Castello dei Rampolla

d’Alceo Toscana IGT

d’Alceo Toscana IGT
Italy

Red Wine85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Petit Verdot
  • Tasting Notes
  • Pairs With
    wild-boar
    Cheese (Hard)
  • Color Deep purple
  • NoseEspresso, sweet melted licorice, black currant jam, tobacco and toasty oak 
    Blackcurrantblackcurrant
    Coffee, Coffee Beancoffee
    Tobacco Leaftobacco
  • Flavor Full-bodied, with refined tannins

Tuscany At a Glance

Region Name Tuscany

Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Super Tuscans from Bolgheri are some of the world’s most famous wines and are adored by collectors, and they all hail from the gorgeous region of Tuscany.

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Castello dei Rampolla
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Castello dei Rampolla
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Castello dei Rampolla
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Press

Vintage Publication Score Review Date POS Generator
2020 James Suckling 97 Sep 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2020 Vinous 97 Jul 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2020 The Wine Advocate 97 Jul 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2019 Wine Advocate 98 Sep 2023 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2019 Vinous Media 97 Jun 2023 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2019 James Suckling 95 Jul 2023 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2019 Wine Spectator 93 Oct 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2018 Vinous Media 99 Jul 2022 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2018 Wine Advocate 97 Feb 2023 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2018 James Suckling 96 Aug 2022 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2018 Wine Spectator 94 May 2023 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2017 Vinous Media 100 Sep 2021 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2017 Wine Advocate 95 Oct 2021 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2017 Wine Enthusiast 94 May 2022 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2016 Wine Spectator 97 Jun 2021 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2016 Vinous Media 97 Sep 2020 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2016 James Suckling 97 Jul 2020 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2016 Wine Enthusiast 96 Apr 2021 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2016 Wine Advocate 96 Sep 2020 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2015 Vinous Media 97 Jul 2020 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2015 Wine Spectator 96 Jul 2020 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2015 James Suckling 95 Nov 2019 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2015 Wine Enthusiast 94 May 2020 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2015 Wine Advocate 91 Sep 2019 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2014 Wine Enthusiast 95 Apr 2019 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2014 Vinous Media 95 Feb 2019 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2014 Wine Spectator 92 Aug 2019 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2012 Vinous 94 Oct 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2011 Vinous 97 Oct 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2009 Vinous 96 Oct 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
2006 Vinous 97 Oct 2024 Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2020 James Suckling This is really perfumed with blackcurrants, violets, lilacs and tangerines on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely well-integrated and lightly chewy tannins that give focus and tension to the wine. A round and fine velvet texture gives this wine wonderful grace and sophistication. Cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Best after 2028. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2020 Vinous The 2020 D'Alceo is a wine of stature and breeding. Deep and layered in the glass, the 2020 offers up copious dark fruit, macerated black cherry, licorice, spice, lavender and mocha. D'Alceo is a rich wine, but it’s not overdone. It hails from terraced, high-density, south- and southeast-facing vineyards first planted in 1991 that are naturally low-yielding, hence the wine's textural richness. The 2020 spent 12 months in oak, mostly tonneaux and some barriques. Readers will find a nervy D'Alceo that is all finesse. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2020 The Wine Advocate A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2020 d'Alceo is one of my favorite wines produced in this corner of Tuscany, and this latest vintage falls beautifully in line with my expectations. The d'Alceo certainly is a highlight from Tuscany, and in this hot growing season, the wine is especially characterized by its rich and velveteen texture. It feels creamy on the finish and offers a whole array of concentrated dark fruits with balanced spice along the way. The pencil shaving-like mineral nuances found in the 2019 vintage are not as prominent in the 2020; however, this edition is generally more abundant. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 98 Vintage 2019 Wine Advocate This is a classic beauty. The 2019 d'Alceo, made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, is dark and enriched, but magically, it is never heavy or bulky. It carries its weight with feather-like grace backed by dry tannins and lovely fruit layering. There is blackcurrant, kirsch, blackberry liqueur, exotic spice, black rose and crushed stone. That mineral note stands out like a filigree of shiny silver stitched through the wine's rich, velvety texture. Production is 13,749 bottles and 200 magnums. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2019 Vinous Media Rampolla's 2019 D'Alceo is creamy and resonant in the glass. Inky dark fruit, lavender, blackberry and spice all meld together in a wine that combines power and elegance. Seamless tannins extend the finish effortlessly. In many vintages, D'Alceo is a powerhouse. The 2019 is sublime. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 95 Vintage 2019 James Suckling Blackcurrants, fresh flowers, and blue berries with sandalwood. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very fine, focused and bright. Cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Best after 2025. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 93 Vintage 2019 Wine Spectator There's depth to this red, along with bright flavors of raspberry, black currant, iron and tobacco, plus accents of wild herbs and sweet spices. Ripe and intense, this is more about finesse than power. Shows fine balance and length. