Italy Piedmont

Barale 2018 Barolo di Barolo

Called “Barolo di Barolo” because the fruit comes from vineyards in the town of Barolo, this is labeling that we’re seeing more of these days. The wine shows some of the best aspects of the good 2018s – lovely light weight, savory and easy drinking, with entrancing citrus, rose, and earthy notes. A wine more on the side of finesse than power, it’s nonetheless complete. It will drink very well now and for the next 10+ years. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 6 in stock
  • $46.99

  • Organic

Barale 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo

Again the Barales achieve a fascinating balance of savory character and fruit, all in a medium-bodied wine that’s quite structured with ripe tannin, with very good length. Another classic. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $26.99

  • Organic

Barale 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba Le Rose

A lovely light-mid weight Dolcetto, very fresh with good acidity and classically tannic, this combines bright red fruit and savory herbal notes; this will gain complexity with just a little more time in bottle. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 38 in stock
  • $22.99

  • Organic

Baudana / Vajra 2018 Barolo Baudana

I'm looking forward to tasting the 2018 again because a couple of months ago it was a stand-out in a large crowd of bottles, and people. My note - more accurately, my scribble - reads "lovely red cherry and blood orange - a very fresh nose - medium bodied, ripe tannin, a very elegant Serralunga - velvet glove". Make of it what you will - the wine will not disappoint! Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $99.99

Baudana / Vajra 2019 Barolo Baudana

I'm looking forward to tasting the 2019 again because a couple of months ago it was a stand-out in a large crowd of bottles, and people. My note - more accurately, my scribble - reads "lovely red cherry and blood orange - a very fresh nose - medium bodied, ripe tannin, a very elegant Serralunga - velvet glove". Make of it what you will - the wine will not disappoint! Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 7 in stock
  • $99.99

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $99.99

  • red
  • 3 in stock
  • $68.99

  • red
  • 11 in stock
  • $58.99

  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • $84.99

Bricco Ernesto 2019 Vino Rosso (Nebbiolo - Roero)

100% Nebbiolo. Soil sand 70%, limestone 20%, clay 10%. De-stemmed, quick four day mecaration on the skin before fermentation. Indigenous yeats in a mix of anfora 50% and large barrels 50% for 35 days. Malolactic fermentation in same barrels for 9 months before resting in the bottle for an additional 3 months. No filtration. One of Italy's first certified organic vineyard, in the Roero area of Piemonte in NW Italy.

  • red
  • 17 in stock
  • $57.99

  • Organic

Brovia 2016 Barolo Garblet Sué

For years Garblet Sue  has been - for me - the most elusive of the Brovia wines. Then the 2015 turned out to be a very fine wine, and the 2016, tasted from barrel, showed equally well. Now I'm looking forward to trying it again... Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $99.99

  • Organic
  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $99.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $1,899.99

  • red
  • 12 in stock
  • $49.99

  • red
  • 5 in stock
  • $499.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $449.99

  • red
  • 6 in stock
  • $399.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $229.99

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $274.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $574.99

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $249.99

Castello di Verduno 2021 Pelaverga 'Basadone'

Pelaverga grape. Fermentation and maceration for 8 days in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then refined for 8 months in these same tanks. Finally, it rests in the bottle for 3 months before being released for sale.

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $28.99

  • red
  • 3 in stock
  • $89.99

  • red
  • 8 in stock
  • $54.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $139.99

  • red
  • 6 in stock
  • $139.99

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $39.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $29.99

  • red
  • 12 in stock
  • $61.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $59.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $149.99

Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta (arrives Dec '23)

The 1970 Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta from one of the my favorite Piedmont producers is showing beautifully with a compelling blend of earthy old Nebbiolo aromas, resolved tannins, and still lively fruit. The tension between the sweet and savory on the nose is beguiling, while the palate has evolved to the point where the fruit and earthy flavors  are supported by the structure, rather than dominated by it. Given time to blossom (we strongly advocate double decanting after lunch for dinner service) this is the perfect partner for braised meat with polenta or risotto with truffles. This is a lovely wine and a truly special treat for lovers of aged Nebbiolo. (Tasted 2/25/16) John McIlwain

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $199.99

Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

Black cherry and kirsch flavors are underlined by subtle hints of bresaola, dark chocolate, and fresh earth. It's not a powerful vintage, but nevertheless impresses with its lightness, litheness, and elegance (2/28/16).  Jonas Mendoza

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $124.99

Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbareco Riserva Pora (arrives December '23)

Still doing very well at 40+ years, with intense mature Nebbiolo aromatics, dry and savory; the wine is not overly tannic, but no Piemontese would ever serve this except at table, with a main-course meat dish like ossobuco or something grilled; do so and you will have a memorable treat.    

