K&L Italian Newsletter: Brunello Vintage Releases & Back-Vintage Collectibles

Here’s a lineup of some of the wines I am most excited about at the moment. I hope these incredible selections bring as much richness and joy to your life as they have to mine. With two soon-to-be legendary Brunello vintages arriving daily, a collection of special back-vintage collectibles, and a feature on one of Italy's most revered makers, I’m thrilled to present this exceptional selection. Saluti!

• Cellar-Worthy 2021 Barolo Gems
• Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda: A Bold Vision in Bolgheri
• Current Release Brunello Riserva: 2019 Rarities
• Current Release Brunello: 2020 Finds and Collectibles
• Italian Vintage Guide: In Stock Old & Rare Discoveries

It’s that time of year—vintage reports are coming out left and right, leaving us eager to taste the bottlings we've been hearing so much about. In his recent review of the 2021 Barolo release, Antonio Galloni describes the vintage as one that produced "finessed, elegant wines that will delight Piedmont fans" and highlights the terrific quality of "entry-level" bottlings across the board, "always a sign of a good year." While the vintage undoubtedly impacts the wine’s final taste, it doesn’t tell the whole story. I firmly believe that great producers rarely make bad wines, even in challenging years. Presenting an incoming lineup of producers whose wines we eagerly anticipate year after year, these 2021s are bound to be absolutely thrilling. Don’t miss your chance to secure one of these Piedmont gems.

When Barolo legend Angelo Gaja purchased Ca'Marcanda in 1996, Bolgheri was not yet the internationally recognized appellation it is today. However, Angelo had a vision: to bring his experience from Piedmont to Tuscany’s coastal terroir. Thirty years later, the exceptional Super Tuscan wines of Gaja have become the gold standard by which the region is measured. Today, Bolgheri is renowned for forever changing both the Italian and international wine markets and there may be no better example than these incredible wines from one of the world’s greatest winemakers. A truly fascinating project, click here to read more about Gaja's legacy in the region.

One of Italy’s most famous, longest-lived, and collectible red wines, Brunello di Montalcino consistently turns heads. From many of the region's top producers, these collectible bottlings showcase the true majesty that the region is capable of in great years. Unanimously praised as one of, if not the best vintage on modern record, boasting a perfect balance of structure, depth, and elegance, we’ve curated a selection of jaw-dropping 2019 riservas from some of the region's very top producers. "I’ve never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage. In 2019, many estates made the best wines they have ever made," says Kerin O'Keefe. Don't miss your chance to add these truly exceptional wines to your collection.

Much like its predecessor, and the second in a remarkable triad of vintages (2019, 2020 & 2021), 2020 has been hailed as an absolutely incredible year for the region, and the wines are expected to go down as some of the most age-worthy in the past few decades. Representing wines at a variety of price points, this lineup invites collectors, enthusiasts, and those who are merely curious to discover for themselves what great vintage Brunello is all about.

Older wines fuel my never-ending love for wine. They exist in a unique emotional limbo that few experiences can match. My decision to dedicate my life to wine began with the first old bottle I ever tasted.

When I started in the NYC restaurant scene, I was uncertain about my career. I knew I wanted to work with food and wine, but I thought cooking was my strength. That changed at a restaurant in Brooklyn, Antica Pesa, when the owner, Lorenzo, opened a bottle of Quintarelli Recioto 1983. Recognizing my growing interest in wine, he offered me a sip. That moment was life changing. From that sip, I knew wine would be my career and passion.

I’ve wanted to write a vintage guide for years, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you. Bookmark it for future purchases: click here for 'The Ultimate Guide to Italy’s Wine Vintages', or explore our current selection of rare Italian treasures for a taste of the past.