Not star struck by Giorgio Rivetti, but....
May 09, 2007
In Italian wine culture, and for those who know,
winemaker Giorgio Rivetti is considered a rock star!
Along with his brothers Carlo and Bruno, their La
Spinetta ("top of the hill") Rhino label has
become synonymous with the highest quality found in the Piemonte region of
Italy. Beginning in 1977 the Rivettis began transforming Muscato d'
Asti from a simple, light dessert wine into frothy greatness! Then in
1985 the Rivetti brothers set their sights on a much grander scale and
La Spinetta began to produce red wines. After
Barbera Ca di Pian, many great red wines
followed: including the now legendary Pin (a
barbera/nebbiolo blend dedicated to their father) in 1989, followed by a string
of very successfully, highly rated, vineyard designated Barbarescos in the
middle 1990s (Gallina, Valeirano, and Starderi). In 2000 the
Rivettis' ambition expanded to vineyard purchases in Barolo, where a
state-of-the-art winery was built in Grinzane Cavour to produce Campe
(both the standard and reserve bottles received 98 points - Wine
Spectator). Not content, the "boys" advanced to Tuscany to
acquire 65 hectares of vineyards between Pisa and Volterra, and build another
new facility to make three different Sangiovese
wines.
So you can imagine how pleased I was when Giorgio
Rivetti walked into The Wine Consultant last Friday to visit and taste
me on his new releases. After about an hour I had made a new friend.
No, I was not star struck, but Giorgio is genuinely a very nice person who's
passion for fine vineyard produced wine is undeniable and
contagious....especially when you begin to sample, and understand his role
as winemaker is really better defined as "the caretaker" of the
fruit. Brothers Carlo and Bruno team their
farming practices to provide only quintessential fruit from each vineyard
(selective, severely reduced yields are the mandate).
After 6 to 8 day rotary fermentations, Giorgio ages the all
the wines in new, medium toasted French oak barrels for various
lengths of time depending flavor intensity. Then the barrels are
discarded, not to be used by La Spinetta again. Giorgio wants
clean and pure flavors expressed, nothing dirty that might be inadvertently
contributed by used oak. For the final stages of aging, Giorgio prefers to
let the wine rest in stainless steel vats before bottling. The wines are
never filtered or clarified. All of the La Spinetta wines share
a common theme: beautifully ripened fruit, integrated
tannins, balance and harmony, defining acidity, and unmistakable class and
elegance. So for the very first time, I wanted to purchase everything I
sampled!
2005 Il Nero di Casanova - Tuscany -
$27.95
- Young six year old vines. 95% Sangiovese, 5%
Colorino (a Tuscan indigenous grape that give color). Nine months in
oak. Ruby-lip red, gorgeous ripe berries and cherries,
full-bodied, smooth and generous. Amazing wine for young
fruit!
2003 Sassontino - Tuscany -
$47.95
- 30 year old vines. Same composition. 14
months in oak. Aged in bottles 20 months before release. Intense
ruby red, deep black cherry fruit, fresh Tuscan
herbs, full-bodied, but elegant with long length. Keeps
giving. Serious quality! Great future! Definitely a
WOW!
2004 Barbera d'Asti Ca di Pian, Piemonte -
$28.95
- Blend of young six year old and 20+ year old
Barbera vines. 100% Barbera. In a word delicious! Red
with flashes of purple highlights color the glass. Fresh and vibrant red
and black berries. A reference point wine for those becoming
acquainted with the varietal. Why I'd rather drink "real" Barbera
from this region of the world, than attempts from elsewhere that just
do not measure up. Will become gulpable with dishes
incorporating cheese, sausage, tomatoes, garlic and fresh
herbs.
2004 Barbera d'Alba Gallina, Piemonte -
$48.95
- 30 year old vines. 100% Barbera from the
legendary 4 hectare (9 acres) Gallina Vineyard in Neive. 18
months in oak and a final six months in stainless steel. Literally sends
shivers down your spine, because you know you are drinking the soul of a special
place. Ruby red color. Aromas promise great depth
of ripe fruit (hook me up to this ventilator!). Intense and
full-bodied black cherry and blackberry fruit with white pepper
and balsamic notes. Snappy acidity helps to balance and bring a
measure of elegance to the wine. Ebb tide finish. I want roast
wild boar!! Worth every euro! Worthy candidate
for mid term cellaring.
2004 Nebbiolo Langhe - Piemonte -
$29.95
- ATTENTION!! If you have little or no
experience with Nebbiolo, the varietal used to produce the wines of Barolo and
Barbaresco, this is the perfect and affordable introductory wine. Be
forewarned, Nebbiolo wines can not be duplicated any where else in the
world and is charmingly seductive and addictive. The 2004 vintage is
suberb. This wine comes from young 5 to 7 year old vines from the
fabled Starderi vineyard in Neive, where Rivetti has produced some of
his most stunning and prized Barbaresco. I am the proud owner of a case of
the 2001. Uplifting aromas of black fruits, with a hint of mint leaf, are
followed with similar palate impressions. This is a wine of nice
elegance and early approach, and is balanced to evolve for at
least another five years. Not only the perfect starter wine, but
a value for those who don't want to drink the $60+ wines on a regular
basis. Highly recommend!
2004 Pin - Monferrato Rosso DOC, Piemonte -
$46.95
- Instant collector's piece! I
remember drinking a 2000 vintage from a brown bag under the table at my
daughter's wedding a few years ago. 65% Nebbiolo, and 35%
Barbera d' Asti Superiore Bionzo from vineyards located in Castagnole, Neive,
and Barbaresco. Usually harvested a month a part, aged separately in for
16-18 months in oak before blending. Color is dark, aromas are intensely
wild berries, hints of mint leaf herbs on a powerful, but silky smooth
palate impression. High pedigree.
NOTE: The six wines
above will be poured at the tasting bar this Saturday
from Noon to 4 pm. Reservations are not required!
Venue is casual.
ORDER BY REPLYING
DIRECTLY TO THIS E-MAIL. MIX ANY 6 BOTTLE
COMBINATION OF THE WINE LISTED AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT. ANY 12+
BOTTLES - 15% DISCOUNT.
Then there is Rivetti's
complex trio of vineyard focused 2003 Barbaresco for those who
have been collecting or know.....
Starderi, Gallina, and Valeirano - $119.95 each
(10% off when ordered as a set....one bottle of each, or
combine with the discounts offered)
Keep scrolling
please!
I continue to receive testimony
regarding the 2003 Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, and
more orders regarding the 2005 vintage I offered in last week's e-mail. If
you missed this e-mail, please go to http://www.thewineconsultant.com/newsletter/294 for all the details. Posted below are just a few of the
many responses I receive from you. The first pallet arrives
tomorrow. More on the way. Ask and I will pour this Saturday at the
tasting bar. Thank you!
----- Original Message -----
From: RH
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 5:48 PM
Subject: RE: Waiting for this value to return!
Eric,
You are so right! I did buy half a case from you and
I promptly went home and cellared it this whole time. Last weekend we
enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal centered around filet mignon and my wife
went exploring in the cellar. She found the Les Champauvins tucked away
and served it with dinner. As I was busy with cooking the filets, I didn't
notice which wine she selected. When we sampled it with dinner, it was
amazing!
Please put me down for 6 bottles of the 2005 Les
Champauvins! When will it be ready for pickup? I am leaving for
Thailand on May 13th.
Thank you,
R.H.
Rocklin, CA
-------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 7:42 AM
Subject: Re: Waiting for this value to return!
Eric,
I'd like to get six bottles of the Les
Champauvin. I tried the 2003 last night (I forgot about it - still had
five bottles left :-) WONDERFUL!
Ed
Folsom, CA
------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 3:03 PM
Subject: RE: Waiting for this value to return!
Eric
I bought this last year
and it was great. Unfortunately I do not have any left. Please send me 2 cases
before it gets too hot here!!
Thanks
Nick
Scottsdale, AZ
-------------------------------------------
QUESTION OF THE
WEEK!
Your wine cellar is located in an old bomb
shelter. The sirens go off....and so do the missles. How long can
you survive on your wine "rations"? What bottle will you save for the
finale? Who would you most like to share it
with......?
Permission granted to protect your id, but
print your response. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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