Winemaker Notes
"The 2000 Pinot Nero Riserva Vigna Sant'Urbano has been the benchmark Pinot
Noir in Italy since the light 1980's and has confirmed that Mazon, where the
vineyards are located, has the soil and climate to make this difficult grape work.
The elegant and fragrant nose of wild cherries, strawberries, herbs, mint, and
leather is followed by a silky but continuous flow of ripe Pinot fruit and the full
gamut of varietal flavors, shapely, but sustained and long as well."
Daniel Thomases, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate October 2004. 90 points.
Professional Ratings
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.