Reviews
Bastianich Winery:
"Winery of the year" 2006
— Wine and Spirits Magazine
"All Wines boast such incredible structure that the
whites are a match for food even after you have been drinking a red"
— Gambero Rosso, Vini d'Italia
Vespa Bianco :
“(2009 Vespa Bianco)… Dried lime, candied pear, apricot and beeswax on the nose… undertone of clover honey. Energetic citrus and almond flavors… minerals and ripe lime. (The finish) features tropical fruit qualities while maintaining focus. A big, rich wine that stays light on its feet. Lovely right now.”
91 Points - Sept/Oct 2011
—Ian D'Agata - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
“The 2008 Vespa Bianco impresses for its textural finesse, depth and richness. Light floral honey, juicy apricots, mint and cantaloupe meld together seamlessly...lush yet mid-weight… beautifully precise...”
92 Points - Feb 2011
5 time winner of the acclaimed "Three Glasses" award:
“The Vespa Bianco is Extraordinary… A wine with an immense personality, it will age happily in the cellar for years.”
— Gambero Ross, Vini d'Italia
“(2007 Vespa Bianco is) Rich and very ripe, with tropical fruit and cooked pineapple aromas that follow through to a full body, with loads of spices, from cinnamon to clove and dried apricot. Long and very rich.”
93 Points - Mar 31, 2010
— James Suckling, Wine Spectator magazine
“In the mold of Vintage Tunina or Terre Alte and right up there in terms of quality… pretty floral and herbal elements on the nose… lots of honeysuckle, green apple, tangerine, vanilla and pineapple… Clean acidity keeps it lively and fresh, but… pleasantly creamy.”
94 points
— Ian D’Agata, ECCO Guide to the Best Wines of Italy
“High class, racy and clean… Vespa Bianco is already rivaling the likes of such highly rated Friuli whites as
Vintage Tunina…”
— Wine Spectator magazine (article)
“(2006 Vespa Bianco shows) …attractive layers of succulent peaches…Medium-bodied…
Outstanding harmony and tons of style…”
90 points – Oct 2008
— Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker’s The Wine Advocate
“(2005 Vespa Bianco)…offers loads of peach and mango on the nose, following through to a full body, showing notes of pear drops, with a dense mouthfeel and a long, lively finish. Complex and delicious.”
90 Points - March 31, 2008
— James Suckling, Wine Spectator magazine
“With some air (the 2004 Vespa Bianco) reveals wonderfully nuanced layers of fruit supported by a lovely vein of minerality which gives the wine notable continuity on the palate as well as a long, clean finish… put on weight in the glass and clearly has the stuffing to develop further complexity in bottle”
91 Points – Oct 2007
— Antonio Galloni for Robert Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate
Plus:
"(2007 Plus) Knockout nose... yellow peach, apricot syrup, lime and roasted pineapple; distinctly high-toned... Mindblowingly complex, with lime, mango, peach, marzipan, and honey complicated by a custard nuance...Very opulent and tactile… velvety, fleshy mouthfeel that lingers for minutes... Huge, ripe... acidity is bright and vibrant, preventing it from cloying...A unique, amazing taste experience... you owe it to yourself to try it."
94 Points - Sept/Oct 2011
— Ian D'Agata - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
"(Tocai Plus 2006) lovely notes of lemon balm and lemon curd, ginger and quince... cloves and cinnamon... spiced and macerated peach and pear... roasted almonds... almost savory... Vibrant acidity... limestone- like minerality... An essential gathering of nuance and subtle details. Exceptional."
— Frederic Koeppel – 27 Feb 2011, Bigger Than Your Head Wine Blog (biggerthanyourhead.net)
""(2006 Tocai Plus, a) dense, structured, rich... a prime example of Friulian wine potency. The white equivalent of Amarone... as powerful as you'd expect, but it keeps a refined edge with great aromatic complexity, dissolving into an honeyed character but without the cloying sweetness."
#3 of the "Top 10 Most Interesting wines of 2010"
— Joe Roberts – 16 Dec 2010, 1 Wine Dude Wine Blog (1winedude.com)
Winner of the acclaimed "Three Glasses" award
— Gambero Rosso - Vini d'Italia
“(2007 Plus has) … amazing aromas of ripe exotic fruits, from pineapple to papaya. Full-bodied, with a thick, oily palate and toasted almond… yet remains fresh and lively. There's a lovely bitter almond note on the finish.”
