and more:
• Silvia Imparato Montevetrano
• Bruno de Conciliis
• Campania's Cult Wine Six-Pack

The Awakening of Campania


Every so often a wine region redefines itself: we've seen it with Tuscany in the seventies, Friuli in the eighties, and now Campania in the nineties and into the new millennium. It is by far the most shocking wine region in Italy today, beginning with the ancient varietals that were introduced by the Greeks and revered by the Romans. It is host to two of Italy’s most sought after cult wines - Silvia Imparato’s Montevetrano and Galardi Terra di Lavoro. It is home to Taurasi, the "Barolo of the South," and to Italy’s most classic white wines, Fiano and Greco di Tufo. Here in the high altitude and on the soils of extinct volcanoes some of the latest picked grapes in all of Europe have been rescued from near extinction.

Not since being rattled in 1968 by Mastroberardino's critically acclaimed Taurasi has the wine region of Campania received so much attention. The romance of ancient varietals rescued from near extinction, wines with ageing credentials to match Brunello and Barolo, and a frenzy of 95+ points granted to an array of Aglianico based wines: Campania is a force to be reckoned with and will only get better. Today we feature four producers from Campania that have won over the press and now lead the rise of the South.

Read on below to learn about these Southern treasures from antiquity. Should you have additional questions or want to purchase these wines, please call Perry Porricelli at 212.473.2323.

***SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT***
Barolo to Valtellina: The Many Faces of Nebbiolo
Saturday, October 9th (starts at 1:00pm promptly), $95.00

David Lynch, co-author of Vino Italiano and Wine Director at Babbo, conducts a world-class tasting of Nebbiolo, from Barolo to Valtellina. This is a top tier event and will include a signed copy Vino Italiano. Please contact Derrick at 212.473.2323 to reserve your seat today!

Click to register for this event by fax!

Feudi di San Gregorio

Here, in the shadows of Mount Vesuvius where the city of Pompeii and its ancient vineyards lay two millennia ago, the imposing Feudi di San Gregorio estate boasts state-of-the-art facilities. With esteemed enologist Riccardo Cotarella on hand, the wines focus on the antiquity of the area, displaying the elegance of traditional Italian wines while supporting a modern tone that infuses the micoclimate’s unique altitude and soil. The legendary volcano eruption left a sandstone and marl soil laden with mineral-rich deposits of volcanic ash that impart distinctive aromas and flavors to the grapes. As a result, Feudi di San Gregorio has received international high scores for both its whites and reds that are made from the native Aglianico, Fiano, and Greco in various styles.

Feudi di San Gregorio 2001 Serpico $74.99 (750ml)
98 Points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

This is the critically acclaimed signature wine of Feudi di San Gregorio. A deep ruby red, this dense wine is made from 100% Aglianico di Taurasi, harvested in part from century-old pre-phylloxera vines through mid November, imparting additional depth and flavor. The rich bouquet of ripe berries and toasted oak leads into more red fruit with spices and chocolate on the palate. Deep, powerful, and concentrated, this wine has great balance and quality that will age well in your cellar.

Feudi di San Gregorio 2001 Patrimo $129.00 (750ml)

Originally thought to be Aglianico, but now believed to be a clone of Merlot - the grape is being tested at the University of Milan to ascertain the precise variety. This powerful wine, concentrated and elegant, has a very dark ruby color. The intense bouquet shows jammy blueberry and redcurrant along with eucalyptus and coffee. On the palate, soft tannins and good acidity surround sweet spices, chocolate, and tobacco. A long finish features a toasty encore of spice, fruit, and coffee.

Note: Be sure to inquire about the great whites from this region and additional wines from this producer.

Click here to order these wines by fax!

Galardi Terra di Lavoro

This estate produces only one wine, which started out as a hobby for three cousins. With just 800 cases released, it is the collectors gem of the South. This wine is next impossible to obtain and IWM is very proud to be offering this selective wine.

The Galardi winery is set in the high hills of Sessa Aurunca in northwestern Campania. It is in this area that the great wine of ancient Rome, Falernum, was produced. The family-owned estate, run with the help of Riccardo Cotarella, continues the great tradition set in the past by producing one single wine: Terra di Lavoro (meaning "the land of labor"). From the estate’s vineyards come deeply concentrated Aglianico and Piedirosso which produce the lone wine in an 80/20 split to Aglianico. The Piedirosso, which virtually disappeared after phylloxera devastated Campania in the early 20th century, adds a touch of softness to this black, brooding, long-ageing red. The name means "red feet," and it is believed to be a relative of the Friulian Refosco.

