I first visited Montalcino in the summer of 1982. It was scorchingly hot when I arrived at the Fattoria dei Barbi, and upon entry to the cellar, there was a unique calmness—ok coolness as well—it was a serene silence among barrels of a size I’d never seen before. The 1982 vintage turned out to be a great year for Brunello di Montalcino and marked the beginning of Brunello di Montalcino’s entrance on the world stage as a wine to be reckoned with.
Read MoreFrom the heart of Chianti Classico in Panzano, one of Chianti Classico’s best growing areas, Le Cinciole produces wines of incredible concentration and depth of flavor, while still being so decidedly elegant—nothing clumsy about the power here.
Read MoreThis month’s newsletter, amazingly enough, coincided with the arrival of our Direct Import container. Wines that all have a special place in my heart, some of these friendships I’ve curated over the last 25 years while importing their wines. Italy, for me, is a treasure trove, constantly brimming with new wines, varieties, and styles that, even after a lifetime of trying to learn everything new, come to the surface every week.
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