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$18.95
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Italy
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Piedmont
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Barbera
In stock, 12+ available
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WHWC staff notes: "I'll be honest, the reason this 100% Barbera caught my eye was because it has a unique label, which upon closer inspection contained a sailing ship. I choose to believe that it is most certainly a pirate ship. As a double bonus it is also Demeter-certified biodynamic, so how could I NOT try it? I'm so glad I did. From the Monferrato region of Piedmont near Asti, this tiny 3-hectares family estate is the epitome of an 'everyday' value wine that is versatile enough to go with any dish, Italian or otherwise. A true ruby red color lets you know that this wine will be medium-bodied without the worry of over-extraction. Pure, soft mixed-berry dried fruit, smooth tannins and alcohol are interwoven with lovely elements of Piedmont terroir and Barbera typicity: vanilla, leather, herbs, cherries and taut acidity. There is a lot going on here, but yet it is so easy to drink. You won't be disappointed with this rustic little over-achiever." -Casey Carmichael
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$16.95
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Italy
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Tuscany
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Sangiovese 70%, Canaiolo 20%, Ciliegiolo 10%. Light ruby red. Fruity, floral, spicy bouquet. Light and fruity table wine for drinking with simple dishes, white meats such as chicken and even fish."
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$54.95
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JS 96
WA 93
WS 92
Italy
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Tuscany
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Brunello di Montalcino
In stock, 12+ available
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List $70.00
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96 points and 'Top 100 Italian Wines in 2012,' James Suckling: "Complex aromas of red fruits, flowers and fresh mushrooms follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and intense fruit and bright acidity. Goes on for a long, long time. So juicy and fruity. Hints of bitter lemon rind. Give this two or three years more of bottle age. (1/25/12)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso is fresher, more floral and more delineated than the straight Brunello bottling. There is plenty of Ciacci depth and muscle in the glass. Layers of dark red fruit, crushed flowers, licorice and spices wrap around the intense, deep finish. This is a huge wine with tons of 2007 Castelnuovo character, but also with enough freshness to balance out the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2007 is a big improvement over the 2006, which remains an underachiever relative to Ciacci’s historical track record of excellence. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. (Apr 2012)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "[$76 list] A mix of cherry, strawberry, earth, iron and dried beef aromas and flavors make this complex in a lighter style. Balanced between the fruit, moderate acidity and tannins. Very elegant. Best from 2014 through 2028. (6/6/12)"
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$47.95
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JS 96
WS 93
WE 93
Italy
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Tuscany
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Brunello di Montalcino
In stock, 12+ available
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List $80.00
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96 points James Suckling: "What a nose. The perfect nose of ripe black cherries, spices, toasted oak and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins, and a berry, cherry and blue berry undertone. What a finish. This shows such beautiful fruit. Leave it for three or four years. Made from organic grapes. (1/15/11)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Sweet cherry, raspberry, tobacco and licorice aromas and flavors mark this opulent, supple-textured Brunello. This is very open and approachable now, yet there are some chewy tannins underneath. A bit pinched on the finish. Best from 2012 through 2024. (8/31/11)"
93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Here's an austere and sophisticated wine with dark notes of carob, exotic spice, cardamom pod, mesquite smoke and blackberry. The wine is soft, plush and chewy with firm tannins (that could use more time to soften) and a playful touch of acidity on the close. Cellar Selection. (Apr 2011)"
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$14.95
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Italy
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Piedmont
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Viticulture at Forteto della Luja goes beyond organic. The soils are worked by horse, fermentations occur naturally by way of the 'mother' yeast. Since 2003 the winery has been 100% solar powered -- the only of its kind in Piemonte. The 'Piasa San Maurizio' vineyard is where Brother and sister Giancarlo and Silvia's great grandfather planted vines some 90 years ago. Gianni produces his Moscato d'Asti following 'old-time' methods; the objective is fresh fruit and aromas that caress you enough to jump in the glass. This single-vineyard Moscato exudes generous aromatics of sage, elderflower, white peach and fresh melon, which complement a rich, vanilla midpalate with acidity that refreshes. Organic single-vineyard Moscato as you've never had.
