A Beverly Hills Rosso.
Over the last few decades, the relentless pursuit of premiumization has driven many great wines to the stratosphere. The formula seems to repeat: Once a wine category is "discovered," wheels set in motion to increase the prestige and price.
This wave of upscaling is now making its way in Rosso di Montalcino—Rosso is emerging from the tall shadow of Brunello to carve its identity as a top quality, fresher, brighter expression of Sangiovese. Our “Baby Brunello” is growing up!
For countless wine lovers smitten with Brunello, the rise of Rosso di Montalcino is a good thing. Better Rossos offer more tempting options to trade down from Brunello. It also is a win for newer wine buyers developing a taste for fine wine. And best yet, it's a win for you, as consumers will need your help picking out the good Rossos.
Indeed they will need your help, Eric Guido explains, because consumers find the category confusing. An unremarkable Rosso can be hard to distinguish from an excellent one by the label alone. Some Rosso producers are trying to change that, adding fanciful names and vineyard designations to their labels to suggest quality, but still consumers may not be able to distinguish the signal from the noise.
It's a huge opportunity for purveyors of great wine to help people find the treasures. Like Guido says, "finding these wines is truly worth the hunt" and when you strike gold, your customers will thank you.
I've got a contender for you: Scopone Rosso di Montalcino 2021. Wholesaling for an Andrew Jackson, this wine is one of the best values among Rosso di Montalcino in California.
I can say that confidently after combing through the 43 distinct brands of 2021 Rosso di Montalcino now selling in California--the average price of which is a whopping $38.08!
The most expensive Rossos largely come from the upper east side of the appellation.
In this "Beverly Hills" section of Montalcino, one wonders how long you'll find any options that can retail for below $30.
Scopone is one of them. Just 5 minutes away from Biondi Santi in Montalcino's "90210," Scopone is the epitome of a “hidden gem,” retailing for a fraction of its famous neighbor.
Scopone sees its Rosso as a calling card. Indeed, the 2021 Rosso is very important to the Scopone estate, being the first from the team of Minari and Stephane Derenoncourt.
Derenoncourt is the famous Bordeaux enologist (Smith Haut Lafitte, Clos Fourtet, Domaine de Chevalier) who has also worked his magic in Tuscany, bringing accolades and swank to La Massa among others.
With Scopone's pedigreed location and winemaker, the quality is unmistakable.
Which explains the 2021 Scopone Rosso di Montalcino's peer ratings with Canalicchio di Sopra, Uccelliera and others that cost more.
In the sizzling category of Rosso di Montalcino, Scopone is an affordable luxury that customers will thank you for.
