2016 Badia Di Morrona I Sodi Del Parentaio Chianti Riserva

2016 Badia Di Morrona I Sodi Del Parentaio Chianti Riserva

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BADIA DI MORRONA 

I SODI DEL PARETAIO
2016 CHIANTI RISERVA

2016 Badia Di Morrona I Sodi Del Parentaio Chianti Riserva
Badia di Morrono is an historic Estate in Tuscany dedicated to farming their land and balancing technology with traditional techniques. Their land near the village of Morrona was once undersea, and is now rich in marine nutrients. The vines are grown in well-drained clay, minerally and sandy soils that make their wines recognizable with a clear sense of place. Their 2016 Chianti Riserva is classically styled, harmoniously balanced, and at $26, it’s a stunning value. 
 
This 2016 enters from one of Tuscany’s greatest vintages in the last two decades, and one the Wine Spectator rates 97 points and describes as producing, “Vibrant, elegant wines; grapes harvested under ideal conditions”
 
The winemaking team fermented the Riserva for ten months in concrete and stainless steel tank, preserving the natural flavors of the fruit. The blend is predominantly Sangiovese, balanced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, and was aged for 18 months in oak.
 
BADIA DI MORRONA 
I SODI DEL PARETAIO
2016 CHIANTI RISERVA 
 
Your Price: $26
 
 
“Quite reductive at first, but this later opens up with notes of brambleberries, red cherries, oranges and herbs. Medium body, firm tannins and a nutmeg-flavored finish. Drink now.”
91 Points
 
“Ruby red with garnet colored undertones when aged. Bouquet: scent of balm and with more finesse as it ages; Harmonious, savory, slightly tannic; soft and velvety. Pleasing and versatile to the palate with a well-balanced acidity and soft, mature tannins.”
2016 Livio Sassetti Montecucco Rosso DOC La Querciolina

2016 Livio Sassetti Montecucco Rosso DOC La Querciolina

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LIVIO SASSETTI

MONTECUCCO ROSSO DOC
LA QUERCIOLINA 2016 

2016 Livio Sassetti Montecucco Rosso DOC La Querciolina
The Sassetti family is one of the top producers of Sangiovese-based wines in Tuscany. It’s their dedication to their land and ability to identify new plots capable of producing world-class fruit that has been a key to their success. Their Montecucco Rosso comes from an organically farmed 12-hectare vineyard in Southern Tuscany, and in all honesty, it drinks better than a lot of good $50 Brunellos. Vinous describes the 2016 release as “gorgeous and an amazing value,” and at $28, I bet you’ll wish you had ordered more once you taste it.
 
Montecucco neighbors Montalcino, and most of its seven villages are on the slopes of Monte Amiata, Italy’s second-highest volcano. The soils there are of volcanic origin and produce powerful Sangiovese Grosso fruit that’s concentrated, vibrant, and unique to Montecucco. 
 
Livio Sassetti’s Montecucco Rosso is 100% Sangiovese Grosso, the same grape used for Brunello. The winemaking team aged the 2016 vintage for just six months in barrel, preserving the fruit’s vibrancy, and now with sufficient time in the bottle, this vintage is stunning.
 
LIVIO SASSETTI
MONTECUCCO ROSSO DOC
LA QUERCIOLINA 2016
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“The bouquet is dark and earthy in the best possible way, as savory herbs give way to crushed black cherry, encased in an air of smoky minerals, sous-bois, and hints of animal musk. The 2016 La Querciolina Montecucco Rosso then floods the palate with silky textures, offset by cool-toned red fruits and minerals, riding a core of brisk acids. It finishes with medium length yet brimming with energy, as a mix of savory spice and minerality slowly tapers off, leaving just a hint of dried cranberry. This is gorgeous and an amazing value. Drink 2020-2026”
93 points
 
“A firm and silky red with berries and a hint of chocolate. Some coffee, too. Medium body, firm yet polished tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.”
91 Points
2018 Rocca Di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

2018 Rocca Di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

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ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI

2018 CHIANTI CLASSICO
TUSCANY, ITALY 

2018 Rocca Di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy
Each decision that Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi of Rocca di Montegrossi makes in his vineyard has the laser-focused goal of balancing growth and production, with his wine’s quality paramount. Together with consultant agronomist Dr. Stefano Dini, he cares for 20 hectares of vines grown in one of the finest sections of Chianti. His flagship 2018 Chianti Classico has explosive aromas of rich dark fruits, wet slate, and wildflowers. It’s, as Vinous writes, “a fabulous wine for the money,” so don’t miss it.
 