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$13.95
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IWC 88
Italy
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Other
In stock,
1
available
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88 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "Good bright ruby-red. Balsamic herbs, clove, and chocolate-covered cherries on the nose. Sweet and supple on entry, then rich and layered in the middle, with herbal dark cherry and sweet spice flavors given definition by lively acidity. Finishes long...with a restrained sweetness... (Mar/Apr 2011)"
Importer notes: "Aglianico is the best known 'big red' grape in southern Italy, and there are two places where it grows particularly well -- Taurasi in Campania and Monte Vulture in Basilicata. The areas are less than two hours from each other, both are volcanic in geology, and both produce magnificent red wines, amongst the most age-worthy in Italy (or anywhere else, for that matter). Grifalco is an excellent producer of Aglianico del Vulture, and is owned by the Piccin family, who were originally wine producers in Tuscany but decided that southern Italy, Basilicata in particular, was more promising. 'Gricos' is 100% Aglianico (vine age: 15 year) estate-grown in four different vineyards. Vinification: Destemming and soft crushing, fermentatin for 10-12 days in steel. Ageing: 50% aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months; the other 50% in steel. Certified Organic. Production: 2,500 cases."
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$31.95
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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines. The Pligers' Riesling vines were brought in from France, Germany and other producers in the Alto Adige. Riesling is now making a name for itself in Italy, and Pliger's 'Kaiton' bottling is one of the best. Lime-peel, flowers, petrol and an almost electric mineral character make this wine very exciting to drink; I am reminded of licking a nine-volt battery as a dare when I was younger. Bright balance of acidity and fruit. The name Kaiton is of Celtic origin, and was the name for the area around the estate."
Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 90 points by International Wine Cellar: "Pale straw-green with a golden tinge. Pure, bracing aromas of tangerine, lemon zest, green apple, minerals and iodine. At once concentrated and seamless, yet also fresh and vibrant, with densely packed flavors of white peach, lemon and wet stone. The finish is long and clean, displaying zippy minerality and zesty acidity."
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$31.95
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IWC 90
Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock,
8
available
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List $39.00
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90 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "[$39 list] Pale straw-green with a golden tinge. Pure, bracing aromas of tangerine, lemon zest, green apple, minerals and iodine. At once concentrated and seamless, yet also fresh and vibrant, with densely packed flavors of white peach, lemon and wet stone. The finish is long and clean, displaying zippy minerality and zesty acidity. (Sep/Oct 2011)"
Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines... The Pliger’s Riesling vines were brought in from France, Germany and other producers in the Alto Adige. Riesling is now making a name for itself in Italy, and Pliger's 'Kaiton' bottling is one of the best. Lime-peel, flowers, petrol and an almost electric mineral character make this wine very exciting to drink; I am reminded of licking a nine-volt battery as a dare when I was younger. Bright balance of acidity and fruit. The name Kaiton is of Celtic origin, and was the name for the area around the estate."
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$29.95
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Italy
-
Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock,
5
available
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Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines. The Pligers' Sylvaner plants came from Germany and the Alto Adige (Sylvaner is said to be originally from Austria). The Eisacktal is one of two places that grow excellent Sylvaner, the other being Franconia in Germany. Kuenhof's is outstanding. (The overall quality of Sylvaner from both of these two places is very high compared to the examples from Alsace, although some good wines are made there too.) The wine is medium to full-bodied, complex in aroma and flavor (pit-fruit, spices, hints of pea shoot), and shows electric liveliness on the palate."
Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 91 points by International Wine Cellar: "Bright, pale yellow-green color. White stone fruits, yellow apple, thyme, and an earthy nuance on the scented, subtle nose. Fruity, tactile and fairly intense, with a floral element lifting the yellow apple and nectarine flavors. Finishes with good juicy persistence and a hint of quinine. Very serious sylvaner from Kuenhof, who is probably the master of the variety in Italy."
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$27.95
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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "Kuenhof, owned by Peter and Brigitte Pliger, is one of the best white wine estates in Italy. Their steep, stony vineyards are in the part of the South Tyrol called the Val d'Isarco (or Eisacktal), not far from the border with Austria. They grow Sylvaner, Veltliner and Riesling organically, and their wines show an almost electric mineral character. If the duty of a great wine is to be distinctive, these wines stand out like beacons -- great terroir, careful grape-growing, brilliant winemaking, and extraordinary wines.
100% Grüner (Green) Veltliner - the plants brought from Austria. (The appellation 'Veltliner' here can in fact include Roter (Red) Veltliner, or a blend of the two.) This variety shows a range of different flavors depending on where it's grown. I've found pepper, Ruby Red grapefruit, and a range of other aromas and flavors in various examples from Austria. The Pliger's bottling is in between the Riesling and the Sylvaner in weight, and it is silky and elegant on the palate with a very attractive balance between acidity and fruit flavors. The flavors are hard to describe, as is so often the case with very good wine, but include hints of peach, melon, and herbs. Intriguing and very long. I have not had aged examples but would think that it would do very well with 5 years or more in the bottle. (It has been suggested that the name Veltliner originally came from the Valtellina, not far from the Alto Adige.)"
