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Expert Reviews

Dillon Mafit writes:  The chinato tasted like the nectar of the gods, like the most perfectly ripe apricot drizzled in honey, dropped into a glass of 1967 Château Rieussec Sauterne, and dosed with some sort of bitter aphrodisiac.  - thrillist.com

In Mauro Vergano's words (courtesy of LDM website): "I must say that producing a Chinato from Moscato wine was my first big challenge. First produced in 2003, it was the first product of its kind present on the market. The wine I use is a Moscato d’Asti with a higher alcohol content (more than 10%) compared to the ones that are commonly available. As is well-known, the Moscato I use comes from the prestigious winery of Vittorio Bera & Figli. I have to admit that when I was first looking for a Moscato for the first attempts I used wine from various producers, then I was lucky enough to meet Gianluigi Bera and his Moscato and I haven’t left them since. His Moscato’s fragrance and its full-bodiedness meld perfectly with the aromatic extract composed of citrus zest, cinnamon and vanilla. These fresh and sweet aromas are balanced by the bitter flavour of the China (Calisaya and Succirubra) which give it a persistent taste that is absolutely unique. A brief description of the production cycle which all the products share: The first step is the preparation of the extract or “concia”. This is done by leaving a mixture of chopped herbs and spices in alcohol for about 20/30 days. Then the extract is filtered and left to age for a few months. The second step is the actual preparation of the product. To make the product I mix the extract, sugar and alcohol. The last step is clarification followed by filtering which produces a clear product with long-term stability."

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Pale straw-lemon in color, the wine has delicate aromas of green apples and tree fruits complementing undertones of peaches, wildflowers, and a hint of freshly cut grass. Dry and crisp on the palate, this wine shows elegance with layers of flavors that continue to reveal themselves well into the finish. 

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Beautiful ruby red in color, with distinctive aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, blackcurrant but also leather and sweet violet. Full-bodied in the mouth but never tiring, silky tannin and lingering taste reminiscent of licorice and coffee.

Winemaker Description 

Ferrando’s white-label Carema is among the most elegant expressions of Nebbiolo in existence, combining ample density with a very Alpine sense of nimbleness. Never an overwhelmingly powerful wine, “Etichetta Bianca” derives its sense of structure more from its acid-fruit tension than its tannins, offering satisfyingly savory fruit buttressed by vigorous mountain acidity.

Fermented in stainless steel without temperature control and using only indigenous yeasts, it spends three full years in a combination of 20-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti and used 500-liter French barrels.

Il Conte · Pinot Grigio · Italy · 2023 · 1.5L Magnum

The Wine

A crisp, easy-drinking Italian Pinot Grigio in party-ready magnum format, twice the wine of a standard bottle behind a convenient screw cap. It's a David Pick for when the crowd is bigger than one bottle can handle.

Winemaker Description

"Pale straw yellow color. The clean, intense aroma and the dry flavor with pleasant citrus aftertaste make this Pinot Grigio a wine of character and versatility. Excellent as an aperitif. Ideal accompaniment to seafood salads, fish- and shellfish-based pasta and rice courses. Perfect with white meats, boiled or grilled fish and with soufflé."
Il Conte Winemaker

Pairings & Serving

Made for gatherings: seafood salads, shellfish pasta, risotto, grilled fish and white meats. Serve well chilled, around 45–48°F. A magnum takes longer to chill, so give it a couple of hours in the fridge.

Specs

• Producer: Il Conte
• Country: Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Varietal: Pinot Grigio
• Closure: Screw cap
• Size: 1.5L Magnum

Big bottle, bright wine, easy crowd-pleaser.

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The story of Gran Passione is not merely about wine; it is a narrative woven through time, with roots that trace back to the Roman era. The crown jewel of their offerings, the Gran Passione Rosso, is crafted in the revered tradition of “Appassimento.” This technique, akin to the esteemed Amarone wines, involves the meticulous drying and shriveling of grapes before they are crushed, allowing their flavors to concentrate and intensify.

