Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2004 Campoleone, the estate’s signature wine, is simply gorgeous. This blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot spent 12 months in French oak. It is a firmly structured wine with superb density on the palate, where layers of tobacco, dark cherries, earthiness, smoke, licorice and toasted oak all come to life. The tannins finish slightly dry and astringent, likely a result of an overly exuberant use of French oak. Still, this is a beautifully delineated, focused Campoleone.
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.