Le Coste is a stunning patchwork of vineyards sloping down to lake Bolsena just North of Rome. From a climatic viewpoint it is a near perfect place to grow healthy grapes for wine: the balm of central Italy cooled by the Lake, vines at high elevation in porous volcanic soils, and a lovely mix of fruits, herbs, and olive trees growing between the rows. When Gianmarco and Clementine, the couple who oversee the domaine, first heard of a vineyard for sale at the top of the Lago's cascading North side, they jumped at the opportunity and over the past decade have collected around 8 hectares beneath that now famous site, Le Coste. Clem and GM are a proper power couple in the community of grower-producers throughout central Italy. She is an immensely talented agronomist and takes care of the vines by hand with select biodynamic practices and an overall holistic approach to biodiversity; no need for Msr. Joly's Powerpoint presentations. Gianmarco is a hotheaded, brilliant cellar master with a skeptical perspective sharply hewn after time spent with greats in France like Allemand and Schueller. Their cellar in downtown Gradoli has the feel of a serious Burgundy house rather than some countryside cantina, with wines from nearly every harvest since they started going through the motions until ready in old barrique and botti. - El Rancho.
