Sherbrooke Cellars © Copyright
Viticcio
Winery
“This is a solid set of red wines from Viticcio.” - Wine Advocate # 196, Aug 2011
Fattoria Viticcio in Tuscany has long been the darling of the Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits magazines. Although it has had years of great press and its wines are priced significantly below neighboring estates in Chianti Classico, their wines were still only available in five U.S. states. What they truly needed was somebody to get their message out on a national scale, and for this they sought out the team at Sherbrooke Cellars. The Landini family have some of the finest vineyard holdings in the famed Greve in Chianti area, and with the recent acquisition of an estate in Bolgheri, I Greppi, plus significant upgrades in the cellars and vineyards, they will prove to be an important winery to watch for years to come.
Founded in 1960 by Lucio and Franca Landini, the Viticcio Estate still stands above the picturesque town of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Their focus is to produce high-quality wines worthy of an international clientele while at the same time respecting the traditions and viticulture of the region. This focus remains the same today under the direction of the second generation, Alessandro Landini.
The estate comprises more than 30 hectares of vines, all of which are farmed organically. Additionally, seven of those hectares are farmed biodynamically. Alessandro strongly believes that in order to produce high-quality wines you must first respect the land in which the vines are planted. To this end he uses no pesticides in his vineyards and fertilizes by planting things such as fava beans and barley between the rows of vines, allowing them to flower, and then plowing them back into the soil to add important nutrients. A handful of wines see some time in the smaller barriques, but the large majority is aged in large botti. The wines of Viticcio represent an important combination of traditional, time-honored techniques with modern-day technology and respect for the environment.
Visit the winery at www.fattoriaviticcio.com
Wines
Viticcio Vermentino Greppico 2010
“Alessandro Landini of Viticcio needed something refreshing to drink during the hot Tuscan summer, so what was more natural than to look to Bolgheri, where he already made his I Greppi wines, for some tasty Vermentino. Perfectionist that he is, purchased grapes would never do, so he leased a prime vineyard where he could control the entire process from bud break to harvest to vinification, which takes place at Viticcio.
With terrific freshness and balance, this wine features ripe apricot and hints of almond blossoms. Clean mineral flavors with the slightest hint of saltiness from the nearby sea make this a delightful accompaniment to seafood dishes or simply for summer sipping.”
A creamy-rich vermentino, this is cool and zesty in the middle with enough vibrant acidity to cut through the richness and carry the weight. Serve it with scallops.
90 Points, Wine & Spirits, April 2012
“Vermentino makes a great companion to sushi, Mediterranean fish dishes, light pasta salad or chicken salad. There’s a zesty touch of fresh sage or rosemary on the nose followed by peach, citrus and melon aromas. —M.L.
87 points, Wine Enthusiast, August 2011
Bere Igt 2008
One of our more popular wines, this baby super-Tuscan is a ripe, chewy blend of Sangiovese with 25% Cabernet and 25% Merlot aged in large Slavonian-oak barrels for about 8 months, featuring excellent balance, freshness and pleasant notes of soft fruit, cherry, and violets.
Features blueberry and cherry aromas, with hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied and chewy, this is a little hollow midpalate. Should fill in with age. Best after 2011. 5,415 cases made. –JS
87 points, Wine Spectator, 10/09
The 2008 Bere, a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, is classy and elegant from start to finish. Perfumed red berries flow through to a long, clean finish. In 2008 there is a little less density than is normally the case, but this is just about as good a wine as was made in Tuscany in this price range. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2012.
87 points, Wine Advocate
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Bere Igt 2009
“The 2009 Bere is a simple, juicy wine bursting with ripe fruit, licorice and French oak. It is a soft, opulent wine well suited to near-term drinking. Bere is 50% Sangiovese 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, made partially from purchased grapes.”
86 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
Boasting dark cherry and berry aromas and flavors, this polished red is vibrant and harmonious. Lingers on the finish, with a tight, fruit- and spice-filled aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2013 through 2020. 2,000 cases imported. –BS
90 points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
Lots of berry, chocolate and hints of cappuccino. Full and velvety, with plenty of fruit and a clean, bright finish. Delicious now. Good name for this. Drink it! Yummy. Made from 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot.
