Barbaresco

Varaldo, Piedmont

Azienda Agricola Varaldo Rino is a young, family-run cellar with its roots firmly set in tradition. Today it is the turn of the third generation to carry forward the production of wines with a care and passion for the vine that has been handed down from father to son since the business was founded 50 years ago by Michele Varaldo.

The wines are currently grown on around 7 hectares (17 acres) of vineyards, tended under the guidance of Pier Mario Varaldo and his sons, Rino and winemaker Michele, who is always attentive to the latest innovations in wine-making technology.

Our production of 55-60,000 bottles a year for the red wines typically grown in the Langhe area, including Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Langhe Rosso “Fantasia 4.20”, Barbaresco and Barolo, as well as a grappa made from the Nebbiolo grapes which produce Barbaresco wine. The vines are trained using the Guyot system, with thinning of the bunches during the summer producing an optimal yield to obtain the highest quality each vintage has to offer.

All the substances contributing to a wine’s structure and richness are extracted in a very short time (4-5 days on the skins) using horizontal rotofermenters, which also provides an ever-appealing softness and roundness. The malolactic fermentation then takes place in tanks or oak casks or barrels, where the wines will stay for a period of ageing which varies - depending on the development of each single wine - from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 30 months.

Praise for the wine: - Robert Parkers Wine Advocate

" The cask-aged 2001 Barbaresco Sori Loreto is a dark saturated ruby in color. It is a tremendous wine, with a fantastic nose of spices and mint. Generous and enveloping, it offers incredible follow-through onto the palete and a very long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2013." 91/100

Barbaresco Sori Loreto DOCG	2001	75cl	£ 39.00	request to buy
fantasia 4.20 langhe Rosso	2005	75cl	£24.45	request to buy

Barolo

Gagliasso, La Morra, Piedmont

We have imported two of the best Barolo " CRU" vineyard wines. The 'Torriglione' and the incredible 'Rocche dell' Annunziata'. Gagliasso produces these two wonderfully complex wines reflecting the terroire of La Morra beautifully. Very low yields in the vineyards and long maceration in the winery help to make these wines sublime examples of Barolo.

Note on Rocche dell' Annunziata by Antonio Galloni

It offers notes of sweet cherry fruit, tobacco, minerals and underbrush on a medium- bodied frame. Like the Torrigione, this will beneifit from a few years in the cellar, though both single-vineyard Barolos feature more prominent tannins tannins than is normally the case for wines from these parts of La Morra. Anticipated maturity:2008-2015

Barolo "Rocche dell’Annunziata" DOCG	2004/5	75cl	£36.85	request to buy
Barolo "Torriglione" DOCG	2005	75cl	£36.85	request to buy
Barbera d’Alba Cru Vigna Ciabot Rus	2005	75cl	£22.75	request to buy

Tenuta Josef Weger, Trentino, Alto Adige

At Josef Weger more and more time and effort is being invested trying out new tastes and working methods, with a view to constantly improving the wines they produce. Their uppermost concern is the quality of the wines. Ensuring that the content if each and every bottle is of the highest standard, is the essence of their work. This is distinguished by a constant striving to surpass themselves. It is from their very passion that they draw the force to create a unique and incomparable wine. This is the Weger way.

Pinot Grigio DOC	2008	75cl	£17.50	request to buy
Gewurztraminer DOC	2008	75cl	£18.75	request to buy

Sauvignon "Maso delle Rose "	2008	75cl	£23.00	request to buy
Red

Merlot "Maso delle Rose"	2004	75cl	£24.50	request to buy
Pinot Nero Riserva	2004	75cl	£27.50	request to buy

 

Tenuta Gumphof, Alto Adige

The winery Gumphof is nestled in the steep slopes at the entry of the Isarco Valley. It's vineyards stretch from an altitude of 350 to 550 metres (1,150-1,1800 feet) above sea level. The four hectare (ten acres) are planted with Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer.

