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Chianti,
Brunello,
Tuscans &
Super Tuscans , Piedmont,
Sicily, Umbria,
Abruzzo,
The Veneto, Friuli Red,
Trentino Red
Italian Whites |
|
Chianti |
|
2006 |
La Sala Chianti Classico
375 ml. |
$11.99 |
|
2005 |
Fontodi
Chianti Classico
A reference point for Chianti Classico, year after year Fontodi
can be relied upon to produce a gorgeous wine with exemplary grace.
Pretty and floral on the nose with violets and rose petals, this has
fantastic concentration on the palate with deep red cherry, savory
herbs, dried fruits and perfect weight and balance. As pure an
expression of the Conca d’Oro (the south flacing slopes south of
Panzano) as you’ll find, this is not to be missed! |
$29.99 |
|
1999 |
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo
Tasted this recently and
thought it was amazing! Holding up as well as the flagship
Flaccianello and showing even darker fruit.
This
fantastic Chianti Classico is from a 20 acre plot of estate
vineyards in the famed Conca d’Oro slopes of Panzano. Made by
Franco Bernabei and Giovanni Manetti, Sorbo was one of the first
Tuscan reds to blend Sangiovese and Cabernet.
|
$74.99 |
|
Brunello di
Montalcino |
|
2001
 |
Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
Riserva
An excellent example of Brunello produced exclusively from vineyards
lying north of Montalcino town (many producers blend north and south).
Concentrated and rich to please any red wine lover, but with the
elegance and length on the finish to charm the most serious
collectors. One of our favorite properties.
Wine Spectator - 91 points
"Lots of blackberry, tar and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with a solid core
of fruit and a long finish. Chewy. Best after 2010." |
$89.99 |
|
2001
 |
Tenuta Friggiali
Brunello di
Montalcino
A Wine Street favorite, for sure! Olga Peluso
Centolani has a deft touch and makes a Brunello that is balanced,
floral, layered and supple… restrained, you might say, compared to
some of today’s “powerhouse” wines of high alcohol and high extract.
This wine is all about nuance and class. Beautiful
by the glass and absolutely fantastic with foods from roast chicken
to carpaccio to Tuscan salumi. |
$69.99 |
|
2006 |
Valdicava Rosso
It says
Rosso on the label, but the entry level wine from Valdicava
outclasses many a Brunello. Beautifully fragrant on the nose, this
practically leaps from the glass. Sour cherry and bright red fruits
on the palate, followed by loamy mineral and firm yet
well-integrated tannin through the long, long finish. A wine of
gorgeous balance and texture. From a small 10 acre plot in the
coldest area of Montalcino, providing the wine with structure &
concentration. |
$39.99 |
|
Super Tuscans & Other Reds |
|
2005 |
Tuscany Red, Le Bocce, Panzano, Italy
Full, round, tasty and
imminently drinkable little red showing abundant black plum, savory
spice and well-integrated tannins on the finish. Sangiovese
blended with 15% Merlot from the very highly regarded “Conca d’Oro”
(Golden Shell) slopes of the Tuscan village of Panzano about an
hour’s bike ride south of Florence. Exceptional juice for under
$15! |
$11.99
|
|
2006 |
Castello
Romitorio Morellino di Scansano
Wild
berries, spice and plum abound in this tasty version of Morellino,
the local name for a particular strain of Sangiovese grown on the
slopes of southwest Tuscany, just inland from the Tyrennhian Sea.
Sandro Chia is the owner of Romitorio, one of the Top producers of
Brunello. He is now sourcing fruit from Scansano. |
$19.99 |
|
2004 |
Dromos Maremma Toscana |
$59.99 |
|
2005 |
Poggio alle Querce "Sor Guido" from Bolgheri
|
$29.99 |
|
2003
 |
Icario
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
100% Prugnolo Gentile, a clone
of Sangiovese) from southeast Tuscany. Leather, earth, dried red
cherry and chickory aromas and flavors mingle with smoke and
caramelized nuts.
