Antoniolo Vigneto Castelle, Gattinara DOCG, Italy

安東尼奧羅酒莊維尼托紅葡萄酒

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：4344

The 2008 Gattinara Le Castelle is the most immediate of the estate's single-vineyard wines in this vintage. It opens with a solid blast of fruit, but never goes too far from there. The French oak, while not overly intrusive, does appear to attenuate the finish. Next to the other wines in this lineup, the Castelle is a bit less distinctive and polished. The wine does open up nicely in the glass, so it will be interesting to see where things go from here. A sweet, inviting finish rounds things out nicely. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. This is another set of absolutely gorgeous wines from Antoniolo. Over the last few years, this historic estate seems to have found a higher gear of absolute quality. Readers who may have found the 2007s too ripe will love the more classic 2008s. Importer: Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

The estate’s 2007 Gattinara Le Castelle flows with black cherries, mint, flowers, spices and vanillin. The mid-weight, translucent style is nicely fleshed out in this undeniably attractive, dazzling wine. The Castelle becomes more and more radiant as it sits in the glass and continues to flesh out, while the oak is very nicely integrated. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2027. This is a breathtaking set of new releases from Antoniolo. In fact, they may very well be the best wines I have ever tasted from this estate. Gattinara is generally cooler than the rest of Piedmont. At times the wines can be angular and herbal. Not in 2007. The even heat of the year ripened the fruit beautifully, softening any hard contours and baking out elements of herbaceousness, but without altering the mid-weight, graceful quality that makes the wines of this village so appealing. The resulting wines are flat-out delicious. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

The 2006 Gattinara Castelle flows with the essence of dark fruit, smoke, tar and scorched earth. This is a decidedly powerful, intense Gattinara endowed with gorgeous intensity in its fruit and fabulous overall balance. Floral notes are woven gracefully into the juicy, generous finish. The Castelle has more than enough structure to develop nicely for a number of years. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. I was totally blown away by the wines I tasted from Antoniolo this year. Quite simply, these are some of the very finest Gattinaras I have ever tasted. The Osso San Grato in particular is a must-have bottle. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; tel. (630) 422-1119

The 2004 Gattinara Vigneto Castelle is incredibly pure. Endless layers of spices, leather, tobacco, earthiness and wild herbs flow as this generous, engaging Gattinara opens up in the glass. The tannins remain firm yet the wine possesses more than enough stuffing to provide balance. Antoniolo is a reference-point producer for first-class Gattinara. This set of wines is easily the finest I have tasted here. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411