ALBERICO2023
Wine Region
Lazio, Italy
Vineyard
22 hectares
“The Bianco, a varietal Sémillon, has a fantastic track record of longevity, and the Rosso is a testament to Bordeaux blends produced in Lazio.” Eric Guido, Vinous
The story of Alberico began in 1946, when Alberico Boncompagni Ludovisi, Prince of Venosa made the (then) bold decision to plant Bordeaux grape varieties on his property, just outside the city limits of Rome, near the famous Appian Way.
The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sémillon and Malvasia di Candia vines were tended to organically and the wines made with a delicate hand in the cellar.
They quickly garnered a cult-like following from those in the know. In the words of Ian d’Agata, they were “often in the same quality league as Sassicaia or Solaia.” However, in 1995, on his final vintage, the prince uprooted all but four rows each of Merlot and Cabernet.
Since inheriting the property from her grandfather in 2005, Alessia Antinori has breathed new life into this almost-forgotten Roman gem. She is determined as ever to realise the vinous potential of Lazio whilst continuing her family’s legacy. The philosophy is simple, thoughtful farming to encourage biodiversity and the development of healthy, resilient vines and a low-key approach in the cellar.
Alberico takes the idea of 'small' to the extreme with only couple of thousand cases (of three) produced each year, destined for the tables of a lucky few. These honest, characterful wines that speak of their volcanic origin are not to be missed.
Corney & Barrow have been proud to represent Alberico exclusively in the UK since the 2011 vintage.
LUC BOUET
FINE WINE BUYING ASSISTANT
SEPTEMBER 2023
Alberico Bianco
Sémillon grapes are harvested manually, with only the finest selected for Alberico Bianco. After crushing, the grapes are pressed gently before fermentation with ambient yeasts in a mixture of stainless steel and large oak vats. Once racked off its gross lees, the wine was transferred to barriques for six months. Sulphur is used sparingly in the cellar and once bottled, Alberico Bianco spends an additional 18 months in bottle.
ALBERICO BIANCO 2019
This comes from a small patch of over 50-year-old Sémillon vines. A bright golden-yellow colour. Bursting from the glass with notes of white peach fruit and freshly baked apricot tart. Orange blossom and beeswax aromas. Figs drizzled with honey come to mind on the pithy, textured palate, buoyed by a backbone of lively acidity.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2023–2026
£110 / Case of 3 bottles, in bond UK
£75 / Case of 1 magnum, in bond UK
£160 / Case of 1 Double magnum, in bond UK
Alberico Rosso
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are harvested in multiple passes through the vineyard. The grapes undergo a strict sorting in the vineyard and on reception to the winery. The varieties are destemmed and fermented separately, in temperature-controlled cone shaped cement tanks. The wine is run off its skins to 1600 litre old oak casks and spends a minimum of twelve months’ maturation. Only at bottling is the Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, before spending a minimum of two years in bottle prior to release.
ALBERICO ROSSO 2017
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A subtle yet striking nose. Aromas of kirsch and cassis are peppered with sweet spices and orange peel. The palate is generous and supple, refreshed by tactile, chalky tannins and a rocky-mineral stream of acidity. Cocoa nibs and newly tanned-leather on the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5 +
Recommended drinking from 2024–2029
£160 / Case of 3 bottles, in bond UK
£120 / Case of 1 magnum, in bond UK
£240 / Case of 1 double magnum, in bond UK
Introduction
“The Bianco, a varietal Sémillon, has a fantastic track record of longevity, and the Rosso is a testament to Bordeaux blends produced in Lazio.” Eric Guido, Vinous
The story of Alberico began in 1946, when Alberico Boncompagni Ludovisi, Prince of Venosa made the (then) bold decision to plant Bordeaux grape varieties on his property, just outside the city limits of Rome, near the famous Appian Way.
The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sémillon and Malvasia di Candia vines were tended to organically and the wines made with a delicate hand in the cellar. They quickly garnered a cult-like following from those in the know. In the words of Ian d’Agata, they were “often in the same quality league as Sassicaia or Solaia.” However, in 1995, on his final vintage, the prince uprooted all but four rows each of Merlot and Cabernet.
Since inheriting the property from her grandfather in 2005, Alessia Antinori has breathed new life into this almost-forgotten Roman gem. She is determined as ever to realise the vinous potential of Lazio whilst continuing her family’s legacy. The philosophy is simple, thoughtful farming to encourage biodiversity and the development of healthy, resilient vines and a low-key approach in the cellar.
Alberico takes the idea of 'small' to the extreme with only couple of thousand cases (of three) produced each year, destined for the tables of a lucky few. These honest, characterful wines that speak of their volcanic origin are not to be missed.
Corney & Barrow have been proud to represent Alberico exclusively in the UK since the 2011 vintage.
LUC BOUET
FINE WINE BUYING ASSISTANT
SEPTEMBER 2023
THE GROWING SEASONS
The estate, whose volcanic soils lie on an ancient lava flow, is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sémillon and Malvasia.
After Alessia’s grandfather uprooted most of the vines, the heart of the estate today consists of just eight surviving rows of red grapes and a historic Sémillon vineyard that Alessia was able to add to the estate when it was made available by a family friend. In keeping with the wider philosophy at the farm, the Sémillon vines had been cultivated organically since the 1970s. The volcanic soils are rich in minerals and basalt.
