combination of concentration and structure with elegance, resulting in a harmonious balance. On the nose, perfumes of spice and ripe fruit dominate while the mouth is rich and silky with melted tannins and hints of vanilla.
The nose has a savory, slightly tangy feel, thanks to aromas of sea-weed, salt, coffee, tahini, and black plum. On the palate, blackberries blow wind into the sails of the plum element, above a strong foundation built by the nutty, salty, rich umami of the nose. Confident and a little off-beat, like an unexpectedly good cover band.
This has savory tart cherries, dried herbs and hints of cocoa and wet soil on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is lively and agile, with spiced, well-integrated tannins and energetic, juicy fruit in the middle. Nothing too complex, but bright, brisk and very attractive to drink.
The nose ping pongs between sweet vanilla and sour cherries, with plenty of nuance coming from undertones of rose petals, warm tea with a slice of lemon and a piece of chocolate. An enduring live wire of acid runs through a palate of sweet and tart cherries and blackberries, with notes of dark chocolate and espresso providing an anchor.
Inviting notes of stone fruit, dried roses, with subtle balsamic undertones; compact structure, robust and well-integrated tannins, and ripe cherry aromas in the finish. Stands out with its character.
We are in Maremma, to be precise in Montenero d’Orcia, a small strip of land with a crystalline wine-growing vocation, recent disovered but already established and with assured potential. This is the place where a sort of ideal twinning between Italy and Germany takes place. Cousins, Manfred and Andreas Kunert, and their wives, Andrea and Corina, Gianni Bartolommei e Jacopo Vagaggini share a unified vision: to make the most of the territory's vocation and passion to get to bottle unique products, with the supreme cult of Sangiovese at the center, which responds to the DOCG Montecucco. This is where the Otto Ettari winery was born. Of all their wines, I have appreciated the Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG 2017 in particular; a wine of great elegance, with a nose of red plum, closed by a beautiful spice of officinal herbs, bay leaves above all, a mouth with iodized tannins and a savory and deep finish, with a fruity and pepper leaf return.
Sweet cherry in the scent with subtle floral and herbal notes, some white pepper. On the palate full of juicy elegance, delicately underlaid, fresh tannins, a picture book Sangiovese that emphasizes the classic properties of the variety: culinary unobtrusiveness and aromatic spice.
Plump cherry on the nose, still youthful. Dense on the pallet with firm, but also ripe and juicy tannins, with strong mineral notes, bright acidity. Despite its density and strength, it does not appear massive. Great length, and excellent potential for 4-8 years.
This is a pure Sangiovese, coming from the best locations within the vineyard. The extended refining period allows for the evolution of this exceptional fruit, presenting a fascinating deep, dark and intense wine that literally explodes with perfumes of black fruits and spice. In the mouth it is full and concentrated with refreshing acidity and soft tannins, a wine that will continue its stunning evolution in bottle to last for many years ahead.
The nose has the warm, welcoming aura of Bing cherries, vanilla, spices and old leather. Vanilla and berries lead off the palate, while sweet citrus and mocha finish it off. Tannins are still nothing to mess around with, even with some age.
Fresh pomegranate seeds, fresh figs, peonies, graphite and dark chocolate on the nose lead into a spicier, earthier palate where the tannins are sleek and relaxing, but also solid and contoured. The finish is full of pepper, heat and acid–a well-integrated, satisfying wine.
The 2019 Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva 8Ettari wafts up with a sweetly satisfying bouquet of dusty rose, wild strawberries and sage. It's texturally deep, silken and supple, with ripe wild berry fruits and a cascade of confectionary spice. A bump of residual acidity maintains fantastic freshness as the 2019 tapers off with a pleasant bitter tinge, leaving hints of tart blackberry.
Subtle wood spices, chocolate, wild herbs, sage and menthol. Dried orange peel. Powerful tannin, massive palate, fine acid thread that gains concentration over the course of the palate, substantial finish. Not a soloist, absolutely needs food!
The Moscato Biancospino is lively and pure with aromas of ripe yellow apple, tangerine, lemon ice and sweet spices. A gentle, inviting mousse and flavors of fresh citrus, sage and minerals linger on the floral and long back end, making this traditionally dessert wine an ideal choice for an aperitif or a refreshing brunch beverage as well.
Delicate mousse. Touch of grape must, a hint of elderflower, pear and notes of mandarin zest. Juicy, elegant, substantial residual sweetness, ripe mango fruit and fresh orange, stays very well, delicately mineral, great length.