90 Points, JamesSuckling.com, Dec. 27, 2011
100 Outstanding Values of 2011, Wine Spectator, December 2011
label / tech sheet / sell sheet / shelf talker
Chianti Classico 2008
The 2008 Chianti Classico sparkles on the palate with notable brilliance in its dark red fruit. This is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Chianti that showcases the more feminine side of the appellation. Clean, mineral notes on the finish provide the freshness and verve that will make this a terrific wine for the dinner table. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.
90 points, Wine Advocate
Floral, berry and hints of vanilla on the nose lead to a full body, with loads of fruit and silky tannins. Intense finish. Best from 2011 through 2014. 12,500 cases made. –JS
90 points, Wine Spectator
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Chianti Classico 2009
Aromas of dark berries and cherries, with hints of spices. Full body, with velvety tannins and lots of plums and chocolate character. Lovely soft texture. Drink now.
92 points, James Suckling, August 2011
“The 2009 Chianti Classico is gorgeous. An open, warm bouquet leads to sweet red fruit, crushed flowers and spices in this radiant Chianti Classico. The wine shows plenty of inner perfume through to the round, harmonious finish.”
88 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
A tasty mix of cherry, spice and tobacco notes, with a touch of rhubarb. There’s moderate grip and a firm finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,000 cases imported.
87 Points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
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Chianti Classico Riserva 2007
“Subtle currant, cedar and floral aromas follow through to a dense, full-bodied palate of ripe fruits and silky tannins, with a long finish. A little age will soften this just slightly. Really serious. Best after 2010. 3,000 cases made.”
93 points, Wine Spectator 9/10
The estate’s 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva comes together beautifully in the glass, with layers of perfumed fruit that flow effortlessly from a rich, generous frame. There is wonderful depth and persistence in suggestions of red fruit, earthiness, tobacco and licorice that come to life on the palate. This is one of the more firm 2007s I have come across and it needs to be opened well in advance. Sweet floral notes add brightness and lift to the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022
91 points, Wine Advocate
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Future Release
Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
This is really rich and wonderful with blueberry, dried fruits and sandalwood character. Full bodied, with chewy tannins and a long fruity finish. Lots of new wood but plenty of fruit there too. Best after 2012.
92 points, James Suckling, July 2011
“Dark cherries, licorice, leather and blueberries are some of the notes that emerge from 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva. The wine remains tightly coiled, but it should emerge nicely in a few years’ time. The Riserva incorporates 5% Merlot in the blend. Sweet hints from the oak linger on the finish.”
90 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
This dark red is laced with blackberry and plum flavors, with a whack of oak lending spice and additional tannins. Dense, but not too extracted. For fans of oak. Best from 2013 through 2021. 2,000 cases imported.
89 Points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius 2006
“Intense aromas of plum and blackberry. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins, lots of beautiful fruit and vanilla oak character and a long-to-medium finish. Generous and delicious already.”
91 points, Wine Spectator 10/09
“The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius (Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) reveals an additional layer of depth and richness in its dark fruit, grilled herbs, minerals and French oak. The international varieties are felt in both the darker flavor profile as well as the greater weight of the wine versus the straight Riserva. The Lucius needs at least another year or two for its elements to come together and for some of the tannins to melt away, but it too is a promising wine.”
90 points, Wine Advocate, 08/09
label
Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius 2007
Named for Lucio Landini, the founder of Viticcio, the estate’s top Chianti Classico Riserva is made from the finest Sangiovese Grosso grapes blended with about 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, a stylistic change from previous vintages that included larger quantities of both Cabernet and Merlot. Vinified with the occasional use of neutral selected yeasts, delestage and pumping are employed over a fermentation and maceration period ranging from 22 to 28 days. Malolactic fermentation complete, the wines are blended and transferred into 300-litre French-and American-oak barrels where it will age for about 18 months, after which another 6 months in the bottle before release
The 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius is the estate’s more modern Chianti and includes a percentage of Cabernet Sauvingon and Merlot, in addition to being aged in French oak. Those important considerations notwithstanding, it is the finesse of the tannins that elevates the Lucious in 2007. Layers of dark fruit emerge from a firm yet silky frame endowed with a gorgeous combination of power and elegance. The international varieties speak with a distinctive voice, but all of the elements come together with tons of class. Ripe wild cherries, rosemary, minerals and French oak flow effortlessly through to the long, enveloping finish. This is a gem from Viticcio. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.
92 points, Wine Advocate
89 points, Wine and Spirits, April 2011
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FUTURE RELEASE
Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius 2008
I really like the chocolate, spice and berry character. Full and velvety with lots of fruit and a long intense finish. Drink now. Viticcio makes beautiful Chianti Classicos.