2017
The vintage got off to a slow start with mild spring weather and below average temperatures. Conditions improved with warm, dry days in May. The summer months brought average temperatures and good swings between day and nighttime temperatures, encouraging the development of bright primary aromas in the grapes. The grapes were picked at optimal maturity at the end of September.
2019
Shaped by an unpredictable start, a mild winter was followed by a cool, wet spring. This combination halted flowering and delayed fruit set. Generous rainfall in winter meant the groundwater reserves were high. May brought yet more rain but there was sufficient air circulation that it did not cause any issues. March and June were dry, aiding the development of the grapes and the constant cool breezes kept disease pressure at bay. The high water table prevented the vines from any potential water-stress. At harvest, the fruit was perfectly healthy and had reached peak maturity.
THE WINES
NEW RELEASES
Alberico Bianco: Sémillon grapes are harvested manually, with only the finest selected for Alberico Bianco. After crushing, the grapes are pressed gently before fermentation with ambient yeasts in a mixture of stainless steel and large oak vats. Once racked off its gross lees, the wine was transferred to barriques for six months. Sulphur is used sparingly in the cellar and once bottled, Alberico Bianco spends an additional 18 months in bottle.
Alberico Rosso: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are harvested in multiple passes through the vineyard. The grapes undergo a strict sorting in the vineyard and on reception to the winery. The varieties are destemmed and fermented separately, in temperature-controlled cone shaped cement tanks. The wine is run off its skins to 1600 litre old oak casks and spends a minimum of twelve months’ maturation. Only at bottling is the Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, before spending a minimum of two years in bottle prior to release.
ALBERICO BIANCO 2019
This comes from a small patch of over 50-year-old Sémillon vines. A bright golden-yellow colour. Bursting from the glass with notes of white peach fruit and freshly baked apricot tart. Orange blossom and beeswax aromas. Figs drizzled with honey come to mind on the pithy, textured palate, buoyed by a backbone of lively acidity.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2023–2026
£75 / CASE OF 1 MAGNUM, IN BOND UK
£160 / CASE OF 1 DOUBLE MAGNUM, IN BOND UK
ALBERICO ROSSO 2017
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A subtle yet striking nose. Aromas of kirsch and cassis are peppered with sweet spices and orange peel. The palate is generous and supple, refreshed by tactile, chalky tannins and a rocky-mineral stream of acidity. Cocoa nibs and newly tanned-leather on the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5 +
Recommended drinking from 2024–2029
£120 / CASE OF 1 MAGNUM, IN BOND UK
£240 / CASE OF 1 DOUBLE MAGNUM, IN BOND UK
Alberico
Alberico Rosso Tenuta Principe Alberico 2017 Magnum
Italy Lazio Principe Alberico (Tenuta ) (ex Fiorano)
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A subtle yet striking nose. Aromas of kirsch and cassis are peppered with sweet spices and orange peel. The palate is generous and supple, refreshed by tactile, chalky tannins and a rocky-mineral stream of acidity. Cocoa nibs and newly tanned-leather on the finish.
- GRAPE Merlot blend
- ABV 12.5%
- CLOSURE Cork
-
DRINK NOW
LAY DOWN
2024 - 2029
Exclusive
Corney & Barrow
Alberico Bianco Tenuta Principe Alberico 2019 Magnum
Italy Lazio Principe Alberico (Tenuta ) (ex Fiorano)
Semillon grapes are harvested manually, with only the finest selected for Alberico Bianco. They are then destemmed and pressed gently before fermentation in old oak casks. Following six months’ maturation in 318 litre puncheons, the wine is bottled and given a minimum of 24 months’ bottle age. Golden-amber in colour. Aromas of nectarine, apricot, honeysuckle and crème caramel. The palate is honeyed and rather decadent, the fresh Semillon acidity lifting the flavours through to a confident, crunchy finish.
- GRAPE Semillon
- ABV 12.5%
- CLOSURE Cork
-
DRINK NOW
2023 - 2026
Exclusive
Corney & Barrow
Alberico Rosso Tenuta Principe Alberico 2017 Double Magnum
Italy Lazio Principe Alberico (Tenuta ) (ex Fiorano)
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A subtle yet striking nose. Aromas of kirsch and cassis are peppered with sweet spices and orange peel. The palate is generous and supple, refreshed by tactile, chalky tannins and a rocky-mineral stream of acidity. Cocoa nibs and newly tanned-leather on the finish.
- GRAPE Merlot blend
- ABV 12.5%
- CLOSURE Cork
-
DRINK NOW
LAY DOWN
2024 - 2029
Exclusive
Corney & Barrow
Alberico Bianco Tenuta Principe Alberico 2019 Double Magnum
Italy Lazio Principe Alberico (Tenuta ) (ex Fiorano)
Alberico Bianco Tenuta Principe Alberico 2019 Double Magnum
- GRAPE Semillon
- ABV 12.5%
- CLOSURE Cork
-
DRINK NOW
2023 - 2026
Exclusive
Corney & Barrow