Expert Reviews

94 Points Vinous | The 2020 Nebbiolo d'Alba Arione is bright, focused and tightly wound. There is a feeling of classic austerity (in a good way) that really drive the balance here. Bright red toned fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint, dried herbs and white pepper all race across the palate. This is Barolo in all but name. Time in the glass brings out the wine's inner sweetness and perfume. What a knock out. The Nebbiolo d'Alba is made from a small piece of Arione that lists just outside the Barolo production zone. Drink 2027-2040. (2020). 

93 Points James Suckling  | Juicy and sweet fruit with some flowers and peaches to plums and cherries. Medium body. Bright and flavorful. Yet refined. Drink now. (2020). 

Audrey Frick writes:  The first vintage of the Nebbiolo D'Alba Arione was produced in 2019 and comes from a single vineyard of Anione outside the delimited region. Another barrel sample, the 2020 is fresh with wild strawberry and a gentle, red-fruited tone. Vibrant through the palate, with wild red berries, pomegranate, orange peel, and red flowers, this elegant and approachable wine delivers fine tannins, a long mineral/stony texture, and a tinge of iron-rich minerals on the finish.  - Jeb Dunnuck 93

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | The first vintage of the 2020 Nebbiolo D'Alba one was produced in 2019 and comes from a single vineyard of Anione outside the delimited region. Another barrel sample, the 2020 is fresh with wild strawberry and a gentle, red-fruited tone. Vibrant through the palate, with wild red berries, pomegranate, orange peel, and red flowers, this elegant and approachable wine delivers fine tannins, a long mineral/stony texture, and a tinge of iron-rich minerals on the finish. (2020). 

GAJA · Barbaresco · 2021 · Piedmont, Italy

GAJA Barbaresco 2021 combines vibrant fruit and floral elegance with finely shaped structure. Cherry, strawberry and floral notes meet licorice on a juicy palate, while the 2021 reviews highlight fresh acidity, expressive aromatics and substantial aging potential.

Barbaresco is the Gaja family's flagship wine, produced by successive generations since 1859. Rooted in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, the estate's identity is closely tied to this Nebbiolo wine and its balance of fragrance, fruit and structure.

Winemaker Description

GAJA: Located in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, the Gaja winery is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, producing coveted and collectible labels. Barbaresco is one of the greatest Italian wines, produced by each generation of the Gaja family since 1859. It is the flagship wine for the Family.

The nose of the 2021 Barbaresco is dominated by fruit, but also citrus and floral hints emerge. On the palate it’s juicy and the floral notes persist alongside scents of licorice. Subtle hints of cherry and strawberry create a harmonious blend of floral elegance and vibrant fruit flavors.

Expert Reviews · Vintage 2021

Jeb Dunnuck · 97 Points: A brightly jeweled ruby hue, the 2021 Barbaresco is super-expressive, with loads of wild raspberries that leap from the glass along with notes of strawberries, pressed roses, fresh orange, and violet. As it opens, it evens picks up some spice box, cigar incense, and cherry notes. Crystalline in nature and ripe, this next-level red delivers ripe, sweet tannins, great tension, and fresh, vibrant acidity, without any austerity. A luxury racecar, it’s fantastic and possibly the wine of the year. Drink 2025-2055.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate · 96 Points: This was an epic vintage, and the entire Gaja family is ready to sing its praises. The 2021 Barbaresco sets the tone with sweet cherry flavors framed by spice, earthy notes and elegantly sweet tannins. Giovanni Gaja says the 2021 growing season had two phases: the first six months of the year saw rain and cool temperatures with some frost and soggy conditions until May; however, from June forward, the season saw sunny days without excessive heat spikes. In line with the character of the vintage, this wine shows succulent fruit that is balanced and not too ripe. There is depth and volume here.

Additional Expert Reviews · Vintage Not Specified in Supplied Text

Wine Spectator · 95 Points: A pretty red, elegant and expressive, offering strawberry, cherry, rose and mineral flavors. Refined tannins and vibrant acidity provide the right amount of support, giving an overall sense of harmony. This firms up nicely, turning more austere, with red fruit and savory notes on the long aftertaste.

James Suckling · 95 Points: The aromas of licorice, minerals, light tar and dark berries such as raspberry are so attractive. It’s medium-bodied with a tight and integrated palate of fine tannins that are seamless and unseen. It’s long and lively.