Vivid straw- yellow. Aromas of apricot, licorice, lime, jasmine and lilac. Dense but fresh, offering open-knit but not at all candied flavors of peach, apricot and sweet spices. Finishes long with repeating notes of white flowers and suggestions of grapery reduction. Made with grapes grown in 41 - to 47 - year- old Moscato Bianco vineyards.
One of the most regreshing aperitif wines money can buy, a Moscato d'Asti is extremely low in alcohol (usually under 6%). No one makes a better, slightly sparkling Moscato than La Spinetta. They offer multiple simgle vineyard offerings, all of which are usually outstanding. The vineyard difference are less important than the fact that readers should purchase the 1999 vintage, as these wines are usually released within three months of the harvest and are meant to be consumed before the next vintage. La Spinetta's 1999 Vigneto Biancospino exhibits abundant quantities of the fruit cocktail-like nose with scents of melons, oranges, apricots, and peaches. Delicious, pure, and light, with a slight frothiness before the next vintage.
Along with the Biancospino, Bricco Quaglia was the first single-vineyard Moscato wine in Italy. This is a sweet and seductive wine with lush aromas of crisp green apple and honeysuckle. A full and juicy Moscato filled with fruity flavors of pear and peaches and a hint of sweet caramel. This is a deliciously sweet wine, perfect for any occasion.
This cuvée is typically a benchmark of this style, and the 2024 Moscato D'Asti Bricco Quaglia does not disappoint. I encourage readers to have this with salumi and cheeses rather than dessert. It’s lifted on the nose with fresh fruit, candied flowers, wet stone, and candied peach. The palate is refreshing without ever feeling cloying and has a refined mousse that not many capture, with refreshing acidity and a lovely, clean finish. Delicious for near-term drinking.
Closed in a screw-cap bottle, the 2021 Moscato d'Asti Bricco Quaglia shows foamy beading and a soft texture with mature peach, preserved lemon, sweet almond paste and soapy flower. The wine delivers soft sweetness that caresses the palate but never feels heavy, thanks to the wine's mild effervescence and its balanced acidity.
Bright pale yellow. Intense, pure aromas of grapefruit skin, crystallized ginger, aromatic herbs and honey. Juicy, precise and penetrating, with luscious yet taut flavors of lemon thyme, vanilla, ripe citrus and pear accented by honey and maple syrup. Closes luscious, long and very dense. Made with grapes grown in 33- to 38-year-old Moscato Bianco vineyards.
Vivid straw-yellow. Aromas of apricot, licorice, lime, jasmine and lilac. Dense but fresh, offering open-knit but not at all candied flavors of peach, apricot and sweet spices. Finishes long with repeating notes of white flowers and suggestions of grapey reduction. Made with grapes grown in 41- to 47-year-old Moscato Bianco vineyards.
The Moscato grapes for the Oro are left to dry in the cellar until the end of December, followed by alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and an additional two years aging in new French oak barrels. The result is virtually liquid gold (“Oro” in Italian), a luscious wine with intense, pure aromas of grapefruit skin, honeysuckle, crystallized ginger, aromatic herbs and honey. Juicy, precise and penetrating, succulent yet firm flavors of lemon, thyme, vanilla, ripe citrus and pear are accented by maple syrup and spice. This is a dense, luscious, rich Moscato wine that pairs nicely with chocolate desserts and rich cheeses.
Packaged in a precious 500-milliliter bottle, La Spinetta's 2013 Piemonte Moscato Passito Oro shows a dark copper color with yellow amber highlights. You taste the Moscato clearly with fragrant yellow rose or acacia, candied almond, blood orange, honey and marron glacé. The mouthfeel is viscous and rich.
This is a special wine made from late-harvest Moscato grapes aged in French barrique for eight long years. The La Spinetta 2011 Piemonte Moscato Passito Oro (with only 1,000 500-milliliter bottles produced) opens to a dark golden color with polished copper or amber highlights. The perfumes are bright and intense, but interestingly, this aged Moscato shows a lot of herbal notes with dried rosemary and sage on top of honey, dried flowers and candied orange peel. The wine maintains its acidity, but it also shows thick layers of generous sweetness and richness.
Intense aromas of apricot, caramel, grapefruit and clove define this lively dessert white. Luscious and balanced, with a lingering finish. Drink now. 316 cases made.
