Nicolo Grippaldi Le Domeniche di Teo Rosso 2020
A Nero d'Avola-dominant blend, with about 25% Nerello Mascalese, grown in relatively high-elevation corner of central Sicily, the visually stunning, though relatively remote hilltop enclave of Gagliano Castelferrato, with Niccolò’s young vineyards hovering around 650 meters above sea level. Spontaneous fermentations and aging are both undertaken in concrete vats, with macerations extending almost about two months beyond the completion of alcoholic fermentations – a process more often seen when vinifying Nebbiolo in Piemonte. Once the wine was drawn off, it remained on the fine lees with continuous batonnage until June, after which it was bottled. ‘Le Domeniche di Teo’ (named for Niccolò’s vineyard dog, Teo, and the Sundays they spend together) walks a tightrope between concentrated, ripe fruit and a disciplined frame of structured minerality. Wet-stone and rose aromas blend with notes of crushed cherries, wild thyme and rosemary, and elderberries on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with very fine, slightly, tight tannins, it begins floral, but slowly becomes more mineral and complex, as a sturdy core of red fruit grounds the palate throughout. Bark, chicory root, and dried herbs come through on the savory side of things. Exceptionally layered, this is a beautiful bottle that both reflects its Sicilian terroir and Niccolò’s skill at imbuing his wines with personality, charm, and just enough edge to know you’re tasting something new, inspired. 3000 bottles produced. Drink now, better after 2025.
Niccolo Grippaldi is a pretty philosophical guy, both in the technical and literal senses. Having studied philosophy at university in Florence, a chance meeting with the owners of a Chianti cantina, Castello dei Rampolla in Panzano, saw Niccolò fall headlong into the world of wine, eventually returning to his homeland in the province of Enna, a relatively remote corner of central Sicily. Having had the entirety of the region’s vineyards decimated by the scourge of phylloxera throughout the tail of the 19th century, Niccolò truly found himself at square one, planting a minuscule 2.60 hectare vineyard of his own (the only vineyard in the region) in the spring of 2015 – half of it to Nero d’Avola, the remaining half to Nerello Mascalese. A certified trailblazer in the region – and not even 40 years old – Niccolò adheres strictly to biodynamic principles in his farming, crafting his own biodynamic preparations and guiding all vineyard and cellar work via the cycles of the moon. This is definitely one to watch.
Shipping Policy
Due to the restrictions of many state laws, we only ship wine to those states where direct shipment from a retailer is permitted by law; currently we ship to AK, CA, DC, ID, LA, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OR, VA, WV and WY. This list is subject to change without notice. In addition, each state imposes limitations on the amount of wine any particular resident may receive by direct shipment. To ensure that you are able to order wine for direct shipment from our website, please consult the specific state requirements for your state.
Please note that all orders must be placed by persons who are at least 21 years old, and that age verification will be required upon receipt of your wine. No wine will be delivered to obviously intoxicated persons and any person unable to provide age verification will forfeit their right to receive the shipment until identification is produced. In such circumstances, the order may either be held in storage at a local depot of the shipping company until appropriate identification is produced, or shipped back to the winery. All associated costs will be the responsibility of and be charged to the customer.
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from Biondivino to the purchaser in the State of California and the purchaser takes all responsibility for shipping it from California to his/her home state. By arranging for transportation of the wine, Biondivino is providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the purchaser. By utilizing this service from Biondivino, purchaser is representing that he/she is acting in compliance with his/her local and state laws regarding the purchase, transportation and delivery of wine. The purchaser represents that he/she has obtained any required permission, paid any required fees, is working through properly licensed intermediaries where required, is legally entitled to take possession of wine and is legally entitled to take quantities ordered.
You will be charged the applicable sales tax, if any, assessed by your state for any shipment that Biondivino makes; otherwise California sales tax will be assessed on the sale. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the cost and will appear in the shopping cart before you complete your transaction. The carrier and service speed may vary by state and time of year, and Biondivino cannot take responsibility for the condition of any wine shipped by Ground.
Some of our products are sold on a "pre-arrival" or "futures" basis. These products are explicitly indicated as "pre-arrivals" or "futures" on our Website and newsletter. Biondivino will notify you by email when your "pre-arrivals" or "futures" have arrived and are ready to be shipped. You will be given the opportunity to coordinate the proper shipping address and method (we won't automatically ship out pre-arrival wines when they arrive).
Shipping Policy
Due to the restrictions of many state laws, we only ship wine to those states where direct shipment from a retailer is permitted by law; currently we ship to AK, CA, DC, ID, LA, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OR, VA, WV and WY. This list is subject to change without notice. In addition, each state imposes limitations on the amount of wine any particular resident may receive by direct shipment. To ensure that you are able to order wine for direct shipment from our website, please consult the specific state requirements for your state.
Please note that all orders must be placed by persons who are at least 21 years old, and that age verification will be required upon receipt of your wine. No wine will be delivered to obviously intoxicated persons and any person unable to provide age verification will forfeit their right to receive the shipment until identification is produced. In such circumstances, the order may either be held in storage at a local depot of the shipping company until appropriate identification is produced, or shipped back to the winery. All associated costs will be the responsibility of and be charged to the customer.
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from Biondivino to the purchaser in the State of California and the purchaser takes all responsibility for shipping it from California to his/her home state. By arranging for transportation of the wine, Biondivino is providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the purchaser. By utilizing this service from Biondivino, purchaser is representing that he/she is acting in compliance with his/her local and state laws regarding the purchase, transportation and delivery of wine. The purchaser represents that he/she has obtained any required permission, paid any required fees, is working through properly licensed intermediaries where required, is legally entitled to take possession of wine and is legally entitled to take quantities ordered.
You will be charged the applicable sales tax, if any, assessed by your state for any shipment that Biondivino makes; otherwise California sales tax will be assessed on the sale. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the cost and will appear in the shopping cart before you complete your transaction. The carrier and service speed may vary by state and time of year, and Biondivino cannot take responsibility for the condition of any wine shipped by Ground.
Some of our products are sold on a "pre-arrival" or "futures" basis. These products are explicitly indicated as "pre-arrivals" or "futures" on our Website and newsletter. Biondivino will notify you by email when your "pre-arrivals" or "futures" have arrived and are ready to be shipped. You will be given the opportunity to coordinate the proper shipping address and method (we won't automatically ship out pre-arrival wines when they arrive).