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $199.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • no discount
  • $474.99

Produttori del Barbaresco 1974 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

1974 was a sleeper vintage for the Produttori, and it has definitely impressed on two separate occasions while tasting vertical flights of the cooperative's normale. Ripe red and black cherry fruit flavors mingle with secondary notes of balsamic, dark chocolate, and spaded earth. The medium body and robustness is supported by a quite lithe texture (1/17/17). Jonas Mendoza

  • red
  • 9 in stock
  • $119.99

Rovero 2019 Brachetto d'Asti

Brachetto grape. Organic certified ICEA. Just after being hand harvested in September, the grapes are selected prior to crushing and they cold steeping for 7 days. Then grapes are gently pressed and they must be clarified and filtered several times. The grape juice obtained is kept in refrigerated tanks until it is processed in the autoclave, to obtain a sparkling wine by means of a controlled temperature fermentation, using selected yeasts. The wine-making technique is the same for all Brachetto wines, even if each of them has individual features due to the different original vineyard of origin.

  • red off-dry sparkling
  • 2 in stock
  • no discount
  • $19.99

  • Organic

Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2017 Barolo Perno

One of the best 2017s we tasted in 35 visits last year – which might seem like faint praise, but this is a very fine wine under any circumstance, and a choice for drinking now / soon. The wine is very fresh and bright (unusual for the vintage), showing crisp red fruit and blood orange, bringing vibrancy to a deep core. Very fine indeed! Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 27 in stock
  • $69.99

  • Organic

Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2020 Barbera d'Alba Superiore

Sandri’s Barbera always shows some of the gravitas and depth that his Nebbiolo-based wines carry so gracefully; the 2020 is made friendly with blackberry fruit, delicate rose petal, and a hint of baking spice. Drinkable now, or over the next 10 years. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 5 in stock
  • $34.99

  • Organic
  • red
  • 50 in stock
  • $27.99

  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • $54.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $129.99

  • red
  • 11 in stock
  • $24.99

  • red
  • 6 in stock
  • $189.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $179.99

Italy Tuscany

  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • $69.99

  • red
  • 3 in stock
  • $64.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $69.99

Fornacina 2017 Brunello di Montalcino

I've tried to resist the temptation of a potential cliché, but: this made me think of Burgundy, because this is a really elegant Brunello with no sign of heat, beautiful balance – it’s intense, but not at all too rich, with good lift, and a clear sense of place. I’ve tasted Fornacina for about 10 years now, and terroir emerges in the wine; the relatively high altitude (400+ meters), and the high PH of the galestro soil, must play a role in how fresh the wine is. The wine is very fragrant with “frutti di bosco”, or forest fruits (wild strawberry, blackberry, etc), clay and “sotto bosco”, or forest floor – leafy and earthy. After 4+ hours open, it’s showing even better: a very refined wine, aromatic, dynamic, and delicious

  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • $54.99

  • Organic

Fornacina 2020 Rosso di Montalcino

Making some of our favorite Brunello wines, Simone and Mauro Biliorsi farm six hectares of vines just outside of the historic town of Montalcino. The vineyards were converted to organic farming in 2004, and the conscientious work in the vines is mirrored in the traditional winemaking: fermentation using only indigenous yeasts, and the wine is raised in large Slovenian oak barrels with a volume between 20 and 35 hectoliters. The 2020 Rosso is just a beautiful wine showing a bright red/garnet color and elegant aromas of tart cherry, raspberry, violet and forest floor, subtle and pure. The palate has a lovely texture from the schistous clay soils with black cherry and berry fruits with bright acidity, spice and mineral flavors. The finish is very long, pure and refreshing with sappy bitter cherry lingering on the palate. Serve cool with braised meats, grilled chicken, mushroom risotto, open a few hours in advance if possible or cellar 3 - 5 years. Lovely wine! David Lillie

  • red
  • 10 in stock
  • $28.99

  • Organic

Fuoristrada (Monte Bernardi) NV Sangiovese Rosato TetraPak Liter 1L Rose

One of our favorite Italian winemakers is actually American. Michael Schmelzer moved to Italy in 2003 with his family and purchased 10 hectares of organic vineyards in the "belly button of Chianti Classico" at Monte Bernardi. Since that time he has branched out and started making wines from Sicilian grapes as well. This spring he introduced his Tetra Pak Rosato which is made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes. Don't let the vibrant pink carton fool you. It's more subtle on the inside - fresh and energetic with great acidity and a slight grip. Raspberry, strawberry, and fresh watermelon fruit make this the perfect beach or picnic wine. An added bonus is that Tetra Pak cartons use 54% less energy, create 80% less greenhouse gasses, and produce 60% less solid waste volume than a 750ml glass wine bottle. So you can celebrate summer and save the environment

