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August 20, 2010 |
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Legendary Barolo: Paolo Scavino
Great investments, Scavino's wines are meant to be savored at a later date, with the exception of his Barolo Bricco Ambrogio, which is more accessible now. Whether you want to enjoy now or cellar for later, we hope you enjoy our specially-picked selection from Scavino's 2006 vintage. |
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August 13, 2010 |
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Fanatical Friulian: Miani
Often compared to some of the great Bordeaux Cru Classé, Miani's Refosco is fine, complex and classy. His wines are often hard to find, but IWM has secured a limited quantity of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 vintages. |
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August 6, 2010 |
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Natural Instincts: Paolo Bea
Bea has stood firmly behind this "natural" motto in his winemaking ever since establishing his namesake estate in 1980. This organic approach is reflected in every hand-crafted wine at the family-run winery. Now in his early 70s, Paolo still runs the winery but has shared his craft with sons, Giuseppe and Giampiero, who both assist him in the cellar. |
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July 23, 2010 |
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Toscana's Bordeaux
Think Toscana, and Super Tuscans often come to mind. When the words Super Tuscan are mentioned, Ornellaia and Sassicaia should come to mind. Enjoy Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's superb Ornellaia and Le Serre Nuove from the 2007 vintage-two wines that can live for many years to come. |
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July 16, 2010 |
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Il Poggione Brunello
Landowner Lavinio Franceschi recognized the area's potential for vine cultivation and the strength of the Sangiovese grapes grown in the area. Il Poggione continues to craft some of Toscana's best wines, so we're pleased to offer their classy Brunello di Montalcino from the 2004 vintage. |
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July 9, 2010 |
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Vietti
When Mario Vietti founded the family winery at the turn of the century, he quickly transformed his farm into a wine-producing site. Today, Vietti has 35 hectares, and Luca does not see the family winery slowing down anytime soon. Their wines, particularly their Barolo, are always classy and tremendously age-worthy. |
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July 2, 2010 |
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Massolino
It's not often you have three working generations of winemakers under one roof. At Massolino, grandfather Giuseppe oversees sons Giovanni and Renato in the vineyards and cellar, as well as grandson Franco as he crafts the family's wines, including their exceptional Barolo. |
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June 25, 2010 |
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Giacomo Borgogno
So much can happen in 30 years. Fashions go in and out of style. World leaders come and go. A generation grows up. Some of the most exceptional wines also start to open up, revealing everything they've concealed for decades. This is evident in Giacomo Borgogno's legendary Barolo. |
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June 18, 2010 |
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Dettori
Believed to have been brought from Spain to the island of Sardegna in the 14thcentury, the Cannonau grape in Dettori's Rosso derives from 120-year-old vines on their Sennori vineyards. |
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June 11, 2010 |
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Tua Rita Redigaffi 2007
Tua Rita's Redigaffi is not your ordinary Merlot. Only produced from low-yielding vines, the grapes endure lengthy maceration and are aged in small, new oak barrels. An exceptionally rich Merlot like no other, we are thrilled to offer you Tua Rita's Redigaffi from the 2007 vintage. |
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June 4, 2010 |
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Celebrating Father's Day: Gaja Costa Russi
Gaja's Costa Russi is a true classic worthy of a great father on his special day. We are proud to offer several vintages of Costa Russi-the perfect addition to any dad's collection. |
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May 28, 2010 |
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Fontodi Flaccianello 2007
The Super Tuscan Flaccianello, from Azienda Agricola Fontodi, retains its status as an elegant cellar worthy wine. The Chianti Classico's high altitude gives the vines ample exposure to sunlight and produces a perfect microclimate for Sangiovese. |
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May 20, 2010 |
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Northern Whites
Some big white wines grow in the north. While Piemonte is the land of Barolo and Barbaresco, it's important to recognize the region's white wines of depth. There, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes produce austere whites of grace and structure. |
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May 14, 2010 |
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Bruno Giacosa Duo
More well known for his limited-quantity Barolo and Barbaresco Crus, Giacosa also makes more accessible reds like the featured Barbera d'Alba Falletto and Dolcetto d'Alba. Both are rather substantial, season-appropriate and can be paired with lighter fare. |
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May 7, 2010 |
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The Vietti Legacy
The Vietti family's viticultural history dates back to the mid-19th century with production formally commencing under the Vietti label at the turn of the century. The bottles we offer today are representative of the family's philosophy and all crafted from Barbera, albeit from distinct crus across Alba and Asti. |
