Pulled from a Gentleman's cellar, all wines from this cellar have been purchased by the owner either from the importer or direct from winery. They stayed in his cellar until being moved to the Timeless Wines warehouse.
Ruffino Romitorio di Santedame Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG is made from 90% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino.
Romitorio di Santedame, a limited-production Gran Selezione from Castellina in Chianti, pays homage to a rich history while embracing a bright future. It originates from a single vineyard within the Chianti Classico's "golden basin" (Conca d'Oro) and is crafted from an exclusive blend of Sangiovese and Colorino. The latter is a native Tuscan grape variety that was nearly extinct but has experienced a revival through dedicated research and promotion efforts.
Fruity aromas typical of Sangiovese, including black cherry and ripe plum, with violet and complex chocolate and black pepper notes. The palate offers sweet tobacco and balsamic hints, while its balanced structure with refined tannins and lively acidity makes it suitable for extended aging.
Review:
You feel the oak here, suggesting vanilla and clove character, but it’s very well complemented by the dark fruit, ranging from blackberries to mulberries to dark cherries. Full-bodied, dense and decadent with a regal structure and muscular tannin backbone. The acidity cuts nicely through on the long finish and provides freshness. Drink from 2024.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Ruffino Alauda Toscana IGT is made from 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 25% Colorino.
An elegant, full-bodied wine, Alauda is a harmonious sum of its parts. Rich with varietal flavors of plum and cherry from the Merlot and layered with ripe berry flavors from the Cabernet Franc, and unique balsamic and dark chocolate notes from the Colorino. The extended oak aging process integrates the blend while providing tertiary flavors of sweet spice and soft, elegant tannins for a lingering finish. This wine will age gracefully for decades.
Ruffino Modus Primo Toscana IGT Italian Red Wine is the evolution of Modus, showcasing quality fruit from three Tuscan vineyards on Ruffino's Poggio Casciano Estate, each one representing the best that this centuries-old wine region terroir has to offer. This Ruffino wine opens with a bouquet of ripe cherries and orange zest, followed by layered balsamic notes and spicy hints of sweet tobacco and vanilla.
Review:
Ripe and lively in its sensory profile, it shows notes of black plums, blackberries, sage and laurel. Juniper berries describe the secondary scene. Full body, elegant and relaxed on the palate, it closes modern and captivating. Better from 2023.
-WineCritic.com 94 Points
Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore Catullo is made from 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella. Valpolicella Classica, Tenuta Novare Estate in Arbizzano di Negrar.
Wine of medium structure with elegant spicy notes of vanilla and chocolate accompanied by typical notes of cherry, sour cherry and white pepper. The palate offers the easy drinkability typical of Valpolicella and, at the same time, silky tannic structure and intense, prolonged aromatic persistence. The finish is fresh, soft and savory. A wine in the classic style, elegant, balanced, harmonious.
Review:
If I was forced to choose a number of wines that can steer the anachronistic Ripasso category into a brighter future, this would be among a very few. A mid-weighted, streamlined expression with just enough fruit on the bones. Think strawberries, lilacs, Asian plums, cloves and a hint of licorice. A noble, almost alpine bitterness lifts the finish. Brilliant. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 95 Points
Ilaria De Nardi Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore is made from 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 20% Corvinoni
Intense red color with garnet hints. Almond and fresh walnut aromas. Full-bodied with a good structure.
This is an excellent red wine with a supple body. The techniques used to produce this wine is typical from the area.
Excellent with cold cut, fresh and mature cheeses. Perfect with red meat and game.
Late harvest style Corvina aged on Amarone lees. The must of Amarone remains in the vat and instead of being pressed, it is topped up with high quality Valpolicella before being left to referment for about 10-15 days.
Pairs well with roasted meats.
Ricudda Chianti Classico Riserva 100% Sangiovese.
Deep ruby red color.
The wine shows an intense and persistent bouquet, with notes of berries and spices such as licorice and black pepper. Well-harmonized hints of oak.
In the mouth, it is well structured and balanced, complex, persistent with notes of red fruits and spices such as black pepper and licorice.
Pair with grilled red meats, steak, game of hair and feather, stewed and roasted, aged cheeses hard like pecorino.
Review:
"A very fine riserva with black-cherry, walnut with some cedar aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with lovely tension and a fresh finish. Racy and refined. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (June 2022), 93 pts
Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape is made from 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre.
Domaine de Beaurenard’s flagship wine is a quintessential blend, reflecting all the diversity of the terroir and the perfect synergy that exists between the soils and the grapes. It offers a supple and refined texture associated with a delicate aromatic palette that is the result of a constant quest for freshness.
Review:
Checking in as a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest a handful of varieties, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape was brought up in a mix of foudre and older barrels. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort has a pure, vibrant, incredibly seamless, medium to full-bodied style that carries classic notes of black raspberry and black cherry fruits as well as peppery herbs, violets, spring flowers, and sous bois. This straight-up gorgeous, seamless, ultra-fine 2019 should be snatched up by readers. It has a rare mix of elegance, purity, and power, and it’s going to have two decades of prime drinking.
-Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
The 2005 vintage was the Sambardier family's first release of the Juliénas, the oldest Cru of Beaujolais, that was named for the famous Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.
The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "En bottiere" on granite and schist soil types.
Young and dynamic winemaker Frederic Sambardier only produces 4,800 bottles or 400 cases (12/750ml) from 0.8 hectare (1.97 acre). The vines average over 50 years old. Skin maceration during fermentation for 10-12 days. Finally, the wine has had 4 months of aging in foudre (large barrel). Egg white fined, the wine is bottled unfiltered.
Imported - 150 cases 6/750 ml
Beautiful ruby red color. Pleasing and graceful, this full-bodied Julienas displays spices and ripe red and black fruit aromas (red currant, blackberry). This well balanced wine shows soft tannins and a long lasting finish. Excellent now, it will show even better after a few years of cellaring.
This is a perfect match with game, poultries, white meats and cheeses or even by itself as an aperitif.