Critics Ratings

Gravner Breg Anfora 2005
‘Gravner's Breg (Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling Italico) shows Sauternes-like aromas of honey, candied apricot, butterscotch, caramel and almond paste. The wine delivers a pretty orange color with copper highlights (it is famously aged in clay amphorae) with firm but velvety rich tannins. The finish is long and smooth and there's a very beautiful touch of drying mineral on the close. Hold five more years at least.’ – Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (June 2013)

‘The 2005 Anfora Breg represents a blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling Italico. Anfora Breg shows even broader shoulders compared to the Anfora Ribolla Gialla with a more defined sense of tannic structure on the finish. That extra heft gives support to chestnut honey, caramelized sugar, candied apricot, crushed sea shell, candied orange peel and Sicilian almond marzipan. There’s a steady sense of lift when it comes to the buoyancy of the bouquet. This wine will continue to evolve. Drink: 2015-2025.’ – Monica Larner, Wine Advocate 93/100 (Dec 2013)

‘Silky tannins frame an expressive core of apricots, orange peel, flowers and sweet spices as the Breg opens up in the glass. The 2005 is a mid-weight Breg that doesn’t quite have the power of the other recent vintages, but that may actually work in its favor when enjoyed at the table. The long, harmonious finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. This is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted from Gravner in a long time, perhaps ever.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 94/100 (Feb 2011)

Gravner Ribolla Gialla 2005
‘Amfora's copper-orange color is completely unique in the wide world of contemporary wine. There's a luminous brightness to the wine's appearance that defies its many years of age. Matured in clay amphorae, this pure expression of Ribolla Gialla delivers a softer approach than Gravner's Breg (a white blend) and amazingly intense aromas of resin, pine nut, caramel, graham cracker and candied fruit. Firm structure and determined flavors mark the long close. You can drink it now or hold 10 more years.’ – Wine Enthusiast, 94/100 (Jun 2013)

‘The 2005 Amfora Ribolla Gialla shows amazing intensity from start to long finish. Famously matured in amphorae made from clay sourced in Georgia, it shows a copper-orange color and brilliant points of luminosity from within. The opulence of the bouquet is broken down into defined aromatic chapters that transition from resin to pine to caramel to graham cracker to candied fruit and crushed mineral. As you would expect from a wine of this level of careful oxidation, those caramelized characteristics outweigh any semblance of fresh fruit. The mouth-feel is firmly etched but polished. Built like a tank, expect this wine to remain intact for years. Drink: 2015-2025.’ – Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Dec 2013)

Provenance

Private Client