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April 30, 2010 |
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The Millenium Year
Today's offer revisits the 2000 vintage with bottlings from some of Italy's premier estates. While most are drinkable now, others could benefit from additional time in the cellar. |
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April 23, 2010 |
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Giacomo Conterno Barolo 2002
Giacomo Conterno's uncompromising commitment to high quality, terroir-driven Barolo has established his bottlings in the top echelon of collectible wines. While Roberto Conterno was visiting us at IWM a few weeks ago, we got his opinion on the 2002 vintage, as well as the 2006. |
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April 16, 2010 |
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Sweet Italy
While we showcased several of Fantinel's sweet whites last week, here's another opportunity to purchase some sweet, rare, small-production wines. Though some of these bottlings have already seen several decades of age, others await their time in the cellar. |
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April 9, 2010 |
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Small-Production White from Fantinel
La Roncaia was created by the Fantinel Family in partnership with the late Tibor Gal (of Ornellaia winemaking fame) with a mission to produce traditional Friulian wines of the highest distinction and to express the potential of the native varieties in the Colli Orientali del Friuli zone. |
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April 1, 2010 |
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Easter Wines
In Italy, Easter is widely celebrated, and in terms of religious holidays, is second only to Christmas. In fact, Easter Monday or la Pasquetta (meaning "Little Easter") is a national holiday on which families and friends come together. This offer is comprised of food-friendly selections that can complement the holiday. |
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March 26, 2010 |
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Sicilian Promise
Sicilian wines are not only some of Italy's most interesting wines, but from the high quality sparkling wines to the zesty whites and serious reds, they are also some of its very best values. |
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March 19, 2010 |
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Sassicaia Inspired Wines
Great wines inspire many things--including the creation of other great wines. Take, for example, Sassicaia. It not only launched an entire Super Tuscan movement but inspired a number of great wines made many, many miles from Toscana itself. |
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March 5, 2010 |
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Aldo Conterno Bussiador
Aldo Conterno's wines are definitely more fruit driven and accessible than the earthier wines of Giacomo Conterno. We have long championed the offerings of Aldo Conterno, not only because he is the King of Barolo, but because he's one of the top wine producers in the world. |
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February 26, 2010 |
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Spring Dinner Pairings
A Spring Dinner is one of the most memorable ways to usher in the New Year, and one of the best ways to ensure its success is through careful attention to the meal. The combination of the food and the wine must be harmonious. With this in mind, we've put together a menu of some of our favorite Spring Dinner specialties paired with a few of our favorite wines. |
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February 20, 2010 |
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Wines for Spring Dinner
The arrival of the New Year portends many things; a time to celebrate new beginnings and fresh starts, as well as a chance to honor old friends from the past. Festive food is served, and toasts are made. These wines are not only the perfect accompaniment to your New Year's dinner, but certain to please. |
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February 13, 2010 |
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1974: Rarest of the Rare
A Tiger Year promises excitement and passion and this may prove to be a particularly passionate year as the New Year falls on Valentine's Day for the first time in 110 years! And in honor of this truly rare event, this offering features our finest and rarest group of Tiger Year wines from the 1974 vintage. |
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February 5, 2010 |
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1986 : Terrific Tiger Offers
Last week, we highlighted a few great wines from the Tiger Year, 1998--this week we're going back even further in time to feature wines from another terrific Tiger year, 1986. These wines are drinking beautifully now, but are also cellaring in the short term. Offering yet another reason why the Year of the Tiger is worthy of celebration all year long. |
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January 29, 2010 |
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1998 : Year of the Tiger
The Year of the Tiger is exciting--the Tiger, after all, is traditionally associated with power and strength, action and change. Expectations are always high for a Tiger year--as they were in 1998. |
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January 22, 2010 |
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Italian Riservas
The wines that we are offering today are from some of Italy's most esteemed producers. They truly deserve the designation 'riserva' and a place in the cellar of any serious collector of Italian wine. |
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January 15, 2010 |
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Classic Italian Chiantis