A sweet Moscato that balances richness with lively acidity, framing dried apricot, dried fig, ginger and white pepper notes. Concentrated and well-defined, with a lingering aftertaste of honey, dried fruit and spice. Drink now through 2020. 316 cases made.
A moderate sweet version, this dessert wine mixes apricot, orange peel, rose petal and spice aromas and flavors to good effect. Bright and balanced, finishing with honey and vanilla notes. Drink now through 2020. 211 cases made.
A late-harvest Moscato, with lots of syrup, honey and dried apricots on the nose and palate. Full, very sweet and opulent. Features lots of caramel and dried fruitts on the finish, with hints of vanilla bean. This gives serious Sauternes a run for its money. Drink now. 330 cases made.
100% Nero di Troia from 15-year-old vines planted on a southern exposure in clay soil at an elevation of 150 meters. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 3 months. No oak. Troia translates as "Troy" and lies in northern Puglia. Legend has it that the town was founded by Diomedes, a hero of Virgil's Aeneid, who was among the Greeks holed up inside the Trojan horse. The grape is now scarce. Difficult to grow, vines were uprooted mainly by growers lacking passion, patience and resources to produce quality fruit.
A blend of black raspberries, cedar and spiced orange wafts up from the 2022 Nero di Troia. This is juicy in character, with brisk acidity propelling waves of ripe wild berry fruit. Violet inner florals resonate on the fresh, gently tannic finish.
The nose balances an astringent fruit element with earthy, umami, slightly spicy aromas of balsamic, herbs and pepper. The savory palate also features both warmth and astringency, before a spicy, salty, citrusy current flows into a bittersweet finish. Rigid yet enticing tannins provide depth.
This single-variety bottling of Puglia’s native nero di Troia is worth a try for its tangy seeded-berry flavors and lively acidity balanced by some appealing earthy undertones. For salumi or salty cheeses.
A fresh, modern, fruity blend of traditional Tuscan varieties (Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino) with Cabernet Franc. Ruby red with bright garnet reflections, the Principio is fruity and spicy, yet soft and round on the palate, with aromas of red berries, orange peel, spice and a hint of vanilla. This “little Sangiovese” is a wine to drink now with its lively freshness and minerality, but also has potential for aging (about 10 years).
Ripe dark berries, plums, dark chocolate and hints of licorice on the nose. The medium-bodied palate shows tension and firmness, juicy fruit, flavors of cooked cherries and leather and a slightly short finish. Drink now or hold.
Lacrima is a dark-skinned grape variety native to the Marche region. The word lacrima means teardrop in Italian, and is probably reference to the fact that the berries have a tendency to split, dripping juice down the outside of the bunch. Santa Barbara’s Pignocco Lacrima di Morro d’Alba is characterized by very distinct fruity aromas (particularly berries) and flowery rose and violet. In the mouth, a fresh vinous flavor dominates with marked scents of red roses and soft, sweet tannins. The Pignocco’s light simplicity makes an ideal pairing even for fish.
Purple-hued and dark as night, the Lacrima di Morro d'Alba Pignocco lifts from the glass with a bouquet that blends tropical citrus with mint leaf, violets and dried blueberries. It’s soft and round, caressing the palate with ripe blackberries and sweet spice, all guided by a stream of zesty acidity. A coating of framing tannins adds balance, finishing with a tart sensation and lingering licorice tinge.
Cascading sweet violet tones give way to sugar-dusted blackberries and a hint of tangerine as the 2021 Lacrima Di Morro d'Alba Pignocco blossoms in the glass. This is soft-textured and more savory than anticipated, with citrus-tinged black fruits and masses of exotic inner florals that form toward the close. At times, the Pignocco reminds me more of a spiced herbal tea than wine, as it tapers off with grippy tannins while leaving the mouthwatering for more. This is remarkably pretty.
The “Pignocco” gets its name from a legendary and particularly imposing and bushy pine tree situated at the top of a hill surrounded by vineyards. This is an easy-drinking wine, vinified and aged only in stainless steel to enhance its approachability. Floral perfumes are accompanied by notes of almond and peach; in the mouth it is fresh and savory with a persistent and pleasant aftertaste of almond. The Pignocco is extremely versatile, an ideal accompaniment to appetizers and light dishes.
The 2022 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Pignocco is delicate and coy, lifting with hints of chamomile and crushed green apples. This is a soft, soothing effort with mineral-tinged orchard fruits and fresh acidity. It finishes with medium length and a green citrus twang that keeps the mouth watering.
Zests of lime mix with tropical melon and sweet florals as the 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Pignocco opens in the glass. It’s supple and round on the palate with a balance of saline minerals and tart orchard fruits. This tapers off with medium length and leaves behind lingering, pleasant, cheek-puckering tension.
Very pretty in the glass, with green-tinged yellow hues and a spicy and floral bouquet. It’s soft in texture, yet with a salty, savory thrust that offsets its ripe melon and apple notes, while leaving you with a clean and refreshing sensation. The Pignocco is vinified all in stainless steel tanks, and it is a nice introduction to the Santa Barbara style. Sip with abandon.
Named in honor of La Spinetta founder Giuseppe “Pin” Rivetti, this Nebbiolo/Barbera blend is supple and silky with an alluring aromatic presence of dark berries, shaved chocolate and hints of leather. The wine opens with the approachability and fruity appeal of Barbera, but continues with the length and elegance of Nebbiolo, each grape perfectly complimenting the other. Enjoyable early, but will also evolve nicely after a few years in the cellar.
Composed of 65% Nebbiolo and the rest Barbera, the 2021 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a medium brick red hue and opens with notes of cherry candies, chestnuts, and mocha. It leads with both floral and fruity aromatics that provide a nice contrast between its bright red, high-toned notes and its deeper, darker cocoa and floral perfume. The palate offers medium to full-bodied richness with a velvety texture, even acidity that drives through the wine, and a lovely finish. It has a lot of appeal, casting a large net for those who love international varietals and want to branch out, and the wine has a good deal of complexity and potential for aging. Drink 2025-2035.
The 2021 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a very pretty wine. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, spice, sweet pipe tobacco, rose petal and white pepper open first, framed by a kiss of sweet French oak. This is a fine vintage for Pin, a vintage defined by resonant aromatics and terrific overall balance.
The 2020 Monferrato Rosso Pin is terrific. This is one of the best recent vintages I can recall tasting. The blend of 65% Nebbiolo (from Barbaresco) and 35% Barbera d'Asti Bionzo. Floral overtones, refined tannins and a restrained oak imprint elevate the Pin. Crushed flowers, cinnamon and blood orange play off a core of red-toned fruit. These Nebbiolo/Barbera blends are rare these days. This is about as good as it gets.
The 2019 Monferrato Rosso Pin, La Spinetta's Nebbiolo/Barbera blend, is terrific. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, mint, white pepper and blood orange lend energy to this juicy, mid-weight red. All the elements are so well balanced.
The aromas of dried flowers really come out of the glass. It's medium-bodied with creamy tannins and a fine and beautiful finish. Pretty softness and brightness and mouthfeel. Drink or hold.
A blend of Nebbiolo with some Barbera, the La Spinetta 2018 Monferrato Rosso Pin reveals a pretty and lasting bouquet with a prominent theme of red roses and dried flowers. The Barbera is used in a supporting role, but it adds enough freshness and fruity concentration to change the personality of this wine and immediately open it to a vast selection of food pairings, from pasta with meat sauce or braised beef.
First produced in 1989, this wine is dedicated to Giorgio Rivetti’s father, who was nicknamed Pin. It starts with cedar, eucalyptus and pressed flowers. As it opens, intriguing notes of sweet wild raspberry, cocoa and liquorice emerge. At the moment, the palate is slightly angular with dusty tannins and tangy, concentrated acidity. Wait a year for the oak to settle in and the structure to soften. Lots to chew on here. Drinking Window 2023 – 2031.
The 2016 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a blend of mostly Nebbiolo with some Barbera in a supporting role. The wine offers lots of cherry and a distinctive mineral note of crushed aspirin or chalk. Those two sides of the wine, the sweetness of the fruit and that dryness, work nicely together to build the aromatic profile of this elegant production.
Dried-fruit, meat and citrus aromas follow through to a full body with chewy tannins that are focused and intense. This needs time to open and soften. Try after 2023.
The 2016 Monferrato Rosso Pin (Nebbiolo, Barbera) is bright, floral and vibrant. Crushed rose petal, mint, spice and lavender all open in the glass. The 2016 is a rich, structured wine that balances density with energy. Pin is the wine that made La Spinetta`s reputation in the early days and remains a flagship. The blend is 65% Nebbiolo from Bordini and 35% Barbera from Bionzo.