93 points, James Suckling, July 2011
“The 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius is a more internationally styled blend of 85% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine needs a bit of time in the glass for the fruit to emerge from a wall of tannin. Grilled herbs, tobacco and leather add complexity to the fruit in this brooding, structured Riserva.”
90 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
A rich style, boosted by accents of vanilla and sweet oak. Black cherry, plum and tar hold the center, while the dry tannins close. Needs time to integrate. Best from 2013 through 2021. 224 cases imported.
88 Points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
Prunaio 2007
This full-throttle Sangiovese has attractive berry, chocolate and lemon undertones, with notes of raisin. Full-bodied, with lots of oak and fruit. Needs time to come together. Best after 2011. 1,165 cases made. –JS
92 points, Wine Spectator, 10/31/10
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Prunaio 2008
Coming Soon!
“Dark chocolate, berry, currant and dried fruits such as sultanas. Full and velvety, with a beautiful balance. Very pretty finish. Made from Sangiovese. Best in 2013.”
93 points, JamesSuckling.com, September 2011
“The single-vineyard 2008 Prunaio (100% Sangiovese) is a big, powerful wine loaded with dark cherries, blueberries, spices and sweet French oak. Today it comes across as quite powerful and tightly wound. The Prunaio was aged in French oak barrels, 50% new.”
89 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
Coconut, toast and vanilla aromas match up with black cherry and plum flavors. It’s modern in style, with an emphasis on up-front fruit and oak, but lingers too. Sangiovese. Best from 2013 through 2021. 224 cases imported.
89 Points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
Monile 2007
The first vintage for Monile (jewel) was 1988. It was composed from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Sangiovese Grosso. The composition remained the same until 2000.Although Monile is satisfying to drink when young it has the tannic structure to last for decades.
A very ripe, almost New World style, offering big, chewy tannins and dried dark fruits, with treacle tart and raisin notes. Full-bodied. Needs time to mellow. Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2012. 750 cases made. –JS
94 points, Wine Spectator, 10/31/10
A blend of cabernet sauvignon (80 percent) enriched by merlot, this wine has persistent fruit aroma layers red, green, blue and purple berries in the middle, deepening to blackberries in the end. It packs a lot of complexity into a tart and compact frame, a young wine with intensity and drive.
93 points, Wine & Spirits Year’s Best, April 2011
“The 2007 Monile (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot) is a touch softer than the 2008. Layers of dark fruit, spices, leather and licorice open up onto the palate in this rich, textured wine. The 2007 possesses lovely density and a round, enveloping finish.”
89 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
label / shelf talker / tech sheet
Monile 2008
Coming Soon!
“What a beautiful red, with plum, berry and chocolate character. Full body, with velvety tannins and wonderfully polished tannins. A very long finish, with lots of cocoa and fruit on the finish. Better in 2012.”
93 points, JamesSuckling.com, September 2011
“The 2008 Monile (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot) is a wine that is very well-suited to the estate’s approach. The international grapes marry nicely with the French oak in this dark, structured red. Roasted coffee beans, leather, licorice and tar wrap around the intense blue and black fruit on the powerful finish. The 2008 is more tightly wound than the 2007, but that works nicely with these grapes and oak treatment.”
90 points, Wine Advocate # 196, August 2011
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Vin Santo Dolce Arianna 2004
A gift from Fattoria Viticcio, this dessert wine is blended from old vine Trebbiano, Malvasia and Canaiolo. Aged in small casks for 10-12 years, it experiences gentle oxidation that creates a nutty bouquet, reminiscent of the great Spanish sherries. This sweet and complex wine is best paired with cheese, dried fruits, nuts, or desserts that are not too sweet like biscotti or dry scones.
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Brunello di Montalcino Nicale 2006
An elegant Brunello, whose flavors of cherry, raspberry, licorice and spice mesh with the supple texture. The tannins are present and integrated, lending an overall harmony. There’s fine length, with hints of tobacco and mineral. Best from 2014 through 2026. 500 cases imported. –BS
92 points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
An elegant Brunello, whose flavors of cherry, raspberry, licorice and spice mesh with the supple texture. The tannins are present and integrated, lending an overall harmony. There’s fine length, with hints of tobacco and mineral. Best from 2014 through 2026. 500 cases imported.
93 Points, Wine Spectator, October 2011
