Catalog

Flag bearer of the new Spanish viticulture, Alvaro Palacios has built its reputation with its Priorat wines, including the flagship Ermita. In 2000, he returned to take care of the family property located east of the Rioja appellation. Over 100 hectares, the vineyard has been divided equally between grenache and tempranillo in organic conversion since 2015.

Propiedad, a high-end cuvée produced only in the great vintages (if not folded in La Montesa): the oldest vines (40 to 90 years old), long vatting, 14 months' maturation, without filtration before bottling, rated 92/100 by Vinous in 2015.

Along with Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja and Renato Ratti, Cantina Vietti is one of the estates that revived Barolo in the early 1960s, practicing plot selection above all else. Bought in 2015 by an American (Krause family), a new impulse is given to the estate which, with more financial means, has acquired several highly qualitative plots in the heart of the Barolo. The wines of Vietti are distinguished by their contained power and stylish depth, qualities that are only revealed after about ten years of aging (except for Perbacco, which is more quickly accessible).

Antonio Galloni, the most qualified American taster to comment on Italian wines, places Vietti at the absolute top of Piedmont and the entire peninsula. 

In addition to the red wines that place the estate at the top of the Piedmont wine scene, Vietti also produces a fresh and delicate dry white wine with a hint of bitterness (green almond) from the Arneis grape (otherwise known as Nebbiolo bianco). Worth discovering!

Along with Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja and Renato Ratti, Cantina Vietti is one of the estates that revived Barolo in the early 1960s, practicing plot selection above all else. Bought in 2015 by an American (Krause family), a new impulse is given to the Estate which, with more financial means, has acquired several highly qualitative plots in the heart of the Barolo. The wines of Vietti are distinguished by their contained power and stylish depth, qualities that are only revealed after about ten years of aging (except for Perbacco, which is more quickly accessible).

Antonio Galloni, the most qualified American taster to comment on Italian wines, places Vietti at the absolute top of Piedmont and the entire peninsula. 

Along with Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja and Renato Ratti, Cantina Vietti is one of the estates that revived Barolo in the early 1960s, practicing plot selection above all else. Bought in 2015 by an American (Krause family), a new impulse is given to the Estate which, with more financial means, has acquired several highly qualitative plots in the heart of the Barolo. The wines of Vietti are distinguished by their contained power and stylish depth, qualities that are only revealed after about ten years of aging (except for Perbacco, which is more quickly accessible).

Antonio Galloni, the most qualified American taster to comment on Italian wines, places Vietti at the absolute top of Piedmont and the entire peninsula. 

Along with Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja and Renato Ratti, Cantina Vietti is one of the estates that revived Barolo in the early 1960s, practicing plot selection above all else. Bought in 2015 by an American (Krause family), a new impulse is given to the Estate which, with more financial means, has acquired several highly qualitative plots in the heart of the Barolo. The wines of Vietti are distinguished by their contained power and stylish depth, qualities that are only revealed after about ten years of aging (except for Perbacco, which is more quickly accessible).

Antonio Galloni, the most qualified American taster to comment on Italian wines, places Vietti at the absolute top of Piedmont and the entire peninsula. 

Along with Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja and Renato Ratti, Cantina Vietti is one of the estates that revived Barolo in the early 1960s, practicing plot selection above all else. Bought in 2015 by an American (Krause family), a new impulse is given to the estate which, with more financial means, has acquired several highly qualitative plots in the heart of the Barolo. The wines of Vietti are distinguished by their contained power and stylish depth, qualities that are only revealed after about ten years of aging (except for Perbacco, which is more quickly accessible).

Antonio Galloni, the most qualified American taster to comment on Italian wines, places Vietti at the absolute top of Piedmont and the entire peninsula. 

Along with Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja and Renato Ratti, Cantina Vietti is one of the estates that revived Barolo in the early 1960s, practicing plot selection above all else. Bought in 2015 by an American (Krause family), a new impulse is given to the estate which, with more financial means, has acquired several highly qualitative plots in the heart of the Barolo. The wines of Vietti are distinguished by their contained power and stylish depth, qualities that are only revealed after about ten years of aging (except for Perbacco, which is more quickly accessible).

Antonio Galloni, the most qualified American taster to comment on Italian wines, places Vietti at the absolute top of Piedmont and the entire peninsula. 