  • rosé
  • 4 in stock
  • $16.99

  • Organic
  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $27.99

  • Organic

Lecci e Brocchi 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva

The Chianti Classico Riserva is graced with the image of il Chiorba (the baldy) – the founder of the Lecci e Brocchi farm. The wine ages for two years in botte (large older wood barrels). It’s very aromatic, with herbs and stone over a core of dark fruit. Structured and showing some ripe tannins, it’s full-bodied by still graceful and vibrant, with a long and juicy finish. An impressieve Riserva, this will continue to develop for years to come. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 15 in stock
  • $32.99

  • Organic

Lecci e Brocchi 2019 Chianti Classico Ragonaia

Ragonaia is a single-vineyard, 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico, aged in used French barriques and tonneau; the wood aging brings some richness of texture and an elegance to the wine. Also very savory and mineral, it’s quite full-bodied, with pronounced red fruit on the long finish. Perhaps the most contemporary / least rustic in style of the Lecci wines, it’s still a treat for anyone partial to Sangiovese. Jamie Wolff

  • red
  • 17 in stock
  • $28.99

  • Organic

Monte Bernardi 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva

Another fantastic vintage of this staple red from Monte Bernardi. 95% Sangiovese with 5% of Canaiolo Nero from estate vines in Panzano, Chianti. Wine is fermented naturally in oak and stainless steel before aging 18-24 months in oak. The nose is very fragrant, with notes of warm blueberry preserve, balsamic and freshly baked pie crust. Above those deep aromas, there are fresh red cherries and woodsy forest shrubs. On the palate, there are flavors black cherry, milled coffee beans, and a very lovely note of candied blackberry. The wine has a long finish of herbs and spice. Structure-wise, this Chianti has high acidity and healthy tannin. An incredible wine! 

  • red
  • 13 in stock
  • $31.99

Pian delle Querci 2020 Rosso di Montalcino

Sangiovese grape. This Rosso di Montalcino was aged in old Slavonian casks for just under a year before bottling. The Pian delle Querci winery is a small property located in the village of Montalcino. They have a mere 2 ha of vines dedicated to making this fine Tuscan red wine.

  • red
  • 7 in stock
  • $24.99

  • red
  • 3 in stock
  • $59.99

Misc. Italy

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $69.99

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $64.99

  • red
  • 3 in stock
  • $69.99

Casaretti 2021 Bardolino Classico La Nogara

70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese. Selective hand-harvest of the best, optimal ripe grapes. Traditional vinification on the skins with 8-10 days maceration. At least 6 months in stainless steel tank. Soil: Morainic hills. Production area: Traditional wine growing region of Bardolino (on the eastern shore of Lake Garda).

  • red
  • 58 in stock
  • $17.99

Casaretti 2021 Bardolino Classico Rosa dei Casaretti

This lovely rosato is 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara, from organically tended vines on the shore of Lake Garda in the Veneto. Soils are rocky with clay. 12-36 hour maceration before natural fermentation. Aged in stainless steel. In the glass, the color is a cool pink. The nose is ripe with cherry fruit and accented with fresh herbal notes. On the palate, there is a zing of raspberry and a clean mineral drive. The palate has high acidity and a great textural swish. David Hatzopoulos

  • rosé
  • 26 in stock
  • $17.99

  • Organic

Jasci 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

With tons of earthy fruit aromas, this is very bright and simultaneously rich on the palate Really classic, textbook Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with the great bonus of being lifted and energetic.

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $19.99

  • Organic
  • red
  • 41 in stock
  • $18.99

Monterosso 2017 Etna Rosso Sisma

The Sisma by Monterosso is structured, with bright acidity. The 2017 vintage was hot compared to the 2016. Earthy aromas of smoke, iron, and crushed black stones mix with dark cherry and cassis on the nose. On the palate, the flavors are framed by ripe, firm tannins, with bursts of earthy red plum and blackberry/raspberry fruit. This is an assertive Nerello Mascalese, especially in contrast with the gentler character of the 2016. A few years in the cellar should allow the flavors and structure to integrate. David Hatzopoulos

  • red
  • 10 in stock
  • $39.99

Ostinato NV Marsala Fine Secco (Semi-Dry) Ambra

Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto. Oak Aged, Vegan. Its higher natural ABV means the wine is less reliant on fortification and is more expressive of Marsala’s indelible terroir. Aged for more than two years in botti, without temperature control or topping up.  While fortified, the base wines were 'alto grado' (high grade), meaning they were harvested from later harvest, riper grapes.

