Tim's Picks: Italian Wines for the Last Days of Summer

Tim will pour:

2021 Diletta Tonello Io Teti Brut Lessini Durello DOC 

The Tonello family has farmed in the Monti Lessini since the 1930s, though it was Diletta's father, Antonio, who began estate bottling in 1985, focusing on the native Durella and Garganega grapes. Diletta studied agronomy  and now makes wines from the ten to twelve hectares in Montorso Viscentino .  Now farmed organically, working with old pergola-trained vines planted on the area's distinctive volcanic clay soils.

“Io Teti” is named for a nymph from Greek mythology, one of several wines Diletta has named after mythological women tied to the elements. Wine made entirely from Durella grapes with must resting on its lees for 36 months before disgorgement and a further three months before release.

Pale straw yellow with fine, persistent bubbles and a creamy mousse. Aromas of toasted bread and citrus lead into a saline, mineral-driven palate with a clean, precise finish. It's an excellent match for oysters and other raw shellfish.

“The 2020 Diletta Tonello “Io Teti” Lessini Durello Pas Dosé (Metodo Classico) is an absolutely electrifying, high-toned, and structurally uncompromising sparkling wine that offers a masterclass in the fierce, volcanic identity of the Lessini Mountains.” Nicholas Wines

2024 Otella Le Creete Lugana DOC 

Intense golden yellow. Pervasive on the nose with immediate exotic hints of pineapple and notes of grapefruit. It unfolds pleasantly with a remarkable mineral sensation. It is a wine with character and great aromatic elegance. Taste expectations are satisfied by its richness, consistency and balance.

Highlighted for layered aromas of white peaches, smoke, sage, and lychees, offering a light-bodied, balanced palate with a savory finish. 90 Pts James Suckling, 92 Pts WE

2024 Chiara Ciavolich Pecorino Aries 

The nose is savory, herbaceous and saline, with aromas of wild thyme, lemongrass, grapefruit and salt. The palate stays savory with more grapefruit, herbs and salt alike, with a sharp blade of acid that pierces through a full, rich mouthfeel.  90 Pts Danielle Callegari Wine Enthusiat, 90 Pts James Suckling

2021 Bastianich Schiopettino Friuli Rosso IGT 

The 2021 Schioppettino Vini Orsone is nuanced in the glass, with only peppery wild berry and floral hints forming its bouquet. It's soft and supple, yet spicy. Zesty acidity enlivens a tart blueberry note under an air of violet inner florals. The 2021 leaves a coating of chalky minerals and subtle tannins while finishing with a trace of black licorice. This is a nicely balanced red, yet its delicate aromatics detract from it being an otherwise energetic Schioppettino. 88 Pts Vinous Media.

This bottling is made entirely from Schioppettino, also known as Ribolla Nera, a red grape indigenous to the hills of eastern Friuli and prized for its aromatic, spicy character. The vines, roughly twenty years old grow on calcareous marl soils within the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC.  Look for a savory finish with hints of licorice, making this a fitting partner for roasted meats, game, or aged cheeses.

2023  Collemattoni  Rosso di Montalcino 

2023 is notable for being exceptionally perfumed for the vintage, leading with violet flowers, spice, raspberry, plum, black cherry, and wild black fruits on the nose.  On the palate the wine has a warm bold core of balanced fruit and a dry finish.  A high acidity keeps the wine with a fresh refined complexity, medium body and a bold structured finish.

Collemattoni is a family estate on a hillside in Sant'Angelo in Colle, on the southern side of Montalcino, just above the far larger vineyards of Col d'Orcia. Founded in the 1980s by Ado Fioravanti and now led by winemaker Marcello Bucci.  Organically Farmed with Sangiovese grapes on clay and limestone soils rich in the region's characteristic galestro.

2022 Idi Di Marzo Rosso 1910 Terra D’Abruzzo IGT 

Aromas of red-apple skin, violets, sour cherry and top soil mingle to create a floral, saline nose, while the palate turns tense and earthy with a cascade of tart berries, until a sweeter, comforting cherry flavor eventually emerges. Fierce tannins and acid intensify a spicy, chocolatey finish. — 90 Pts Danielle Callegari Wine Enthusiast

2021 Idi Di Marzo vino Rosso D’Italia Perdizione 

 A hedonistic powerful,  full-bodied blend of Southern Italian grapes, great to go with Kansas city BBQ.  Made up withh Montepulciano, Primitivo and less known Nero di Troia grapes in Puglia Italy. The bouquet shows vibrant ripe cherry and plum, with gentle notes of  touch of violet and a touch of black pepper and lingering dark berry notes. The flavors are well balanced with moderate acidity mild tannins giving a smooth but complex finish. Enjoy it with red meats , BBQ and game. Tim’s Pick! (Limited production, not made every year)