Pin is dedicated to Giuseppe, father of the Rivetti siblings Carlo, Bruno, Giorgio and Giovanna. The La Spinetta 2015 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a blend of 65% Nebbiolo and 35% Barbera. The Barbera comes from the Bionzo vineyard, meanwhile the Nebbiolo represents a selection from old vines in Castagnole Lanze. This is a lovely blend of Piedmont's great red grapes that delivers freshness and bright intensity. Bold cherry and cassis rise to the top, followed by light spice and smoke from barrique aging. The balance between those two grapes, one that adds exuberance and one that adds elegance, is terrific.
The 2015 Monferrato Rosso Pin (Nebbiolo/Barbera) is nicely lifted in the glass. Supple and silky on the palate, with lovely aromatic presence, the Pin is a joy to taste today. Stylistically, Pin is quite a bit more finessed than it was in its early days. Despite its easy approachability, the 2015 has enough structure to develop nicely in the cellar for a number of years.
The 2014 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a blend of 65% Nebbiolo and 35% Barbera. The Barbera is from the Asti subzone, and you really taste those bright sweet cherry flavors that are characteristic of that area. In fact, the Barbera plays a larger role in the taste profile of the wine with elements that are very focused and bright. With time, however, the quiet but firm nature of Nebbiolo begins to emerge especially on the long finish.
Freshly picked blueberries, black currants and blackberries that together give a bewitching scent. Let's call it steeled grandeur when these fruits are repeated on the palate and flanked by tannins that give the wine its distinctive nature.
A full-bodied red with firm, chewy tannins and lots of dark-chocolate, ripe-fruit and spice undertones. Lots of fruit and flavor. Blend of barbera and nebbiolo. Delicious now.
A firm, delicious wine with a shaved-chocolate and berry character. Full-bodied and lightly austere with a fresh finish. You want to drink now.
(a 65/35 blend of nebbiolo and barbera, aged in 50% new and 50% once-used barriques): Medium dark red. Currant, blueberry, flowers and spicy oak on the perfumed nose. Then juicy and spicy in the mouth, with the nebbiolo element (and the Taransaud barrels!) dominating today. This medium-bodied wine is a bit less vibrant at this stage than some recent vintages, but finishes with very good structure. I'd wait at least two or three years before pulling the cork.
The 2009 Monferrato Rosso Pin comes across as slightly understated in this vintage, which is surprising, considering how structured the rest of the wines are in this lineup. A sweet, open bouquet leads to expressive ripe red berry fruit. Overall, this is fairly straightforward Pin with good balance but not the personality of the best wines.
The 2008 Monferrato Rosso Pin is fabulous. Sweet balck cherries, plums, flowers, tobacco and incense are some of the notes that flow this extorverted, exotic red. Layers of fruit build effortlessly to the long finish, underpinned by clean, minral notes that give the wine its energy and focus. This is a great showing from Gorgio Rivetti's first important red wine. Pin is 65% Barbaera (from Bionzo) and 35% Nebbiolo (from Starderi). Anticipated maturity: 2013-2013. This is a superb set of wines from Giorgio Rivetti. The 2008 Barbareschi are among the strongest wines of the year, while the 2007 Barolo Campe is the best wine to emerge from Rivetti's vineyards in Grinzane Cavour. The La Spinetta style focusing on wines of great textural richness remains intact, but is dealed in to a greater degree with each passing vintage.
The estate's 2007 Monferrato Rosso Pin (65% Nebbiolo, 35% Barbera d'Asti Bionzo) si gorgeous in this vintage. A blast of sweet perfumed cherries leads to roses, spices and minerals. The Barbera seams to provide a core of gorgeous, expressive fruit while the Nebbiolo gives the wine its sense of proportion. Everything is beautifully balanced in this highly pleasing red. A few years of cellaring should help soften the tannins, but the wine's pedigree is amply evident even at this early stage. In 2007, the Pin spent 16-18 months in new French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. This is a highly successful set of new releases from La Spinetta. The wines show great balance and class across the board.
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Medium red-ruby. Subtly perfumed nose offers currant, strawberry, flowers, minerals, tobacco and fresh herbs. Sweet, floral and plant, with very good clarity and depth to the flavors of red fruits, dried flowers and minerals. A very suave, ripe and harmonious blend of nebbiolo and barbera, finishing with enticing juicy persistence and the energy of the vintage. A superb vintage for this bottling.
