One of Tuscany’s least-known appellations is Chianti Rufina, so often pronounced incorrectly and confused with the Chianti producer Ruffino. The DOC is pronounced [ROO-fin-ah] and the producer is pronounced [Roof-fino], which is confusing even more when you know that the Ruffinos sold to Folonari and then bought Folonari. So the Folonaris own Ruffino and the Ruffinos own Folonari…alas, I digress.
Read MoreToday’s newsletter is an ode to a region that lies in the heart of Italy, a place that earned our Italian buyer Greg St. Clair the unofficial title of Mayor of Montalcino: Tuscany. Home of Dante, villas on rolling hills, and Greg’s favorite grape (Sangiovese!), it is also home to one of the world’s most undeniably special wines, Brunello di Montalcino, which, in a superior vintage like 2015, reaches the greatest heights Sangiovese can offer.
Read MoreWhat is it that makes Brunello di Montalcino so incredibly special? If you are a fan of Italian wine, you’ve probably heard K&L and critics alike rave about the 2015 vintage, and maybe you’re ready to learn more. We asked one of our Italian experts, John Downing, to give us the lowdown on the vintage, the region, and some of his favorites. This is a deep dive for the Brunello lover, or even just the Brunello curious.
Read MoreCarlo Ferrini is well-beloved in Italian wine as a consultant, racking up several prestigious “Winemaker of the Year” awards for his work with wineries from Piedmont to Sicily. He lets his own small Brunello winery, Giodo, fly under the radar so as not to steal the spotlight from his clients, but his wines are truly exceptional. They are the work of a master with decades of experience, and they will be a beacon for any Brunello lover.
Read MoreArtist Sandro Chia’s Montalcino estate Castello Romitorio has produced an exceptional bottling in the 2015 vintage. His son Filippo, who’s been working side by side with Sandro since 2005, reflects on the confluence of forces that made this such a special year for them, now 36 years since they first came to this historic site.
Read MoreWhen a wine scores 100 points in a vintage full of absolutely mesmerizing wines, we take notice! Roberto Giannelli’s 2015 San Filippo “Le Lucere” Brunello is a knockout. In this interview, he talks about perfect wines, perfect weather, and everything in between.
Read MoreGreg St. Clair isn’t called the “Mayor of Montalcino” for nothing! He’s been specializing in this Italian wine region since 1982, and he’s declaring the 2015 vintage to be an exceptional one. Make room in your cellars, folks!
Read MoreGreg recently returned from a trip to Italy and he brought back some great finds that will be coming into the store over the next few weeks. First to arrive is De’Ricci, a new direct import from Montepulciano. This is an exciting new producer - not only for us, but for the region as a whole. With an interesting past, as well as a promising future, this winery offers some really fun and delicious wines.
Read MoreThe 2016 Farnetella Lucilla Toscano Rosso is a delicious wine—notes of deep red fruits with underpinnings of herbs and earth, plus great acidity and structure to stand up to your takeout pizza. But did I mention it’s $10.99? Friends, it’s $10.99.
Read MoreIf you put your ear to the ground, you’ll hear a lot of buzz around Tuscany’s 2015 vintage, especially around two wines in particular: Sassicaia just topped Wine Spectator’s top ten list with an illustrious slot at #1. Meanwhile, Solaia has raked in two 100-point scores from James Suckling and Robert Parker. These are from world-class winemakers at the top of their game, making the most of an exceptional vintage.
Read MoreLuca’s family has been there through the last 40 years of evolution in Montalcino, but are very rooted in Pierluigi’s original vision. His grandfather understood the importance of Sangiovese, and was an early ambassador for it. He prized the idea that the wine is born outside of the cellar, and that the Sangiovese Grosso grape is what makes Montalcino special. Luca says it’s “a wonderful grape, and we have the best expression of it in Montalcino.”
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