Wines
18 Items Found
- Lovisolo Vino Spumonte Brut Rose NV Product #24653 (In Stock)
-
-
It's back - our favorite sparkling pink Nebbiolo from Italy. At first, a bizarre idea, but turns out deliciously here. The wine’s a pretty pale salmon pink color with brilliant highlights and zesty bubbles. The aromas suggest Nebbiolo – cherries, strawberries, red flowers, perhaps some tar. Then in them mouth there’s lots of bright berry fruit framed by notes of basil and mint. The ripe fruit builds towards the middle before everything finishes clean, crisp, and dry with lingering cherry/berry fruit and mouthwatering acidity. A really good sparkling rosé that’s fun to look at and a delight to drink.
- Ferrando Canavese Rosso La Torrazza 2010 Product #25689 (In Stock)
-
-
We're not going to sugarcoat it - this wine isn't for everyone. But if you want to try something fantastically authentic and more than a little wild, it could just be for you! Luigi Ferrando farms vines in the ridiculously difficult Carema DOC, about 2 hours North of Barolo in the foothills of the Alps. While he's more famous for his White Label and Black Label Carema Nebbiolos, we've fallen in love with this exotic, befuddling, blend of about 65% Nebbiolo, 30% Barbera, and the balance the local Neretta grape, all vinified in stainless steel.
"Wild" is the word I keep coming back to. The winemaking is clearly "wild" - natural yeasts, minimal intervention, a touch of oxidization and maybe even a little volatile acidity. The results, though, are wildly satisfying. You'll find bold, complex, aromatics of licorice, violets, black fruits and camphor with a touch of apple skin. Explosive in your mouth, with loads of wild berry (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry) fruit but also licorice, earth, spice and nettle flower. Fills up your mouth with flavor and delivers a big punch of earthy complexity on the juicy, wild, finish. Light, velvety, tannins complement the bright acidity to keep everything fresh and food friendly.
Every sip's a new adventure here, and it wouldn't surprise me if every bottle has a slightly different story to tell. Open one up and see what you find! - Orsolani Carema Le Tabbie 2008 Product #26710 (In Stock)
-
-
Ferrando and Carema’s co-op produce the bulk of the meager 10,000 cases of Carema each year, but Gian-Luigi Orsolani makes a tiny bit as well – making this the only other estate-grown/bottled Carema you’ll find. The name “Le Tabbie” is local dialect for the “tables” or terraces perched on Carema’s mountainsides where Nebbiolo is grown. Orsolani harvests these grapes in late October and gives them a traditional, long, fermentation and maceration before aging for 2 years in large oak barrels, 1 year in smaller barrels, and 1 last year in bottle. All the wood is neutral – just letting the wine soften rather than imparting any oak flavor.
This 2008 Carema is softer and more open than Ferrando’s, although there’s still plenty of bright acidity and chewy tannins. As in 2007, a beautiful perfume of roses, red fruits, cinnamon and licorice jumps out of the glass with a note of Barolo tar emerging with air. In the mouth there’s plenty of cherry and strawberry fruit, but the wine is very pure and transparent with accents of rose petal, tar, truffle and mountain flowers. Very perfumed on the long, elegant, finish, where there’s so much going on that you just have to take another sip. Fantastic wine, even better value. - Vietti Nebbiolo Perbacco Langhe 2010 Product #27045 (In Stock)
-
-
In the local Piemonte dialect, "perbacco" means "wow!" or "oh my goodness!" - the reaction Vietti is after when folks taste this dead-ringer for a top Barolo Normale and then look at the price! As Wine Advocate explained a few years ago, "Vietti’s Perbacco is made from Barolo-designated parcels that don’t meet the qualitative standard for the estate’s multi-cru Barolo Castiglione. Perbacco is for all practical purposes a Barolo, but because it its bottled two months earlier than regulations permit, the wine is sold as Langhe Nebbiolo."