The richness of this wine is matched equally by the Estate’s history, which dates back to the 7th century AD. In 1141, the property was passed to the Ricasoli family. To this day, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi is dedicated to crafting the best wine from the Estate, and International fame has followed. 
 
The Estate is planted primarily to Sangiovese (13 hectares), followed by Merlot, while the remaining 4.5 hectares includes Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pugnitello, and Malvasia Bianca del Chianti. Marco blends 8% Canaiolo and 2% Colorino with 90% Sangiovese to make a more complex and serious wine. If you’re looking for a killer bottle of Italian wine for under $30, this is it. 
 
ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
2018 CHIANTI CLASSICO
TUSCANY, ITALY
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“The 2018 Chianti Classico opens with a burst of sweet red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers. Exuberant and racy, the 2018 is endowed with tremendous energy and tons of personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and radiance, with a closing flourish of red flowers. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Don’t miss it. Drink 2022-2038.”
93 Points
 
“A red with blackberries, black cherries and hints of sliced dark mushrooms that follow through to a medium body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Some bark, too. Always a serious Chianti Classico. Drink now.”
92 Points
 
“It is very youthful with great energy and freshness on the palate but still fairly tightly wound. I’d give it a few more months in bottle before approaching. Drinking Window 2021 – 2027.”
91 Points
 
“Rocca di Montegrossi’s Chianti Classico is the estate’s flagship wine; it is a blend of about 90% Sangiovese, with Canaiolo and Colorino, and is produced every year. It ages mainly in large casks and barrels made with oak from Allier, for 12-14 months. It is unfiltered, and after bottling it ages another 6 months prior to release. In the glass it is lively ruby, with bright violet reflections, and on the nose displays the rich fruity aromas typical of the varietals, particularly forest berry fruit and sour cherries.”
2013 Villa Trasqua Trasgaia Toscana IGT

2013 Villa Trasqua Trasgaia Toscana IGT

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VILLA TRASQUA

2013 TRASGAIA 
TOSCANA IGT

2013 Villa Trasqua Trasgaia Toscana IGT
Villa Trasqua has a 1000 year history in Castellina, Chianti, rooted in viticulture and innovation. Their wines perfectly balance tradition and modernity and are enriched with old-world antiquity and enhanced with new world styled fruit. Over the years, their Trasgaia Super Tuscan has graced the shelves in our shop and has generated a devoted following due to its remarkable quality and realistic price.
 
The winery is on an ancient plateau in the town Castellina, and they cultivate their vineyards organically, perfectly expressing the site’s specific terroir. The estate shined in 2013, which was a vintage that the Wine Spectator noted as producing, “Sleek, vibrant wines with bright, focused fruit flavors.”
 
The 2013 vintage combined 50% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and matured for 24 months in oak and five years of development inside the bottle. The 2013 release is powerful, beautifully defined and is perfectly ready to enjoy now.
 
VILLA TRASQUA
2013 TRASGAIA 
TOSCANA IGT 
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“Fresh and aromatic red with blackberries, cherries and hints of flowers. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish. Linear and bright. A blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Drink now.”
91 Points
 
“Deep ruby red with very light garnet hues. The aroma is fruity with nuances of sour cherry in syrup, black currant and lemon jelly. Then vanilla, liquorice and nutmeg notes with balsamic reminiscences of eucalyptus and toasted Arabica coffee and gianduja chocolate. The nose opens up to black pepper and star anis. The taste is round with a warmth that makes it pleasant, tasty and well-balanced. The tannins are completely integrated. The long aftertaste is polite and measured with blackberry, currant and liquorice aromas.”
2014 Bibbiano Riserva Chianti Classico

2014 Bibbiano Riserva Chianti Classico

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BIBBIANO

2014 Bibbiano Riserva Chianti Classico2014 RISERVA
CHIANTI CLASSICO

As much as I love the innovative and forward styles of New World wines (wines from countries where Vitis Vinifera or wine grapes did NOT originate), there’s something to be said about a winery that’s been around in the Old World (think Europe) since 1865.  With trials and tribulations that span more than 150 years, many of the best wines in the Old World give you that feeling of antiquity and historical relevance when you taste them.  I gained that very impression when I tasted Bibbiano’s Chianti Classico Riserva.  With rock-solid poise, immense depth and precisely delineated flavors, the wine’s powerfully complex dark fruits, spices and subtle smoke are classic to the Old World style, and are intermixed with a newfound love and appreciation for a region that produces some of the best wines in the world.
 
