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Contrada

Italian for single vineyard. Each Contrada will have its own name.

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Italian for single vineyard. Each Contrada will have its own name. Plural = Contrade. Etna’s Contrade have certainly raised knowledge of the term. Each year a tasting, the Contrade dell’Etna, is held to taste the current releases from Etna. The term is used throughout Italy.

Contrade names you might have heard of from Etna: Rampante, Guardiola, Feudo di Mezzo, Acuria, Sciaronuova, Calderara, and Rivaggi. Moving north to Veneto, Gini’s top Soave is from the Contrada “Salverenza”.

 

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Vietti Barolo 2021

Vietti Barolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Show the class of the vineyards and the winemakers! Excellent Barolo. The delicacy and restraint here is exceptional. The core of transparent fruit is insane. Depth, purity and such incredible clarity. A soft hand yields incredibly fine, long, even nutty tannin. Showing wonderful expression and generosity in its youth. Plenty more to come with time in bottle. Flowers, blood orange, rhubarb, red fruits. Mid-palate tannin of exceptional quality. A dark broody layer folded in. Impeccable blending.
$159
$154ea in any 3+
$149ea in any 6+
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Rafael Palacios 'As Sortes' Godello 2022

Rafael Palacios ‘As Sortes’ Godello 2022

White Wine | Valdeorras, Galicia

Huge jump in depth and length over the 'Loura'. A layer of oxidative development adding complexity to the fruit weight. A more refreshing mouthfeel along combines with a step up in salinity. The nutty, lees complex a faintly toasty line. The core of citrus rind / oil fruit easily holding its own. Excellent balance and expression. A complete harmonious wine without artefact. Drinks beautifully with a day open. A little baking spice. Loads of nuance. Seriously sharp wine.The 2022 As Sortes
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+
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François Villard Saint-Joseph 'Mairlant' 2022

François Villard Saint-Joseph ‘Mairlant’ 2022

Shiraz/Syrah | Saint-Joseph, France

This is very good. Fruit development is excellent. Savoury, umami, red fruited with a lick of spice, the stalk tannin is of quality with a playful grip. Love to have this 5-7 years. Great drinking out of the gate. Tannins would love a little food. Long pure finish. Great shape and flow. Not at all heavy, elegant.Excellent comparision with Hauts Châssis’ Saint-Joseph made with no whole bunches.Saturated violet color. Vibrant, spice-tinged dark berry, cherry, potpourri and licori
$109
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+
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Domaine Blain-Gagnard Grand Cru 'Criots-Batard-Montrachet' 2021
Here too there is just enough wood to merit mentioning as well as a hint of the exotic to be found on the aromas of pear confit, jasmine tea, orange peel and peach. There is superb density to the highly seductive, even plush, larger-bodied flavors that possess a suave mouthfeel while displaying stunningly good length on the powerful, firm and built-to-age finale. This is a strikingly good Criots that could be approached after only 5 to 7 years yet should repay up to 15 years of keeping. Don't M
$950
$930ea in any 3+
$910ea in any 6+
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