Not yet rated, the 2010 is certain to continue the string of 90-92 point scores Perbacco has racked up over the past few years. Classy Barolo perfume of cherry, leather, smoke and rose petal. Then ripe and lush with black fruit, tar and floral flavors over a precise, firmly tannic finish. Great length here, especially for the modest price, and fine potential in cellar. An excellent introduction to the great 2010 vintage in Barolo! - De Forville Barbaresco 2009 Product #26834 (In Stock)
-
-
Valter and Paolo Anfosso turn out very traditional, very delicious, Barbaresco and the ripe and wide-open 2009 is a fine example. From vines averaging 35 years of age scattered across Barbaresco, the wine is fermented in tank and then aged 18 months or longer in large oak "botti" before bottling. The 2009 shows classic aromas and flavors of dark red berries, truffle, rose, earth, tar and a hint of leather with bright acidity and firm, but very silky, tannins. Sure, it's going to be better in 5 years, but air it out and pair it with rich meat today and you'll be very, very, satisfied!
- Guidobono Barolo Normale 2008 Product #26288 (In Stock)
-
-
A classically-styled Barolo from the elegant and accessible 2008 vintage, this shows off very typical Nebbiolo perfume of red fruits, tar, and flowers. In the mouth, the wine is graceful and delivers layered flavors of red and black cherries, truffle, rose petal and a touch of tar. The tannins are firm but very smooth, making this a fine Barolo to crack open with mushroom risotto or even beef stew tonight. Or cellar for a decade and let it get even softer and more complex.
- Bruno Giacosa Nebbiolo d'Alba 2009 Product #27147 (In Stock)
-
-
Barbaresco master Brune Giacosa's career is winding down, but he can still make a fine bottle of Nebbiolo.
"The 2009 Nebbiolo d’Alba is a solid effort. It shows considerable depth and fabulous overall poise. Dusty red cherries, crushed flowers and sweet spices are some of the notes that linger on the palate. The tannins are firm, yet beautifully balanced. I like the intensity here. Some rough edges remain, but there is more than enough personality to compensate. Even better, this should be relatively reasonably priced. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014."Wine Advocate 89 points
- Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca (Rosso) 2008 Product #26464 (In Stock)
-
-
Luigi Ferrando’s family has been making wine on the steep slopes surrounding their village of Carema since about 1900, and his Carema Etichetta Bianca has been considered the region’s flagship red for 30 years or more. “Beautiful” is the word I keep coming back to for this elegant, complex, wine that’s full of fresh mountain flowers, cherry blossom, lavender, camphor and fresh cut hay notes. Plenty of ripe cherry and strawberry fruit, too, and masses of silky tannins and juicy acidity. Best in 4 years or so, but delicious now if you open the bottle, pour a little out, and let it breath for an hour or so. Very limited.
“Ferrando is a great source for interesting and intriguing wines that showcase the potential of Nebbiolo in Carema, a tiny appellation in northern Piedmont. The 2008 Carema Etichetta Bianca wafts from the glass with sweet dried cherries, tobacco, sweet herbs and crushed flowers. A mid-weight, delicate wine, the 2008 is quite typical of these hillside vineyards. In 2008 the acidity is a bit on the high side, which readers should keep in mind when considering food pairings. This is a gorgeous wine from Ferrando. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.”Wine Advocate 92 points
- Andrea Oberto Barolo 2006 Product #23261 (In Stock)
-
-
"Good full red. Complex nose melds raspberry, coffee and sexy smoky oak, lifted by some floral high tones. Rich, sweet and creamy, with impressive fat to the red fruit flavors. Not the last word in complexity but this plush, seamless wine is classy and satisfying for normale."International Wine Cellar 90 points
“Despite keeping a much lower profile than many of his colleagues Fabio Oberto makes wines that can hold their own with the best producers, not just in La Morra, but in Piedmont. His range is consistently outstanding from top to bottom.
Oberto’s 2006 Barolo is a serious wine at this level. There is a spiciness to the fruit I find very attractive. With time in the glass the aromas and flavors gain definition, caressing the palate all the way through to the classy finish. This is a jewel of a wine and a standout among its peers in 2006. Oberto makes their entry-level Barolo from a combination of higher-altitude plots in La Morra ranging from 390-410 meters. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.”Wine Advocate 90 points
- Brovia Barolo "Brovia" 2008 Product #26225 (In Stock)
-
-
Note: Mixed case prices for this wine and other Brovia Crus will not show on your web receipt. We will adjust your pricing when the wines are pulled and rung in-store!