Not yet reviewed; 2009 vintage rated 92 points by Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Veltliner is a wonderfully complex, nuanced white. Smoke, bacon fat, ash, crushed rocks and grapefruit are just some of the aromas and flavors that flow from this multi-dimensional, highly intriguing white. This is a compelling bottle in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016."
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$15.95
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Italy
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Campania
In stock,
7
available
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Producer notes: "This well-balanced wine is made from the Piedirosso grape from vineyards in the volcanic area known as the Campi Flegrei, on the coast just north of Naples. It is ruby red in color tending toward burgundy with aging, with an intensive and characteristic fragrance and a harmonious palate impression. It combines well with shellfish, soup, or first or second course meat dishes."
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$12.95
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Italy
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Sicily
In stock, 12+ available
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List $15.00
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Grillo is a white grape varietal grown throughout Sicily, and is thoughtto have been used in one of Julius Caesar's favorite wines. Et tu, Brutus? This wine expresses the classic qualities of Italian Grillo -- crisp, bright and pale lemon in color; aromas of citrus zest, with a hint of wild flowers; on the palate it's generous, well-balanced - with a fresh acidity and a touch of minerality. 13.0% alcohol. Thanks to its easy drinking character and food flexibility, this one is sure to be a crowd-pleaser...and at a bargain price, driven in large part by the cost savings from its Tetra Pack packaging.
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$12.95
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Italy
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Tuscany
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $15.00
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This Sangiovese begins with a fabulous bouquet of red cherry, plum and other ripe red fruit along with some nice spice and succulent smoked meat. This medium-bodied wine features nice fresh juicy fruit, good spice and some smoked meat notes that continue from the bouquet. The finish is dry, fruity, spicy and delicious with some lingering smoky notes. This is a really easy to drink and delicious wine that would be fabulous for pizza night. 13.5% alcohol. Packaged in an environmentally conscious Tetra Pack and from organically farmed vineyards.
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$29.95
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Italy
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Veneto
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara. Ripasso is a traditional technique that promotes a second fermentation through the wine’s contact with warm dried grapes skins from which Amarone has been pressed for seven days. With this practice Ripasso is a wine with a good alcoholic content and a great concentration of sugar, glycerine and aromas. The wine ages in Slavonian oak barrels for 18 months and for 6 months in bottle. The color is intense and ruby red. The wine has a complex bouquet, withl scents of cherries and a background of chocolate. On the palate it is harmonious and balanced, the aftertaste highly persistent and clean."
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$21.95
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Italy
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Tuscany
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Chianti
In stock,
6
available
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80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. From a small family estate run by Silvio and Catalina Messana which embraces natural farming methods.
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$32.95
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WE 90
Italy
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Sicily
In stock, 12+ available
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List $42.00
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90 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$42 list] There’s a wild, untamed quality to this 100% Nero d’Avola that comes forth as almond, wild berry, cola and dried ginger. Made according to biodynamic principles, this is fresh, tart, focused and complex. It offers a thrilling experience. 1,000 cases produced. Alcohol 13%. (Mar 2013)"
Arianna Occhipinti is a young Sicilian producer from the Cerasuola di Vittoria DOC. The production is biodynamic, with no synthetic products or chemicals used in the vineyard or winery. Aged in French oak barrels and barriques, the Siccagno Nero d'Avola shows an intense violet purple color. The nose expresses hits of ripe fruit (raspberry, maraschino cherry, black currant and plum) that blends with hints of leather, clove, white pepper oregano and nutmeg. Full fruit flavors are balanced by racy acidity and long persistence.
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$17.95
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Italy
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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40% Lambrusco Maestri, 40% Lambrusco Salamino, 20% Malbo Gentile. Roberto Maestri established this winery in 2000 and farms organically without the use of chemicals. This Lambrusco is dry, lively and somehwat earthy. A perfect accompaniment to cured Italian sausages, rich pastas, or pizza.