At the age of 28, Markus Prackwieser started a quiet transformaton and has produced his own wine ever since. These have been sought after both nationally and internationally, especially his outstanding Praesulis Selection. The name Praesulis derives from the nearby castle of Presule.

The aim is to produce wine, that embodies the character of its surroundings and the people who create it. To obtain fully riped grapes the wine harvest takes place in gradual phases. The grapes are continuously checked for besy quality and undergo very strict selection, this applies in particular to the Praesulis Selection Wines. They are renowed for their complexity, aromatic statements, long finish and mineral notes. It takes care and plenty of time for the wines to frement and mature in the large steel tanks and wooden casks. The Classic Wines are distinguished by their lively, fresh and fruity characteristics, and of course, their fine palate.

Pinot Bianco	2008	75cl	£18.40	request to buy
Pinot Bianco "Praesulis"	2008	75cl	£22.45	request to buy
Sauvignon "Praesulis"	2008	75cl	£24.75	request to buy

        

Azienda Agricola Valturio, Marche

The wine estate of Azienda Agricola Valturio was founded by Adriano Galli and Isabella Santarelli in 2002 with aim of restoring the production of high quality wine to Montefeltro.This follows a centuries-old tradition that dates from the times of the Dukes of Montefeltro to the beginning of the last century. We could call it mountain viticulture or a heroic feat: At its steepest the gradient is 40%. 7000-10000 plants per hectare are grown in the free-standing alberello (goblete) system on marly, sandy soil, comprising alternately of massive sandstone in medium or thick strata and petite formed from torbiditic siltstone.

Valturio as a sign of continuity and a tradition of excellence.This red wine produced in Montefeltro is obtained from various Sangiovese clones cultivated with the alberello method in an altitude of 500metres.

Solco (which in English signifies furrow, drill, rut). This red wine is produced in Montefeltro from special clones of the richly aromatic Rebo grapes cultivated with the alberello method on ancient hillside terraces and worked with the hoe at an altitude of 550 metres.

Sangiovese Valturio	2006	75cl	£23.95	request to buy
Solco	2006	75cl	£28.75	request to buy

 

Campo alla Sughera, Bolgheri, Toscana

Bolgheri is the home to some of Italy's most respected wines including Sassicaia, Camarcanda of Angelo Gaia and Ornellaia to name but a few. Campo alla Sughera is the latest house offering up quality wines from this superb region and is already establishing itself as one of the top performers. Their wines have already won gold medals at Vinitaly, as well as picking up a gold medel in Russia. The reason behind this remarkable achievement is the high tech wine cellar, great vineyard site, very low yield, the respecting of simple rules, all well integrated in Campo alla Sughera philosophy. The grapes planted are Sauvignon, Viognier, and Chardonnay for white, Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Petit Verdot for red.

Praise for the wines:- Robert Parkers Wine Advocate

" The estate's 2005 Arnione presents a rich, full bodied expression of jammy blueberries, spices, minerals, wild herbs and sweet toasted oak. This is good up-front intensity, although the wine trails off a bit in mid- palete. Because of the weaker vintage the wine is made in a somewhat restarined style, which causes the tannins to be a little more prominent than they would otherwise be. Still, it offers excellent clarity and puity in a slightly liniear style. Arnione is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot aged in French oak." Anticipated maturity 2010-2022. 91/100

The 2006 Adeo ( Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) is yet another mid-priced red that capures the essence of this important vinatge. It is a big, full-bodied effort packed with super-ripe dark fruit, smoke, licorice, crushed rocks, minerals and sweet herbs. Drink this generous, sumptuous wine over the next few years. It is a terrific effort from Campo Alla Sughera." Anticipated maturity: 2008-2021 90/100

 

Adeo	2007	75cl	£26.50	request to buy
Arnione	2004/5	75cl	£48.75	request to buy

Prices are per bottle and inclusive of VAT- mix case available