2021 SancerreDaniel Chotard
France | Loire
$39
Producers
Barolo Chinato was once peddled as a cure-all elixir, said to heal miscellaneous daily discomforts. Appropriately, the ingredients in the Fantino brothers’ Chinato read like a potions book: there’s Calissaja Quinine, Genziana, Colombo, and Centaurea. The details are intriguingly vague—Italian legislation insists that the vintage of the wine remain unknown, and herb sources are a guarded family secret. The result is a deliciously aromatized Barolo, fascinating and complex with a long, herbal finish. Though medical claims were long ago dispelled, this can still be honestly touted as the ideal digestivo.
—Katie Dodds
Wine Type: | dessert |
Vintage: | N.V. |
Bottle Size: | 500mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Barolo |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | A. & G. Fantino |
Winemaker: | Alessandro & Gian Natale Fantino |
Vineyard: | 21 years years, 8 ha in total |
Soil: | Sandy Clay |
Aging: | Aged in large oak barrels for 4 years; after aging, fortified and blended with the family’s secret recipe of spices |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 17% |
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.
Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.
Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont | Barbera del Monferrato
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe Nebbiolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
We only import wine we drink and enjoy ourselves, directly from the source.
Our wine tastes the same in your home as it did where it was bottled in Europe.
Like the long-term relationships we build with growers, we build long-term relationships with our clients. Have a question? Need wine advice? Just give us a call—510-524-1524.
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa