At once elegant and rustic, the wines of the Barolo region of Northwest Italy's Piedmont are consistently some of the most highly regarded in all of Europe.  At their best, these beautiful reds, made from the Nebbiolo grape, provide a unique study in contrasts.  Their light rust-tinged color conceals ample, powerful, velvety  tannins and a pronounced acidity that lingers nearly indefinitely on the palate.  Their perfumed floral aromas of rose petals and eucalyptus overlay savory notes of tar, dried fruit, herbs and licorice.  It is this unique combination of strength and delicacy, fruit and earth, complexity and austerity, that makes Barolo wines unlike any other.

Now, for the holiday season, we are offering a sampler of four unique Barolos from the acclaimed producer Azelia for only $199.99, a savings of $15.00 from our already substantially discounted prices!  Whether enjoyed now or years down the road, these wines are a fantastic gateway into the world of Barolo.

The Azelia estate, with its string of great wines dating back well over a decade, is now among the elite, highest regarded estates in all of Barolo.  According to The Wine Advocate: "...wines from [Luigi] Scavino's estate, Azelia, can hold their own with the very best of the region. The wines combine power and elegance with a level of virtuosity matched by few in the region...there can be no doubt that the overall balance and sense of proportion of these wines is excellent."  I have been importing Azelia's Piedmont wines, Barolos, Barberas and Dolcettos, into Massachusetts for 17 plus years, before they received their current, deserved acclaim. When uber-Italian broker and long time friend, Marc DeGrazia, introduced me to them I was shocked at how good they were and even more shocked that they were available.  By buying these wines directly from the estate, we are able to offer you the phenomenal discounted prices listed below for these world-class wines.

Included in the sampler are:

2006 Azelia Barolo Normale-89 points WA

List price: $49.99. Our Price: $39.99 net per bottle.

Quoting  Galloni in the Wine Advocate, "The 2006 Barolo is an impeccable, beautiful wine that comes across like village-level Burgundy with Nebbiolo tannins. The fruit shows lovely inner perfume, while the balance is simply gorgeous throughout. In 2006 70% of the fruit for the Barolo is from vineyards in Serralunga, while the rest is from Castiglione."

2006 Azelia Margheria-93 points WA 

List price: $74.99. Our Price: $54.99 net per bottle.

Quoting Galloni in the Wine Advocate, "The 2006 Barolo Margheria is totally Serralunga in its dark, vibrant fruit, violets, tar, iron, smoke and licorice. Endowed with tons of length and energy, the Margheria reveals notable complexity and a wiry, taut expression of fruit. The wine's balance, though, is terrific."

2006 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco-94 points WA

List Price: $79.99. Our Price: $59.99 net per bottle.

Quoting Galloni in the Wine Advocate, "The 2006 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is simply magnificent. It, too, is impressively powerful, but here the layers of flavor are beautifully filled out. Exotic, ripe red fruit, smoke and menthol are but a few of the nuances that gradually emerge as this refined and impeccably elegant wine rises from the glass. The French oak is beautifully integrated, while the wine's weight and sheer harmony leave a lasting impression."

2006 Azelia Barolo San Rocco-95 points WA

List Price: $79.99. Our Price: $59.99 net per bottle.

Quoting Galloni in the Wine Advocate, "The 2006 Barolo San Rocco is sensual and enveloping. It's hard to know where to start with the San Rocco, as fruit, acidity and structure are all beautifully integrated and refined. Still incredibly young, the wine will require a bit of patience, but the purity of the fruit is impossible to miss even at this early stage. The finish alone is eternal."

Individually or together, these wines are a great addition to any seasoned collector's cellar, or simply a wondeful gift to be enjoyed over dinner this Holiday season.