August 14, 2008
Antinori 2005 Tignanello, Iconic Super-Tuscans & More

A Note from Sergio New: Antinori 2005 Tignanello Guado al Tasso to Solaia Super-Tuscan Icons Approaching Toscana

Wine Collecting Services New IWM Tastings Upcoming Passion Events…

(Sangiovese, Cabernets Sauvignon & Franc)
In many ways, Piero Antinori’s Tignanello represents the very best of the Super-Tuscan movement: a commitment to honoring traditional methods of winemaking combined with a desire to innovate when innovation creates a better wine. Grown in the Chianti Classico zone, and comprised primarily of Sangiovese (85%) and small parts Cabernets Sauvignon (10%) and Franc (5%), the Super-Tuscan Tignanello tends to the more Tuscan end of the spectrum, even if it and its maker are pretty much synonymous with the Super-Tuscan movement. Just as the Antinori estate has done for 26 generations, the grapes used to make Tignanello are hand harvested and processed with the utmost care. Ever since Tignanello’s inaugural vintage in 1971, Antinori has restricted his production of Tignanello to only the best vintages, and his vinification techniques have included malolactic fermentation, aging in barrique for one year, followed by an additional year of aging in bottle. However, in 2004 Antinori made a change to the regimen; he began fermenting and aging the component wines separately, assembling the wine just before aging in bottle.

This last change certainly made an impact in the much-heralded 2004 vintage of Tignanello, but its impact will be even more apparent in the newly released 2005. Unlike 2004, which had more or less ideal growing conditions, 2005 presented climatic challenges; the season started several weeks earlier with temperatures that were slightly warmer than previous vintages, and ended after heavy rains just before harvest, thus delaying it. While many lesser producers are feeling the after effects of the less-than-stellar conditions of 2005, Antinori is not. In fact, the 2005 illustrates that it’s the winemaker—not the weather—that makes a wine. 2004’s Tignanello may be the stuff of which legends are made, but the 2005 Tignanello is aromatic, approachable, and exceptional. Though it could drink for another ten-to-fifteen years, this Tignanello has the ripe dark fruits, smoky overtones, and piquant minerality to induce you to enjoy it right now.

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This legendary sampler honors some of the leading innovators of the Super-Tuscan movement, and it explores some of the newer upstarts who are carrying on the Super-Tuscan tradition of innovation and reinterpretation. For a long while, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta’s Tenuta San Guido was a one-wine estate—and for good reason. In recent years, however, Tenuta San Guido has branched out a bit in creating a second label, Guidalberto, an IWM favorite since its 2000 debut. Very closely modeled on Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia, the 2006 Guidalberto is giving its premiere performance as a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend; you’ll notice the resemblance in the wine’s polished intensity. From the estate of della Rochetta’s cousin, Lodovico Antinori's Ornellaia, has a second label of its own, and we’ve included it here to provide you with a taste of two related, if divergent, houses. To complete the dynasty of the Antinori and della Rocchetta families, we're also featuring the flagship of Piero Antinori’s Bolgheri estate, Guado al Tasso. Representing the upstarts, first up is Camartina, and you’d have a hard time finding another Super-Tuscan that delivers on Camartina’s level for value. Fellow artisanal, biodynamic production Sammarco is another must-drink—it’s a power Cabernet that would be completely in its element in a roomful of California Cabernets. Finally the ’99 Flaccianello is currently exhibiting a mature sensibility, and it begs to be enjoyed right now. Whether you’re new to the Super-Tuscan sensation, or you’re curious where the movement has taken us forty years down the road, you’ll find wines to savor, treasure and share in this collection.

Super-Tuscan Icons Sampler (includes one of each from the below):
Tenuta San Guido 2006 Guidalberto…$49.50
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2005 Le Serre Nuove…$62.70
(Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot)
Castello dei Rampolla 2003 Sammarco…$109.00
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese)
Antinori 2000 Guado al Tasso…$99.98
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah)
Fontodi 1999 Flaccianello della Pieve…$99.99
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah)
Querciabella 1999 Camartina…$73.67
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese)




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If the Antinori triptych exemplifies the region’s winemaking traditions, this Tuscan collection invites you to sample its terroirs and its appellations. We’re offering a value-oriented sampler of standout expressions that are approachable from all angles. If reading this e-Letter has you wanting to get in on the Super-Tuscan action, La Mozza’s Aragone will give you an idea of what was so revelational about the Super-Tuscan revolution. Le Macchiole’s Rosso will perform a similar service, plunging you into its progressively Sangiovese blend. Do you seek perfection? It doesn’t get better than Tenuta dell’Ornellaia’s Le Volte; despite its privileged pedigree, it’s one of the most reliable values in the Super-Tuscan class.

After you drink the ’01 Brunello from a master of the form—Talenti—you’ll want to enjoy a wine that continues your Tuscan education. Sangiovese is always a welcome pour for the table, and the ever-popular Cacchiano flirts with the plummy Merlot for a satisfying spin on Chianti, while the La Sala, though modern in style, unabashedly embraces the Sangiovese in all its full-throttle glory. So if the featured Super-Tuscans are a little past your reach at the moment, go beyond the uproar and drink in all that makes Toscana truly super.

Approaching Toscana Sampler
(includes one of each from the below):
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia 2006 Le Volte…$30.81
(Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)
La Sala 2006 Chianti Classico…$24.75
(Sangiovese)
La Mozza 2005 Aragone…$42.90
(Morellino, Alicante, Syrah, Carignan)
Le Macchiole 2002 Rosso…$29.70
(Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah)
Castello di Cacchiano 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva…$25.50
(Sangiovese, Merlot)
Talenti 2001 Brunello di Montalcino…$63.25
(Sangiovese Grosso)





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IWM SPECIAL OFFERS
A new feature available to collectors is our Special Daily Offers that features extraordinary selections from blue-chip Bordeaux to vintage white Burgundy. Last week, we presented the 2005 releases from the renowned Domaine de la Romanée-Conti estate, which we have included below in the company of France’s Domaine Leflaive. If you would like to receive these offers on a regular basis or view a complimentary online demo of our wine collecting software, please send a request to our Cellar Specialists.

Domaine Leflaive 1996 Mixed Case
Le Montrachet produces some of the greatest Chardonnay in the world, due its limestone soils and mostly southeast exposition. Chevalier-Montrachet, consequently, has increased in value by over 400+% in the past seven years, with typically just a little more than 100 cases being imported into the U.S. annually. Featured are several of Domaine Leflaive’s Grand Crus from the exceptional ’96 vintage. While the fruit produced in ’96 was extremely ripe, the wine manages to maintain grace and structure. With proper cellaring, these wines can be enjoyed in the next five-to-seven years.

Domaine Leflaive 1996 Chevalier-Montrachet (6 Bottles)
Domaine Leflaive 1996 Batard-Montrachet (6 Bottles)

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Domaine Romanée-Conti 2005: Assorted Case(Original Wood Case [OWC])
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005 Romanée-Conti (1 bottle)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005 La Tâche (3 bottles)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005 Richebourg (2 bottles)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005 Romanée-St- Vivant (2 bottles)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005 Echézeaux (2 bottles)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005 Grands- Echézeaux (2 bottles)