The estate's 2005 Pin (65% Nebbiolo, 35% Barbera) is a lovely, engaging effort with floral aromatics, a soft, expansive core of fruit and well-integrated oak. As is characteristic of the vintage, this is a smaller-scaled wine, but it is also beautifully proportioned in that context. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2015. This is a very strong set of releases from La Spinetta and proprietor Giorgio Rivetti. The 2004 Barbaresos are easily the best of his career. The wines still see 100 French oak, but toast levels have been reduced and Barbarescos now spend 12 months in oak rather than the 18 months they saw in previouly vintages. Both changes have had a remarkable positive effect in allowing more site-specific character and Nebbiolo fruit to come through. The 2003 Barolo Campe shows that Rivetti is making important strides with this wine as well. Only the 2005 Barberas are disappointing, but that is not surprising given the uneven growing season. In the past La Spinetta was an estate that relied just as much on style as substance. The 2004 Barbarescos, and especially the Starderi, are the first wines that truly live up to the glamorous image that Giorgio Rivetti has masterfully succeeded in creating.
(65% nebbiolo, 30% barbera d"Asti superiore and 5% cabernet souvignon) Bright ruby. Black fruitts, cherry, violet and sexy oakly tones on the nose. Bright and vinous, with stong flavors of blackberry and graphite firmed by sound acids. I might have picked this wine blind as cabernet. Chewy and broad, if not showing strong personality today. Finishes with substantial but ripe tannins and lingering notes of dark berries and violet. Rivetti's did not make a 2002 Pin, and beginning with the 2003 the cabernet sauvignon will be omitted from the blend.
The exotic 2000 Pin Monferrato Roso (a blend of 25% Barbera, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 50% Nebbiolo aged 18 months in the new French oak) reveals a smoky, full-bodied style along with kinky nose of black fruits mixed with vanilla, spice box, and espresso. Rich and chewy, with moderate tannin as well as a sweet, long, concentrated finish, it should be consumed over the next decade, although I suspect it will last longer.
Rivetti's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo, the 1999 Pin Monferrato Rosso is an exotic, ripe, luxuriously intense effort displaying extravagant flavors that border on excess. It is voluptuously-textured with intense aromas of red and black fruits, smoke, and new oak. While there is a tendency to think of this as an internationally-style offering, Nebbiolo gives the wine a finesse and complexity not found in most new breed wines. Its texture, richness, and thickness are a total turn-on. Who knows how it will age, but certainly it is impossible to resist at present. My instincts suggest drinking it over the next 7-8 years., but it may be uncommonly long lived.
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Saturated bright ruby. Multidimentional nose of cassis, blackberry, raspberry, violet, espresso, mint and spicy oak. Uncanny sweetness and luchness but harmonious acids give the berry and spice flavors great snap and verve. Hugely concentrated yet quite suave and light on its feet. Finishes with rich, dusty tannins and outstanding length.
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Received the rating of 3 Glasses for extraordinary wines
Only the best fruit is used for this single-variety bottling. This is an excellent, fruit-driven expression of Pinot Grigio. Fresh pear and ripe apple on the nose give way to rich flavors of kumquat, quince and fresh herbs in the mouth are supported by a nice acidity, making this an excellent wine to pair with a variety of foods.
This has a fresh savory character with lemon pith, crushed apples, dried herbs and hints of bread dough. Medium-bodied, spiced and fruity and just a little tannic. Juicy and floral on the finish. Drink now.
Medium copper bronze color. Scents of dried herbs and orchard fruit. Full and broad in the mouth with good concentration of flavor, firm acidity, and a long, long finish. An outstanding Pinot Grigio with a beautiful mouth feel and strong sense of minerality. Sourced from 25-year-old vines of the 3 ha Montona Vineyard.
Apple skin, fresh pear, lemon zest and crushed almond on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Steely, mineral finish. Drink now.
The Ronco dei Tassi 2019 Collio Pinot Grigio is a delightful expression of the grape that offers hints of copper and pinkish gold in its sunny and saturated appearance. The wine delivers an angular and linear bouquet with a first layer of grapefruit and honeydew melon that peels back to reveal a second, deeper layer of crushed stone, pine nut and soft pastry cream. This is a soft, mid-weight Pinot Grigio with refreshing acidity on the close. Some 30,000 bottles were released.
Aromas of hawthorn, white stone fruit and green melon jump out of the glass along with a whiff of bread dough on this expressive white. Round and juicy, the bright palate offers ripe pear, honeydew and lemon drop candy before a bitter almond close. It's a savory expression of Pinot Grigio.
Green apples, pear-drop character and limes are in play. The light- to-medium - bodied is enhanced by a steely yet oily array of stone fruit. Drink now.