Wine Advocate reported a couple of years ago: “For reasons I can't quite understand Brovia remains incredibly overlooked considering the quality of the juice they put in the bottle. In recent years Brovia has been making terrific wines in an enlightened traditional style that is immensely appealing. The estate favors long fermentations. The single-vineyard Barolos are aged in French oak casks, while the Barolo (made from young vines) is aged in Slavonian oak. Simply put, Brovia is on fire. Readers won't want to miss out on these exceptional wines.”
“The 2008 Barolo is pure class. Tobacco, incense, crushed rocks and dried flowers fuse into a juicy, expressive core of dark fruit. The 2008 stands out for its balance and overall sense of harmony. Brovia’s straight Barolo is at once highly nuanced – which makes it approachable young – yet also structured and powerful, especially on the finish. Over the last few years this has been one of the very best entry-level Baroli. The Barolo is essentially a blend of all of Brovia’s single-vineyard wines and is aged in Slavonian cask. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.”Wine Advocate 91 points
- Oddero Barolo Normale 2007 Product #26729 (In Stock)
-
-
Loaded with dark red spicy leather, rose, and silky cherry aromas and flavors and firm, powerful, tannins. This is superb. Needs some air or cellar time now, but then watch out!
“This lean, angular Barolo is tightly wound, with cherry, tobacco and underbrush notes. Though firmly tannic, this is balanced and long, in a chewy, sinewy style. Best from 2015 through 2030.”Wine Spectator 91 points
- Brovia Barolo "Garblet Sue" 2008 Product #26531 (In Stock)
-
-
Note: Mixed case prices for this wine and other Brovia Crus will not show on your web receipt. We will adjust your pricing when the wines are pulled and rung in-store!
Garblet Sue is the name of a small slice of the famous Bricco Fiasco vineyard in Castiglione. It always gives classically structured Barolo with firm tannins, but this 2008 adds more roundness and fruit than you normally fine here.
“Brovia’s 2008 Barolo Garblet Sue’ bursts from the glass with a heady array of black fruit, smoke, incense and licorice. The Garblet Sue’, from the Bricco Fiasco vineyard in Castiglione, is usually a much more linear, tense Barolo, but in 2008 the wine has gorgeous inner perfume allied to a level of pure juiciness that rounds out some of the rough edges that are at times present in this bottling. A huge finish laced with iron, asphalt and crushed rocks rounds things out in style. This is a super-classic Barolo from Brovia. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.”Wine Advocate 96 points
- Andrea Oberto Barolo Rocche 2006 Product #24547 (In Stock)
-
-
"Large-scaled, chewy and sweet on the palate; bigger and deeper than the 2005, with impressive depth of fruit and sheer volume. Finishes with huge chewy tannins that saturate every millimeter of the palate, but this infant appears to have the fullness and breadth to support its structure."International Wine Cellar 92 points
“This is a strong set of 2006 Barolos from father and son team Andrea and Fabio Oberto. I had a chance to taste the 2006s next to the estate’s 2005s, and it is pretty clear the 2006s possess an extra dimension of generosity over their older brethren that, among other things, results in better integration of the oak.
The 2006 Barolo Vigneto Rocche is the alter-ego of the Brunate. Where the Brunate is powerful the Rocche is refined, where the Brunate is intense, the Rocche is subtle. Floral red fruits, menthol and minerals are some of the notes that emerge from this high-toned, aromatic Barolo. The aromas and flavors seem to resonate off each other like voices in a cathedral, creating a sensation of endless discovery as the wine opens up in the glass. The structure of the vintage comes through on the energetic, vibrant finish. Here, too, patience is key, but this is shaping up to be another magnificent Barolo from Oberto. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026.”Wine Advocate 93+ points
- Damilano Barolo Cannubi 2006 Product #25940 (In Stock)
-
-
As seductive a young Cru Barolo as we've seen from 2006. Sure, it wants a decade, but decant it for an hour and you'll be blown away tonight!
