BATZELLA, VOX LOCI CABERNET FRANC
TUSCANY, ITALY 2019
When it comes to Bolgheri, all critics and collectors have their little black book — their list of the best of the best in a region Forbes has called "almost unparalleled" in its "rate of excellence" over the past decade.
We're no different, but we've also got our eyes on the little guys, too — the rising stars that, on their exciting trajectory upward, offer tremendous bang-for-the-buck in addition to brilliant wine.
Rising stars like the excellent Batzella, maker of today's 2019 Vox Loci Cabernet Franc. Only 2,700 cases were produced, and we're proud to have secured a small allocation for our Concierge Family.
The Wine Advocate called it "richly concentrated," despite its youth, and we agree, on both counts. We'd give this one a few years in bottle, but we're so confident that the rewards are going to be there for you that we're making it available at 28% off when you buy six bottles or more!
Vox Loci means "voice of the place," and that's one reason for our supreme confidence: terroir here is king.
Unlike the rest of Tuscany, where Sangiovese dominates, in Bolgheri the microclimate and soil echo the left bank of Bordeaux. Cabernet varietals thrive. Indeed, it was this promise of making Super Tuscans that could stand alongside the great chateaux that initially drew Franco Batzella and Khanh Nguyen to the region. Having met at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., the couple studied wine together in Bordeaux and then at UC Davis in California, and arrived in Bolgheri in 2000. A little more than a decade later, they put their small estate on the world map with their excellent 2013 Tam Superiore, a Cabernet Sauvignon that garnered raves from critics around the globe.
In optimal years, Batzella releases a Cabernet Franc, and the 2019 harvest was thought to possess enough character and excellence to justify the decision.
A very astute call. Aged for 24 months in French oak barriques and a minimum of 12 months in the bottle, it is quintessential Cabernet Franc, with a varietal purity that only a true believer in this underrated but gorgeous grape can bring, and an earthy soulfulness that only a committed terroir-ist can deliver. Though the tannins are a bit grippy at this early stage, they ought to calm considerably over the next few years, revealing a wine of depth, dimension, and finesse.
This is a great one for buying by the case, but our inventory is limited, so hurry!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 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 MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, March 9th, 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.