Clean and polished, with pure Sangiovese flavors and
minimal influence of Hungarian oak, this is more modern than
traditional and a good example of what is happening today in
Montepulciano. |
$29.99 |
|
2005 |
Le Serre Nuove (Ornellaia) |
$52.99 |
|
2003 |
Luca Ferraro Merlot |
$12.99 |
|
2000 |
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia |
$189.99 |
|
2001 |
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
Ornellaia |
$189.99 |
|
2003 |
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
Ornellaia
Robert
Parker’s Wine Advocate – 93 points
”The
opulent 2003 Ornellaia (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20%
Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) presents a dramatic contrast to
the 2004 in its super-ripe, open nose and jammy dark fruit. Ample
and warm on the palate, it is clearly the product of a very hot
vintage, yet it shows notable freshness along with much persistence,
great overall balance and a lingering note of sweetness on the
finish. 93/Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is
without question one of Italy’s blue-chip properties.” |
$139.99
$119.99 |
|
2004 |
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
Ornellaia
97
Points Wine Spectator |
Sorry Sold
Out |
|
2004 |
Podere Sapaio
Sapaio
This is the new kid on the block in Bolgheri. Neighbor to Ornellaia,
Guado al Tasso, Argentiera and other luminaries. 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. Great quality for the
price. |
$79.99 |
|
2000 |
Solaia |
$149.99 |
|
Piedmont |
|
2007 |
ICARDI
Moscato d’Asti La Rosa Selvatica
Rose petals, honey blossoms and orange peel on the nose. Delicious
apricot and peach in the mouth with just enough bubbles to keep
things lively. “Frizzante”, the Italians say. Fizzy and fresh
with layers of fruit and citrus. Icardi is one of Piedmont’s
star producers with a reputation for vivid, precise fruit in all of
their wines. |
$16.99 |
|
2004 |
Gomba Albie Nebbiolo
We’ve loved Gomba for years, and
the ’03 Sori Boschetti a few slots down is a stunning Barolo. But
honestly, even for us, not every night is a Barolo night. Some
nights we just want a very good bottle of wine at a price we don’t
have to think twice about. The “Albie” shows all the characteristics
we love in Gomba’s nebbiolo wines: beautiful balance, floral notes
of roses and violets, hints of tar, and great length. Baby Barolo at
a ridiculously low price! |
$14.99 |
|
2003 |
Gomba Barolo Sori Boschetti
Deep clack cherry in the
mouth with powder box spice and notes of coffee and cigar on the
finish intermingled with notes of mushroom, cedar, forest floor and
tar. There aren’t too many “bargains” in Barolo any more, so
we have been thrilled to have this wine for two terrific vintages
now -- 2001 and 2003.
Barolo lovers rejoice! Wine Spectator - 92 points |
$39.99 |
|
2001 |
Pelissero Pasquale Barbaresco
Cascina Crosa
Chicory aromas and blackberry fruit abound in this delicious,
traditional Barbaresco from a fantastic vintage. Just beginning to
hit its stride, this wine packs full Nebbiolo character into a
sleek, lush package with notes of savory herbs, truffle and
mineral. Piedmont fans know that Barolos and Barbarescos with
character can cost much, much more than this. Really an very good
wine for the money. |
$42.99 |
|
2003 |
rinaldi
Cannubi S.
Lorenzo Barolo
Heady aromatics of rose petals, blackberry liqueur and tarry mineral
lead to a medium-full wine with great intensity, terrific structure
and a long, layered finish. It’s sister, Brunate may have the
abundant, plush mouthfeel, but this Cannubi has the extraordinary
length and power that marks out Cannubi as a fan favorite.
WORLD CLASS Barolo at a great price considering what good
Barolo goes for these days. Collectible. Aerate for hours
or hold onto for 12-15 years |
$89.99 |
|
Sicily |
|
Abruzzo |
|
2005
|
Dama Montepulciano
D'Abruzzo, DOC
This deliciously ripe, rich red comes from the slopes around
Pescara, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Deep red tones of color
with a nose highlighted by black cherry, currants, vanilla and
licorice. Plenty of rich body with juicy red fruit, earth, and
substantial structure and tannin.
Stainless steel
fermented and then one year in barrel. |
$14.99 |
|
Veneto |
|
2005
 |
Brigaldara Valpolicella
This delightful Valpo starts off with a fragrant nose of dusty red cherry
followed by full black cherry and mineral in the mouth. Round and
full with subtle wood spice and terrific weight in the mouth. A real
surprise at this price. |
$12.99 |
|
Friuli |
|
2004
|
Palmadina
Refosco Friuli, Isonzo
This delicious red wine from
northern Italy is shot through with black color yet has the most interesting
nose of fragrant wild herbs. It actually smells like a walk through a high
valley field of wild flowers! Plush
in the mouth with black cherry and mouthfilling tannins. Very Itralian and
a very good value for the money! |
$15.99 |
|
Trentino |
|
Italian White Wines |
|
2006 |
Barberani Castagnolo
Orvieto Classico Superiore Secco
This
delicious, traditional white wine from the most historic limestone slopes
inside the Orvieto DOC is made up of procanico, verdello, grechetto,
malvasia and drupeggio grapes. Fresh and fruity in the mouth with an
intense citrus and herbal note. Pairs beautifully with antipasti and fish
dishes. Here in So Cal, maybe ceviche as a match for this tasty white? |
$13.99 |
|
2007 |
Marco Scolaris Pinot Grigio |
$14.99 |
|
2005 |
Monchiero Carbone Roero Arneis "Recit"
No malolactic fermentation or wood-aging
is used in making this deliciously stony, nutty Roero. The wine has a
fragrant nose and well-balanced, lasting sharpness supported by its full
body and structure. Its fresh flavors and vibrant acidity make it a
perfect match for appetizers and fish dishes.
100% Arneis from Canale, Italy – just south
and west of Asti in Piedmont |
$17.99 |
|
2006 |
Mormoraia Vernaccia |
$12.99 |
|
2005 |
Icardi Moscato 375 ml. |
$10.99 |
|
2005 |
L'Antico Ceppo
Very fragrant nose of honeydew and jasmine with hints of mangosteen.
Excellent concentration and very elegantly structured. Pairs well with
lighter fish and seafood dishes, and fresh summer fare. |
$11.99 |
|
NV |
Le Coulture Sylvoz Prosecco |
$14.99 |
|
2006 |
Manincor Moscato Giallo
Bright straw yellow. delicate hints of nutmeg, cedar and grapefruit with
crisp, tangy, succulent tropical fruit on the palate. Perfect for Asian
dishes, with mature cheeses or as an aperitif. made from 100% Moscato
Giallo, or yellow muscat -- one of the many clones of Muscat producing
fragrant white wines in Northern Italy' Alto-Adige region. |
$19.99 |
|
2006 |
Tenuta Mormoraia
Vernaccia di San Gimignano |
$12.99 |
|
2007 |
PEOPLE Frascati (Poggio le Volpe)
Simply
the best version of Frascati Superiore we have ever tried. In Rome,
Frascati is a traditionally simple bistro wine. Poggio le Volpe has
turned that tradition on its head with this lovely, floral, plump and racy
white wine. Melon and apple, orange blossoms and almond skin. Delicious
and terrific with food.
Outstanding! |
$16.99 |
|
2006 |
Pra Soave
Classico
100% Garganega grape showing apricot,
pineapple, ripe peach and honey in a medium-bodied package with a velvety
smooth feel and just a whisper of paraffin and almond skin on the finish.
The Prà Brothers, Sergio and Graziano, run one of the top estates of Soave
and make some of the very best versions of the Garganega grape. |
$13.99 |
|
2007 |
Pra Staforte Soave
Singular and stunning. A
nose of white flowers and stone fruit, followed by an intense nuttiness on
the palate. Incredibly lovely texture, silky in the mouth then a streak of
very firm mineral that lasts and lasts. Incredible depth without being
heavy. This is done entirely in stainless steel and spends 6 months on the
lees with frequent batonnage (lees stirring), showing off the stellar
quality of the fruit and the terroir. |
$24.99 |
|
2005 |
primosic
Gmajne
Sauvignon Blanc
Amazing
Sauvignon Blanc.
Rich and deep and full of stone fruit and fragrant herbs. Absolutely NO
cat’s pee. This one is all about depth and layering and length on the
finish. The texture might remind you of a top Bordeaux Blanc, but there
is a wild herb/floral component that keeps it uniquely Italian.
Fantastic! |
$27.99
|
|
2007 |
Villa Folini
Pinot Grigio |
$9.99 |