Wine Enthusiast · 95 Points: A pure embodiment of Nebbiolo’s elegance, this opens with enticing aromas of ripe red berries, violet petals and earthy undertones. The palate leaps forward with flavors of juicy cherries, plums and a touch of spice. A chalky minerality sits at the core, with fine-grained tannins that create a structure that’s perfectly balanced. Each part of the wine is precise and effortlessly flows into the next.

Historical Review · Vintage 2020

Wine Enthusiast · 94 Points · 2020: Blended across 14 vineyards, this wine shows the class, beauty and vitality of the noble Nebbiolo grown in the soils of Barbaresco. The wine opens with aromas of ripe cherries, warmed strawberries in sweet spices, fresh herbs and mixed flowers. The palate is lifted and vibrant with a verve that electrifies the palate as flavors of boysenberry, dried blood orange and black tea saunter about alongside well-intergrated tannins, making this wine drinkable now but ready for the cellar.

Food Pairings & Serving

Suggested pairings include braised beef, roast lamb, mushroom risotto or aged hard cheeses. Serve slightly below room temperature and allow time in the glass to explore the wine's developing aromatics.

Wine Details

• Producer: GAJA
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Barbaresco
• Region: Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: Nebbiolo
• Style: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml
• 2021 reviews: Jeb Dunnuck 97 points; Wine Advocate 96 points
• Jeb Dunnuck drinking window: 2025–2055

Fragrant, vibrant Barbaresco with the structure for a special meal or time in the cellar.

The 2022 Nerello Mascalese Pirrera is impossible to ignore. It blends crushed blackberries with lavender pastille and hints of candied citrus and spice. This is zesty, with a reverberation of brisk acidity and masses of mineral-doused wild berry fruits. The 2022 finishes with medium length and a chalky concentration, leaving the cheeks puckered with youthful poise as hints of tart blackberry slowly taper off.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 91 Points | A juicy, berry-oriented Chianti Classico here showing some fine herbs, licorice, red berries and fresh plums to the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate with firm, fine-grained tannins and a tight, pretty succulent finish.

Winemaker Description 

This Chianti Riserva is produced from specially selected Sangiovese grapes grown following the traditional methods in the vineyards of the Chianti production area. The wine is aged in Slavonian oak casks owned by the Castellani Family historic cellars where it performs malolactic fermentation and ages for a minimum period of 24 months. It completes its refinement in bottle.

Winemaker Description

Harvest is done by hand to select the best fruit. Only the most mature berries are chosen, it is followed by a secondary selection to avoid any compromise on quality. Wild yeasts (pied de cuve) that are naturally present on the skins of the berries are used to obtain exceptional wines that really reflect the terroir with complex flavors and texture. After resting with the skins for 30 days, the juice is fermented in Troncais barrels of French oak barrels for 12-15 days with frequent pump overs. The wine then ages 18 months in Slavonian oak barrels and at least an additional 6 months in the bottle.

The end result is a wine with garnet color with red fruit and cassis aromas
with licorice, smoke and caramel notes with silky tannins.

Memo Summary Description 

The Placido "Primavera Selection" Pinot Grigio 2024 is a textbook example of a clean, refreshing, and high-value Italian white wine. Produced by the renowned Banfi family (owners of the Placido label), this wine is specifically crafted to be "primavera" (springtime) in a bottle—vibrant, floral, and incredibly easy to drink.

While the brand is famous for its Tuscan roots, this Pinot Grigio is typically sourced from the Delle Venezie DOC (Veneto), the world's premier region for crisp, mineral-driven Pinot Grigio.

COS Metodo Classico Zero Dosaggio · Frappato · 2022

Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti and Cirino Strano, COS takes its name from the founders’ initials. For this sparkling Frappato, the importer describes estate vineyards in Sicily’s Vittoria region at 230 meters, with red soils containing limestone and silica. The grapes are hand-harvested slightly underripe from vines averaging 25 years of age.

Pale copper color and a fresh, brisk profile with melon pith and dried flowers. The base wine ferments with indigenous yeast in cement tanks, ages there for twelve months, and spends 22 months on the lees before disgorgement. Serve chilled as an aperitif or try it alongside seafood and lightly fried appetizers.

Pale copper color, fresh and brisk with hints of melon pith and dried flowers

Base wine aged in cement for twelve months. The dosage is fresh must from the subsequent vintage. Spends 22 months on the lees before disgorgement

Our shop note

COS has always been a staple on our Sicilian shelves. Now imagine how excited we are to have them over in our sparkling section. Their spumante is all Frappato with a chalky and yeasty profile, the result of a year spent in cement then 22 months of lees aging.

At a glance

• Producer: COS
• Vintage: 2022
• Origin: Vittoria, Sicily, Italy
• Appellation: Terre Siciliane IGT
• Grape: Frappato
• Style: Metodo Classico sparkling wine
• Designation: Zero Dosaggio, as listed by the importer
• Vineyards: Estate-grown; 230 meters elevation
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeast in cement tanks
• Aging: Twelve months in cement, followed by 22 months on the lees
• Importer-listed disgorgement: June 2025
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting notes: Pale copper, fresh and brisk, with melon pith and dried flowers

A fresh, brisk Sicilian sparkling Frappato with a distinctive copper hue.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 90 Points | The organic Volpaia 2020 Balifico is an IGT blend of 65% Sangiovese and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon is impossible to miss, as this wine is very driven by aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and garden herb that are linked to that varietal. This is a medium to full-bodied red blend that also delivers the dusty crushed stone aromas that I associate with Chianti Classico.

James Suckling 93 Points | Very pretty and floral aromas with orange blossom and currant character. Very attractive purity of fruit. It’s medium-bodied with polished and fine tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Tangy acidity. From organically grown grapes. Give it a year or two more but already gorgeous. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Loaded with black cherry, blackberry and floral aromas and flavors, this red is also firmly structured. Shows persistent fruit through the lingering aftertaste, where elements of earth and Tuscan scrub emerge. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2033.

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The Wine Spectator 93 Points | An elegant red, boasting cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors. Firm, with a dry edge to its tannins as this builds to the long finish. Overall, there's fine balance, and the lasting impression is of ripe fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2030.

Winemaker Description 

Castello dei Rampolla d'Alceo is a premium, proprietary blend of Cabernet and Petit Verdot grapes exclusively from the renowned Panzano in Chianti region of Tuscany. This organic and biodynamic red is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its complex bouquet and flavor profile.

Expert Reviews - VIntage 2009

Vinous 96 Points | The 2009 d'Alceo comes across as much more classic in style and structure than the 2008. According to Luca di Napoli, the trick to 2009 was harvesting on the early side. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, plums, mint and licorice all take shape in the glass Over the last few months, the 2009 d'Alceo has softened a bit, releasing expressive, floral aromatics, brighter shades of fruit and striking inner perfume, but it remains quite vibrant in the context of a vintage in which so many wines are quite a bit riper in style. The 2009 is a wonderfully deep, resonant d'Alceo that should offer a wide drinking window starting in a few years. It certainly looks like Rampolla nailed the vintage.  Drinking 2019 - 2039.

Antonio Galloni, 96+ | My absolute favorite wine of 2022 was a bottle of the Castello dei Rampolla 2006 d'Alceo that I had the good fortune to drink at dinner during a work event in Tuscany last year. I remember the wine vividly, and if I were to review it again, it would certainly merit a perfect score. With that profound inspiration in mind, I feel especially optimistic toward this outstanding group of new releases from Maurizia di Napoli and her talented team. This historic estate has farmed according to organic and biodynamic methods since 1994, making it one of the first in Italy to do so. In truth, I have found some inconsistencies along the way over the many years I have reviewed and adored these wines. Such is the magic of artisanal winemaking. But thanks to that memory of that 2006 d'Alceo, I remain in awe of Castello dei Rampolla today. 

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A luminous ruby red. Bouquet: Fruity aromas of bottled cherries, and spicy notes of vanilla and cinnamon, sage and mint, and tabacco leaf.

Velvet smooth and full-flavored, with generous tannins.