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$68.95
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JS 91
WE 90
Italy
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Tuscany
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Other
In stock,
1
available
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List $90.00
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91 points James Suckling: "Aromas similar to pineapple ice cream and apples follow through to a full body, with lots of fruit and firm acidity. Delicious now, but better in 2012. Biodynamically produced. Blend of Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay. (1/3/12)"
90 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$90 list] This oak-aged blend of equal parts Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay opens with a beautifully intense bouquet of vanilla bean, peach cobbler and citrus mousse. White almond and toasted spice make for rich accents on the long fresh finish. Alcohol 13.5%. 1,250 cases produced. (Mar 2012)"
The Fines Wines of Tuscany: "Querciabella's remarkable white wine, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, is one of Tuscany's few top-quality whites. Capable of improving in bottle for up to five or six years in a good vintage, it has lost its early overoakiness and is now a rival to Burgundy in style, though curiously it is sold in a Bordeaux bottle. (2009)"
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$25.95
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WA 90
IWC 90
Italy
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Tuscany
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Chianti
In stock,
2
available
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List $30.00
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90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$30 list] The 2008 Chianti Classico Querciabella is a very pretty, attractive wine laced with fragrant red fruit. This is a finely knit, small scaled vintage of the Querciabella with beautiful balance and a long, harmonious finish. A beautifully delineated, crystalline finish rounds out this wine that shows the more delicate, Burgundian side of Sangiovese. I hope readers can appreciate just how hard it must have been to make a wine of this level from biodynamically farmed vineyards with minimum intervention in the very challenging 2008 harvest. The Querciabella is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016. (Oct 2010)"
90 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "(sangiovese with 5% cabernet sauvignon) Deep red-ruby. Balsamic black plum, sweet milk chocolate and coffee liqueur aromas on the captivating, mineral-accented nose. Then fleshy and ripe in the mouth, with more spicy black plum, herb and coffee flavors. Finishes soft and smooth, with a trace of finishing heat. Well done, if on the ripe side. (Jul/Aug 2010)"
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$35.95
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Italy
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Friuli-Venezia Giulia
In stock,
9
available
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This producer is located in the Carso (aka Karst) region of Friuli in northeast Italy along the Slovenian border. Malvasia is an ancient vine of Greek origin which is known in the Mediterranean area and which has existed in the Carso region since ancient times. It produces a straw-colored wine with greenish hues. It is an aromatic wine with a distinctive fruity aroma. Its flavor is dry, fresh and sapid and goes well with fish and white meat.
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$18.95
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WA 90
WE 90
Italy
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Veneto
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $27.00
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90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The estate’s NV Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Particella 68 possesses both more richness and minerality than the Extra Dry. This is a decidedly rich style of Prosecco, with suggestions of peaches, apricots and flowers that are layered into an elegant, refined frame. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2013. (Feb 2011)"
90 points Wine Enthusiast: "Particella 68 is a particularly fine and focused Prosecco with delicate aromas of white flower and fresh peach. There's a touch of sweetness in the mouth that gives the perlage a thicker, smoother feel. abv: 11%. (12/31/11)"
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$8.95
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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock, 12+ available
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List $12.00
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Wine Enthusiast: "[$12 list] Easy, toned and fresh, this opens with citrus, peach and honey aromas. The mouthfeel is lean, sharp and brightly acidic. (Aug 2012)"
Producer notes: "The Tiamo Pinot Grigio is sourced only from certified organic vineyards near the town of Treviso in the Veneto wine growing region of Italy. No oak is used in making the wine in order to keep it fresh and crisp but the wine is also floral and full of fruit due to the high quality of the organic grapes used in its production. Light straw yellow. Fresh and rich fruity aromas of apple and pear with a hint of citrus fruit that fade into the floral bouquet. Fresh and fruity, very clean and crisp. Tiamo Pinot Grigio pairs well with a wide array of lighter cuisine, especially fish, shellfish, poultry, pastas in cream sauce and softer cheeses. It’s also an ideal aperitif. Alcohol 12%."
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$15.95
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Italy
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Piedmont
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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From a co-op of four families, Valli Unite makes wine using natural methods. The Dolcetto is intense ruby red. On the palate, it presents dry, pleasantly bitter flavors with hints of roses and in which the fruitiness is successfully integrated with the tannins. Like other Piemontese Dolcettos, this is a wine that goes with all sorts of food, and can hold its own even with strong-tasting dishes.
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$21.95
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Italy
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Campania
In stock, 12+ available
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80% Piedirosso and 20% Aglianico, organically grown: broad reddish-black color; smoky aroma with a hint of tar (notes I often find in red wines grown in volcanic soils); aroma and flavor of black fruit (blackberry, black cherry) and woody herbs (thyme, bay, rosemary); medium-weight but light on its feet. It is aged in puncheons for about a year. Drink now with red meats or cellar.
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$8.95
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Italy
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Tuscany
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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This baby Supertuscan "Citto' or 'young boy,' is a blend of declassified juice from Chianti Classico with Cabernet Sauvignon from Volpaia's Maremma property. 65% Sangiovese and 35% Cabernet. The Sangiovese provides the telltale Tuscan red and black cherry flavor profile, while the Cabernet provides the muscle. Vivid ruby in color. Aromas of ripe red fruit, leather and grilled meat on the nose lead to sour cherry on the palate with a firm backbone of acidity and grippy, young tannins. Perfect with roasted or grilled meats and pasta with red sauce. Drink 2012-2016.
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