Created from 100% Sangiovese and aged for the required 24 months before bottling, this wine has a lovely dense and satiny texture that comes lined with spices, dried flowers and cassis.  At under thirty per bottle this Riserva has everything that I look for in great Chianti Classico.  I wouldn’t wait for the scores to come out before securing your case, because there are few cases imported of this stunning wine.   
 
BIBBIANO
2014 RISERVA
CHIANTI CLASSICO
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
 
Winery Notes: “2014 Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva is a well-balanced, flavorful wine that is especially good for the vintage. It offers attractive red cherries and berries and spicy, garrique and lapsang suchong smoky tea notes on the nose and palate. It has a silky attack, a well-balanced palate and a persistent finish.”
 
Customers who enjoy Bibbiano’s Chianti Classico Riserva, may also enjoy these two terrific Italian wines…
2012 Salcheto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano 2013 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino
SALCHETO
2012 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE di MONTELPULCIANO
Your Price: $34.99/btl 
From The Wine Spectator: “Dark notes of blackberry and plum are reinforced by molasses and licorice flavors. Dense and meaty, this red is surprisingly nimble given the power & concentration. What this needs is an aged, grilled steak. Drink now through 2025.”   93 Points
BIBBIANO
GRAN SELEZIONE
2013 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO
Your Price: $34.99/btl 

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From The Wine Spectator, “A savory example, featuring tobacco, earth, wild herb and underbrush notes enveloping a core of fading cherry. Balanced and finishing dry, with tobacco and iron accents lingering. Settling in nicely, with a few years more to go…”    93 Points

Villa Trasqua Chianti Classico DOCG 2013 Tuscany, Italy

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VILLA TRASQUA
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG
2013 TUSCANY, ITALY
One of the best values in the entire DOCG classification can be found in Chianti Classico.  DOCG lets consumers know that there are controlled production methods and guaranteed wine quality in every bottle.  And while the classification gives confidence and direction, when our panel tasted Villa Trasqua’s 2013 Chianti, we immediately knew it was something special.  I still have customers talking about the winery’s 2007 Chianti that we featured years ago…  Just like the 2007, the 2013 is beautifully balanced with good weight and definition and is extraordinarily memorable.  At $24.99/btl, don’t hesitate to secure a case…  This will take your pizza/pasta night to an even higher level.
Coming from a strong vintage in Chianti, a vintage the Wine Spectator describes as producing “sleek, vibrant wines with bright, focused fruit flavors…,” Villa Trasqua excelled in 2013.  Making a dramatic entrance the moment this wine splashes into your glass with a powerful cherry accented perfume laced with holiday spices and and vanilla, and with around 4 years in the bottle, this 2013 is singing right now.  I highly recommend a case, before this beauty disappears.
VILLA TRASQUA
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG
2013 TUSCANY, ITALY
Your Price: $24.99/btl Click to Order
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From James Suckling, “A tight and pretty red with blueberry and chocolate. Medium body, fine texture. Very enjoyable. Drink now.”
91 Points
 

Customers who enjoy Villa Trasqua’s Chianti Classico, may also enjoy these two terrific Italian wines…

SILVIO GRASSO
2013 BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY
Your Price: $34.99/btl
Pushing the boundaries of tangible value, to find a beautifully crafted and classically styled Barolo at under forty per bottle isn’t just an anomaly… It’s a dominating statement in terms of what’s achievable and available at this price point.  Created in a warm, intense style with a solid core and beautifully persistent flavors, we simply couldn’t believe how great this Barolo was for $34.99/btl…
BIBBIANO
GRAN SELEZIONE
2013 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO
Your Price: $34.99/btl
From The Wine Spectator, “A savory example, featuring tobacco, earth, wild herb and underbrush notes enveloping a core of fading cherry. Balanced and finishing dry, with tobacco and iron accents lingering. Settling in nicely, with a few years more to go…” 
93 Points