Winegrowing at Uccelliera has been an experiment from its inception. I think it says a lot about the man, about his vision; he’s willing to admit, up front, he doesn’t have all the answers. He’s saying he’s after a deeper understanding of his land, that he’s not going to take what someone before him says…
Category: Producer Visits
Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part II
Agnes asks which wine I’d like to begin with. As I’m not in the habit of making such requests, I let her know any is just fine; I’m all too happy just to be here. Using the Coravin (it’s a slow-er season for visitors), she pours some of the 2014 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino. I spend…
Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part I
It’s fun (for me) to taste wines, for years, and trying to imagine what the person behind this thing that brings you so much joy is actually like. Are they like some of the wines that don’t show so well? Are they the same as the wines that blow your mind, and have you searching…
Family. Farming.
It’s just after ten in the morning here in Montalcino. The sun is high enough now that I can bring the laptop outside (yes, this is the middle of February, but it’s 100% sunshine and on the way to over 60 degrees today; magnificent in other words. I’ve already had an early morning walk through…
Monferrato Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 Accornero Centenario
12 January, 2018 2008 Accornero Centenario “Classic CS – aromas, flavors, structure – though by classic, I mean the Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and Sonoma that I began drinking twenty years ago (and those were largely 10-20 years old already). So that classic. Has nothing to do with the CS that most are opening today, a year or…
Alto Monferrato’s Hidden Treasure(s) – Cantine Valpane, Part I
At this point, I’ve visited many hundred wineries/estates. I generally meet with the winegrower and/or agronomist; often, one man (or woman) is both. In the instant case, that many is Pietro Arditi, a self-taught winegrower that has a kind, pleasant and inspiring humility; he’s also got a great sense of humor. Pietro’s in charge of…
The greatness of Nerello Mascalese – 2014 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso
It’s a rare thing to come across a wine as wonderful as this. Perhaps it’s even more rare then that this is a producer’s ‘base’ wine. I’d opened a bottle, and was able to take my time with it over three nights. The journey was magical, and more than I could have imagined. It would…
Brilliant farming you can taste – 2006 Agostina Pieri Brunello di Montalcino
Reconciling a perceived preference with reality can be a humbling, powerfully educational experience. For instance, if someone were to ask me about my preferences for wine/winemaking, I’d include, among other things, the lack/restraint of oak usage in the cellar as an important factor. Or, if oak is used, I’d say I (generally speaking) prefer older…
Exceptionally beautiful, 2012 Cascina Chicco Barolo Rocche di Castelletto
I’ve not tasted this wine since its release. At that time, the wine was, not unexpectedly, a bit closed. In the interim, I’ve had many 2012 Barolo wines from a good cross-section of producers. Results have been, for me, generally quite good, with very few falling into an exceptional category; I’ve only come across a…
Tuscan Masterpiece – 2013 Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino
My nearly one month stay in Montalcino zone last year produced some really eye-opening moments. Specifically, the careful, and clever, attention that some winegrowers (and that number appears to be growing, an uplifting thought) are paying to their land and vines is exciting. It’s almost as if there’s a revolution underway – a campaign where…
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