Dear Wine Lover,

I hope you had a good start into the week.

There are not many wines with 100 Points from Italy and today we are able to offer you perhaps the cheapest 100 Pointer Italian wine on the market. Vigna d’Alceo is a connoisseur wine, not as famous as the wines from Bolgheri like Sassicaia and Ornellaia, but a wine that has always been under the radar, especially by the super Tuscan lovers. All vintages are extremely highly rated and loved by the wine critics, the first time was for the 1999 vintage when Parker gave it an astonishing 99 Points, since then the wine was always (except the 05’) rated between 94 and 99 points.

Castello di Rampolla is a small, family-run property with a decidedly artisanal approach to working in both the vineyards and the cellar. The estate produces big, concentrated wines with imposing tannic structures that have proven to be extremely ageworthy, but very nice to drink also young. High-density vineyards, biodynamic farming and low yields are the hallmarks of the wines of Castello dei Rampolla which throughout the vintages have guaranteed superb quality wines.

Vigna d’Alceo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot and was rated with 100 points by James Suckling: “The structure of Margaux with the style of Rampolla. Best ever.”

75.0 cl Vigna d'Alceo - Castello di Rampolla 2008 CHF 130.00 (CHF 140.40 VAT Included)

36 bottles or more at CHF 125.00 (CHF 135.00 VAT Included)

James Suckling 100 Points: Love this. Fabulous aromas of currants and blackberries. Hints of licorice, Indian spices and dried violets. Full-bodied, ultra-fine tannins and amazing fruit, yet so vibrant, racy and balanced. The structure of Margaux with the style of Rampolla. Best ever. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. From organically grown grapes. Leave it for at least five or six years.

We are also pleased to offer the second wine from the propriety at a very interesting price, the 2004 vintage is drinking very well now but will be very good to drink for the next 10 years.

The 2004 Sammarco is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Sangioves of which only 20.000 bottles have been produced for this vintage.

75.0 cl Sammarco - Castello di Rampolla 2004 CHF 60.00 (CHF 64.80 VAT Included)  - Average price in Switzerland CHF 85.- per bottle

36 bottles or more at CHF 56.00 (CHF 60.50 VAT Included)

Robert Parker 93 Points: The 2004 Sammarco is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese. It exhibits a dark purplish color, along with a wonderfully fragrant nose of spices and violets. It is a rich, powerful effort packed with an array of blueberries, blackberries and grilled herbs, showing a layered personality and an imposing tannic structure that will require patience. This gorgeously pure wine should drink effortlessly to age 25. A recent bottle of the 1988 was still youthful and full of life. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.