Organic Wine

A slope (un talud) leading up to a mountain where centuries of rock falls have left the soil beneath full of large angular rocks, and therefore useless for most agriculture. Deposited hugger-mugger amongst the clay and sand however, they offer perfect drainage and allow vines to grow, forcing their roots ever downwards in search of water, picking up minerals along the way. If you wanted to explain to someone what Cabernet Sauvignon tasted like, you could do a lot worse than showing them this beautiful expression of the variety which demonstrates great purity, concentration and elegance.

Review:

Talud is from the oldest cabernet sauvignon vineyards on Tabalí’s estate in the coastal Maipo zone, 50 kilometers from the Pacific, planted in 1999. The soils are colluvial, which often deliver firm, pointed tannins, and those are present here, but they’re very nicely accompanied by juicy red fruit and bright acidity that allows this wine to put its fresh, vibrant facet in the foreground. Take note, however, there are deep, dense flavors here. It’s still a very young cabernet, so make room in the cellar.

-Patricio Tapia - Descorchados 95 Points

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port. 

Influenced by the northeastern side and the features of the terroir, Vigna del Lago is an elegant, light and sapid Brunello. It exhibits a distinctive, slightly pale, ruby-red colour and notes of ginger, cherry, orange peel, bitter orange and dried flowers. Medium-structured, silky and delicate tannins with a slightly salty finish.

Vigna del Lago is located on the northeastern slope of Montalcino, which is influenced by a continental climate, with harsh winters and very hot summers.  The surrounding nature is reminiscent of the Crete Senesi, with hills and cypresses and a lovely lake next to the vineyards. The soils are clayey.

Ageing takes place in a dedicated cellar, 24 months in 40-hl Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 6 months in concrete and 9 to 12 months of bottle maturation.

Review:

This 2018 Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Lago is looking really beautiful in this 2018 vintage. The nose is bright with delicate, fragrant rose and ripe strawberry notes. The palate has a very tangy, juicy acidity and plenty of savory, fine-textured tannins. There is a sublime texture with that wonderful quality of weightless harmony. This is a lovely wine that just feels very gentle and flows across the palate like a little wave.

-Wine Independent 97 Points

This is a 6 pack with 2 bottles each from vintages from 2013, 2015, and 2016. 

***Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino 2016:

The 2016 Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino is the most brooding of the lineup from Val di Suga and is sourced from the southwest of the region on sandy soils. There are aromatics of black raspberry, licorice, menthol, sage, cinnamon, and iron-rich earth. Its Mediterranean influence is felt on the palate with ripe black cherry, dried herbs, and sun-baked earth. This is the fullest bodied and most savory of the Val di Suga lineup, with more roundness and grip. Its structure will benefit from cellaring for several years and will be great drinking over the next 20 years or more. 2026-2040.

-Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points

***Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino 2015:

The 2015 Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino is more introverted on first opening, with notes of black plum, licorice, dried Mediterranean herb, and sun-baked earth. On the palate, it offers a tart dried fruit character, with a building tannin structure that finishes with tomato leaf, and bitter herbs. The most rustic and burly of the wines in the lineup of the 2015 Val di Suga vintage, it will benefit from allowing some time in cellar to see how this matures and its tarriness develops. Drink 2026-2036

-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points

***Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino 2013:

Plenty of spices and fresh herbs on the nose, such as dried rosemary and nutmeg, to match the underlying dried redcurrants and cranberries. Full-bodied with plenty of concentration, but still shows a very sturdy, tannin backbone and punchy acidity, to drive this through to a long finish. Drink in 2021.

-James Suckling 94 Points

Tenuta di Nozzole La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva is made from 100% Sangiovese.

Located north of the village of Greve in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, the Nozzole estate covers a striking, rugged, mountainous area of about 1,000 acres at 984 feet in elevation. In order to obtain concentration and complexity in the wine, yields are kept low. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation is initiated on the skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by a maceration period to draw out color and tannins. The wine is racked into stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation before aging in oak vats and in bottle before release. The wine is bottled on the estate.

The 2020 vintage was characterized by a basically cold period between April and May and by a generally warm and dry climate until July. The initial slight delay of the vegetative cycle has been recovered since the summer. The sudden increase in temperatures, especially for the later varieties where the fruit set had not yet ended, has favored a production characterized by sparse and light bunches. The stable and sunny climate of the months of August and September allowed the grapes to complete ripening in optimal conditions.

• A classic, traditional Chianti from the Folonari family, making wine since the 1700s
• Matured in oak barrels
• Estate bottled, from a highly regarded estate

Review:

Attractive on the nose with cherries, red berries, dried herbs and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Harmonious and poised with a refined character. Weightless and agile. Polished and succulent finish.

-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points

Tenute Cisa Asinari Marchesi di Gresy Gaiun Martinenga Barbaresco 2016.

Bright garnet red with slight orange reflections. Intense and pleasant hints of plum and cherry blend sinuously with balsamic nuances of mint, tea leaves, dried flowers and blond pipe tobacco.