"Cerequio. Brunate. Cannubi. These are the Italian equivalents of Musigny, Bonnes Mares and Chambertin; in other words, among the most precious vineyards anywhere in the world. Damilano’s 2006 Barolo Cannubi emerges from the glass with surprising richness and weight. Berries, flowers and spices flow effortlessly from this rich, textured Cannubi. The wine shows quite a bit more depth than is usually the case for a vineyard that tends towards the feminine, but the textural elegance and silkiness on the mid-palate and finish serve to provide a sense of proportion. Fine, elegant tannins frame the close. This is another fine effort from Damilano. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026."Wine Advocate 92 points
"Starts out supple, with the smooth texture framing black cherry, bitter almond and licorice notes. A firm base of tannins is offset by sweet fruit, as this glides to a lingering aftertaste of tobacco, spice and cherry. Best from 2013 through 2032."Wine Spectator 94 points
- Damilano Barolo Brunate 2006 Product #25941 (In Stock)
-
-
"The 2006 Barolo Brunate shows the masculine personality of this site in its dark fruit, minerals, menthol and spices. Today the wine is very much closed in on itself, but the fruit and perfume should emerge as the tannins soften. This is a commendable effort that falls short of being truly inspiring, a shame considering how precious Brunate is. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026."Wine Advocate 92 points
"A wiry, angular red, awkward today, yet revealing a core of cherry, strawberry, rubber and tobacco flavors. This is vibrant, settling down on the lingering finish and echoing spice and leather accents. Best from 2014 through 2032."Wine Spectator 92 points
- Paitin Barbaresco Sori Paitin Vecchie Vigne 1999 Product #11513 (In Stock)
-
-
Paitin is one of those under the radar, family-owned Barolo/Barbaresco producers that never seems to get a lot of attention but that consistently makes excellent, honest, wine. This is their top cuvee, a wine made from the 65 year-old vines at the heart of the Sori Paitin vineyard within view of the villages of Neive, Treiso and Barbaresco. The 1999 vintage marked the first time these vines had ever been bottled separately, and ever since then, this has been Paitin's top wine.
The old vines on this site always give a rich, almost lushly red-fruited, style of Nebbiolo and fermentation in stainless steel and aging in new and used small oak harnesses the power and fruit to give a silky smooth (for Barbaresco!) textured wine. Both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator rated the 1999 vintage highly, and my experience is that most of the top wines are showing very nicely now (especially if decanted for a few hours)."This was the first year fruit from these old vines was bottled separately. Deep red-ruby. Aromas of roasted strawberry, earth, smoke and mint. Smooth on entry, then chewy and deep in the middle, with a note of camphor. Easier to taste today than the normale owing to its sheer depth of texture. Finishes warm, rich and long, with tannins nicely supported by the wine's strong material. Very impressive Barbaresco, from thoroughly ripe fruit."International Wine Cellar 92 points
"Impressive wine. Rich aromas of ripe fruit and freshly ground spices. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. A blockbuster, yet very polished. Best after 2003. 500 cases made."Wine Spectator 93 points
- Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2008 Product #26382 (In Stock)
-
-
Pre-Arrival; Wine Arrives Late October 2012
"Sandrone’s 2008 Barolo Le Vigne is a wine of breathtaking textural finesse and elegance. Nothing really stands out, so phenomenal is the wine’s balance and sense of harmony. This is the kind of wine that is easy to overlook because it doesn’t ask for attention and isn’t showy. Instead, everything is simply in the right place. The finest, most silky of tannins support a core of sweet red berries, flowers, mint and spices, all of which are woven together with total refinement. The eternal, nuanced finish bodes very well for the future. This is a dazzling effort from Luciano and Luca Sandrone."Wine Advocate 97 points
- Gaja Sori Tildin Langhe 2006 Product #26244 (In Stock)
-
-
In perfect condition and most still in un-opened wood six packs. A very rare deal.
“Good full, deep red. Sexy aromas of minerals, truffle and ineffable rose petal. Suave and lush, showing a surprisingly open-knit texture that partly masks the wine's serious underpinning of fine tannins. Very long and aromatic on the aftertaste."International Wine Cellar 94 points
“Angelo Gaja's 2006s from Barbaresco are lovely, although they require a bit of aeration to find their focus. As always Gaja blends in a small percentage of Barbera for his single-vineyard Langhe wines. The 2006 Langhe Sori Tildin opens with a gorgeous, nuanced bouquet that leads to an equally expressive core of ripe, red fruits. This medium-bodied Sori Tildin is the most focused and energetic of these wines. It offers exceptional length and a refined, polished close. As is often the case, the Sori Tildin is also the most delicate and feminine of the single-vineyard wines. This is a very strong effort even if the explosiveness of the finest vintages is missing. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.” Wine Advocate 94 points
