ITALY | LAZIO
Casale del Giglio
As a child and young teenager the fields and lanes of the family estate, Casale del Giglio, were nothing more to Antonio Santarelli than a place where he could spend carefree weekends and indulge his budding passion for motorbike riding; but all that changed when he joined his father Dino in the family business. By then, a shrewd twenty-five year old, he knew instinctively that their unconventional land in the Agro Pontino valley, some 50 kms south of Rome, offered a unique opportunity to attempt something no-one had ever attempted before.
BELLONE BIANCO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+782920
VINTAGE:
2021
GRAPE:
100% Bellone
FORMAT:
12-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» The Bellone has been an indigenous grape of the Latium region since Roman times. It is typically found along the coastal region between Rome and Latina where a constant sea breeze and the microclimate contribute to a grape that over-ripens with high concentrations of both sugar and acidity, along with a pronounced mineral note.
» Deep yellow with a golden tint, the Bellone evokes sunshine and ripe tropical fruit such as mango and papaya. The fruit is nicely balanced by a marked acidity which makes it suitable for long bottle aging.
» On the palate, it is rich, ample, with a zesty tang that lingers in a long finish.
» Excellent with appetizers, fish dishes, especially a rich fish soup or Bouillabaisse.
- A tangy, refreshing white with aromas of limes, apple skins, wet stones, white pepper and lemon peel. Medium body with crisp acidity. Juicy citrus and green stone fruit. Drink now.❞ – James Suckling (July 2022)
- 91 POINTS – James Suckling (July 2022)
- GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy (November 2022)
BELLONE BIANCO LAZIO IGT ‘ANTHIUM’
SKU:
+241604
VINTAGE:
2020
GRAPE:
100% Bellone
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» The Bellone has been an indigenous grape of the Latium region since Roman times. It is typically found along the coastal region between Rome and Latina where a constant sea breeze and the microclimate contribute to a grape that over-ripens with high concentrations of both sugar and acidity, along with a pronounced mineral note.
» Using hand-harvested and hand-sorted grapes from vines as old as 70+ years, the Bellone ‘Anthium’ is one step up from the Bellone Bianco with sharper fruit character and lingering mineral finish. Exquisite on its own and pairs well with first courses and fish dishes.
- An interesting white from local grape, Bellone, offering tangy peach and pink grapefruit, along with some gravelly mineral notes. Almost full-bodied, with lots of flavor intensity and fresh acidity that pushes through the long finish. Drink now.❞ – James Suckling (November 2021)
- 91 POINTS – James Suckling (November 2021)
- TRE BICCHIERI – Gambero Rosso (September 2021)
BIANCOLELLA BIANCO LAZIO IGT 'Faro della Guardia'
SKU:
+207558
VINTAGE:
2019
GRAPE:
100% Biancolella
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» Grown on the Island of Ponza, Biancolella is a native grape from Campania. It grows at the base of a sheer sea cliff by the imposing lighthouse— ‘Faro della Guardia’. The Biancolella grapes are aged on the lees for about 7-8 months before bottling.
» Pale yellow with a greenish hue. An intense floral perfume, with ripe golden peach and fresh apricot.
» The palate is flinty and fresh, reminiscent of the volcanic and calcareous soils and sea breeze.
» A lingering fruity finish with a hint of citrus. Good body and firm fruit make the wine suitable for prolonged bottle aging.
- GOLD – Mondial des Vins Extremes (September 2020)
PETIT MANSENG BIANCO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+477083
VINTAGE:
2020
GRAPE:
100% Petit Manseng
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» Originally from France, the Petit Manseng grape was planted for the first time in Central Italy by Casale del Giglio in their vineyard 50 km south of Rome. The result is this amazing White with a brilliant straw yellow colour and an inviting aroma.
» Fruity and spicy on the nose while fresh, crisp, and flinty on the palate, this wine is exquisitely structured with a seductive, fruit-filled finish.
» Excellent sipping wine on its own; versatile with food, especially fish dishes in savory sauce.
- GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy (November 2021)
- 94 POINTS –Luca Maroni (June 2021)
SATRICO BIANCO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+207551
VINTAGE:
2020
GRAPES:
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Trebbiano Giallo
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» This white wine takes its name from the ancient pre-Roman city of Satricum.
» A blend of 40% CHARDONNAY, 40% SAUVIGNON BLANC, and 20% TREBBIANO GIALLO grapes, vinified separately.
» Only the very best bunches are selected, then by soft-pressing the free-run juice is separated from skins and slowly fermented with controlled temperature for 7 or 8 days.
» The new wine matures in stainless steel tanks before bottling.
» A bright straw-yellow, this elegant blend reveals a fruity, lightly aromatic yet mineral nose. The flavours are confirmed on the palate by a pleasing crispness and lengthy finish.
- Ripe white-fruit aromas are tinged with notes of herbs, such as rosemary, as well as some grapefruit rind. Full and dense on the palate with intense aromas of grapefruit zest and the same herbs. Intense and flavorful. The texture is a little cloying. Sauvignon, chardonnay and trebbiano. Drink now.❞ – James Suckling (November 2021)
- The 2020 Bianco Satrico opens slowly in the glass, blowing off a bit of smoky mineral reduction to show an airy mix of musky peach and apricot. It’s soft in texture, with ripe orchard fruits and minerals giving way to pretty inner florals. This finishes with a flourish of salty tension and a sour twang of grapefruit, making for a fully satisfying conclusion to a very enjoyable experience. The Satrico is a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon and 20% Trebbiano that overdelivers in every way and is quite a good value as well.❞ – Eric Guido (June 2021)
- 90 POINTS – James Suckling (November 2021)
- 90 POINTS – Vinous (June 2021)
ALBÌOLA ROSATO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+097100
VINTAGE:
2021
GRAPES:
85% Syrah + 15% Sangiovese
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» The grapes are gently crushed and left to stand in stainless steel tanks for several hours.
» After a period of cold maceration on the skins at 8-10°C, some of the juice is drained from the tanks and fermented separately.
» Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at a temperature of around 18°C for 8-10 days.
»The resulting rosé wine is rich, with a vibrant personality, faithful to the floral and fruity aromas typical of the best rosés but with enough body to challenge many a red.
» The colour of bright red roses, Albiola presents an aroma of small woodland berries, dominated by raspberry and wild strawberry.
» Fresh, lively and well balanced on the palate, the wine presents a long, fruity finish.
» A perfect partner for a fresh tomato flavoured Mediterranean fish soup, or with a selection of cold cuts.
- Bright pink. Perfumed, even complex aromas and flavors of red berries, sage, tea leaf and violet, plus a complicating note of pomegranate. Fresh and juicy, with a slightly saline twinge on the long back end. Given that Albiola has always been a very easygoing Rosato best drunk within the year of its release, this 2018 version is surprisingly complex and rich. Well done.❞ - Ian D’Agata, Vinous (May 2019)
- GOLD – Concours Mondial de Bruzelles (May 2019)
- 90 POINTS – Vinous, Antonio Galloni (May 2019)
CESANESE ROSSO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+646711
VINTAGE:
2020
GRAPE:
100% Cesanese
FORMAT:
12-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» Produced from Cesanese, an indigenous grape of Italy, this wine is deep ruby red with intense aromas of marasca cherry followed by spicy notes of white-, black-pepper and violet.
» On the palate, it is soft, smooth, and well balanced with persistent tannins and pronounced acidity, essential criteria for long aging.
» Excellent with white meat, turkey, or savory stew.
- This has a perfumed nose of hibiscus, flowers, purple plums and blueberries. Medium-bodied with soft, fleshy tannins. Such juicy blue and purple berries and flowers. Delicious now.❞ – James Suckling (July 2022)
- 90 POINTS – James Suckling (July 2022)
- SILVER – Mundus Vini (March 2022)
MADRESELVA RISERVA ROSSO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+207561
VINTAGE:
2015
GRAPES:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot (Equally blended)
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» All three red grape varieties are picked when fully ripe. Each grape is vinified differently and fermented separately in small oak casks for 18-20 months, then blended in equal proportions, and finalmly ages in the bottle for 8-12 months.
