This Sub-$35 Beauty Declared in the Same League as Sassicaia!
Italy's preeminent wine guide, Gambero Rosso, recently named their "Top 9 best Bolgheri wines" composed of seven reds and two whites. Of the seven red wines listed, one is a legend you would expect to see: the 2021 Sassicaia. Another one, selling at a fraction of the price, is the 2022 Podere Sapaio "Volpolo" that we are thrilled to offer you today!
"One of the best examples of 2022."
- James Suckling, July 2024
To put this in perspective, the heavyweight champion 2021 Sassicaia, weighing in with a 100-Point score from Wine Advocate and a quoted release price of $300 per bottle, shares the ring with scrappy welterweight Volpolo that we are letting fly today for a crazy low $32.99 per bottle. After tasting the 2022 Volpolo with the importer and good friend Paolo Cerruti, we can assure you that this Bolgheri beauty deserves all the hype!
Read on for all the tasting notes, including the 94-point review from James Suckling, and be sure to scroll down to catch Volpolo's impressive big sibling "Sapaio," then quickly click the Green Order button to load up on these relatively unknown Bolgheri beauties.
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2022 Podere Sapaio "Volpolo"
Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
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When a publication with the reputation of Gambero Rosso put the 2022 vintage of Volpolo on their top Bolgheri reds list with the likes of Sassicaia, we were skeptical it would meet expectations, and we were right. It completely exceeded anything we could hope for!
This Super Tuscan blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 15% Petit Verdot is pure bliss. The wine opens with an unmistakably Tuscan nose, with bright berry and cherry notes enveloped by savory tones of pine needles, pencil shavings, and spice-laden tobacco leaves. After a good decanting, the first sip conveys all that was on the nose and more, with plums, fresh herbs, vanilla, and just a wisp of smoke joining the party. The finish is robust, long, and one you won't soon forget. Pure wow!
We are a solid 93 points on our notoriously conservative scale. James Suckling goes a point higher, and we told you how Gambero Rosso loves this Bolgheri beauty. Check out what they have to say:
“Restrained brambleberries with licorice root, slightly leafy eucalyptus and integrated graphite. Full body with elegant, velvety tannins, crisp acidity and a tight-knit structure. Power and extraction here, but a good, toasty finish with a sweet-tobacco aftertaste. One of the best examples of 2022. Drinkable now, but best in 10 years.”
- 94 Points, James Suckling (7/24/2024)
“An enticing bouquet of ripe red fruit, floral nuances, and spicy notes. The sip is flavourful, with a crisp, well-defined tannic structure, closing with a juicy and slightly piquant finish. Massimo Piccin, a Venetian engineer, founded Podere Sapaio in 1999, gradually expanding its vineyards. He has recently favoured larger wooden casks, integrating them with concrete and amphorae.”
- Top 9 Bolgheri Wines, Gambero Rosso (1/29/2025)
We found 17 listings online with a median price of $41. A bargain for this wine. At our price of $32.99, grab a case or more and enjoy it for the next 15 years!
Vin Chicago Price: 32.99
Also available are a few 1.5-liter magnums.
Sapaio's Flagship is a Delectable
Double 95-Point Powerhouse!
2020 Podere Sapaio "Sapaio"
Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
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Founded in 1999 by a Venetian engineer named Massimo Piccin, Podere Sapaio has been making small-batch, over-delivering, under-the-radar Super Tuscans - until now! Recently sharing the spotlight with the legendary Sassicaia, their reputation is skyrocketing due to this engineer-turned-winemaker's insane attention to detail that vividly shines through in this flagship wine.
Dense, layered, nuanced, and absolutely stunning, the 2020 Podere Sapaio "Sapaio" showcases how unique this estate is! Flavors of ripe black cherry, black plum, spice cabinet, fresh ground black pepper, sweet bell pepper, and a punch of minerality make you want to keep the glass nearby. The tannins are supple, the mouthfeel is exquisite, and the finish lasts forever. We loved this little-known gem, as did Wine Advocate and James Suckling, who awarded it 95 points.
“The Podere Sapaio 2020 Sapaio needs a few moments in the glass before the wine starts to sing. You get a fully loaded bouquet that borrows from ripe fruits, balanced spice, sweet cinnamon, clove and a grounding note of mineral or crushed stone. The fruit covers the palate generously with depth, tight structure, integrated tannins and more layers of dark fruit that unfurl with time. I would wait a year or two before drinking this wine, but it would also fit into a medium to long-term drinking window. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 20% Petit Verdot. Drink Date: 2024 - 2039.”
- 95 Points, Wine Advocate (2/15/2024)
“Impressive depth here with lots of dark cherries, black pepper, cocoa powder, roasted red pepper and grilled herbs to the nose. Full-bodied and intense on the palate with plenty of silty tannins that meld with the dark fruit and fine spices. Lengthy and really fine-grained. From organically grown grapes. This should drink well within the next decade. Better from 2024.”
- 95 Points, James Suckling (8/4/2023)
Production on this bottling is less than 1,200 cases. Our supply is quite limited. We found nine online listings, and our price beats them all. If you are into Super Tuscans or big Bordeaux blends, you want to experience this stunner while you have the chance!
Vin Chicago Price: 104.99
Also available are a few 1.5-liter magnums.
