Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  4/28/2008 (link)

  (TRALIVIO Sartarelli) Sartarelli Dear Friends, While we wait for our server to be updated, I must sing the praises of this wine and Castelli di Jesi in general. I’ve had this wine many times in the past but the 2004 is worthy of a major offer so here we go. In Europe, this wine is revered - in the US it is completely unknown. If you are looking for the very best price/value wines in the world, this wine is right up there and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you like the finest Albarino or even top Austrian Gruner, this is something you should try without hesitation. From one of Italy’s most beautiful and bountiful regions, the Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is considered the epicenter of this white varietal - it is summer in a bottle with more than a small dash of sophistication. The mere thought of this wine evokes fresh grilled fish on the Adriatic coast near Ancona and most regions of the world would be quite fortunate to have their signature white wine be of this quality (especially one with this level of price/value). Many have tried to jump aboard the Castelli di Jesi designation (with scary results - some can be over-oaked and too high in alcohol) but this is the real thing. Sartarelli may be the finest producer of this grape in all of Italy. They make two mid-priced cuvee’s, a less expensive “Classico” and this cru wine, the “Tralivio” (they also make a super high-end cru). Opening a bottle of Tralivio signifies the start of summer and I know Paolo and Juan Ernesto are smiling when they read this. From steep, terraced hillsides above the Esino in Verdicchio’s most prized area, the Tralivio is held to standards most would associate with much higher-priced wines but to the family, it is not about the money - it is about the lightest pressing they can muster - the transfer of liquid, green tinged gold from grape to bottle undisturbed and full of the deft minerality, beautiful acidity and sap this region is so famous for. Very long and refreshing with serious presence and whiffs of ginger, sea breeze and lime - I wish I had a bottle right now (but I don’t). Considered a regal example by the Italian cognoscenti, the Sartarelli family would be honored to share their passion with you and so would I. 2004 was a great vintage here so it is a terrific place to start your understanding of Castelli dei Jesi. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for exceptional quality and educational opportunity of a mostly unknown grape and wine region. Most of you will be very happy to have a decent supply of this hanging around for summer and fall enjoyment (although to will continue to age for at least 3-5 years) ONE SHIPMENT ONLY with perfect provenance at about the same price as in Italy: 2004 Sartarelli Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Tralivio” (this is not the “Classico”, that is less expensive) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy8877

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  3/16/2008 (link) 91 points

  (Sartarelli Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tralivio) Medium light yellow color; tasty, focused, pineapple quince, oily, light herbal nose; tasty, lightly oily texture, pineapple, quince; medium finish 91+ pts.