Galardi 2000 Terra di Lavoro $279.00 (750ml)
98 Points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

In IWM’s eyes, it is the masterpiece of the South and is the most consistent quality wine from that region. This blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso is bottled unfined and unfiltered after a full year of ageing in new French oak. A beautiful deep purple color with a complex bouquet of smoke and earth, dark fruit, tobacco, and leather. These essences continue on the palate along with spices and minerals. Full-bodied, with dense tannins and an impressively long, silky finish.

Click here to order Galardi Terra di Lavoro by fax!

Silvia Imparato Montevetrano

This little estate near Salerno with only four hectares under vine is a recent phenomenon. Like the other cult wine of Campania, Galardi, the estate only produces one wine. It became an overnight sensation when Robert Parker labeled it the "Sassicaia of the South."

Since then collectors around the world scramble for this limited production, luscious cult wine. In nine years, this diamond has been crowned with the coveted Tre Bicchieri award eight times and has repeatedly received ratings in the nineties from the wine media. The wine is the passion of famed photographer Silvia Imparato and esteemed enologist Riccardo Cotarella.

Imparato 2001 Montevetrano $79.00 (750ml)
93 Points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

A magical blend of Aglianico (10%), Merlot (30%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). The purple-tinged dark ruby colors give way to a nose of blueberries, tobacco, and spice. On the palate, this elegant full-bodied wine provides beautifully integrated tannin, acidity, and wood. The wine is still young and could be shelved for another four years or so. However, we recommend trying this gem now, as there are only a few bottles left if you would like to order more.

Click here to order Montevetrano by fax!

Bruno de Conciliis

Bruno De Conciliis capitalizes on southern exposure and ancient soils in the ripe climate of the Cilento zone of Campania to produce full-bodied, fruit driven wines. These wines are more approachable than the austere Taurasi. His signature wine is the majestic ‘Naima’ (named after the John Coltrane song and the winemaker’s love of jazz), but Bruno also makes a range of Aglianicos in varying styles with Zero catering to the collectors' market. In addition, he produces wines outside this market which can be enjoyed at contained prices. With jazz echoing in the cellars to keep his wines happy, the juice of De Conciliis is sure to be a hit with any wine enthusiast.

De Conciliis 2001 Zero $115.00 (750ml)

This is the estate’s limited production, modern-style Aglianico for the collector. It spends 12 months in French oak barrels, which gives the powerful wine a touch of elegance while softening the tannins. The Zero is a complex wine that presents an intense ruby hue. Young, pronounced violets, wild fruit, and black pepper on the nose are balanced by tones of minerals, sweet tobacco, and leather on the palate. Notes of spice carry through a persistent finish.

De Conciliis 2001 Naima $54.79 (750ml)

This is the signature wine of De Conciliis and a recent Tre Bicchieri winner. Clear, dark ruby red heralds rich, smoky berries and chocolate that entice the nose. Powerful fruit deepened by dark notes of spice and wood harmonize on the palate, with soft tannins in the background. Seductive and warm, soft but well-maintained by elegant tannins, the wine glides through the mouth, balanced and persistent, leaving a long, spicy finish. The wine’s immense personality will continue improving over the next several years.

Click to learn more about Campania antique varietals!

Campania's Cult Wine Six-Pack

IWM is offering five great examples of Aglianico based wines with the addition of the Merlot driven Patrimo in both a six pack (1 of each) and case sampler (2 of each). This is a great way to experience the range this grape has across producer, style, and zone. Get a taste of the South and understand its undeniable potential!

Feudi di San Gregorio 2001 Serpico $74.99 (750ml)
Feudi di San Gregorio 2001 Patrimo $129.00 (750ml)
Galardi 2000 Terra di Lavoro $279.00 (750ml)
Imparato 2001 Montevetrano $79.00 (750ml)
De Conciliis 2001 Zero $115.00 (750ml)
De Conciliis 2001 Naima $54.79 (750ml)

IWM Aglianico Six-Pack (6) $731.78*
IWM Aglianico Case Sampler (12) $1,454.79*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

Click to purchase this cult wine six-pack by fax!