Acclaim

“Toscolo’s 2017 Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a pleasant, fruity white to drink now and over the next year or two, while the green pear, apple, jasmine and citrus flowers remain bright. More importantly, the Vernaccia is a fine value.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 2019

“The 2016 Chianti Classico Dofana is a pretty, fruity wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. There is terrific depth to the succulent red cherry and plum fruit in this attractive, racy Chianti Classico. Drink it over the next handful of years. This is a lot to like in this super-expressive, inviting Chianti Classico.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 2019

“One of the standouts in this range, the 2016 Chianti Classico Fontalpino is powerful, dense and explosive, with a real sense of energy driving the flavors. Scorched earth, smoke, tobacco, menthol and licorice add to an impression of gravitas. This dark, brooding Chianti Classico speaks with a real sense of authority and persistence. I liked it a bit more than the both of the higher-end 2016.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 2019

“Some smoky notes with savory and sanguine aromas, as well as deeply spicy red cherries. The palate delivers an impressively concentrated core of red-cherry and red-plum flavor. The tannins are succulent and the depth is good for this vintage. Drink or hold.” -James Suckling, Feb. 21, 2019

“Very intense aromas of ripe dark fruit with plums and cherries, intermingled with aged meat, warm stones and sweet, dried-wood nuances. The concentrated palate has a suave and plush core with tannins building in impressive layers to hold a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.” -James Suckling, Feb. 21, 2019

“The 2015 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is absolutely gorgeous. Floral, savory and intensely mineral, the 2015 captures all the signatures that make wines from this sector in Monforte so distinctive. Medium in body, focused and chiseled, the 2015 retains terrific energy, the warm, dry summer notwithstanding. There is so much to admire. The 2015 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is a wine of real class and pedigree.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Sorì Ginestra shows why this site is so highly regarded. Soaring aromatics make a strong opening statement. Spice, menthol, licorice, macerated cherry, blood orange, leather and pine all fill out the wine’s ample frame. Powerful, deep and layered, the Sorì Ginestra is a super-classic Conterno-Fantino Barolo. In this vintage, the tannins are especially polished, something that has not always been the case with young Sorìs.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Vigna del Gris is a wine of brightness, tension and energy. As is often the case, the Gris is a bit nervous and less generous, especially on the mid-palate, than the other wines in the range. I would give it a few years in bottle to open up, but I imagine the Gris will always be a bit compact in feel. Pine, menthol, spice, licorice and black cherry lead in the somewhat nervous finish. Think of the Vigna del Gris as a Piedmontese version of a Volnay.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Mosconi is deep, succulent and richly-textured on the palate. The intensity, power and gravitas of Mosconi comes through in a wine of dark, brooding intensity. Smoke, leather, scorched earth, tar and licorice add to the wine’s distinctly virile personality. I would prefer to drink it on the earlier side.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Brunate is powerful, dense and tightly wound. That should not be much of an issue, as the 2015 will be released later than normal, a path Marcarini will take gradually over the next few years with the goal of releasing the wine two years later than they had previously. Dark and hulking in the glass, the 2015 is clearly not in the mood to show all of its cards today. Iron, smoke, menthol, game, dried rose petal and soil tones give the Brunate its brooding, inward personality.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018