2013 iGreco “Masino” Nero di Calabria

$38.90 btl / $233.40 cs (case of  6 x 750ml)

The iGreco winery was our discovery of the year last year, and we are thrilled to be able to make an offer of this bold and ageworthy wine made from Nero di Calabria.

It has an intense nose of ripe blackberry, wild plum, kirsch and hints of vanilla, cinnamon and savoury rosemary. The palate is full-bodied, rich, ripe and flavourful. Plenty of ripe tannins and fresh acidity provide excellent structure and aging potential.

Drink: 2017 – 2030

Accolades: Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) Gambero Rosso 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013

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Calabria, the so-called “toe of Italy”, is not usually top of mind for wine lovers. Unlike the rest of Italy where the grapevine is virtually ubiquitous, only 2% of Calabria’s agricultural land is comprised of vineyards, a quantity that has actually decreased over the last fifteen years as poor vineyards have been uprooted.

However, change is afoot here. New producers are challenging the old staid winemaking traditions, and significant investment in the vineyards and wineries is paying off. The famous Italian wine publication, Gambero Rosso, has awarded the coveted Tre Bicchieri to the iGreco Masino four times over the last 5 years, placing it among the very top wines from the South.

“Masino” is the top wine of the Greco family, olive oil producers who own hundreds of hectares of (now certified organic) olive trees in the heart of the production area for Cirò wine. The estate is run by no fewer than seven siblings, who each give their nickname to one of the wines. They have continued the oil tradition, but have carved out quite a name for themselves as producers of high quality Calabrian wines, as we have seen by their Gambero Rosso success.

The farm is situated in the seaside resort town of Cariati on the Ionian coast. The hillside vineyards lie at higher altitudes, and temperatures between day and night vary greatly, allowing the grapes to achieve full ripeness while still retaining freshness. The Greco family has also invested significantly in viticultural research, and the estate now boasts a fully-equipped laboratory for analyzing both wine and oil.

Grape varieties cultivated are strictly indigenous, with the main focus being the two red grapes, Gaglioppo and Nero di Calabria, and the local white variety Greco di Bianco.

The iGreco “Masino” Nero di Calabria is available for immediate delivery. We spoke up early and were able to secure a good quantity of this wine (45 cases), so we hope to be able to satisfy all your orders.