Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.2

I probably drink too many Etna wines, so for a change here’s a Sicilian wine that is NOT from the volcano. It’s from the center of the island, near the city of Caltagirone, and it’s an unusual blend of two expected grapes (Nero d’Avola and Frappato) and one fairly unexpected one (Alicante Bouschet). Grown in dense vineyards planted with head-trained bush vines at about 1000 feet above sea level, this wine has a deep garnet color and a stony core surrounded by blackberry, licorice, and black cherry fruit. At once ripe and chiseled with acidity, this is a perfect expression of Sicily in many ways. It bears the i Vigneri stamp of consultant Salvo Foti, a good sign if there ever was one on Sicilian bottles. — a month ago

Alyssa Hague

9.5

Arethusa wine. Phil and I both really liked it — 3 months ago

Bill Belanger

9.4

Tar and roses and dark plums: this is a beautiful bottle of wine. With medium acidity, the wine begs to be served at a heavy meal! — 4 months ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.4

Tar and Roses. Translucent. Cherries. Grippy. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

A wine I have had many times but my 1st time having it next to the Poggio Sotto. The Soldera is a completely different Brunello showing lots of cherry, strawberry fruits, leather, spice with floral tones in an elegant & silky style, complex & layered that reminds me of what Burlotto’s Monvigliero is to Barolo. Always a Burgundy lovers Brunello! — 22 days ago

Jae Cho

9.0

Fragrant with unrelenting texture and tannins at opening. 24 hours later it’s shy but sweet with cherries and plum, floral and leather. Needs time. Plan on buying more 2017 to drink now. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Served double-blind. First impression: “What the hell is this?!” Umami, German chocolate cake, flower shop…opulent in ever sense of the word. Dark fruit for dayzzz…with a sort of raisinated character that slips in at the finish. Remarkable depth. There’s also a black pepper thing on the very back end. Hefty structure with rather remarkable acid considering how bulky this wine is and, to be frank, rather necessary considering the 16% abv. Finish is sooooo long. I figured some sort of Valpolicella Ripasso or even an Amarone (neither are wines I drink a whole lot of but seem to fit the profile) and obviously from a good producer. When this was revealed, I can’t say I was shocked only because the Primitivo di Manduria also fits the description. That being said, this was my first experience with Gianfranco Fino’s wines and it was certainly a hedonistic treat. — 4 months ago

Nathan Kinney

8.9

Summer red sauce wine — 10 days ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.6

Brilliant colour
Nose that says Brunello
Cherry, leather, cinnamon and licorice
Elegant and light to start at the palate and then finishes intense, long and aristocratic
I reckon ot can defeat time for a long while — a month ago

Michael Greene

9.8

Gorgeous. Sour cherry and crush stones. Immensely concentrated and sweet, but weightless. Finish goes on forever with great acid and silky tannins. My first Soldera and it exceeded immense expectations. — 4 months ago