New Arrivals Aug. 23, 2007

PODERE SAPAIO
The latest hotshot from Bolgheri, Italy

If you are a lover of Tuscan wines, you are no doubt fully aware of the wines from Bolgheri, near Tuscany's West Coast.  Names like Sassicaia and Ornellaia established the fame of this terrific coastal area,  which is now also home to Antinori's Guado al Tasso, Enrico Santini, Michele Satta, Le Macchiole, Grammatico, Argentiera and others.  For those who may not recognize these names or the region, suffice it to say these names are among the elite for "Super Tuscan" blends in Tuscany.  Bolgheri wines are especially renown for richness and texture while retaining a sense of elegance and balance.  In my opinion, Guado al Tasso or Ornellaia with a few years age is about as good as it gets.  The 1998 Ornellaia, in fact, was judged to be the Number 1 wine in the world in 2001 by Wine Spectator.

Well, it is time to add another name to the list of Bolgheri luminaries. PODERE SAPAIO

SAPAIO was founded in 1999. Its 90-something acres are split between the communes of Castagneto Carducci and Bibbona. The acreage is planted to Bordeaux varietals -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a smattering of Petit Verdot and other grapes in tiny amounts.  The winemaker is the famous Carlo Ferrini (Brancaia, Sette Ponti, Terriccio, Planeta, former technical director for Chianti Classico... you get the idea).

Hand-picked, fermented in stainless steel and then barrique aged, the wines are rich and fragrant, dense and layered with definite ageability, but they also drink great now with a little time in the decanter.  In a recent blind tasting held by the Grand Jury Europee the 2004 Sapaio Volpolo scored #1 in the Bolgheri DOC category and the Sapaio Sapaio 2004 was Top 5 in the Bolgheri Superiore category (going up against the $100+ Ornellaia and the $90 Argentiera).

If you look online, you'll see these wine for sale in Europe, but not yet here in the States. We are thrilled to be able to offer them to you!

Podere Sapaio Sapaio 2004  --  $ 63.99
This is the big gun!  Bolgheri DOC Superiore, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot
18 months in barrique and then 10 months in bottle before release. Huge, rich, forward, yet beautifully balanced despite great concentration and complexity.  World Class quality for the price.
(UPDATE:  On Sept. 5th, this wine received 95 points from Wine Spectator)

Podere Sapaio Volpolo 2005 -- $41.99
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot stainless steel fermented, 14 months in barriques with another 6 months in bottle before release.  Released as an IGT Toscana in 2003, since 2004 the Volpolo is classified as a Bolgheri Rosso DOC. Smooth, layered, plush and dense dark chocolate, pepper and clove.
 

Wine Street, 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D (Map)    tel: 760.431.8455    sales@winestreet.com     Home Page