Gambero Rosso: Tre Bicchieri 2014

Last month hundreds of wineries once again descended upon the Metropolitan Pavilion in lower Manhattan for the annual Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri award tasting.  

In large tastings like this, my goal is always to seek out wineries that are somewhat under the radar, despite the Gambero Rosso notoriety.  Further,  I attempt to spend as much time as possible with wineries represented by their own principals, instead of by the importer or distributor.  In doing so,  I and my readers gain a much more valuable insight into the wines. 

As a member of the press I was able to access the tasting a full 90 minutes before the event was opened fully and I took full advantage of the lack of crowds.  I meandered, I chatted with friends old and new and was able to taste many wines before the chaos ensued.  Unless otherwise noted, the tasted wines received the Tre Bicchieri award.   Allora......

Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Tasting - 2014

Having just arrived from the completed interview/tasting with Pala winemaker Fabio Angius,  I decided the first wine I should try was his Tre Bicchieri Cannonau Riserva. 

Pala

Fast becoming one of Sardinia's major players, the Pala winery is spearheaded by the young and energetic winemaker, Fabio Angius.  His wines are excellent and show tremendous promise for reaching even grander heights.

2011 Cannonau Riserva:  A dark violet trending to black in the glass. This is lovely.  Full bodied and long with loads of juicy, ripe plummy fruit with smoke, meat and flowers.  Touch of salinity.  This is so young, but will blossom wonderfully and have a long life ahead.  92-95 points.



~ 100% Cannonau di Sardegna ~

Paternoster

This just may be among the best Aglianico made.  Even better than may Taurasi.   Represented by the folks from Banville & Jones, the Paternoster family has been making wine in Basilicata since 1925.  Started by Don Anselmo the Tre Bicchieri wine is named in his honor. 

2009 Don Anselmo Aglianico del Vulture:   Fermented entirely in stainless steel and then aged 50% in Slavonian barrel and 50% French barrique for 12 months, the Don Anselmo is classically structured and well balanced.  Deep ruby, with a medium to full body, this displays solid berry fruit with olives and ash like earth on the nose and palate. Very good.  89-91 points.  This is the third Tre Bicchieri for this wine. 



~ Don Anselmo ~

Tenuta Argentiera 

A relative newcomer to the Tuscan wine scene in Bolgheri, Argentiera was represented by the charming principal Jeanette Servidio. No one was at this table.  Frankly, it was mind boggling to me.  I chatted, tasted, chatted, and tasted again and yet the crowds passed by with nary a look.  It was their loss. 

2010 Argentiera:  This is the first Tre Bicchieri for this young winery and it is well deserved.  The blend here is 45% Cabernet, 45% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc.  The wine is a pretty dark purple color through and through.  Classy aromas of black fruits, Mediterranean herbs and brush and tobacco are all noticeable. Flavors follow the nose with a lovely mineral note.  So texturally fine. So balanced.  Argentiera's aim is to make wine as good or better than the more notable Bolgheri mainstays and to do it at an affordable price.  Argentiera retails for about $65, compared to the three digit fares of similar wines.  92-95 points.  Argentiera will be the subject of a future in depth TuscanVines feature article.



~ Classy label, Classy lady, Classy wine ~

Tenuta di Biserno

After the sale of Ornellaia to the Mondavi/Rothschild joint venture,  Lodovico Antinori found the Tenuta di Biserno estate. Subsequently joined in partnership with his brother Piero, the wines here have never been better.  Represented by the friendly and knowledgeable folks at Wade & Clark Imports.

2008 Il Pino di Biserno:  Il Pino is oddly the second wine of the estate.  A blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  The deep purple 2008 needs some cellar time.  It seems disjointed a bit right now and a bit too oaky for my tastes. Nose of  wood, buttered popcorn and rich black fruits.  Flavors follow but need time to integrate.  88-90 points.  Due Biccheri.

2009 Il Pino di Biserno:  This is a different animal altogether from the 2008.  Really lovely aromas of black fruits, coffee and herbs.  Wonderfully vibrant fruit on the palate with a slight touch of animal.  Meaty and complex. Very fine.  91-94 points.



~ Twins ~

Umani Ronchi

Long a fan of this winery since a friend introduced me to Pelago,  the quality exists here from top to bottom.  Represented by winemaker Michele Bernetti who was once again friendly and enjoyable to chat with. 

