This small Importer Highlight report takes a look at Illinois based Terlato Wines, which is run by Anthony J. Terlato and his sons, William and John. The portfolio leans towards the high-end side of the wine market with a bevy of brilliant estates from France and Italy, as well as more and more from California.
This report looks at a handful of their key producers including Piper-Heidsieck and Duval-Leroy from Champagne, the 2013s and 2014s from Gaja and Ca’ Marcanda, Sicily’s Alta Mora, the latest TBAs from Kracher, new releases from Michael Twelftree’s Two Hands label in Australia, and a number of others as well.
Gaia Gaja
I meet with both Gaia and Giovanni Gaja for this report, both loving their 2013s and 2014s despite the difficulties in both vintages. Their 2013s are more forward and charming while the 2014s show slightly more tension and structure. Nevertheless, both vintages are beautifully transparent and elegant, with polished, sweet tannin.
Tasting through the 2015 sweet wines from Kracher was also an incredible experience. Few wines carry such richness and depth while still remaining light on their feet and weightless on the palate. These beautiful wines can be enjoyed today or cellared for decades.
While Terlato also represents the wines of Michel Chapoutier, these were all covered in the regional report on the Rhône Valley.
The wines for this report were tasted with Terlato in New York in December 2017 as well as at my office in Colorado.