My 15 superstars from James Suckling's Great Wines of Italy event in Miami !
The event took place on Monday night (March 6th) at the Design District, which as some of you know showcases art, fashion, and wine. The event was quickly filled with wine enthusiasts and professionals passionate about Italian wine. It was a great event and later I took the opportunity to try some wonderful restaurants (for all of you foodies) that I will later upload on the website.
So finally I just got back from a wonderful trip in Miami and I have chosen some bottles for this blog that stood out to me from the wineries that attended, and most importantly, I think they'll be a great addition to your cellar.
So lets dive into these gems!
(In no particular order)
RENIERI
Marco Bacci owns three wineries in Tuscany: Renieri in Montalcino, Castello di Bossi in Chianti Classico, and Terre di Talamo in Maremma. In this event he presented two excellent Brunello wines: Renieri Brunello di Montalcino 2012 and Renieri Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2011. Both wines show beautiful balance and well structure. My favorite is the Riserva 2011.
ARGIANO
Argiano is owned by a group of Brazilian investors. At the event I met the CEO, Bernardino Sani, who presented Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2012 and Argiano Toscana Solengo 2014. I love both wines, but then again, I have never been disappointed by Argiano wines. I especially want to highlight their Brunello di Montalcino 2012. Its aromas and flavors are impressive, as well as its structure. It has a long lovely finish. A must-try for wine lovers!
SAN FILIPPO
San Filippo is owned by Roberto Gianelli. Year by year he produces great Brunello wines. I remember interviewing him in one of my visits to Vinitaly fair and tasting his 2010 vintage which left me impressed due to its structure and quality. In this event he presented his Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére 2012 and Brunello di Montalcino 2012. Both are beautiful wines. Le Lucére 2012 is a rich wine with excellent tannin, acidity, and full body. Terrific wine! (Better in 3-4 years).
Winos don't miss out on trying it!
P.S. - You can check out his Vinitaly interview in my website by clicking on the 'Gallery' icon.
www.patriciashapiro.com
CASANOVA DI NERI
Giacomo Neri is an excellent wine producer! His wines never disappoint. His passion for wine making shines through his unique Burnellos. His son Giovanni (shown in the picture above) works with his dad in the vineyard throughout the whole process. It was nice to see the young Millennials learning from their parents and doing such a great job, as Giovanni did, in the Miami event. The wines presented were Brunello di Montalcino 2012 and Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2012. Both are great but pay special attention to Tenuta Nuova 2012. It has a perfect structure, delicious palate with impressive aromas. The long finish was spectacular. Keep an eye on it, it will be a great addition to your cellar.
CIACCI PICCOLOMINI D'ARAGONA
I met Paolo Bianchini, the wine producer, several years ago. He (and his sister Lucia) own a beautiful property in Montalcino that I recommend you to visit. He produces excellent wines and Grappa. Paolo's daughter, Ester, attended the event and it was nice to see her represent the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona brand so well. She showcased her professionalism and passion for wine!
She presented the Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte 2014 which I found it to be a great Rosso. Try it, you will love it!
The one that grabbed my attention the most was the Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 2010. Incredible wine! It shows delicious aromas and flavors such as berries, flowers, mint, spices, and leather. Big Brunello!
P.S. - Tasting it was a great experience but I would recommend waiting several years.
ALLEGRINI
Allegrini always makes fantastic wines! Marilisa Allegrini presented her Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012 and Veronese Palazzo della Torre 2013. Both spectacular but the Classico 2012 definitely stands out. It is ready to enjoy but also has potential to age. This Amarone expresses dark fruit such as blueberry, plum, spices, chocolate, tobacco and coffee. Beautiful Amarone that you can drink alone or pair it with your favorite dish because it is ready to drink.
Bravo!
CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
Castiglion del Bosco has a beautiful property in Montalcino. I visited years ago and it definitely gives winos a memorable experience. The two bottles presented at the event were Brunello di Montalcino 2012 and Brunello di Montalcino Millecento Riserva 2010. The 2012 is a delicious wine with great fruit, balance and finish. I enjoyed it but I would recommend waiting a few (2-3) years. The Millecento Riserva 2010 was one of my favorites. I tried it in 2016 at the Vinitaly fair with Massimo Ferragamo, during my interview with him, and the structure of the wine impressed me. Elegant wine! The bouquet expresses beautiful aromas of red fruit, cherry, plum, cassis, licorice, flowers, cinnamon, mint, and tobacco. On the palate, perfect balance with spectacular finish.
