Italy has a vast diversity of native grape varieties, more than almost anywhere else, but two stand out as the most coveted: Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Together, these two are responsible for many of Italy's most complex and distinguished wines. We've always been proud of our Italian range. Now we've curated two mixed cases, one for Nebbiolo, one for Sangiovese. Each showcases the diversity and potential of these varieties.
Sangiovese is Italy's single most planted grape variety. Its home stretch is very much central Italy and Tuscany, but even within Tuscany there is an impressive diversity of styles. Wines from Chianti Rufina tend to be silky, light, juicy and fresh, while Chianti Classico will produce riper, more structured, savoury wines. Morellino produces Sangiovese of medium weight and lovely purity of fruit, and Brunello di Montalcino gives us the most powerful, age-worthy wines.
Nebbiolo is the north's finest red variety. It can be almost ethereal, but its combination of tannic power and acidity means the best Nebbiolo can also be phenomenally long-lived. Much like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo is capable of producing a range of styles and, especially in Barolo, trends are moving away from heavily extracted, powerful wines, towards more elegant, prettier wines, which offer more approachability in their youth. Barolo is Nebbiolo's most famous expression of Nebbiolo, but many fabulous expressions of the variety can be found in lesser-known villages such as Valtellina and Bramaterra, where boutique, quality-driven producers produce beautiful Nebbiolo at extremely friendly prices.
We'll have four of the Sangiovese on tasting today and tomorrow, and four of the Nebbiolo next week. /DS
The Sangiovese case contains one bottle each of:
2020 Salvioni Rosso di Montalcino: A family operation that is keenly focused on quality, Salvioni have vineyards in some of Montalcino's most highly-regarded terroir. Their Rosso is better than many Brunellos. The production is small, as they prune their vines harshly to ensure the grapes are concentrated.
2019 Le Pupille Poggio Valente Toscana: This is a single vineyard wine, made from 100% Sangiovese. The aim here is to express the terroir of Maremma, in Scansano. This wine shows beautiful cherry and plum fruit, with 18 months in new oak adding nutmeg and tobacco characters. A truly delicious wine.
2018 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino: Argiano are tucked away in the South-Western corner of Brunello. Their well-situated vineyards benefit from the high altitude which extends their growing season, and brings finesse to their wines. The 2018 is dark, broody and structured, yet supple and elegant. Already approachable in its youth, though this will only improve with cellaring.
2017 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino: A historic estate with a modern approach to winemaking. Il Poggione are a large estate with 125ha under vine, but the quality of wine here is high vintage after vintage. These Brunellos are elegant, pretty and very age-worthy.
2016 Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino: Our favourite estate in Chianti. Marco Ricasoli's wines never fail to impress, especially his San Marcellino. This comes from the heart of the original Chianti Classico Zone in Gaiole. The San Marcellino is usually around 80% Sangiovese, with Canaiolo and Pugnitello making up the rest of the blend. While this wine ages immensely well, the 2016 is already brimming with dark cherry, tobacco, leather and mint.
2015 Colleoni Sante Marie Brunello Montalcino: Mariano Colleoni came to winemaking by chance, when he bought a property in Montalcino which happened to have some vines. As it turned out, this property had great potential and the Colleonis have been producing exciting Brunellos ever since. 2015 was a superb vintage in Brunello and this is stunning.
The Nebbiolo case contains one bottle each of:
2018 Antoniotti Bramaterra:From the forgotten region of Bramaterra, in the foothills of the Alps. Antoniotti is a charming, family-run estate nestled amongst woodland. The Antoniottis make the wine in the cellar under their house, as they have done for several generations. These are serious wines, full of complexity, concentration and finesse. Predominantly Nebbiolo, with the balance made up of local specialities Croatina, Vespolina, and Uva Rara.
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo di Verduno: Thanks largely to 5th generation producer Fratelli Alessandria, Verduno is now a hot-spot on the Barolo map, known for producing incredibly elegant, perfumed wines. This wine is a perfect example of the style. Crushed red berries, spice and pine notes.
2018 Bruna Grimaldi Barolo Badarina: The Grimaldi family are on a roll, with recent vintages seeing great sets of wines. 2018 is a special vintage for the Badarina: with no riserva made this year, all the fruit from the Vigna Regnola site went into this cuvee.
2016 Francesca Castaldi Fara: Fara is a tiny appellation in Alto Piemonte, typically making a savoury, herbal style of Nebbiolo. The Castaldi family have been living here for hundreds of years. This wine has a beautiful red cherry fruit profile and a soft velvety texture.
2016 Alfio Mozzi Valtellina Superiore Grisone: Alfio Mozzi is based in the very heart of Valtellina, in Italy's Alpine far north. He is the third generation to work his family's shist terraces, and is producing incredibly elegant, perfumed wines.
2015 Roagna Barbaresco Faset: Based in Barbaresco, Luca Roagna is widely regarded as one of the finest growers in all of Piemonte, The Faset is a stellar example of what Nebbiolo is capable of, it's full of spice, leather, tobacco and dried herbs. If you're a Nebbiolo fanatic, this is what it's all about!
Offered subject to remaining unsold