2010 Castelli di Jesi Vedicchio Classico Pelnio Riserva:   Plenio derives from the Latin Plenium meaning full and complex.  It is aptly named.  This is a pretty medium gold color with pretty white stone fruit, minerals and light grassy aromas and flavors.  Well balanced.  Stainless steel with 20%  barrique, but it's barely noticeable.  Excellent.  90-92 points. 

2009 Cumaro Rosso Conero Riserva: 100% Montepulciano grapes aged in a combination of barrel and barrique for 12 months and then 8 months in bottle before release.  Deep ruby with black cherry, meat and alpine aromas and flavors. Very good and a good value too.  88-90 points.  Due Bicchieri

2009 Pelago:  This is the typical blend of Montepulciano with Cabernet and Merlot included - a "Super Marche" if you will.  Aged for 18 months in barrique and an additional year in bottle before release.  This is deep purple and massive. Loads of fruit with tannins to match at the moment.  Black plums, mineral, licorice and cedar are prevalent on the nose and palate.  This is classy and well done but needs cellar time to restrain those tannins.  Hard to believe this is not a Tre Bicchieri.  92-95 points. 



~ The Lineup from Umani Ronchi ~

Mastroberardino

I'm confounded by this once proud estate that is largely credited for putting Campania on the winemaking map.  Owned by Michele Mastroberardino's sons for much of the 20th century, when the eldest son Angelo passed away, a feud broke out between the two remaining brothers that culminated in the 1994 division of the estate.  Brother Walter took the best vineyards and formed his Terredora estate while brother Antonio retained the family name and trademarks.  Radici fell in price as a result from about $45 to $19 retail and the quaity reflected the new price through much of the 2000s.  Things seem to be improving, but they're not back to where they were before the split.  Shame. 

2008 Taurasi Radici:  100% Aglianico.  This is a dark to medium ruby color.   There's some flowers, oak and dusty berry fruit on the nose and palate.  Well done, but not intense. Not nearly as complex as older Radici's nor as the Paternoster reviewed above.  It's good, and nothing more than that.  Surprised by the Tre Bicchieri here.  85-88 points.



~ Still aways to go before returning Radici to past glory ~

Colle Massari

Winner of the 2014 Gambero Rosso "Winery of the Year Award"....

I almost walked right past this table because the name didn't register with me at first until I saw the flagship wine, Grattamacco sitting there.  Presented by the winemaker, who seemed greatly humbled when I told him how much I enjoyed the 1985 Grattamacco....  I asked him if recent vintages would turn into that, and he laughed and said he could only hope. 

2011 Colle Massari Montecucco Riserva:  This is 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet and 10% Ciliegiolo.   The Montecucco DOC lies just to the north of Maremma and is also just outside the Brunello zone.  This wine spends 18 months in barrique, half of which are new.   A deep ruby color with aromas and flavors of berries, oak and earth.  It's a bit one dimensional and seems to lack any specific personality.  It's good.  85-87 points.  Due Biccheri.

2009 Montecucco Riserva "Lombrone":  100% Sangiovese and would be a dead ringer for Brunello.   This is a perennial Tre Bicchieri winner and rightfully so.  Classy and elegant with aromas and flavors of wild berries, tobacco, herbs, and spice. Lovely - the best wine of the three on this day.  Botte aged.  91-93 points.

2010 Grattamacco:  A blend of 65% Cabernet, 25% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese, Grattamacco is also a perennial Tre Bicchieri winner.  Barrique aged for 21 months in a combination of new, first, and second passage barrels.  This is largely structured. Deep purple color with violet hues.  Lots of blackberry, tobacco and spice on the nose and palate with loads of tannins.  This seems to have all the stuffing it needs, but what it surely needs, is time in the cellar.  Potential is there. 91-93 points. 

~ 2010 Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore ~

Famiglia Cecchi

The Cecchi family of wineries may be one of the most underrated and overlooked group of wineries in Italy.  I'm not sure why that is.  As I sat here drinking this range of wines with winemaker Andrea Cecchi and his ubiquitous brother Cesare, I can't imagine nicer people with more passion and talent than these two display.   This was my second recent opportunity to taste Andrea's wines with him.  I chronicled the first here.   I hope to visit him in San Gimignano this summer.

2010 Villa Cerna Chianti Classico Riserva:  Pretty ruby color to this Riserva.   Flowers, berries, cured meat and pepper on the nose with classic similar flavors on the palate. I've had this wine several times and it's alwasy consistently excellent. Fermented in stainless steel and then aged for 18 months in a combination of barrique and large botte - then a further refinement in bottle for at least 10 months before release.  Delicious.  91-93 points.  Due Bicchieri. 



~ The Villa Cerna CCR is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino ~

2008 Sagrantino di Montefalco "Uno":   This sports a slightly different label than the US version I included in my report on the Reds of Montefalco, but it's all the same inside.  Rich and massive, this Sagrantino has cedar, coffee, blackfruit, licorice and tar aromas and flavors.  Massively framed.  Stunning.  91-94 points.  More detail on this wine in my aforementioned report.  Due Biccheri.



~ The nearly black Sagrantino is in the Decanter in the background ~

2010 Famiglia Cecchi Coevo:  Perhaps Coevo, which means "Contemporary", is best explained by Andrea himself:  "Coevo means "Contemporary" in Italian. Tuscan wine quality has never been greater and I wanted to create a wine that would capture this spirit. Coevo represents two of the great regions in Tuscany: Chianti Classico and Maremma. The grapes for Coevo come from our Villa Cerna and Val delle Rose estates and by combining these two terroir, we create a wine that has a contemporary representation of that specific vintage across Tuscany."

Coevo was first created in 2006 - it immediately won a Tre Bicchieri award. This represents the second such award for Coevo. The 2010 is nearly black.  A blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet, the blend for Coevo changes slightly with each vintage.  This is a massive, massive wine.  It has an absolutely monstrous core of wild black fruits, cocoa, coffee, licorice, cured meat and spices on the nose and palate. The tannins are substantial - I mean seriously substantial in this young, intense primary red. The balance is there with acids to match. Everything is turned up a notch.  I can't wait to try this wine with food and 15 years down the road. Absolutely deserving of the Tre Biccheri. Stock up.  94-97 points.   



~ A must for Tuscan lovers ~

Badia a Coltibuono

This is a classic estate.  What can be said for this iconic Chianti producer that hasn't already been put to paper?  The charming Emanuela Prinetti was on hand to present the wine in addition to the gentleman from Dalla Terra who was grief stricken by instructions from Gambero Rosso that any remaining wines could not leave the building but instead had to be destroyed.  Consequently,  he was insistent upon large pours!  Well, schucks.... 

2009 Chianti Classico Riserva:  They don't come much better.  Classic in every sense of the word.  Deep ruby with bright aromas and flavors of berries, pipe tobacco, Tuscan brush, earth and mushroom. Interwoven well and supplanted by medium weight tannins this is approachable now but has beautiful structure to age well.  90-92 points. 



Casanova di Neri

Unfortunately Giacomo Neri wasn't present this year.   At last year's event,  I was blown away by the 2006 Cerretalto and rated it at 100 points.  While the encore wine is very good,  it doesn't compare as favorably to the 2006. 

2007 Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino:  Dark violet with black reflections.  Loaded with sediment. Not typical of most Brunello but correct for the modern bent of this wine.  Aromas are expressive with mocha, coffee, pepper and berries.  This has lots of power and finesse. Very silky on the palate with flavors that mimick the nose.  Very tightly wound and tannic.  Yet still, not the 2006.  92-94 points. 

Stefano Amerighi

This was one of the first wines my friend Daniele, from Tabarrini, insisted that I taste.  I spent some nice time chatting with proprietor Stefano.  This new winery hails from the area quickly becoming the King of Tuscan Syrah, Cortona. 



~ Daniele Sassi from Tabarrini (l) and Stefano Amerighi (r) ~

Old school winemaking here.  Organic, no chemicals, all natural.  Inert wood and cement vessels for fermentation and aging - a sembiotic relationship with grains, livestock, cereals and vineyards. 

2010 Cortona Syrah:  This is a dark purple in the glass.  Aromas strike of cool climate Syrah.  Lots of graphite, pepper, wet stones and smokey meat accent the black fruit that forms the core of flavors and aromas. All is in balance and while this could cellar well, I find it appealing now.  89-91 points.  Poured from magnum. 




