The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

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Buttafuoco dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC

Named 'spits fire' for its warmth, this is the Oltrepò's ambitious dry red, a Barbera and Croatina blend from a small amphitheater of steep vineyards. The Storico version (single vineyard, three years aging, sold in a special bottle) is full and dark with black cherry, plum, black pepper, leather and cocoa, with Barbera acidity and Croatina's chewy tannin. The everyday frizzante version is lighter and easier. Fiamberti, Giorgi and Bruno Verdi are the names to know.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Bruno Verdi
Buttafuoco dell'Oltrepò Pavese
Still, oak-aged version; black cherry, plum, pepper and chewy tannin with bright acidity.
$20 to $28Wine-Searcher
Giorgi
Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Casa del Corno
Single-vineyard Storico in the club's signature bottle; dense, leathery, cocoa-edged, ages ten years.
$30 to $40Wine-Searcher
Fiamberti
Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Solenga
From the family that founded the Storico club; ripe black fruit, balsamic spice and firm structure.
$30 to $40Wine-Searcher