2013 Fattoria Nicolucci Predappio di Predappio Sangiovese di Romagna Vigna del Generale Riserva 750 ml

90-Year-Old Vine Sangiovese Riserva

This is a first for Wine Access — a Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva from the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, sourced from a single vineyard of 90-year-old vines. The 2013 Fattoria Nicolucci Predappio di Predappio “Vigna del Generale” Sangiovese Riserva was awarded not only the Gambero Rosso “Tre Bicchieri” but also listed as a “Top One Hundred Wine of Italy” by renowned Italian critics Massorbio and Gatti in their buying guide. You can only find this wine at the finest restaurants in Italy and New York City (like Marea, Babbo, and Del Posto) — and at Wine Access. For lovers of Brunello di Montalcino, this Sangiovese Riserva hits all the marks, and then some at a fraction of the price. $36.99 and only 350 bottles to go around.

If you ask an Italian where the best food is in Italy, the answer you’ll most often get is Emilia-Romagna. From pasta Bolognese to Prosciutto di Parma to Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, the region has produced some of the most celebrated foodstuffs to cross the globe. Another celebrated pleasure that is thought to originate in Emilia-Romagna — albeit highly contested by Tuscan Italians — is the Sangiovese grape.

The Sangiovese Riserva “Vigna Del Generale” comes from the oldest vineyard Alessandro Nicolucci farms — 90 years old. The particular clone of Sangiovese planted produces BB-sized berries, packed with complex flavors and concentration, which in turns leads to incredible ageability. It is a wine produced in limited quantity and saved for connoisseurs.