The Green Heart City in Italy, also known as Umbria, is one of the smallest wine regions in the country. Quaint medieval villages and lush green hills surround the region. The fourth smallest wine region in Italy, the region produces almost a third of the wine that the Tuscany does and has been overshadowed by Marche, Latium, and Tuscany. With that being said, Ubrian wines are becoming much more respected and known around the world.
The history of Ubria’s wine making history started with the Benedictine monks they first started planting grape vines in the sandy and calcareous clay soil that the region is known for. The climate in the region is similar to Tuscany and enjoys dry and sunny summers, and cold and rainy winters with the exception being the area that surrounds Lake Trasimeno and Lake Bolsena, which is dominated by mild and Mediterranean microclimates.
A blend of four and sometimes five grapes, one of the best known Italian whites that is produced around Ubria is known as Trebbiano Toscana, Verdello, Grechetto, and Canaiolo Bianco, known also as Drupello, or Malvasia Toscana
Umbria is known around the globe as the land of the saints and includes San Benedetto, San Feliciano, San Fortunato, and San Francesco d’Assisi.
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.
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas is made from 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 14% Syrah, 1% Cinsaut.
The wine shows intense blackberry and fig fruit with licorice, violets, and charcoal on the finish. It is remarkably fresh and finessed given the sun and warmth of the southern Rhône. The unique micro-climate combined with 60-year-old vines and traditional winemaking make Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas the benchmark wine of the appellation.
Review:
Leading off the Gigondas, the base 2020 Gigondas has lots of black raspberry, ground pepper, and violets notes as well as a round, supple, silky style on the palate. It should be approachable on release, yet it has plenty of mid-palate depth as well as tannins, and I have no doubt it will evolve for 20 years if properly stored.
-Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points
Lismore Estate Syrah is made from 100 percent Syrah.
A careful selection of the best of the vintage that exemplifies the extraordinary terroir of Lismore.
An exotic experience which shifts your mind to another place. Cassis, brambles and succulent cherry. White pepper, classic garrigue and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Light and elegant, but structured with a fresh acidity. To experience the best this wine has to offer, decanting is suggested.
The grapes were fermented 40% whole bunch in a 5000 litre wooden fermenter with gentle pigeage throughout. The process allowed for a long extraction period which lends to the fruit expression of this wine. The wine was left for a 30 day extended maceration on the skins and then pressed in a traditional baskets press. Matured in 500 litre barrels for 10 months (35% new). Time in the bottle will allow integration, the deepening of layers and full expression of the fruit.
Review:
Bursting with purple flowers and savory, spicy notes, the 2022 Estate Reserve Syrah was made with 50% whole-cluster fruit, offering a crunchy, red-fruited nose that pops with delightful tertiary expressions of turned earth and pencil lead. Light to medium-bodied and with 12% alcohol, the wine compresses slightly to show an earthy, graphite edge on the palate while slightly stemmy notes sway with fine-grained tannins across the mid-palate. Flavors of potpourri with spiced cherry skin somersault with red and purple flower essences before finishing with hints of pink peppercorn over the elegant and elongated finish. Just under 5,000 bottles were produced after the wine spent 11 months in 25% new oak barrels.
-Wine Advocate 96 Points