Luciano Sandrone
Barolo, Cannubi Boschis
Luciano Sandrone is one of the more recent producers from Barolo, not buying his own acreage in the acclaimed Cannubi Boschis vineyard until 1978. Sandrone's wine leans toward the modern influence with both the ability to drink young and cellar for years and years.
"The 1996, one of the estate's best, takes things to another level. It shows an outrageous, well-delineated nose of fresh roses, minerals and menthol followed waves of dark fruit and licorice flavors that are just beginning to show the signs of early maturity, with exceptional freshness, length, and harmony." (Antonio Galloni for the Wine Advocate, 4/07)
"1989; From the moment this bottle is opened it is clear that this is very special wine that captures all of the classic aged-Barolo notes in an updated, contemporary style, Sandrone's 1989 is a reference-point wine for the region." (Antonio Galloni for the Wine Advocate, 4/07)
1996, 750ml $200 (96+ WA)
1998, 1.5L $360 (94 WA)
1998, 750ml $175 (94 WA)
Giacomo Conterno
Barolo, Monfortino Riserva
Barolo is the Italian wine of kings. Amongst true collectors and connoissieurs there is one true king of barolo, the Monfortino Riserva from Giacomo Conterno. The Monfortino is prized for its combination of grace, explosive power, and longevity. This available vertical highlights key vintages of the past 4 decades.
"The 1971 Barolo Monfortino flirts with perfection. Although not yet fully mature, it is hard to resist because of its blazingly intense nose of truffles, smoked herbs, earth, dried fruits, and spice. Massively constituted, with huge body, high tannin, extraordinary symmetry and purity, and mouth-staining extract levels, this is one of the greatest Barolo Monfortinos Conterno has ever produced." (Robert Parker, 2/02)
"The 1999 Barolo Riserva Monfortino takes things to another level, hard as that may be to believe. It is deeply expressive in its aromatics, with breathtaking nuances of roses, menthol, spices and licorice that emerge from the glass, melding seamlessly onto the palate where complex layers of dark ripe fruit captivate the taster in an endless counterpoint of aromas, flavors and sensations that are hard to fully capture with mere words." (Antonio Galloni for the Wine Advocate, 10/06)
1990, 750ml $900 (94 WA)
1998, 1.5L $900 (97 WA)
1998, 750ml $400 (97 WA)
1999, 1.5L $850 (98 WA)
Pieve Santa Restituta
Brunello di Montalcino, Rennina
Angelo Gaja has been the dominant force of Italian wine for the past 30 years. The Pieve Santa Restituta estate is his first venture outside of Piedmont in Montalcino. The small 40-acre estate produces Brunello of incredible depth and complexity.
1996, 1.5L $225
1996, 750ml $120