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Long-term Pre-arrival Items
Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.
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SKU 877325
$2,610.18/case
$435.03/bottle
Tariffs included
Out of stock
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Rampolla’s 1998 Vigna d’Alceo is a sexy wine that brings together the dark blue/blackish fruit of the 1996 with the more open, resonant personality of the 1997. All the elements take shape beautifully in the glass in a wine that is peaking today, but also has the depth of fruit to last for another ten years, perhaps longer. The very early faint signs of tertiary complexity are beginning to take shape in the glass. Given its slender personality, my sense is that the 1998 won’t last forever, but it is a very pretty wine to enjoy today.
Italian Red Blends stand as a testament to the country’s rich winemaking diversity and heritage. Comprising a harmonious mix of indigenous and international grape varieties, these wines encapsulate the unique character of Italy’s diverse wine regions. Blends like Super Tuscans, combining Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, showcase a fusion of tradition and innovation. The Nebbiolo-based blends from Piedmont, such as Barbaresco and Barolo, exemplify elegance and longevity. Each region contributes distinct flavors, from the bold red fruits of the south to the structured tannins of the north.
The artistry lies in winemakers’ hands, skillfully crafting blends that balance acidity, tannins, and fruit expression. Italian Red Blends offer a kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors, and textures, reflecting the country’s varied terroirs. Whether exploring a classic Chianti blend or a contemporary interpretation, these wines invite enthusiasts on a captivating journey through Italy’s winemaking mosaic.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Tuscany
The central Italian region of Tuscany is widely understood to be one of the world's most famous and highly regarded wine regions. The beautiful rolling hillsides and medieval towns and castles which are a key feature of the area are also home to many of Europe's finest wineries, and extremely high quality vineyards growing the distinctive Sangiovese and Vernaccia grape varietals which are the flavorful backbone of Tuscany's wonderful red and white wines. For almost three thousand years, this region has been recognized as an ideal home for wine production on a large scale, and the ancient Etruscans, Greeks and Romans all noticed that fine grape varietals flourished on the unique soils and under the hot sunshine which typifies the area. Today, Tuscany is home to a wide range of wines, from the traditional to the complex, but all dedicated to excellent flavors and aromas, and maintaining the region's international reputation.
VM93pts
Vinous Media
Rampolla's 1998 Vigna d'Alceo is a sexy wine that brings together the dark blue/blackish fruit of the 1996 with the more open, resonant personality of the 1997. All the elements take shape beautifully in the glass in a wine that is peaking today, but also has the depth of fruit to last for another ten years, perhaps longer. The very early faint signs of tertiary complexity are beginning to take shape in the glass. Given its slender personality, my sense is that the 1998 won't last forever, but it is a very pretty wine to enjoy today.
WA92pts
Wine Advocate
A fine offering is the 1998 Vigna d'Alceo. An opaque purple-colored blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and small quantities of Syrah and Petit Verdot, it is a large-scaled wine with exceptional elegance and complexity as well as more power and richness than the Sammarco. A sweet entry on the palate is followed by abundant quantities of smoky, complex, black currant fruit intermixed with lead pencil and vanillin flavors. Medium-bodied, beautifully knit, and suave, it possesses sweet tannin.
WS91pts
Wine Spectator
A soft, subtle red. Wonderful aromas of blackberries and cherries, with hints of minerals. Medium- to full-bodied, with very soft tannins and a long, long finish. Best after 2001. 1,250 cases made.
