Considered one of the best of the new generation, Giancarlo Pacenti has been called “the best winemaker in Brunello di Montalcino” by the Wine Spectator. For those looking for a real ‘wow factor’, this modern Brunello is a must-try. Owner Giancarlo Pacenti blends different vineyards from his family’s 50 acre ... more
The San Filippo estate was established in 1972 and was recently purchased by Roberto Giannelli. Giannelli has restructured the winery and its methods, with the help of an experienced team of winemakers, vineyard managers and cellar technicians. The vineyards stand in the south-east area of Montalcino that yields particularly elegant ... more
Torrione is made entirely from pure Sangiovese grapes, including old vines from the 1970s. The yield per plant is notably restricted (max 2.5 lbs per vine plant), allowing full concentration of the grapes. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, one third new, for approximately 15 months. The resulting ... more
IGT Maremma Toscana Saffredi was first created in 1987, but the vineyard, in the area around Magliano, was planted seven years earlier by Elisabetta Geppetti’s mentor, Fredi, to whom this Cru is dedicated. Saffredi was ready for the market in 1990 and within a very few years became the success ... more
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981, in a beautiful, unspoiled part of Tuscany. From the outset, the mission was to produce outstanding wines. Since then passion and dedication, coupled with a unique terroir and an extraordinary microclimate, have brought the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's prestigious labels great success and recognition as one ... more
Ample, sweet and expansive, the 2003 Sassicaia offers generous notes of sweet dark fruit intermingled with notes of spices, herbs, earthiness and smoke in a full-bodied, opulent expression of this wine. It is an outstanding effort for the vintage. Some cellaring is suggested although with air this wine is drinking ... more
This is a benchmark Amarone from a small, family-run estate. Just to the north of Verona, at the highest point in the Valpolicella zone, lies the famous 30 acre Le Ragose estate, founded in 1969 by Arnaldo and Marta Galli. Their children, Paolo, Marco and Marina have now joined them ... more
Delicious… fine floral and fruit aromas with a clean, dry refreshing mouthful of ripe lemon-lime fruit and bright acidity. Paired so well with artichoke hearts, string beans and roasted red peppers in olive oil & garlic. Founded in 1848, the Tiefenbrunner Castel Turmhof Winery owes its name to the ancient ... more
The 2000 Barolo Le Vigne is structured, powerful on the nose with notes of licorice, tar, and macerated cherries, dense and solid in flavor, more muscular than usual and slightly tough on the finish. Time may help these tannins, and the wine can best be drunk between 2006 and 2018., ... more
The 2004 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro remains the bellwether wine from this historic property. It is a layered, full-bodied wine with attractive notes of tobacco, sweet red cherries, wild herbs and toasted oak. The wine’s density, persistence and complexity make it one of the better versions in recent memory. ... more
This vineyard lies a few steps from Sori Tildin. Purchased by the Gaja family in 1967, it derives its name from the term 'Costa', the side of the hill that faces the sun, and 'Russi', the nickname of the former owner. Made of 95% Nebbiolo and 5% Barbera, this wine ... more
The term 'conteisa' is the Piedmontese word for 'quarrel' and refers to the historic dispute between the communes of La Morra and Barolo for possession of the Cerequio land. By Italian law, this wine is certified to be a Nebbiolo Langhe D.O.C., and the final blend was 92% Nebbiolo and ... more