2014 Italy

The Cerretta vines sit between 320 and 450 metres above sea-level on the eastern extremities of the Barolo area. The soils are mixed limestone and clay which give more plump and ripe styles compared to the mineral finesse of Davide’s other Serralunga sites. Three years in French botti grandi have polished these fine tannins which are as smooth as china, while the fruit is bright, fleshy, plummy and expansive. Drink 2020-2040.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

Terrifyingly steep and totally calcareous soils make up this special vineyard, which perches in front of the Giovanni Rosso winery between 350 to 390 metres’ altitude. A stone’s throw across the road lies Vigna Rionda, the most prized vineyard in Barolo. The nose is brimming with bramble, crushed stone and floral highlights, inviting and electric. The palate is poised, linear and crunchy; saline minerality carries a wash of bright red and black berry fruits, pricked with fine oak spice and savoury charm. Ceramic-like tannins are both silky and chewy. Drink 2020-2038.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

Like the Vigna del Sorbo, the 2014 Flaccianello della Pieve spends a few additional months in botte grande than usual. The wine still breathes in large oak cask, but the environment is slightly more reductive (oxygen-free) compared to smaller barrique, thus allowing for a more complete and slower integration that is necessary in a cool vintage like this. The result is a beautifully complete wine that takes a few minutes to spread its wings. The bouquet starts off with a timid personality, but soon reaches a full regime of red fruit and spice that is so specific to this celebrated selection of Sangiovese from Panzano in Chianti. The September heat (following a gray, soggy summer) helped to eventually achieve fully ripened tannins. There is no greenness or astringency to disturb the soft and velvety mouthfeel. Thanks to severe fruit selection, production of the 2014 Flaccianello della Pieve is one-third less than average. Giovanni Manetti calls 2014 a vintage of opportunity. Although Panzano saw less average rainfall in 2014 compared to neighboring villages, Fontodi vineyards required double the work that year. This is an impressive achievement.
Monica Larner - 28/04/2017 Like the Vigna del Sorbo, the 2014 Flaccianello della Pieve spends a few additional months in botte grande than usual. The wine still breathes in large oak cask, but the environment is slightly more reductive (oxygen-free) compared to smaller barrique, thus allowing for a more complete and slower integration that is necessary in a cool vintage like this. The result is a beautifully complete wine that takes a few minutes to spread its wings. The bouquet starts off with a timid personality, but soon reaches a full regime of red fruit and spice that is so specific to this celebrated selection of Sangiovese from Panzano in Chianti. The September heat (following a gray, soggy summer) helped to eventually achieve fully ripened tannins. There is no greenness or astringency to disturb the soft and velvety mouthfeel. Thanks to severe fruit selection, production of the 2014 Flaccianello della Pieve is one-third less than average. Giovanni Manetti calls 2014 a vintage of opportunity. Although Panzano saw less average rainfall in 2014 compared to neighboring villages, Fontodi vineyards required double the work that year. This is an impressive achievement.
Monica Larner - 28/04/2017

This wine is a bin-end, discounted by 20%.
Pure notes of red and black fruit on the nose, reminiscent of cherries, raspberries and damsons, with hints of medicinal herbs in the background. Lovely depth on the palate, with juicy red and black fruit flowing in waves and filling the mouth, tempered by bright acidity and microscopically fine tannins. The finish is very long, velvety and elegant. A fabulous wine with amazing concentration, energy and balance. Quite forward for Vigna Rionda, this will give very pleasurable drinking while we wait for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 vintages to come round. 
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager

Vigna Rionda is sited on a slope at elevations ranging from 820 to 1180 feet above sea level; the beneficial siting of this hill insures a great deal of sun throughout the day. The soils are a combination of marl, calcaire and a touch of sand; the vineyard is sheltered from excessive winds by the nearby Castelleto hill.

These vintages have been offered to our customers to allow them to take part in the regeneration of this outstanding vineyard and the latest 2014 offering proves once again that this perfectly situated and incredibly special vineyard will always capture the very best of vintage conditions.

An attractive, luminous, mid-straw colour, with a bright attack, the body is fresh and the crisp acidity brings definition to the mid-palate. There are nuances of ripe yellow fruit as well as hints of nutty and floral complexity on the nose and palate. Excellent concentration leads to a lingering finish.
Drink 2016-2022.