The Sottimano family estate is the most Burgundian of Piedmont's producers: small vineyard (18 ha) made up of parcels scattered over the Barbaresco appellation, vines aged between 25 and 60 years, natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts, maturing for one year on lees for malolactic fermentation, no use of sulphur until the final bottling without filtering or fining. All Sottimano wines are distinguished by fine, fresh fruit and soft tannins.

Nice entry into the range with the Langhe (rated 90/100 in 2020 by Galloni) gathering the young vines (15 years old) of their different vineyards.

The Sottimano family estate is the most Burgundian of Piedmont's producers: small vineyard (18 ha) made up of parcels scattered over the Barbaresco appellation, vines aged between 25 and 60 years, natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts, maturing for one year on lees for malolactic fermentation, no use of sulphur until the final bottling without filtering or fining. All Sottimano wines are distinguished by fine, fresh fruit and soft tannins.

Nice entry into the range with the Langhe (rated 90/100 in 2020 by Galloni) gathering the young vines (15 years old) of their different vineyards.

The Sottimano family estate is the most Burgundian of Piedmont's producers: small vineyard (18 ha) made up of parcels scattered over the Barbaresco appellation, vines aged between 25 and 60 years, natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts, maturing for one year on lees for malolactic fermentation, no use of sulphur until the final bottling without filtering or fining. All Sottimano wines are distinguished by fine, fresh fruit and soft tannins.

The plot-based cuvées (1.5 ha maximum) express the diversity of terroirs and exposures like the Burgundian "climats":
- Pajoré, with its limestone subsoil, is structured by beautifully velvety tannins;
- Fausoni has finesse and elegance;
- Currà, the only south-facing terroir, is richer, riper and has a longer ageing potential.

The Sottimano family estate is the most Burgundian of Piedmont's producers: small vineyard (18 ha) made up of parcels scattered over the Barbaresco appellation, vines aged between 25 and 60 years, natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts, maturing for one year on lees for malolactic fermentation, no use of sulphur until the final bottling without filtering or fining. All Sottimano wines are distinguished by fine, fresh fruit and soft tannins.

The plot-based cuvées (1.5 ha maximum) express the diversity of terroirs and exposures like the Burgundian "climats":
- Pajoré, with its limestone subsoil, is structured by beautifully velvety tannins;
- Fausoni has finesse and elegance;
- Currà, the only south-facing terroir, is richer, riper and has a longer ageing potential.

The Sottimano family estate is the most Burgundian of Piedmont's producers: small vineyard (18 ha) made up of parcels scattered over the Barbaresco appellation, vines aged between 25 and 60 years, natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts, maturing for one year on lees for malolactic fermentation, no use of sulphur until the final bottling without filtering or fining. All Sottimano wines are distinguished by fine, fresh fruit and soft tannins.

The plot-based cuvées (1.5 ha maximum) express the diversity of terroirs and exposures like the Burgundian "climats":
- Pajoré, with its limestone subsoil, is structured by beautifully velvety tannins;
- Fausoni has finesse and elegance;
- Currà, the only south-facing terroir, is richer, riper and has a longer ageing potential. His 2016 was rated 95+/100 by Galloni "Currà captures all the magic and mystery that are the essential qualities of a first-rate Nebbiolo. I loved it."

Small estate but the most representative of all Tuscany: because Gianni Brunelli gathers two complementary terroirs (2 ha on clay in the north of the appellation, 4.5 ha on schist and limestone in the south), because it is 100% sangiovese, because it is advised by the local oenologist Paolo Vagaggini (like a third of the Tuscan properties). Here, they don't produce a whole host of wines, but only a Rosso and two Brunellos, the classic and (only in great vintages) the Riserva.

As Mr. Guido (Vinous) wrote in November 2021 "Gianni Brunelli, a producer who continues to prove that Brunello di Montalcino is a world-class vineyard".

Small estate but the most representative of all Tuscany: because Gianni Brunelli gathers two complementary terroirs (2 ha on clay in the north of the appellation, 4.5 ha on schist and limestone in the south), because it is 100% sangiovese, because it is advised by the local oenologist Paolo Vagaggini (like a third of the Tuscan properties). Here, they don't produce a whole host of wines, but only a Rosso and two Brunellos, the classic and (only in great vintages) the Riserva.

As Mr. Guido (Vinous) wrote in November 2021 "Gianni Brunelli, a producer who continues to prove that Brunello di Montalcino is a world-class vineyard".

Small estate but the most representative of all Tuscany: because Gianni Brunelli gathers two complementary terroirs (2 ha on clay in the north of the appellation, 4.5 ha on schist and limestone in the south), because it is 100% sangiovese, because it is advised by the local oenologist Paolo Vagaggini (like a third of the Tuscan properties). Here, they don't produce a whole host of wines, but only a Rosso and two Brunellos, the classic and (only in great vintages) the Riserva.

As Mr. Guido (Vinous) wrote in November 2021 "Gianni Brunelli, a producer who continues to prove that Brunello di Montalcino is a world-class vineyard".

The story of Luca d'Attoma in Tuscany is the same as that of Stéphane Derenoncourt in Bordeaux. First of all, Luca d'Attoma is one of the most famous oenologists in Italy for having worked since 1991 as a consultant in mythical fields such as Tua Rita or Macchiole. In 2000, he decided to create his own vineyard, Duemani, which quickly became a cult in Tuscany (first Italian wine rated 100/100 by Robert Parker). The 7 ha cover a natural amphitheatre 9 km from the Mediterranean, facing west, with very low fertility soil (clay and stone). Integral biodynamic cultivation (Demeter).

Altrovino, 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot, matured in vats. Black fruit oriented, a luxurious and extroverted wine.

The story of Luca d'Attoma in Tuscany is similar to that of Stéphane Derenoncourt in Bordeaux. First of all, Luca d'Attoma is one of the most famous oenologists in Italy, having worked since 1991 as a consultant in mythical estates such as Tua Rita or Macchiole. In 2000, he decided to create his own vineyard, Duemani, which quickly became a cult in Tuscany (first Italian wine rated 100/100 by Robert Parker). The 7 hectares cover a natural amphitheater 9 km from the Mediterranean, facing west, with soil (clay and stone) very low fertility. The vineyard is fully biodynamic (Demeter).

Suisassi, 100% Syrah, aged in French oak barrels (70% new). An energetic Syrah, at once firm, soft and fresh, in a ripe and rich expression.

The 2016 and 2018 vintages were scored identically by A. Galloni (Vinous): 95/100 for Duemani and 96/100 for Suisassi.

The story of Luca d'Attoma in Tuscany is similar to that of Stéphane Derenoncourt in Bordeaux. First of all, Luca d'Attoma is one of the most famous oenologists in Italy, having worked since 1991 as a consultant in mythical estates such as Tua Rita or Macchiole. In 2000, he decided to create his own vineyard, Duemani, which quickly became a cult in Tuscany (first Italian wine rated 100/100 by Robert Parker). The 7 hectares cover a natural amphitheater 9 km from the Mediterranean, facing west, with soil (clay and stone) very low fertility. The vineyard is fully biodynamic (Demeter).

Suisassi, 100% Syrah, aged in French oak barrels (70% new). An energetic Syrah, at once firm, soft and fresh, in a ripe and rich expression.

The 2016 and 2018 vintages were scored identically by A. Galloni (Vinous): 95/100 for Duemani and 96/100 for Suisassi.

In the 1920s, the Marquis Incisa della Rochetta wanted to create a "noble" wine, i.e., one that was close to the taste of Bordeaux wines. On his estate of Tenuta San Guido, located in Maremma (coastal Tuscany), he had Cabernet Sauvignon (85% today) planted, convinced by their racy tannic structure and their durability. The climate, cooled by the sea breeze from the Mediterranean 5 km away and by the altitude (100 to 400 m), is particularly conducive to a slow maturation of the Cabernet berries.

All the wines of Tenuta San Guido are built around Cabernet Sauvignon as the main grape variety, combined with another minority variety. Sassicaia, a pioneer in the super-Tuscan movement that followed, gained international recognition in 1971 and has never lost it since.

The Difese, the Tenuta's entry-level wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, is fresh and velvety on the palate with discreet tannins. Average length but really tasty.

In the 1920s, the Marquis Incisa della Rochetta wanted to create a "noble" wine, i.e., one that was close to the taste of Bordeaux wines. On his estate of Tenuta San Guido, located in Maremma (coastal Tuscany), he had Cabernet Sauvignon (85% today) planted, convinced by their racy tannic structure and their durability. The climate, cooled by the sea breeze from the Mediterranean 5 km away and by the altitude (100 to 400 m), is particularly conducive to a slow maturation of the Cabernet berries.

All the wines of Tenuta San Guido are built around Cabernet Sauvignon as the main grape variety, combined with another minority variety. Sassicaia, a pioneer in the super-Tuscan movement that followed, gained international recognition in 1971 and has never lost it since.

Guidalberto, a step above Difese, is a Cabernet-Sauvignon/Merlot blend with a Medoc-like profile, elegant and distinguished while remaining greedy.

In the 1920s, the Marquis Incisa della Rochetta wanted to create a "noble" wine, i.e., one that was close to the taste of Bordeaux wines. On his estate of Tenuta San Guido, located in Maremma (coastal Tuscany), he had Cabernet Sauvignon (85% today) planted, convinced by their racy tannic structure and their durability. The climate, cooled by the sea breeze from the Mediterranean 5 km away and by the altitude (100 to 400 m), is particularly conducive to a slow maturation of the Cabernet berries.

All the wines of Tenuta San Guido are built around Cabernet Sauvignon as the main grape variety, combined with another minority variety. Sassicaia, a pioneer in the super-Tuscan movement that followed, gained international recognition in 1971 and has never lost it since.

Sassicaia, the Tuscan star, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend, is a unique wine. No extravagance but a perfect balance between aromatic complexity (blackberry, blueberry, balsamic notes), superlative finesse and controlled power. All in delicacy, a wine of great class!

Marco de Grazia is passionate about the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, which he calls "Mediterranean Burgundy". Nowhere else is there such geological diversity, the subsoil being a yarrow made up of innumerable lava flows, each with its own mineral composition. Moreover, because of the altitude, the grapes benefit from a slow and progressive "northern" maturity, combining fruitiness, freshness, richness and power.

In 2002, he created the Domain of Terre Nere in the northeast of Etna, between 600 m and 1000 m altitude, organically cultivated and planted with old vines more than 50 years old: carricante for the whites and nerello (mascalese and cappuccio) for the reds. The analogy with Burgundy continues as Mr. de Grazia harvests, vinifies and bottles each parcel separately like a Burgundian climate.

Calderara Sottana white, 100% carricante aged from 15 to 60 years, is a lively, mineral and fat wine, with aromas of grapefruit, orange blossom and aniseed. Classified by Mr. de Grazia as a Premier Cru, an absolutely remarkable white proving once again that the Mediterranean islands, whether French, Italian or Greek, are ideal for making some of the best dry whites in the world.

Marco de Grazia is passionate about the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, which he calls "Mediterranean Burgundy". Nowhere else is there such geological diversity, the subsoil being a yarrow made up of innumerable lava flows, each with its own mineral composition. Moreover, because of the altitude, the grapes benefit from a slow and progressive "northern" maturity, combining fruitiness, freshness, richness and power.

In 2002, he created the Domain of Terre Nere in the northeast of Etna, between 600 m and 1000 m altitude, organically cultivated and planted with old vines more than 50 years old: carricante for the whites and nerello (mascalese and cappuccio) for the reds. The analogy with Burgundy continues as Mr. de Grazia harvests, vinifies and bottles each parcel separately like a Burgundian climate.

Feudo di Mezzo, 100% nerello aged over 50 years, a wine the estate considers a Premier Cru, is charming and mouthwatering, carried by deep, spicy flesh. Rated 90+ for its 2017 by Ian d'Agata (Vinous).

Marco de Grazia is passionate about the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, which he calls "Mediterranean Burgundy". Nowhere else is there such geological diversity, the subsoil being a yarrow made up of innumerable lava flows, each with its own mineral composition. Moreover, because of the altitude, the grapes benefit from a slow and progressive "northern" maturity, combining fruitiness, freshness, richness and power.

In 2002, he created the Domain of Terre Nere in the northeast of Etna, between 600 m and 1000 m altitude, organically cultivated and planted with old vines more than 50 years old: carricante for the whites and nerello (mascalese and cappuccio) for the reds. The analogy with Burgundy continues as Mr. de Grazia harvests, vinifies and bottles each parcel separately like a Burgundian climate.

Feudo di Mezzo, 100% nerello aged over 50 years, a wine the estate considers a Premier Cru, is charming and mouthwatering, carried by deep, spicy flesh. Rated 90+ for its 2017 by Ian d'Agata (Vinous).