~ The Big and the Little ~

Tabarrini

A prominent fixture in Montefalco wine scene that is here to stay.  A simple search on "Tabarrini" on this website will turn up plenty of reading material.  The quality keeps coming in this trio of recent releases. 

2010 Montefalco Rosso:  A very worthy successor to the stunning 2009.  This is bright ruby with loads of Sangiovese character backed by a solid dollop of Sagrantino.  Berries, pipe tobacco and that Tabarrini dust complete the package. A terrific value.   90-92 points. 

2009 Sagrantino di Montefalco Campo alla Cerqua:  This is my favorite of the Tabarrini trilogy.  It possesses such a finely knit powedery, dusty texture to the fruit and tannins that simply brings me joy.  The 2009 is ripe and full bodied and loaded with fruit and tannins.  Deftly balanced, this is elegant with coffee and fennel notes.  I love it.  Due Biccheri. 92-94 points.

2009 Sagrantino di Montefalco Colle alla Macchie:  Power.  Brawn.  Most closely mimics Giampaolo's personality.  An in your face wine loaded with fruit, tannin and acid. Boisterous and intense.  Needs lots of cellaring, just like it's 2006 and 2007 counterparts sitting in my basement.  92-94 points. Tre Bicchieri. 



~ The Tabarrini Line Up ~

Podere Boscarelli

Boscarelli is one of the best producers in Montepulciano, bar none.  Their flagship single vineyard wine is among the tops from the DOCG.

2009 Vino Nobile Nocio dei Boscarelli:   This  is 100% Sangiovese and very elegant for the vintage, with complex aromas of flowers, dirt and berries. It's a single vineyard wine, named for the gigantic nut tree that graces the vineyard, and is aged in Slavonian oak botte for almost 2 years prior to release.  Flavors follow the nose with good freshness and intensity. Really delicious, but still at the top end price for Vino Nobile.  90-92 points. 



~ 2009 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ~

Nanni Cope

This was a new estate and suggested to me by my friend Daniele from Tabarrini.  He insisted that I couldn't leave the tasting without trying this wine and practically walked me over there himself.  He was right. 

Who has heard of Pallagrello Nero?   That's what I thought.............. 

Pallagrello Nero is an ancient grape that dates at least to the 18th century.  In the small Terre del Volturno IGT appellation - within Campania - winemaker Giovanni Ascione resuscitated this magical grape.  His first vintage was 2009, yet he describes the 2011 as "his dearest wine" since he worked that much harder in the difficlut vintage to achieve these amazing results.

2011 Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco:  This wine is a blend of 90% Pallagrello Nero, 5% Aglianico, and 5% Casavecchia.  The vines were planted in 1987 with the exception of the Casavecchia which in sand, are pre-phyloxera and over 140 years old.  Aged one year in cask, varying in age from 1-4 years and then in bottle for 8 months prior to release.  A miniscule production of 600 cases.

An intense perfume greets the taster with flowers, ripe crushed wild cherry, tobacco and mushroom. On the palate there is a large core of beautiful fruit, amazing complexity of flavors and balance. This is a stunning effort and really eye opening. A unique experience for me.  92-95 points.



~ Beautiful color in this unique gem.  Grazie Daniele! ~

Marchesi di Barolo

I tasted Sarmassa 2008 at last year's Gambero Rosso and was blown away.  It was stunning.  I'm happy to say that lovers of this vineyard will not be disappointed as the 2009 is a worthy successor.

2009 Barolo Sarmassa:   This is deep ruby, with deeper garnet reflections.  The nose is full of flowers, anise, earth and leather.  It is so perfumed.  On the palate this has pretty, delicate floral tones surrounded by massive fruit that is well balanced.  The graceful nature of the 2008 is not quite as present in this ripe 2009 - but overall, this is still delicious.  91-93 points. 



~ Single Vineyard Barolo from Marchesi di Barolo ~

Tenuta Sette Ponti

I buy some of this wine each vintage.  It's become a classic and a wonderful expression of the classic Cabernet based Super Tuscan.  The rep. from Kobrand was on hand pouring and I couldn't imagine a more disinterested soul. 