Hints of flint and white pepper interact with overtones of sliced lemons and green apples on the nose. Medium-bodied with an encore nuances, it carves out a clear-cut shape of steely acidity and firm resolve. Drink now.
A subtle yet intense white with aromas and flavors of sliced apples, pears and mineral. Some cream, too. Medium body and fresh acidity. Yet, flavorful and deep. Drink now.
Full and fruity with good acidity and penty of sliced peach and apple character. Fruity finish yet reserved style. Drink now.
This is a substantial, medium-bodied Pinot Grigio that entices with freshness and an underlying minerality. Creamy and fruity at the same time with delicious cooked apples and pears intermingled with hints of crushed stones and lemon rind. A lovely finish.
A nose with salt-and-pepper minerality and stone fruit character. Rich on the vibrant, medium-bodied palate, with tingling acidity that’s almost electric. Super savory in the finish.
Showing a reticent nose of citrus and herbs, this Pinot Grigio is well-balanced with good freshness and a full mouth feel. There’s good flavor density with lemony citrus complemented by savory notes and finishing long and rich. Sourced from 25-year-old vines grown in the Cormòns area at 160m elevation, fermented and aged in stainless steel. pH 3.4, 13% alc.
Attractive aromas of honeysuckle, peach, spiced apple pie and custard. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity and smooth, creamy layers. Lovely, ripe expression. Drink now.
Creamy and fruity with delicious cooked apples and pears and hits of crushed stones and lemon rind. A substantial pinot grigio with underlying minerality. Medium body. Lovely finish. Drink now.
Delicious and refreshing with invigorating aromas and flavors of fresh yellow and green apples, white peach and quince. Hints of white flowers and almond finish in an incredibly crisp and pleasantly balanced wine to be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.
Wet stones mix with lime zest and crushed green apples as the 2024 Pinot Grigio opens in the glass. It's freshly styled and juicy with ripe orchard fruits that wash across the palate with ease. Just medium in length yet crisp, it leaves a subtle minty resonance to fade.
Intense, super-floral nose of peach skin and broom flowers. Light-bodied with crisp acidity and a silky if not oily texture, but there is also vibrancy. A precise and salty finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
Aromas of peach pit and sliced apples with a white flower fragrance to it. Medium-bodied, sleek and creamy with a refreshing, fruity finish.
Platinum straw. Reticent citrus and herbal scents. An easy drinking Pinot Grigio revealing fresh citrus-like notes on the palate. Finishes clean and refreshing. The perfect summer, patio aperitif.
Aromas of sliced pear, wet stones, grapefruit and lemon zest. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a tangy, zesty finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
100% Primitvio from 20-year-old vines planted on a Northern exposure in calcareous soil at an elevation of 330 feet. Fermented and aged in stainless steel – no use of oak. Primitivo traces back to the ancient Phoenicians who settled in Apulia (Puglia). Legend says it was the wine served at the Last Supper.
The 2023 Primitivo Salento explodes from the glass with a burst of crushed blackberries, cherries and cedary spice. It’s soft and round, with masses of ripe red and black fruits that settle on the senses. The 2023 takes a turn toward the savory spectrum through the finish, leaving nuances of clove and plum.
"Best Buy", The savory nose asserts powerful aromas of pepper and soil, before lighter, balancing notes of pencil shavings, tomato leaf and cherry cough drops emerge. On the palate, blackberries and wet slate underscore that black cherry freshness, while bright acid glints off taut tannins.
Flavors of raspberry jam, licorice and orange peel combine to make this primitivo a rich and warming choice for hearty pastas and braised meats.
100% Estate grown and vintage! 100% Glera from 17 year old vines grown in high hillside vineyards between Conegliano and Farra di Soligo, on the border of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene D.O.C.G. appellation. A Prosecco with noticeably more depth of flavor than your average one, thanks to its high quality vineyard sites giving extra complexity. Classically floral in aroma with a creamy richness to support the palate fruit, albeit with lightness of touch.
The 2023 Brut Prosecco is understated in the glass, with hints of chamomile and sweet spice giving way to freshly sliced peaches and pears. It feels chiseled and tactile, with saline mineral tones and crisp orchard fruits guided by brisk acidity. The 2023 leaves a salty flourish, tapering off with medium length and a lingering nuance of mint. (Lot# 230864)
A bright and lustrous powder pink Prosecco Rosé with delicate notes of roses and small red fruits that open to tropical aromas of litchi and papaya. In the mouth, the wine is harmonious and fresh, enhanced by a subtle, persistent perlage. This easy-drinking wine is delicate and elegant, yet crisp and fresh, with an enveloping and fruity, long-lasting finish. Ideal as an aperitif, but also a perfect accompaniment to a meal.