Marco de Grazia is passionate about the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, which he calls "Mediterranean Burgundy". Nowhere else is there such geological diversity, the subsoil being a yarrow made up of innumerable lava flows, each with its own mineral composition. Moreover, because of the altitude, the grapes benefit from a slow and progressive "northern" maturity, combining fruitiness, freshness, richness and power.

In 2002, he created the Domain of Terre Nere in the northeast of Etna, between 600 m and 1000 m altitude, organically cultivated and planted with old vines more than 50 years old: carricante for the whites and nerello (mascalese and cappuccio) for the reds. The analogy with Burgundy continues as Mr. de Grazia harvests, vinifies and bottles each parcel separately like a Burgundian climate.

"Calderara Sottana" and "San Lorenzo" are two vineyards located on the Ellittico Crater flows, dating back 15,000-60,000 years and renowned for their great geological complexity. They are made up of 100% nerello vines between 50 and 100 years old and are both classified as Grand Cru by Mr. de Grazia. Two wines brimming with richness, full-bodied and smooth, with a denser tannic structure in San Lorenzo, rated 91+ and 92+/100 by d'Agata (Vinous) respectively.

Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.

Pingus is the great wine, made from the 4 ha of the estate, 100% tempranillo aged 70 years, biodynamic since 2000. 450 cases per year (an average yield of 10hl/ha, not counting small vintages, such as the 2002, totally downgraded in Flor de Pingus).

Bodega Vega Sicilia has become, through its age (founded in 1864) and the extraordinary quality of its wines, the emblematic estate of all wine-growing Spain, just like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti for Burgundy. Two wines are made in the purest Spanish tradition (matured for one year in casks, one year in new barrels and two years in old barrels): Valbuena and Único.

The famous Único, only produced in the great years, comes from the oldest vines 80% tempranillo and 20% merlot/cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon.

Dirk Van der Niepoort, a talented Port producer, is an unusual character: quirky, visionary and intuitive. Twenty-five years ago, he set out to introduce the quality of the wines of northern Portugal, while remaining faithful to Portuguese know-how and grape varieties. He has created a plethora of vintages (more than 50!) highlighting here a terroir, there a grape variety or unconventional winemaking. Faithful to ancestral Portuguese traditions, Mr Van der Niepoort makes his red wines by blending local grape varieties: touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz, alfrocheiro, baga, jaen...

The term Vinho Verde originally referred to young and fresh wines and applied to both whites and reds. It has long been synonymous with white wines with a formidable acidity because they come from still green grapes. Mr. Van der Niepoort created this Dócil cuvée to demonstrate that a good Vinho Verde could be "docile". Vinified and matured in stainless steel vats, this wine made from the Loureiro grape variety on a granitic terroir offers a refreshing, crisp and fresh palate with floral (hawthorn, fern) and fruity (green apple, grapefruit, lime) aromas. And only 11° because the Vinho Verde appellation is not granted to wines titling more than 11°5.

Dirk Van der Niepoort, a talented Port producer, is an unusual character: quirky, visionary and intuitive. Twenty-five years ago, he set out to introduce the quality of the wines of northern Portugal, while remaining faithful to Portuguese know-how and grape varieties. He has created a plethora of vintages (more than 50!) highlighting here a terroir, there a grape variety or unconventional winemaking. Faithful to ancestral Portuguese traditions, Mr Van der Niepoort makes his red wines by blending local grape varieties: touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz, alfrocheiro, baga, jaen...

The term Vinho Verde originally referred to young and fresh wines and applied to both whites and reds. It has long been synonymous with white wines with a formidable acidity because they come from still green grapes. Mr. Van der Niepoort created this Dócil cuvée to demonstrate that a good Vinho Verde could be "docile". Vinified and matured in stainless steel vats, this wine made from the Loureiro grape variety on a granitic terroir offers a refreshing, crisp and fresh palate with floral (hawthorn, fern) and fruity (green apple, grapefruit, lime) aromas. And only 11° because the Vinho Verde appellation is not granted to wines titling more than 11°5.

Taylor's is the most famous House producing so-called English style Ports, i. e. straight and slender (while Graham, the other big House of Porto, represents the Portuguese style, softer and sweeter).

Classic Vintage is a blend of their 3 historical quintas: Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. No vintage between 2011 and 2016.

Neal Martin (Vinous) rated the 2017 Vintage 98/100 and the 2018 Vintage 97/100 "white pepper mingles with black fruit in a very precise finish. Great class".