2010 Oreno:  This blend was tweaked significantly in 2010 with Merlot eclipsing Cabernet.  45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet and 15% Petit Verdot.  This is dark purple all the way to the rim. Right now, the 18 months barrique aging is a bit too obvious - minty green herbs, flowers and fruit dominate the nose.  On the palate, this is tight, tannic, green (wood) and not yet very expressive.  I have at least 3 vintages of this wine in the cellar and this one makes me pause when I consider adding it.  I probably will - but I won't get more than 2 or 3 and they need to be buried.  90-95 points.  Approach carefully.



~ New blend on the 2010 Oreno ~

Piaggia

I've known Silvia Vannucci for several years now and from the time I first interviewed her and winemaker Emiliano Falsini, I've been consistently impressed with their wines.  There seems to be no ceiling here as each vintage brings increased success.  And yet there the charming Silvia stood, alone.  Sometimes the sheeple don't connect the dots.



~ The charming and fun Silvia Vannucci ~

2010 Piaggia Carmignano Riserva:   The original and legal Super Tuscan.  This is Piaggia's flagship wine and is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Grape selection is severe and only the best fruit makes the cut for this wine.  This has loads of crushed berry, flowers and tobacco on the nose. The flavors follow with smokey tobacco, loads of ripe fruit, flowers, and anise. This is delicious.  My tasting sheet says: "A big wow!"  93-96 points. Due Biccheri.



~ Maybe the most expressive 2010 I've had to date.  Stunning effort! ~

2011 Poggio de' Colli:   This is 100% Cabernet Franc.  This is 100% drop dead gorgeous.  Silvia was not certain how the vines came to be on the Piaggia estate but they have had them identified and they are of original French origin.  Cabernet Franc can be very herbal and frankly nasty if it doesn't get ripe enough.  No worries here.

This is deep, pretty purple in the glass with violet reflections.  The aroma is full of flowers - lavender, wild berries, mint, and sweet pipe tobacco. I could smell it forever.  Flavors are juicy, ripe and round. Delicious long and elegant and center on the crushed berries and sweet herb notes in the wine.   This will end up in my cellar.  An off the radar perennial Tre Bicchieri winner.  93-96 points. 



~ Long luscious legs ~

After I was done tasting, I went back to Silvia for final tastes of the day.  Speaks volumes.  Again, she was essentially alone.  And again, after 4-5 hours of air, the wines were singing. 

Canalicchio di Sopra

I've always found the wines of Canalicchio to be very good and seemingly under the radar.  You don't hear much about them - even on internet wine discussion forums, yet I've always found them enjoyable.  I was excited to try this, but was very underwhelmed.

2007 Brunello Riserva:  This is deep ruby with a pronounced copper to orange rim.  A classic look, but in this case, I think a tired look.  The nose is centered around soft cherries and autumn leaves with a hint of orange zest. On the palate this seems tired and slightly dried out.  Moderate fruit and dry herbs. Not sure what happened here.  86-88 points.  



~ Off bottle or already showing it's age? ~

Fontodi

Estate grown grapes sourced from the famed Conca d'Oro.  Franco Bernabei.  Certified Organic.  80 hectares in Panzano.  It's no wonder they are in the Hall of Fame of Chianti Classico producers.

2010 Flaccianello:  Oh how I love this wine.  Oh how disppointing is the price.  I sound like a broken record, but such is the reality of this estate. This is deep black red with penetrating  aromas of ripe fruit, new leather, earth and fresh herbs.   Very floral.  Has masses of fruit on the palate with juicy ripe, viscous flavors and wonderfully perfumed aromatics.  It's a stunning Sangiovese.   Just like it's 2009 brethren.   94-98 points.

2010 Chianti Classico:  This is very nice too with lots of character on the nose and palate.  Ripe cherries, anise, tobacco and flowers.  But the price on this is creeping way up relative to it's competitors. Very good, but worth the tariff?  88-91 points.   One or two bicchieri?



~ Excellent wines - but hardly values ~

Falesco

The winemaker for Antinori and one of the best consultants in all of Italy.  What could go wrong?  Not much....

2011 Ferentano:  This is 100% Roscetto.  Grown in an IGP are of Lazio this dry white is bursting with rich tropical fruit aromas and flavors.  Banana, pineapple and citrus dominate.  Full bodied and viscous, this would excel with seared scallops or lobster.  Delicious. 90-92 points. 



