Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  7/30/2007 (link)

  (Marciliano) Marciliano Reprise Dear Friends, This wine is an enigma. Over the last two years, it seems that every few months or so (after a new group of people sign up for the email list) this wine comes up. Somewhere, the wine was tasted by someone that received the wine from us and the end result is usually the same - they want some. The problem is that we sell our annual allocation of this wine very quickly so there is usually none available. For all of you that have been asking, here you go... The 2003 Marciliano is undoubtedly one of the most popular high-end Cabernet based wines we’ve ever passed on to our customer base. A Daniel Thomases 96pt wine (scored right after he left the Wine Advocate), it hits all the sweet spots and then some. We’ve offered magnums, 750s and it seems everything in-between and all have been received to resounding applause. I’ve been asking the winery for the past half year for an additional allocation and I finally received an answer today when one of their European distributors went out of business (which freed this lot of Marciliano that we gladly accepted). If you are interested in top 2003 Bordeaux (at 2002-like prices), this would be an ideal foil for your next blind tasting. Compared to everything from Pichon-Baron to Mouton, the Marciliano is about as fussed over a Cabernet (and Franc, as much as 30%) that you will find from Italy. Its roots are in Lazio but the leaning is decidedly Pauillac with an exotic twist from the Italian terra firma. I’ve heard reports of a medium weight and light style to this wine and that is not what it should be. This is a dark, serious Cabernet that is layered with spice and soil tones that are best described as modern Bordeaux in style. With food or without, Napa enthusiasts would be well served to give this wine a serious look. The 2003 version has received the highest honors in Italy (a “blue” 3-star from Veronelli, 5/5 from the Italian Sommelier's guide plus the Thomases rating mentioned above which places it in rarified air as one of the highest scoring Italian wines of the year) as well as from consumers. Look up whatever you need to but the Marciliano’s best days are clearly still ahead... This final parcel is directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance. We should have one of the lowest prices in the US on this item. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 2003 Falesco Marciliano Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy7550