There are certain producers that always valued their Chianti Classicos as much as their Super Tuscans-- regarding them as classic expressions not only of the Sangiovese grape but of Toscana terroir. Some of these estates included Fontodi, Querciabella and Collelungo. |
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January 8, 2010 |
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Magnificent Merlot
Italy is home to over 2,000 different grape varieties and yet Merlot, a French import, is currently the fifth most-planted grape in the country. And now, one hundred or so years after the first vine was planted, Merlot has certainly made its mark in Italian viticulture. |
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January 1, 2010 |
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Rare Collector Cases
The wines I'm offering today are in 'mint condition.' They are not only made by top producers like Luciano Sandrone, Bruno Giacosa and Angelo Gaja in excellent vintages, but they are also bottles that are in their beautiful original wooden cases. |
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December 25, 2009 |
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Vintage Barolo: Borgogno
Although the name more closely resembles a certain great French wine region (Burgundy) Borgogno is actually one of the great names in Italy's Piemonte region. |
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December 18, 2009 |
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Rare Fiorano Mixed Case
There are certain wineries that are, in a word, magical. Fiorano, the wine estate of Alberico Boncompagni Ludovisi, the late prince of Venosa, was one of these. |
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December 11, 2009 |
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2001 Brunello di Montalcino
The debut of a new Brunello vintage is traditionally one of the most exciting moments in Italian wine. Brunello is not only one of the great wines of Toscana but one of Italy's most noble reds. When the 2001 Brunellos first appeared on the market, expectations were high. The year was considered a great success. |
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December 4, 2009 |
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Super Tuscan: Grattamacco
This special offering is a rare opportunity for serious collectors to assess the remarkable consistency of Grattamacco over the years. Toward that end, I've included a range of wines beginning with the 1994 bottling all the way up to the 2004 vintage. |
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November 20, 2009 |
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More is Merrier
In the spirit of holiday, we've put together a short list of magnums that we've sourced from top producers in the best vintages. They're certain to please family and friends--and lovers of great Italian wine. |
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November 13, 2009 |
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Great Names
Some names are more memorable than others--in wine and in life. In wine, those names belong to the producers who can turn out top wines regardless of vintage. Their standards are so reliably high that the words "vintage variation" don't even apply. |
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November 6, 2009 |
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Bodega Chacra
This week we've selected to highlight the wines of Bodegas Chacra, a group of wines most fitting because they come from Argentina, but from an estate owned and operated by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, an owner of the great Italian wine Sassicaia. |
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October 31, 2009 |
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Quintarelli 2000
We're thrilled to present wines from Quintarelli along with the release of the 2000 Amarone. This is one of the most exciting moments of the year for us as Quintarelli only produces his Amarone in top vintages and they're only available in very, very limited supply. These wines are definitely for the ages. |
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October 23, 2009 |
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The Rare 1959 Solaria Jonica
Most wine connoisseurs know--and appreciate--great dessert wines like Sauternes and Port. Not many know, and fewer have tasted, the1959 Solaria Jonica, the mystical masterpiece whose story is almost as compelling as the wine itself. |
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October 16, 2009 |
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Mighty Miani
Every one of the wines that we are offering today is extraordinarily rare. They cannot be found on retail shelves and only occasionally show up on restaurant wine lists (at very high prices). This wine is a great work of art. |
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October 9, 2009 |
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Piemonte Exploration
Piemonte is regarded by collectors and connoisseurs as the most important wine region in Italy today (though they might rank Toscana a very close second). There are two very good reasons: history and diversity. |
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October 2, 2009 |
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Memorable Wines to Mark a Memorable Time
Although we believe all of the producers featured by IWM are truly special, some are particularly special to us--like the following wineries. Each one of these estates is utterly unique, and have a great deal in common, including standards that are indisputably high and wines that are sought-after all over the world. |
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September 25, 2009 |
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1996 Super-Tuscans
The 1997 vintage in Toscana was hailed as "the vintage of the century" even before wines hit the market. The problem was, everyone forgot about the 1996 wines. And there were some very good wines made in Toscana that year--and some wines that were "terrific." These are stylish, elegant and expressive. |