The 2022 Rosé Prosecco is more savory than sweet, with a whiff of wild herbs and crushed stones giving way to green apples. It washes across the palate with a creamy bead of soothing bubbles, mixing saline minerals with ripe pit fruits and hints of tart citrus. This vintage leaves a salty flourish and nuances of gingery spice, finishing long and full of zesty tension. (Lot# 223213).
Recioto is a sweet wine typical of the Vapolicella area (near Verona) boasting centuries of history, widely considered the father of Amarone. Produced with grapes that have been left to dry (appassire) in order to concentrate the sugars, the result is a unique and opulent wine that pairs ideally with dry pastries (almond or hazelnut cakes), aged cheeses or sweet gorgonzola, but is also captivating as an after-dinner meditation wine. Tenuta Santa Maria Recioto della Valpolicella Classico entices immediately with its ruby red color and garnet reflections. Sweet aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry combine with earthy notes of undergrowth and wet soil to complete the aromatic profile while, on the palate, the wine’s full and opulent nature merges with a pleasant and balanced sweetness. The finish is long with delicious floral and spicy notes enveloped in velvety and elegant tannins.
Vivid crushed cherry mixes with cinnamon, clove and a whiff of blood orange as the 2021 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico blossoms in the glass. It balances ultra-ripe red berry fruits with contrasting notes of sour citrus and inner cedar over a dusting of cocoa. The finish is long and staining yet still spry, leaving a tart sensation that pinches at the cheeks as rosy inner florals fade slowly.
A dusting of cocoa gives way to candle wax, sage and blueberry sauce as the 2020 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico opens in the glass. This is silky smooth and opulent in feel, with masses of ultra-ripe wild berry fruits and hints of mocha that envelop the palate. Cinnamon and clove come together with spiced blood orange and dark chocolate through the dramatically long yet remarkably fresh finale.
A delicious, sweet and spicy concoction, offering an array of dried and exotic fruit aromas and flavors, such as dates and prunes, together with syrupy notes. Full-bodied and intense. There’s some tannin there, but it can’t compete with the full-on fruit-syrup flavors. You can’t help but like it. Hard not to drink. Enjoy now or hold and see.
Bright dark ruby with a slight garnet edge. Opens with notes of caramelised sugar, dried tomatoes and chutney of red Tropea onions. Grippy tannin on the palate, shows nice interplay, seems almost dry, lots of drive in the finish.
The name Refosco, an autochthonous red variety from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, comes from “ràp fosc” in dialect, literally “dark bunch.” In the glass, this Refosco flaunts a beautiful ruby red color with purple reflections, giving way to a well-defined bouquet of berries, violets and spice. Flavors explode on the palate with intense, yet bright and fresh, expressions of plums, black cherries, anise and roasted coffee. The wine is persistent with mildly grippy tannins that pair excellently with food, from cheese and charcuterie to meat and game.
This is a supremely fresh, bistro style, medium bodied red. Aromas and flavors tend towards red berries, cherries, and plums with bright acidity. Fruit forward with light mid-palate weight and very pleasant to drink, especially when lightly chilled. 100% hand picked Refosco sourced from Cormòns, fermented in stainless steel, and matured 8 months in oak. 13% alc.
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 is 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.
Focused on floral notes and broom flowers in particular, enhanced by Mirabelle plums and apricots. Light-bodied with crisp, almost zesty acidity and a good yet tight finish.
The 2023 Ribolla Gialla lifts from the glass with an understated blend of savory herbs and stone dust complicating crushed nectarines. Minerality shows up front, nearly salty and intense, balanced by a vivid core of tart orchard fruits and a hint of spice. It cleans up well with a tart lime twang, chalky resonance and medium length.
Notes of sliced pears and glazed lemons with spicy herbs, orchid blossom and hints of beeswax. Polished and a little chalky on the palate with a medium body and stony, mineral backbone. Crunchy fruit. Creamy finish. Attractive and easy to drink. Drink now.
Fresh herbs, apple skin, lemon zest and wet stones on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Lightly bitter peel and pith notes. Drink or hold.
Fresh coriander and dill punctuate a nose of lemons and chamomile tea. Medium body, cut-throat acidity and a zippy finish. Drink now.
