from eRobertParker.com #Interim – September 2015

The NV Franciacorta Brut is a standard 80-20 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This is a crisp and luminous expression with a clean and direct delivery of crisp fruit, citrus and green apple. This approach is solid and refreshing. In the mouth, this sparkler offers silky perlage and an evident point of bright acidity. This wine is best for near-term consumption.

Monica Larner

from eRobertParker.com #Interim – September 2015

The NV Franciacorta Brut is a standard 80-20 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This is a crisp and luminous expression with a clean and direct delivery of crisp fruit, citrus and green apple. This approach is solid and refreshing. In the mouth, this sparkler offers silky perlage and an evident point of bright acidity. This wine is best for near-term consumption.

Monica Larner

from www.erobertparker.com/

2011 Alberto Longo Cacc’e Mmitte di Lucera
RATING: 91 points

The 2011 Cacc’e Mmitte di Lucera is a blend of 50% Nero di Troia, 35% Montepulciano and 15% Bombino Bianco. Alberto Longo is one of the most prolific and articulate narrators of this little-known DOC appellation in the Dauno Apennines, just south of the Gargano peninsula (the “spur” on the “boot” of Italy).
Thanks to the warm vintage, this edition shows a bold, ripe style with dark berry jam and deep layers of fruit. The wine exhibits a dark purple color with little light penetration. It is highly drinkable and generous in a very frank, confident and upfront manner. Fresh acidity does a good job of countering the ripeness of the fruit.

Monica Larner

from www.erobertparker.com/

2008 Apollonio Squinzano Riserva Rocca dei Mori Ujliesa
RATING: 88 points

The 2008 Squinzano Riserva Rocca dei Mori Ujliesa is a blend of 70% Negroamaro and 30% Sangiovese from the far south of the Puglia peninsula (where the small Squinzano appellation is located). The wine exhibits an evolved personality with notes of dried spice, pressed rose, candied fruit and Christmas cake. It shows dark concentration and thick layers of black fruit marmalade. The finish is sweet, round and thickly textured. Hot winds from North Africa give the wine an extra dose of sweet ripeness.

Monica Larner

from www.erobertparker.com/
eRobertParker.com, #218 Apr 2015

2011 Terre del Principe Terre del Volturno Casavecchia Centomoggia
RATING: 91 points

Beautiful in concept and execution, the 2011 Terre del Volturno Casavecchia Centomoggia opens to densely
extracted concentration and compelling aromas of dark fruit, pressed cherries, tar licorice, dark smoke
and wild porcini mushroom. The wine flaunts a personality that is powerful, rustic and cheerful. It does a great job of capturing the rugged but beautiful scenery that characterizes the Castel Campagnano area where the vineyards are located. Fruit is harvested from two sites with 30-year-old and 120-year-old plants respectively. The wine sees 30% new oak.

Monica Larner

from eRobertParker.com, #212 May 2014

2010 Valle dell’Acate Tané : 91 points
The 2010 Tane is the estate’s flagship wine. This well-matched blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah offers modern touches of dark chocolate and espresso with wild raspberry and cherry at the back. Subtle tones of spice and smoked bacon render a sweetened feel to the close. Tane is a well-executed wine suited for near-term consumption, but it could also see a few more years in the cellar. Drink 2014-2020.

A few years back it became apparent that the biggest
trend in Sicilian wine was the sudden rise of the
female winemaker. Among the most prominent is
Gaetana Jacono of Valle dell’Acate in the Ragusa
area of southern Sicily. She runs a 100-hectare farm
and produces some 400,000 bottles per year. Sexy
and simpatica with go get ‘em attitude (In Taormina, I
saw her climb to the top of the Roman amphitheater
in stiletto heels), she is a model for modern Sicily.

-Monica Larner