94 Points - Mar 31, 2010
— James Suckling, Wine Spectator magazine
“(2005 Tocai Plus shows)…spectacularly dense, mature fruit… creamy Alsatian fruitiness. The richest and most majestic Tocai ever produced or reviewed”
— Luca Maroni, Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani 2008
“Well structured and round on the palate… impressive depth of flavours with ripe fruit and a smooth finish.”
— Burton Anderson’s Best Italian Wines
“(2006 Tocai Plus shows) …awesome richness… ripe fruit, honey, flowers, licorice and spices…particularly compelling… more than enough minerality to give this full-bodied white lovely overall balance.”
92 Points – Oct 2008
— Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker’s The Wine Advocate
“(2006 Plus) Exhibits aromas of white peach and apple tart. Full-bodied, with tangy fruit and a long finish.
Tangy and rich. Very lively.”
90 Points – Aug 31, 2008
— James Suckling, Wine Spectator magazine
“(2007 Calabrone) Sumptuous extract, harmonious palate... ultra-plump, powerful and very persistent... Plum, blackberry, cassis... extremely concentrated.. balance, soft tannins, clarity and freshness... majestic, persuasive and harmonious... A great wine.”
93 points – Luca Maroni
— Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani 2012
“The 2007 Calabrone emerges from the glass with layers of dark plums, cinnamon, cloves, licorice and sweet French oak, all of which come together in a thick, unctuous style. Menthol, tar and smoke... emerge on the finish.”
92 points – Feb 2011
— Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
Two-time Winner of the acclaimed “5 Grappoli” award:
“(2006 Calabrone is) Excellent… Very complex nose… eucalyptus, wet earth… bitter cherries, chocolate and fresh rose petals. Impeccable palate… smooth tannins, freshness and long finish that recalls perfectly its aromas”
— Duemilavini - Italian Sommelier Association
“(The 2003 Calabrone is)…over the top in its opulently-textured, port-like expression of the hot vintage. Although the fruit is somewhat over-ripe and raisiny, this sweet, unctuous wine could merit a higher score if the tannins soften.”
90 Points - Oct 2007
— Antonio Galloni for Robert Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate
“The 2000 Calabrone is deep, dense and rich, with superb concentration and plenty of style. It offers exotic Cabernet Franc aromas along with sumptuous dark fruit, cocoa, herbs and tar. This racy red is approachable today but also has enough freshness to drink well for another decade.”
92 Points – Oct 2007
— Antonio Galloni for Robert Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate
Friulano :
“(2010 Adriatico Friulano shows) aromas of ginger, passion fruit, pear and white flowers… Uncommonly rich and densely packed, with earthy pear and tea leaf flavors lifted by a floral note. Finishes with a long, velvety, almost unctuous mouthfeel… I was very impressed by this wine's concentration.”
90 points – Sept/Oct 2011
— Ian D'Agata - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
“Mineral, almondy, flinty, slightly grassy, bright, fresh and surprisingly long… as good if not better than many more famous Tocais.”
91 points
— Ian D’Agata, ECCO Guide to the Best Wines of Italy
“2008 Friulano is a fresh, perfumed white with attractive varietal aromas and flavors and a clean, refined finish.
87 Points – Oct 2009
— Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker’s The Wine Advocate
“(2007 Friulano is)…very pleasant, soft-texturred with pretty varietal notes of ripe peaches, mint and flowers… Offers good length… terrific value.”
87 Points – Oct 2008
— Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker’s The Wine Advocate
“(2007 Friulano shows)…dried apricot and lemon character on the nose. Full-bodied and oily, with peach pit and tarragon character.”
87 Points – May 31, 2009
— James Suckling, Wine Spectator magazine
Vespa Rosso:
"The 2006 Vespa Rosso offers up dark plums, prunes, roasted coffee beans and grilled herbs in a powerful, focused style... packs quite a punch. Crushed flowers, raspberries and tobacco linger on the polished finish."
90 Points - Feb 2011
— Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate