Rep was one of the Argiolas son's. The write-up gives much credit to Giacomo Tachis (father of Sassicaia, Tignanello, and Solaia) credit for the quality and encouragement of native varieties at Argiolas.

Clearly very different from mainland Italian wines. There is an extra fruit component, less of the dried fruit, and more of a Rhone-like influence. The wines were handled in a way to provide more definition and buffered by strong oak. Would like to taste more to fully develop a clear opinion of these wines.

All at a table with an importer rep.

Castellare is a brand I have very little experience with. Owned by Paolo Panerai. Located in Castellina with vineyards 1200 feet high and above- some of the highest in Chianti Classico. Yields are very low compared to standards in Classico. I thought the quality was amazing. They had such elegance, focus, and purity of fruit this is a brand I really need to seek out. I find them similar to San Giusto a Rentannano.

Monastero is owned by oenologist, Alessandro Cellai (I think he works for Castellare). He only makes 2 wines: Pinot Nero (I don't know why) and a Bordeaux blend called Campanaio. The quality was good in both but I would need to evaluate more vintages and ones with age to give final deliberation.

Galardi is well known. I didn't realize they were in the Northern part of Campania far away from Taurasi. The winery is run by cousins of the Murena, Celentano, and Catello families. Their famous oenologist, Riccardo Cotarella gets much of the attention. Only one wine made only from Aglianico and Piedirosso. Low yields and small production from volcanic soils in NW Campania. Terra di Lavoro means land of work.

Another multi winery table with some affiliation to one another. Served by an wholesaler rep.

Castelluccio is owned by famous oenologist, Vittorio Fiore. Emilia-Romagna. Wines were good and fairly inexpensive.

Podere Poggio Scalette was a historic Chianti estate, but the estate was abandoned after the owner died. It was revitalized when Vittorio Fiore purchased it in 1991. The plot for Il Carbonaione has grapes (Sangiovese clone called Sangiovese di Lamole) that are 90 years old. The wine of the same name was declassified from Chianti as Vittorio did not wish to include white grapes in his wine. A requirement that has since changed. It gets its name from the evidence of a historic charcoal pit, or carbone.

Tenuta Valdipiatta is owned by Giolio Caporali. Not sure of the relationship between this and the others, but I was really impressed with the quality. These were fairly inexpensive but really delivered good substance in the Sangiovese.

Tasted with Clara Gentili, Elisabetta's daughter.

Thought I would be tasting the same things as VinItaly, but these were mainly all different. The wines seemed to show differently here in the States. The fresh, fruity, and polished quality that I loved so much in the wines there seemed to evolve into more leather, vegetal, and dried fruit character here. I understand that these wines put on more weight and dried fruit with age but these seemed really changed for 1 vintage difference.
I was still, however, a big fan of the wines.

Tasting with Gabriele Occhetti. He is the son-in-law and he does marketing for the family business. Very nice person and seemed very accommodating. Sorry to have missed their booth in Verona.

The wines were fantastic, the Nebbiolos especially. The light color and extraction did not deter these wines from having loads of aromatics and character. Charming and elegant are descriptors I'd use but that is also very common for Rabaja in general. Prices are great, wines are really well made, and they hold back older vintages which makes for a treat.

Winery established in 1750s by Pietro di Mastro Berardino. Mastro was a title given based on his winemaking skill.

I heard (not at this event) there was a split between them and Terradora di Paolo where the best vineyards were lost. That may be the case. The quality of the reds left me a little wanting but I am a fan of their whites. Good substance and drive.

An Etna winery I was not familiar with. Did recognize the rep as Valentina Davide whom I met at Summa15 where she poured for Montevertine.

Owned by winemaker Silvia Maestrelli in 2007. In the village of Rovittello.

The wines were really well made. Very clean and composed more in line with Terre Nere. The Musmeci Bianco was brilliant. Any white Burgundy fan would love it.

Visited this booth right at the end. Forgot that they were pouring these wines. Not really on the priority list, but the cost makes these rare to come across.

Founded in 1984 by Rita Tua and husband Virgilio Bisti. Obviously a favorite among critics. Very low yield and deep concentration of flavors is their goal.

The wines were good, but the pricing was a bit crazy. I don't know of many N. Rhone Syrahs that truly deserve a $300 asking price, let alone a Tuscan Syrah. The QPR in the Giusto di Notri is so much better than the Redigaffi.