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Brilliant lemon-green in color, playful aromas of green apples and pears are underscored by notes of white peaches and apricots. On the palate, tangy acidity unfolds into a long, harmonious finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 92 Points | A gorgeous blend of crushed violets, lavender, wild strawberries and crushed stone wafts up as the 2022 Nerello Cappuccio blossoms in the glass. It opens with a lovely inner sweetness and crisp wild berry fruits. Brilliant acidity adds lift and hints of sour citrus pepper the palate. The 2022 tapers off wickedly fresh with a gentle tug of fine tannins, taking on a slightly crunchy sensation as of licorice tones fade under blue- and purple-toned inner florals. The Nerello Cappuccio from Benanti is always a fun wine; its one of the only varietal expressions one can even find on the market.

Winemaker Description 

Fairly bright ruby red with very light tints of purple. Scent is spicy, herbaceous, smoky, and mildly fruity.

Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988.

Vineyard in Contrada Cavaliere, on the South-western slope of Mount Etna, within the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia (CT). This area is known for its high elevation (900 m a.s.l. / 2,950 ft a.s.l.), low rainfall rate and abundant luminosity.

2022 was the warmest year in the last 180 years, starting with regular and abundant winter rainfall. The vineyards’ vegetative growth was slightly early but healthy, leading to ideal flowering and fruit setting. Between May and June, rapid vegetation growth in Benanti’s five contradas required significant pruning. Despite high temperatures and a lack of rain, the grapes showed no water stress until late August rainfalls. The grapes ripened in excellent health with minimal interventions. The complete ripening process saw notable sugar increases and good acidity levels, perfect for producing balanced wines. Harvests at Calderara Sottana started on October 3rd, and concluded with Nerello Mascalese at Contrada Cavaliere on October 17th.

Assai represents the pinnacle of Chianti Classico winemaking — the Gran Selezione designation accounts for just 8–9% of total Chianti Classico production and requires a minimum 30 months of aging including bottle time, approved only through blind tasting by a committee of expert winemakers.

Crafted exclusively from 100% organic Sangiovese sourced from a single 15-year-old estate vineyard in the prestigious U.G.A. Vagliagli, Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), this is a masterclass in Tuscan terroir. Aged in French oak barrels, it achieves exceptional balance, depth of flavor, and the unmistakable Sangiovese signature. Only 4,500 bottles produced.

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby color with rich complexity. Fruity and spicy on the nose with balsamic nuances. Smooth, full-bodied, and persistent on the palate with remarkable depth and a long, elegant finish.

Food Pairings

Elaborate meat and game dishes, braised lamb, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and aged cheeses. Decant 1–2 hours before serving. Cellar with confidence through 2035+.

• Producer: Terra di Seta / Assai
• Appellation: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• U.G.A.: Vagliagli, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena
• Grape: 100% Sangiovese (organic)
• Aging: 30+ months, French oak + bottle aging
• Production: 4,500 bottles
• Certification: Kosher, Organic
• Vintage: 2019
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red with violet shadings, nearly opaque with traces of garnet
Bouquet. Expansive and persistent with sweet fruits, notes of blackberry, black cherry and a subtle nuttiness. Sweet spices lead to a mineral finish

Soft, sweet, voluptuous body, persistent and velvety. The tannins are thick and sweet, the acidity is well balanced, cutting the density and heaviness, while giving structure. Long finish, persistently fruity with notes of underbrush, forest fruit, and complex, intense spices.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

James Suckling 98 Points | Subtle and beautiful on the nose with currants, flowers and light sage aromas that follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Extremely polished and poised.

The Wine Spectator 97 Points | Dripping with black currant, blackberry, black cherry, iron and toasty oak flavors, this red is suave and polished. Features flashes of tobacco and wild herbs that add even more detail as this builds to a long, kaleidoscopic finish. Presents civilized tannins that are well-integrated and provide structure. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Advocate 96 Points | Inky dark in appearance, the 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. This vintage unfolds to exuberant richness and thick layers of blackberry and plum. The tannins are sweet and expertly crafted, adding both depth and fruit weight. The 2020 vintage is quite bold, and it plays its best cards in terms of texture and mouthfeel. It’s a bigger, more accessible wine compared to the last two vintages on the market. Spice, toasted coffee bean and more dark fruit color this full-bodied Tuscan red.