» A bright, intensely concentrated, ruby-red wine. The nose reveals a very mature, dark personality—black cherries with undertones of autumn leaves and juniper.
» The palate is well-balanced and persistent with velvety tannins that reflect the dark, fruity, balsamic character of the nose.
- A powerful Lazio red with a lot of ripeness, but also some earthy complexity and some bitter chocolate from oak. The full, almost lush body is held together by a serious tannin structure that drives the long finish. Drink or hold.❞ – James Suckling (October 2018)
- GOLD – Berliner Wein Trophy (September 2018)
- 92 POINTS – James Suckling (October 2018)
MATER MATUTA ROSSO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+263954
VINTAGE:
2017
GRAPES:
85% Syrah, 15% Petit Verdot
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» A deep, dense, ruby-red wine which displays outstanding character both on the nose and on the palate with its aroma of coffee beans, violets, ripe black cherry, coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon.
» On the palate, it is silky and seductive, but perfectly supported by fine tannins and a pleasing astringency, delivering a long, lush finish.
» Both grapes of the Mater Matuta are harvested when fully ripe, with the Syrah being even slightly shriveled. The Syrah contributes to the complexity of character, highlighted by smooth tannins and intensity of the black cherry and spice. Meanwhile the full-bodied Petit Verdot gives the Mater Matuta its long aging potential.
» Excellent with most savory red meat courses, roasts, stew, as well as mature cheeses.
- Dense aromas of crushed blackcurrants, fresh herbs and ink. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Well balanced with good intensity. Lush, rich dark fruit, which is accented by bright minerality and a tinge of exotic fruit. Best after 2023, to allow the tannins mellow a little.❞ – James Suckling (November 2021)
- GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy (November 2021)
- 93 Points – James Suckling, (November 2021)
PETIT VERDOT ROSSO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+646653
VINTAGE:
2018
GRAPE:
100% Petit Verdot
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» Vinified with two techniques; the ‘submerged cap’ technique is aimed at extracting the grape’s softer tannins, and the second, ’punch down’, for its strong colour. Part of the new wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the other part in wood.
» Once blended, the new wine spends 8-12 months in barrique, then bottled and aged 6 months before leaving the winery.
» This deep crimson wine displays an intense, lingering aroma of red berry fruits, cherry, and juniper. Elegant and full-bodied, with rich velvety tannins, the wine presents a spicy and white peppery finish.
- Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate. Full body and chewy tannins. Flavorful finish. Real petit verdot character here. Drink now.❞ – James Suckling (October 2017)
- GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy 2017 (February 2017)
- 91 POINTS – James Suckling (October 2017)
TEMPRANIJO ROSSO LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+201426
VINTAGE:
2018
GRAPE:
100% Tempranillo
FORMAT:
6-pack
TASTING NOTES:
» A deep ruby-red wine with aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant, woodland fruits and a hint of ripe marasca cherry.
» A rich, concentrated palate where notes of spice and fruit, highlighted by the presence of sweet tannins, lead to a long finish. Well suited to long bottle aging.
- Lots of blueberry and blackberry character with hints of dried flowers, such as lavender. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Delicious, as always. Drink now or hold..❞ – James Suckling (July 2020)
- GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy (March 2020)
- 91 Points – James Suckling (July 2020)
APHRODISIUM LAZIO IGT
SKU:
+265827
VINTAGE:
2020
GRAPES:
25% Petit Manseng, 25% Viognier, 25% Greco, 25% Fiano
FORMAT:
6-pack (500 mL)
TASTING NOTES:
» Brilliant golden-yellow dessert wine. Fresh, floral notes of peach and orange blossom on the nose followed by ripe juicy peach and honey.
» Luscious and seductive on the palate, refreshing mineral crispness balances the sweetness of the delicious nectar. A return of citrus fruit on the long finish.
- A decent, light passito white with intense aromas and flavors of ripe, fleshy fruit salad and a hint of clove. Good length with some fresh acidity. The clove note continues to cling to the edge of the sweet fruit all the way through. Drink now.❞ – James Suckling (November 2021)
- 91 POINTS – James Suckling (November 2021)