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September 19, 2009 |
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Revisting Dal Forno
Thanks to the great interest that our last Dal Forno offer excited among collectors, we've decided to make the wines available once more. This second offering will be made for only a limited amount of time, so let us know if you would like to join the "Dal Forno" club of those fortunate enough to own a bottle or two of these remarkable wines. |
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September 11, 2009 |
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Famiglia Anselma
Bigger is Better when it comes to Barolo. By that we don't mean the style of the wine but the size of the vineyards. It's good to have a lot of land—particularly when it's in the best parts of the region—as it is with the Famiglia Anselma. |
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September 5, 2009 |
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Talenti: The Talk of Brunello
Everyone is talking about Brunello. Everyone is buying Brunello. Brunello, in a word, is, hot. But certain Brunellos are more sought-after than others and Talenti's Brunello is definitely one of those. |
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August 28, 2009 |
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Brunello 2004
Brunello di Montalcino may be the most sought-after wine from Tuscany. It is certainly the most prestigious. This is particularly true of the Brunellos from the 2004 vintage, which have been greeted with acclaim from critics and connoisseurs alike. These are the wines that we believe are the brightest stars of the vintage. |
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August 21, 2009 |
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Dal Forno: Amarone
Romano Dal Forno is one of those rare winemakers who makes wines that are so obviously delicious there is almost no one who will dispute this fact. You can give a glass of Dal Forno Amarone to someone who's never tasted wine in his life and a connoisseur and both will agree: Dal Forno Amarone is truly extraordinary. |
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August 14, 2009 |
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Aldo Conterno, "King of Barolo"
Today we're offering a selection of wines from Aldo Conterno's estate so that you can experience his wines for yourself, and so that you can understand what it means when we say that these wines are Nebbiolo to their core and Piemontese to their soul. |
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August 7, 2009 |
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A Special Offer of Some (Very) Super Tuscans
This week, we're happy to be offering Querciabella's Camartina along with Tenuta San Guido's Sassicaia and Castello dei Rampollo's Sammarco. Whichever Super-Tuscan you choose, you'll be getting a rebel's wine that revels in both its power and its longevity. |
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July 31, 2009 |
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Massolino
We're proud to offer a pair of wines from Franco Massolino this week. I hope you taste them and see what you've been missing; these are wines not to be overlooked. |
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July 23, 2009 |
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Paolo Scavino
Behind every great bottle of wine, there is a great person. This week, I'm pleased to acquaint you with the wines of Enrico Scavino, and through the wines, with the man himself. |
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July 17, 2009 |
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Gravner
Today, we're offering a limited quantity of the wines of Gravner. These are whites with meaning—wines that raise the eyebrow and let the mind drift. They are not for every palate, but for those that are looking for balance and depth over fruit and oak. |
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July 9, 2009 |
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Bartolo Mascarello
This week IWM is offering some of Bartolo Mascarello's most renowned Barolos from the mid-to-late twentieth century, a line of consistent, gorgeous, harmonious wines that can stand the test of time. |
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July 3, 2009 |
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Castello dei Rampolla
These Super-Tuscans might be made from Syrah or Cabernet or Merlot, and they might be made in the style of Bordeaux or Napa Valley, but they intrinsically taste of Toscana. The wines of Castello dei Rampolla are some of the very finest Super-Tuscans on the market. |
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June 26, 2009 |
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Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato
Today, I'm offering a selection of Barolo and Barbaresco made by one those dedicated maestros—Giuseppe Mascarello. Encapsulated inside each of Mascarello's featured bottles is pure Piemonte—its earth, its air, its fruit, and its incomparable past. |
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June 18, 2009 |
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Amarone 101
If you are an enthusiast new to Quintarelli, there is no better way to get introduced than with his 1998 Amarone. Collectors know that Quintarelli produces his Amarone only in exceptional vintages and they understand the value of this astounding wine. |
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June 12, 2009 |
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IWM Hong Kong Website Launch
The really exciting thing is how much more there is for me to learn, and to love, about wine. I'm delighted to know that my clients feel the same way, and I feel certain that my new clients in Hong Kong will be delighted about the launch of IWM's Hong Kong website. I see the website as more than just a retail outlet: it's also a place to learn about the wonderful world of Italian wine. |