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033. 1,200 cases made, 150 cases imported. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 99 Vintage 2018 Vinous Media The 2018 D'Alceo is a wild, exotic wine. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot come together in a wine that is sumptuous, layered and exceptionally beautiful. Inky blue/purplish fruit, sage, mint, lavender and chocolate are some of the many notes that take shape. The 2018 was fermented in cement then aged 12 months in a combination of 500L tonneaux and barriques. This really blooms with time. Castello dei Rampolla's Sammarco and D'Alceo have been benchmarks for several decades. Both 2018s will take their place among the best wines ever made here. Maurizia di Napoli and her brother, Luca, craft wines of notable intensity and pedigree. Biodynamic farming and low intervention winemaking are the rule. Of the two flagship wines, D'Alceo is a bit more opulent, likely because the terraced vineyards are south and south-east facing, while Sammarco has a bit more tannic backbone and energy. Both are off the charts great. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2018 Wine Advocate The 2018 d'Alceo is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), with Petit Verdot (15%) in a supporting role. The wine reveals an inky dark appearance with dried blackberry, rum cake, succulent blackberry and syrupy kirsch. There is a good amount of fruit weight to carry the wine over the palate, but the quality of the fruit is superb; and the finish is finely textured and silky despite the robust aromas. It is powerful, yet weightless at the same time. That in itself is something of a small miracle. Fruit is sourced from across a six-hectare vineyard with south and southeast exposures. Production is 11,028 bottles and 100 magnums. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 96 Vintage 2018 James Suckling Lots of blackcurrant and blackberry aromas follow through to a full body with firm tannins and a chewy finish. Lots of black licorice, aniseed and light asphalt. Lead pencil, too. Try after 2025. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 94 Vintage 2018 Wine Spectator This juicy, almost silky red is marked by aromas and flavors of cherry, black currant, violet, Tuscan scrub and earth. Vibrant yet dense, with lightly chewy tannins lining the finish. Features fine balance and length overall. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2042. 1,200 cases made, 150 cases imported. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 100 Vintage 2017 Vinous Media The 2017 D'Alceo possesses mind-blowing intensity and pedigree to burn. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2017 is magnificently impressive right out of the gate. Lavender, rose petal, spice, kirsch, mint and violet lead into a core of inky dark blue/purplish berry fruit. Soft contours and suave, silky tannins give the 2017 so much immediacy, but there is plenty of cellaring potential too. In a word: epic. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 95 Vintage 2017 Wine Advocate It's not easy to wrap your head around the Castello dei Rampolla 2017 d'Alceo. The wine is exaggerated on almost every front, including its powerful tannins, shaped by a scorching hot and dry vintage that produced super concentrated fruit. I can't say that this vintage is my style or that it delivers the extreme elegance and finesse that this estate at the heart of Panzano, one of the greatest growing sites in Italy, is capable of. However, there is a lot to be said about this blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot. The wine opens to an almost impenetrable appearance with inky black hues and unruly intensity. The power of the bouquet is driven by the ripeness of the fruit and perhaps a positive pinch of volatile acidity (just the right amount for emphasis) that adds extra lift and punch to the overall effect. Syrupy blackberry segues to smoky tar and resin. We saw impactful tannins in the 2016 Sammarco, but the 2017 d'Alceo takes that astringency one step further. The 2017 will sure take many years to reach harmony, although I suspect that the tannic imprint is here to stay. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 94 Vintage 2017 Wine Enthusiast Underbrush, scorched earth and leather aromas mingle with camphor and whiffs of blue flower on this full-bodied red. The savory palate is concentrated and tightly wound, offering spiced blueberry, ripe black plum and chewing tobacco alongside firm, close-grained tannins. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2016 Wine Spectator This elegant red features cherry and black currant flavors interwoven with its silky texture. Tobacco and spice accents add complexity as this unfurls to a lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral and savory elements. Firmly built and still young. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. From Italy. —B.S. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2016 Vinous Media The 2016 D'Alceo combines unctuous intensity with pure, raw power. It won't be ready to drink until age ten, at least, but there is plenty to look forward to. With a few hours of air, the fruit and breadth both start to emerge. Inky blueberry, lavender, cloves, leather and licorice are some of the many nuances that build over time. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2016 James Suckling Lots of richness here, but there’s always balance and focus with blackberry and chocolate character and hazelnut undertones. Bark, too. It’s full-bodied, but tight and focused at the end. Always a great wine. From organically grown grapes. Drink after 2024. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 96 Vintage 2016 Wine Enthusiast A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this compelling wine opens with enticing aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, new leather, pipe tobacco and menthol. Chewy and delicious, the palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and baking spice framed in firm, refined tannins. It's full bodied, with a weightless elegance and a crushed mint finish. Drink 2022–2028. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 96 Vintage 2016 Wine Advocate The Castello dei Rampolla 2016 d'Alceo is an extra dark and brooding expression of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot in a supporting role. The wine sits firmly on the palate, imparting weight, staying power and extra heat. In fact, some sort of bistecca alla Fiorentina or otherwise succulent grilled meat pairing is what comes immediately to mind. The immense power of the wine rumbles and trembles in the glass, figuratively speaking, revealing dried blackberry, prune and black cherry confit. This 2016 vintage shows impressive clarity and focus both on the nose and in the mouth. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2015 Vinous Media Dark, powerful and explosive, D'Alceo is one of the epic wines of 2015. Crème de cassis, plum, graphite, sage, lavender, and menthol rush out of the glass in a deep, beautifully resonant wine loaded with class. A wine with striking inner sweetness, depth and structure, the 2015 will thrill readers lucky enough to own it for a number of years to come. The 2015 was fermented in cement and then spent 14 months in oak. It is rich, sumptuous and simply irresistible. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 96 Vintage 2015 Wine Spectator Featuring concentrated flavors of blackberry, black currant, earth and leafy underbrush, this red is wrapped in a shroud of stiff tannins that upsets the balance a little. Nevertheless, this will come into its own with decanting, a little aging in bottle or paired with grilled steak or lamb. Delivers excellent intensity, energy and length. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2029. From Italy. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 95 Vintage 2015 James Suckling This is a big and self-assured red with lots of charcoal, vanilla, dried blackberries, barbecued meat and resin. Full-bodied and very chewy indeed with a ton of dark fruit and raw power. A delicate line of acidity pulls the brakes on. Drink in 2027! Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 94 Vintage 2015 Wine Enthusiast Truffle, leather, crushed violet, mature blueberry and molten chocolate aromas meld together on this full-bodied red. A savory, earthy blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, the smooth palate offers mature blueberry, blackberry and clove aromas punctuated with hints of game. Velvety tannins provide polished support. Drink through 2025. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 91 Vintage 2015 Wine Advocate Showing penetrating black fruit with lots of density and richness, the 2015 d'Alceo revealed a distant hint of rubber or animal that could be a point of concern if it were to worsen with time. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, and the fruit in this warm vintage is loosely knit and thick in fiber (ending with a 14.5% alcohol content that does leave its mark). The wine definitely needs more time to flesh out and integrate with bottle aging, but because of that slight flaw on the bouquet. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 95 Vintage 2014 Wine Enthusiast Made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, this focused red offers earthy aromas of moist soil, new leather, cedar and black currant. It's elegant and racy, delivering cassis, juicy black cherry, licorice, chopped mint and tobacco framed in fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. It's already delicious but hold for even more complexity and to let the tannins unwind. Drink 2020–2029. KERIN O’KEEFE Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 95 Vintage 2014 Vinous Media The 2014 d'Alceo is more in line with previous years than Sammarco. Deep, unctuous and super-powerful, the 2014 exudes richness and textural intensity from the very first taste. Readers will have to give the 2014 at least a few years in bottle to help some of the baby fat meld away. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, sage, mint and lavender are some of the many notes that start to emerge as the wine sits in the glass. This is a terrific effort for the vintage. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 92 Vintage 2014 Wine Spectator Pushes the boundaries of ripeness, offering plum, macerated black cherry, fruitcake and earth flavors and resinous details. Firm tannins line the finish, where a leafy underbrush note lingers. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028. 1,833 cases made, 200 cases imported. –BS Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 94 Vintage 2012 Vinous The 2012 D’Alceo is a pretty, delicate wine that shows the more understated side of this hillside estate. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, spice and white pepper lend notable aromatic presence. The 2012 has always been on the lighter side (because of heavy rain during the summer) as it is once again today. Think of the 2012 as a D’Alceo with Pinot like structure, but decidedly Tuscan acids. It is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Perhaps more importantly, it points to the more finessed style that is the norm these days. Drink 2024-2034. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2011 Vinous The 2011 D’Alceo is exotic, bold and luscious. It captures the natural richness of the warm, dry growing season, yet possesses magnificent balance. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice and spice fill out the layers nicely. The 2011 is in a great spot for drinking today, as it shows some signs of maturity but remains fleshy and vibrant, with compelling inner sweetness and terrific balance. The 2011 was fabulous when it was first released. It is just as compelling today, not to mention a triumph for the year. Drink 2024- 2041. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 96 Vintage 2009 Vinous The 2009 D’Alceo is a potent, tannic wine. At nearly fifteen years of age, the 2009 comes across as quite structured. Beams of tannin wrap around a core of red-toned fruit, iron, white pepper, pomegranate, spice and dried flowers. Time in the glass reveals myriad shades of dimension. The decision to pick on the early side paid off handsomely. The 2009 spent about 20 months in French oak, about 1/3rd new. It’s a terrific wine for a very warm year that I remember vividly from having spent time in Panzano over the summer. Give this a good bit of air. Drink2024-2034. Shelf Talker Full Page Review
  • Score: 97 Vintage 2006 Vinous The 2006 D’Alceo is a dark, sensual beauty. Black cherry, plum, licorice, incense, mocha, dried flowers and herbs build slowly in a regal, plush D’Alceo that is approaching its prime. I say approaching its prime because the 2006 is still a young wine. Only the aromatics provide a hint as to the wine’s age. Incisive tannins wrap around the driving, virile finish. I would be thrilled to own it. Actually, I do. The 2006 spent about 20 months in French oak, about 1/3rd new. Drink 2024-2034. Shelf Talker Full Page Review

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