~ 100% Indigenous Roscetto ~

2011 Montiano:  I love this 100% Merlot from the hills outside Roma. It's the wine that turned me on to Falesco and I have many vintages in the cellar.  It's a great value.  The 2011 sports a nifty new label design.  Full of rich dark fruit flavors, this is very primary and showing it's oak a bit too much at the moment. Experience tells me this will flesh out and I'd cellar this with no worries for 5 years before enjoying.  Great mouthfeel.  91-94 points. 



~ New Label: Same great Merlot ~

Mastrojanni

The team at Mastrojanni is on a roll.  I've covered this estate well on these pages, so it comes as no surprise to me that one of their Brunello - and a 2008 at that, received a Tre Bicchieri award.  I was looking forward to meeting a friend at their table, but he wasn't able to attend at the last minute.  The lovely principal Rada Linke was there representing her estate.  I lingered....

2008 Schiena d'Asino Brunello:   This is not a Riserva, but a single vineyard sourced wine that receives the utmost care and best selection of grapes.  The results are magical.  This is a dark ruby color with explosive aromatics of flowers, dried herbs and abundant crushed berry.  Flavors follow the nose with wonderful concentration, fresh acidity and intensity.  This wine stunned me.  It is the best 2008 Brunello I have tasted to date.  93-96 points. 

They were also pouring their 2008 Brunello,  but I told Rada I had it many times and it was ok if I didn't try it again.  She said to me:  "Do you want to try something else?"   I have no idea if she thought for a moment that I might say "no", but anyway.....

She reaches under the table and emerges with a wine bottle covered in nothing but white paper.  This is our 2009 Brunello she says - but it's not yet been bottled. 

2009 Brunello:  This is a deep garnet red color.  Lots of spicy berry fruit on the nose with black cherry, licorice and warmed earth.  Flavors follow the nose with a streak of roasted coffee on the finish.  A striking contrast in vintages, but this is much more expressive than many of the 2009's I tasted at Benvenuto Brunello.  It's one to watch for.  90-93 points.



~ A Stunning 2008 Brunello ~

Perticaia

Perticaia boasts a mere 15 hectares of vineyards, 7 of which are devoted to Sagrantino. The brilliant enologist Emiliano Falsini is in charge of the winemaking.  Principal Alessandro Meniconi represented the winery.   The wine is aged for 36 months prior to release: 12 months each in barrique, steel vats, and then bottle.

The 2009 Sagrantino can be described in one word: Massive! A stunning effort. This wine is deep purple in the glass and already has aromas of cinnamon, exotic spices, blackberry and smoke. On the palate, the wine is simply gargantuan. There are masses of fruits and tannins that are so aggressive at the moment they feel as though they are literally grabbing at your cheeks. The core of fruit is ripe and mammoth, but this needs some long cellaring to settle down. It's so young and primary right now.  92-95 points.

~ Note the thick viscous "legs" here ~

Final Thoughts

Notably absent from this year's tasting were some major players on the Tre Bicchieri scene:  Redigaffi, Solaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Sassicaia....  I don't know if they weren't awarded Tre Bicchieri or decided simply not to attend.  But I noticed the absence and overheard a few others wondering where these wineries were. 

Argentiera... A new winery for me and one that seems very interesting and worth keeping an eye on.  As I mentioned, I'll be writing a feature on them in the coming months.  The quality is approaching the level of other more famous Bolgheri wineries and the price is less than half.  Stay tuned. 

The wines of Famiglia Cecchi are either underrated, under the radar or both.  A little poking around this website will find lots of excellent wine at great values in addition to the ones mentioned above. And Andrea and Cesare Cecchi could not be better people to support. 

The wines coming out of Montefalco are getting better and better.  To not see more coverage of this area mind boggling to me.  This is partly what spurred my large article earlier this year.  This is a DOCG area producing ageworthy complex wines that are more accessible than ever in their youth. They are available at fair prices relative to wines of comparable quality. Seek them out.

Finally, many of the wines tasted above have not been released yet.  Therefore, this advance look can hopefully assist your purchase planning. 

Thanks to the fine folks at Gambero Rosso for organizing another fine event.  And thanks to all the great winemakers!

Salute!