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June 4, 2009 |
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Italy's Love Affair with Merlot:
Rare, Beguiling and Cult-Inspiring Creations
This week, we're very proud to offer you some of Italy's finest Merlots. These wines are not the casual wine I drank all those years ago in Pisa; they're rare, beguiling and cult-inspiring creations. I have no doubt, however, that they'll change your thinking about what varietals make Italian wines. |
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May 29, 2009 |
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A Tale of Two Brunellos
Though the wine started with just one maker, today there are hundreds of Brunello producers. At IWM we carry only a handful. We carry Biondi Santi, the estate that gave birth to Brunello, and we carry Soldera, the acknowledged Master of Brunello. We also carry the two producers that I'm delighted to offer today, Il Palazzone and Cerbaiona, two great Brunello makers who work with Brunello's history—not against it. |
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May 21, 2009 |
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Italy's 2002 Vintage
A growing season like 2002 separates the lucky producers from the unlucky, but it also separates the really excellent viticulturists from the capable. This week, I'm delighted to offer wines from some of the producers who met the climactic challenge of 2002 with aplomb: Domenico Clerico, Gianfranco Soldera, Ales Kristancic's Movia and Piero Antinori's Solaia. |
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May 15, 2009 |
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Barbaresco and Beyond: The Bounty of La Spinetta and Gaja
This week IWM Hong Kong is delighted to offer the best of both Barbaresco worlds: Angelo Gaja's precise and age-worthy expressions, and La Spinetta's immediately gratifying wines. |
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May 7, 2009 |
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Villa Mangiacane
If you're the kind of person who enjoys a wine that screams its heritage, if you're the kind of person who likes a wine that doesn't over-think, you're a Chianti lover. This week we're pleased to be offering three wines from Toscana's Villa Mangiacane—two Chiantis and one Merlot. |
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April 30, 2009 |
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The Toast of the East, Ales Kristancic
Everything takes as long as it takes, and Ales Kristancic of Movia doesn't rush the process. "In every berry, we have everything a wine needs to develop," he say. "We only help the grape. We don't need to add or take away what the grape itself doesn't decide to receive or give. As man, we impact nature, so we had better be sure to impact it in a good way." |
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April 23, 2009 |
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Ales Kristancic, The Man Who Makes Movia
This coming week, IWM Hong Kong clients will have several opportunities to meet Ales, drink his wines and, above all, soak in the beautiful mania that makes Ales memorable. To celebrate Ales and his wines' coming to Hong Kong, I'm delighted to offer a selection from Movia. Open a bottle for your friends and say it like Ales, "Zak-zak!" |
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April 16, 2009 |
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Wines of Piemonte & Toscana
This week, I'm celebrating Italy's diversity with a six-pack sampler of wine coming from two of Italy's best-known areas: Piemonte and Toscana. It's a collection that illustrates the wide range of Italy's wines, their flexibility, and their power. |
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April 8, 2009 |
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Gianfranco Soldera
Widely considered the single best producer of Brunello di Montalcino—and in my opinion the best in the world. Soldera's wines aren't for everyone, and not just because he makes so little of them. These wines have been made for people who understand their complexity, for people who can appreciate their subtle layers, and for people who can appreciate how a wine can be like music, like a story, or like a great love. |
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April 3, 2009 |
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Italy has more than its fair share of boutique producers, but within that elite class, Sandrone takes an unusual spot. Among other types of wine, Sandrone makes Barolo, the most iconic wine of Italy, and he makes it with a contemporary flair. Sandrone's Barolos have a phenomenally accessible, easily knowable style. |
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March 27, 2009 |
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This week, I'm delighted to bring you a selection of the wines of Angelo Gaja. Whether they're bought to be drunk immediately, acquired to complete a cellar, or purchased as an investment, the wines of Gaja will unquestionably be appreciated. |
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March 18, 2009 |
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Domenico Clerico Barolo
This week, I'm proud to be presenting Dominco Clerico's wines, including his delicious Dolcetto and his consistently robust Barolos. While Clerico's technique has become more traditional, nothing is more modern than exploring the pairings of fine italian wine with fine international cuisine. |
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March 13, 2009 |
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Antinori
This week, as I continue to travel this great, big beautiful world, I'm proud to present to you an unparalleled offering of Antinori wines. It's my hope that you'll enjoy a bottle and educate yourselves in the history, the beauty and the love of Italian wines-an extraordinary pleasure you can enjoy whether you're at home or abroad. |
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