  • 11 in stock
  • $11.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $274.99

Pianogrillo 2021 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Curva Minore

The rules for making Cerasuolo di Vittoria call for a blend of Nero d’Avola (50-70%) and Frappato (30-50%); in practice this means a fair range of style depending on the proportion of the richer Nero d’Avola to the more airy Frappato. The house blend at each producer isn’t necessarily fixed – at Pianogrillo allowance is made for what the growing season provides, but the target there is 50% Nero d’Avola to 50% Frappato. My benchmark Cerasuolo di Vittoria comes from COS; the Pianogrillo is one of very few I’ve tasted of similar quality. It’s aged in large, 25HL barrels of Slavonian oak (and some 500L barrels of Etna chestnut), which may account for the slightly more muscular results (v. COS’ amphora aging). Even so, the Pianogrillo Cerasuolo is light-to-medium body with a lot of depth and rustic charm, with fresh black cherry and pomegranate fruit, good lift and energy. 

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $24.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Pranzegg 2014 Mitterberg Lagrein Laurenc

From 15 year old vines planted in both guyot and pergola training systems, Pranzegg's Lagrien is fermented with submerged cap for 4 weeks. Dense purple in color. Earth, anise, and cocoa on the nose, with dark roses and rhubarb. The palate is earth driven, with tense minerality. Dried cherry, with mint and black tea. High toned, with bright acidity and very chewy tannin. Incredibly engaging, a wine the develops many layers while staying staying bright and very accessible. David Hatzopoulos

  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • $36.99

  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Pranzegg 2016 Mitterberg Lagrein Laurenc

100% Lagrein. Rich and plummy in color. Liqour-like cherry on the nose, with heady birch, black pepper, and raw almonds. Raspberry and cherry on the palate - mineral drive and salty, mineral center. A great wine, with high acidity and grippy, engaging tannin. An incredible expression of this very Alpine grape! David Hatzopoulos

  • red
  • 9 in stock
  • $32.99

  • Biodynamic

Pranzegg 2017 Mitterberg Lagrein Laurenc

100% Lagrein from Alto-Adige. A barely translucent purple in the glass. The nose is dark and brooding, with mellow tones of black plum, blackberry, fennel sead, and garden soil. Becomes floral with time, and then a little ripe peach apepars. The palate has great nervy fruit, with lapping flavors of black cherry and gravelly minerality. Structure washes over the tongue, with lush tannin and bright acidity. New to Lagrein? Definitely start here. David Hatzopoulos

  • red
  • 11 in stock
  • $37.99

  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • no discount
  • $51.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Romeo del Castello 2011 Etna Rosso Allegracore

2011 seems like a very respected vintage, with good aromatics, acidity and structure. The 2011 was 13% alc, like the 2010, and captures the lightness and cooler side of Nerello Mascalese.

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $35.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Savino - I Fenicotteri 2015 Sicilia Nero d'Avola Nero Sichili

Vittorio Savino, owner of Fenicotteri, joined Foti’s small association of producers called i Vigneri (some of whose wines from Mt. Etna we always have on our shelves). I Vigneri offers unparalleled expertise in every aspect of viticulture and production (including the services of Ciccio, the group’s mule). Foti’s work at Gulfi, and his knowledge derived from the vines in Pachino must have been very valuable when trying to restore a vineyard that’s virtually on the shore of the lagoon. The farming is impeccable (only copper and sulfur and sheep manure are used on the bush-trained vines) but it’s the location that brings an incredibly compelling mineral and saline lift to the wine. Called Fenicotteri (flamingo, in Italian) after the migratory flamingoes who visit the lagoon next to the vineyard. JW Firmly medium-bodied, the 2015 shows beautiful notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currant, raspberry jam, a hint of leather, cut hay, cocoa, coffee grinds, with hints of black pepper and a black olive brininess. Well integrated and soft, but quite present tannins and medium acidity. Wonderful complexity which just keeps unfolding the longer the wine is open. There is a certain plushness, without anything extravagant. This wine is very compelling all the way through the bottle. Oskar Kostecki

  • red
  • 14 in stock
  • $29.99

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $74.99

Thomain 2021 Vallee D'Aoste Enfer d'Arvier

From steep vineyards in the Enfer D'Arvier appellation in the Vallée D'Aoste, this is 90% Petit Rouge, with a bit of Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Gamaret. The fruit is destemmed and fermented in a mix of fiberglass and stainless steel tanks, and then aged for nine months in steel. Always rustic, ripe, and aromatically vivid, with wild mountain berries on the nose, and medium tannins. A unique wine from a unique place!

  • red
  • 13 in stock
  • $39.99

Vaona 2022 Valpolicella Classico

A blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Molinara and Rondinella, from ancient vineyards owned by Cantina Vaona. Fermentation is for 8-10 days fter a crushing follows a fermentation for 8-10 days and aging is in stainless steel. Overall this is a fantastic ANY night of the week wine, great with roasted and grilled meats, anything with an Italian lean, and light enough to take the place of a Pinot Noir or lighter red in a pinch!

  • red
  • 1 in stock
  • $17.99

  • Organic