BARONE RICASOLI
TUSCANY, ITALY
What are you getting when you buy a bottle of Barone Ricasoli?
Remarkable purity, elegance, grace, power, depth, and, yes, value. We’ve reached deep into their cellar of Castellos to bring you two of their greatest collectibles: their 96-point Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione 2011 and their 96-point Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione 2012.
To see this kind of maturity, and for less than $64 a bottle — and for a wine that "set the style,” Wine Spectator wrote, “for one of Italy's greatest regions” — is nothing short of remarkable, and makes this a flat-out phenomenal deal in the world of collectible wine.
Reviewing the 2011 Castello, James Suckling called it "incredible," a "full-bodied, chewy, and rich" wine that "goes on for minutes," while the latter elicited one of the critic's highest commendations: "shows the greatness of Gran Selezione." He noted that the 2012 would be even "better in 2017," and his prediction, we can report, turns out to be absolutely on the money: this, and the 2011, are aging beautifully and gracefully.
We're also hoping to tempt you, today, with two more from the Ricasoli reserves: their 94-point Casalferro 2011 and their 91-point Casalferro 2008. Both wines are 100 percent Merlot, and sourced from a single plot of land — a pinpointed focus that gives the wines a concentrated intensity and elegance. "Highly recommended," wrote Wine Spectator of the 2011, with "pure black cherry and raspberry flavors ... countered by accents of sweet spice and tobacco" and a "long and mouth-watering" finish.
To drink a Ricasoli is, quite literally, to drink history. The roots of the family run deep, extending as far back as the court of Emperor Charlemagne. Records suggest that, in the 13th century, the family was defending Florence against attack from the famed Brolio castle, and we know that the family was making wine as early as the 12th century. Of Bettino Ricasoli, known vernacularly as the Iron Baron and twice elected Prime Minister of Italy, it is often said that he set forth the blueprint for making Chianti. Today the winemaking is in the hands of Baron Francesco Ricasoli, who, over the past three decades, has undertaken extensive research both of the original clones of Chianti Classico and of the different soils of his sprawling estate, so determined is he to push his famed estate to even greater heights.
The results, as we can all taste, and attest, have been nothing short of stunning.
This is winemaking with all the power, passion, and poetry we turn to Italy to find. Don't miss you chance to stock your cellar with these exceptional collectibles. But hurry — Tuscan wines retain an enduring popularity among connoisseurs and collectors, and Ricasoli is, as always, a name apart. Act now to secure yours!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2023. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in CT, MA, MI, NC, NJ, NM, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, June 8th, 2023.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
