Specials - Italian Blowout!!

Maybe this global financial crisis thingy is for real after all? Over the course of the last month or 2 we have seen some very juicy offers to the retailer, particularly from high-end distributors, and this is probably a very strong signal that sales may have stalled at the top end.

We will be picking up a few of these bargains and will pass them through to you at some very compelling prices. Detail of the 'first round' can be seen below. We will update the list every week.

Please note that quantities are very small and will only be available at the South Melbourne store. Don't hesitate to reserve stocks via 03 9699 6700 or sales@cloudwine.com.au.

Leone de Castris Negroamaro Elo Veni Salento IGT 2003 $22 (normally $25)
This 'neg' comes from the Salento appelation within Pulgia, a region on the Adriatic Cost just above the 'heel' of Southern Italy. Pulgia is generally considered the most important of the Southern regions, and shines particularly brightly for the production of full bodied reds.

Negroamaro is the leading grape of Salento, and typically produces big and dark fruited wines with a touch of bitterness. Historians believe the grape has Greek origins and was infact introduced to Itay thousands of years ago. The vines are usually trained in a bush vine fashion and very low yields result (remebering that Salento is very dry and typically not irrigated).

Leone de Castris is classed as a 'notable producer' in "The New Italy" and Italian wine bible Gambero Rosse states "This remains one of Italy's top wineries, with highly impressive consistency and quality across the almost 3,000,000 bottles (250,000 cases) produced."

Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Il Poggiale 2004 $60 (Normally $75)
This is a long way of saying bloody good sangiovese! A top flight Chianti from the Castellina in Chianti, a sub-region of the large Chianti Classico DOG in Tuscany. This wine is a regular 3 Glass recipient from Gambero Rosso and we are not aware of many genuine Italian classics that trade for under $100 bucks in Australia, let alone $60. If you can give this wine some time; still very young as a 5 year old.

Note - less than 600 cases produced per year.

Castello Banfi 'Summus' 2004 $80 (normally $125)
Banfi is perhaps best known one of the great Brunello producers of Montalcino, a Tuscan region 40km south of Siena. Brunello is course the greatest of all Italian Sangiovese interpretations, and along with the Nebbiolos of Piedmont, are the highest regarded of all Italian wines.

The Summus, however, is not a Sangiovese but rather a 'classic' Super Tuscan, a blend of Syrah, Sangiovese and Cabernet.

The 2004 Brunello vintage was rated 9/10 by Oz Clarke.