P.S. - You can check out Massimo's Vinitaly interview in my website:
www.patriciashapiro.com
SAN POLINO
Luigi Fabro and Katia Nussbaum own San Polino. I met Katia years ago and I was always fascinated with her wines. San Polino focuses on having a biodynamic vineyard. Wine collectors, keep an eye on San Polino Brunello wines for your cellar since they are unique and you won't be disappointed! The wines presented were Brunello di Montalcino 2011 and Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum 2012. Both were delightful but Helichrysum 2012 stood out to me. The wine has excellent structure, fruit, acidity, and a lovely finish. I truly recommend you to try it but be patient because it is young.
Great things come to those who wait! Cheers
PETROLO
I met Luca years ago and Petrolo seems to be one of those brands that always gets it right. If you are a wine enthusiast that loves Italian wines you are probably already acquainted with the brand. The two wines that were presented in the event were Valdarno di Sopra Galatrona 2014 and Valdarno di Sopra Rosso Boggina 2014. Galatrona 2014 is a 100% Merlot and it's in the list of one of my favorites in Italy. Don't miss out on the opportunity to get one since it's a small production, only 7000 bottles.
PRINCIPE CORSINI
Duccio Corsini is the owner of Principe Corsini and he has been making a variety of great Italian wines. Costa Toscana Birillo 2013 and Chianti Classico Don Tommaso Gran Selezione 2013 were presented at the event. I want to highlight his Don Tommaso Gran Selezione 2013. A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. It shows delicious aromas of dark fruit, flowers, and spices. Powerful on the palate, that expresses mocha, black cherry, with well integrated tannin and long finish.
For the foodies reading this blog, this Chianti Classico Gran Selezione pairs marvelously with risotto!
VALDICAVA
It was a great surprise to see Sofia, another young millennial, representing the Valdicava brand alongside her dad Vincenzo Abbruzzese. For those of you that have read my previous blogs, you already know I'm a big fan of Valdicava wines. They never disappoint! Vincenzo and Sofia presented their Brunello di Montalcino 2007 and Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva 2010. The 2007 is ready to drink and presently enjoyable. The Madonna del Piano Riserva 2010 is a perfect wine! It is evident why James Suckling gave it a 100 points. Valdicava only comes out with Madonna del Piano Riservas on excellent vintages, such as the 2010. Age it a few years in your cellar.
A true gem!
NINO FRANCO
It was a pleasure to meet Primo Franco at the event and his passion for making prosecco was evident. I have been a fan of his proseccos for a long time and I consider Nino Franco one of the top prosecco brands. He presented Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore Rustico and Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore Primo Franco Dry 2015. Both are excellent! The Prosecco di Vadobbiadene Superiore Primo Franco Dry 2015 shows beautiful fruit aromas that grabbed my attention. On the palate, nice acidity with fruit expression and clean finish. Perfect for the Florida weather!
BIBI GRAETZ
I met Bibi several years ago. You can find out how and why he started making wine as well as his philosophy on wine making in the Vinitaly interview I gave him in my website's gallery
(
www.patriciashapiro.com ). In it, Bibi will give you better insight on the history of his brand and what makes his Colore stand out. He presented his Toscana Testamatta 2013 an Toscana Colore 2011. Both magnificent wines but my superstar pick was the Toscana Colore 2011. He produced a small quantity of bottles so don't miss out on the opportunity to try it.
Salute!
VITANZA
I met Rosalba Vitanza and Guido Andretta a few years back. They presented Andretta Brunello di Montalcino 2012 which is a new label and Vitanza Brunello di Montalcino Tradizione 2012. Both wines were great but I'm still more of a fan of Vitanza Tradizione style since I have been acquainted with it for several years. It shows great personality with concentrated fruit and delicious finish.
P.S. - Try both of them and let me know what you think through my website.
BELLAVISTA
Bellavista is located in a great territory of Lombardia. I have been drinking Bellavista sparkling wines for a while now. They are very enjoyable! Bellavista presented Franciacorta Alma Gran Cuvée Brut NV and Franciacorta Teatro Alla Scala Brut 2011. My superstar pick was the latter. Franciacorta Teatro Alla Scala Brut 2011 has a composition of 72% Chardonnay and 28% Pinot Nero. It shows delightful aromas of fruit such as white peach, apple, citrus note, and pear. On the palate, it evokes delicious ripe fruit mixed with the feeling of soft delicate bubbles combined with perfect acidity and long finish.
Winos lets connect on social media:
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Also you can write me any questions you have or comments through my website!
For more recommendations on upcoming wine events go to www.patriciashapiro.com
