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IWM e-Letter -- May 12, 2003
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Blockbuster Bottles
In the warm, sunny climate of central
Italy, producers in Tuscany, Umbria and
Campagnia craft wines on the cutting-edge,
breaking the status quo. Creative grape
blends, vinification techniques and maturation
styles offer a rich diversity of wines
from these regions. Much-touted names
like Sassicaia and Ornellaia have been
around for many years now and have a religious
following to prove it. Today, we are showcasing
wineries that have been in the market
long enough to establish solid, awarding
winning track records, but that are just
below the radar screen for those new to
Italian wines. Each is a blockbuster in
its own right. Try them and see!
Get to know them all by calling us at
212.473.2323 to purchase a 6-pack of 750
ml bottles for $508.45. Then, purchase
your favorites by the case to stash away
and watch their power and finesse evolve
over the next 5-15 years! We look forward
to getting to introducing you to these
stunning wines.
Some wines are currently in-house, but
most will start arriving at IWM this week.
Check with our Portfolio Managers for
availability. |
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Starting with Sagrantino...
When Daniel Thomases (now with Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate)
wrote for Stephen Tanzer, he pronounced
Arnaldo Caprai's Sagrantino 25 Anni as
Italy's highest quality wine, given its
consistency throughout the 1990s. Start
here, and if you like the Sagrantino,
move on to the others. They are all counterparts
in profile and quality.
1999 Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino 25 Anni
$95.00 / 750 ml
Now in its 7th vintage, this varietal
Sagrantino sets the bar higher every year.
The 1999 holds its own. Blackish-ruby
in color, this gargantuan wine crams loads
of briery fruit, earth and pepper into
the glass. The infusion of oak is intense,
but sweet and elegant at the same time.
Solid underlying acidity and fine-grained
tannin provide structure and age-ability.
Mind boggling complexity, even at this
young stage.
2000 Imparato Montevetrano $89.95 / 750
ml
A perfectionist, Silvia Imparato is always
looking to improve her opulent cuvee of
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and
10% Aglianico. World-renown consulting
oenologist Riccardo Cotarella ages the
blend for 12 months in new French oak
and neither fines nor filters before bottling.
A singular aromatic profile of blueberries,
blackcurrant, tobacco, caramel and chocolate.
The flavors display extraordinary purity.
Medium to full body, with well-spun tannin
and acidity, the wine carries each of
these elements into the long-lasting finish.
Compelling intensity tempered by great
stylishness. The limited production is
increasing, but the winery still can’t
keep up with demand. Call soon to purchase
this one before it all flies out of our
cellars!
2000 Lamborghini Campoleone $76.50 / 750
ml
Another wine from Riccardo Cotarella with
(disappointingly!) miniscule production.
Made from equal parts of Merlot and Sangiovese,
this unfined/unfiltered blend manages
to boast high extract and tight tannin
while incredibly melding together all
of these elements with the rich flavor
profile. The distinguished nose carries
perfumes of saddle leather, fireplace
smoke, figs, prunes and plums. The same
voluptuously-rich, pervasive fruit carries
through to the palate, culminating in
a huge, explosive finish.
2000 Fattoria Manzano Podere Il Bosco
Syrah
$54.00 / 750 ml
$119.00 / 1.5 L
$259.00 / 3.0 L
Penetrating aromas of plum jam, violet,
black pepper and licorice, plus a faint
piney nuance. Thanks to extraordinarily
dense plantings, the palate unleashes
multiple layers of invigorating flavors.
Though compact in its youth, the wine
is elegant and integrated with a long,
lingering finish. Possibly the best vintage
yet of this splendid Syrah. |
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IWM Spotlight: Castello del Terriccio
IWM is pleased to introduce a newcomer on our shelves, Castello
del Terriccio. For almost a decade, this
producer has been crafting wines of the
highest quality. The consistency of the
wines is striking, especially considering
that the winery has increased its production
of Lupicaia to 30,000 bottles and Tassinaia
to 100,000. This marks a 100% increase
in the cellar's turnout in the last few
years.
2000 Lupicaia $139.00 / 750 ml
When pouring this concentrated concoction,
the magnificent aromas of cassis, vanilla
and mocha instantly float across the table.
A dense and muscular interpretation of
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the palate
is saturated with blackberries, kirsch
espresso and balsam. Seamless and vigorous,
the potential here will unfold for a decade
to come. For the 6th year in a row, this
wine has won the esteemed "Tre Bicchiere"
award from the leading Italian wine guide
Gambero Rosso. Bravo!
2000 Tassinaia $54.00 / 750 ml
Bold, focused aromas of sweet cassis and
an exotic touch of talcum powder rise
from the glass. This blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot, aged
in French oak for 12 months, displays
abundant quantities of black plum and
cherry fruit. The soft, full palate is
supported by sweet tannin and plenty of
well-integrated, spicy oak. Though accessible
and enjoyable now, it is still too young
to fully reveal its many layers.
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IWM Tastings: Wednesday, May 28th & Thursday, May 29th
Reserve today to join us for these two exclusive events:
Winemaker Tasting: Italy from North to
South
Wednesday, May 28, 7 – 9 pm
$75
A truly rare opportunity to meet nine
top Italian producers, including La Tenaglia,
La Rasina, Cima and Pira. Sample the wines
and speak with the winemakers.
Winemaker Tasting: Italian Cult Wines
Thursday, May 29, 7 – 9 pm
$75
A special opportunity to experience highly
allocated and boutique wines with Jens
Schmidt of Montecastelli Selections, Sergio
Esposito and five top producers. An inside
peek at some of Italy’s most rare and
prestigious wines, some with US allocations
of only 10 cases.
To register for this seminar or others,
click the image! |
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IWM Selections: The Mystique Of Barolo
This is our BIGGEST book and it covers Italy's most important
wine...
This lavish, newly translated volume has
won 2 international awards, including
'Best Wine & Food Book of 2001' -- the
Gold Medal from the German Gastronomic
Society -- at the prestigious Frankfurt
Book Fair. The Italian edition won the
International Pèrigueux Prize for 'Best
Italian Wine Book.'
The book features 35 fascinating interviews
with Barolo producers, a detailed history
of the noble Nebbiolo grape, an exhaustive
vintage chart (from 1868 to the present),
sections on Barolo production, 177 labels,
detailed maps and explanations of the
new sub-zones. This book is an essential
reference tool for the Italian wine lover,
oenophile and sommelier alike.
Call us at 212.473.2323 to reserve your
copy of the most comprehensive Barolo
guide from Italy. |
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Note:
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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