2014 Podere Sapaio Volpolo Bolgheri is sold out.

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Wine Bottle
  • 93 pts James Suckling
    93 pts JS
  • 93 pts International Wine Report
    93 pts IWR
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2014 Podere Sapaio Volpolo Bolgheri 750 ml

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  • Curated by unrivaled experts
  • Choose your delivery date
  • Temperature controlled shipping options
  • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

A Curveball from an Underground Warehouse Tasting in our Nation's Capital

The invitation from an old friend now living in Washington DC was too good to pass up. An opportunity to taste Super Tuscans with elite collectors boasting cellars full of the world’s top wines. A short hop down the Northeast Corridor to our nation’s capital on a frigid March night seemed more than worth it.

Stepping off the Amtrak at Union Station and climbing into the warmed-up Uber waiting for us, we went over our notes. The group had themed tastings every two months. New members must be invited in. “Interesting collection of oenophiles,” our friend had said, and he was right. A textile importer. Philosophy professor. An advisor to a powerful former U.S. Senator. The owner of a seafood distributor. A guy with a university stadium named after him. All with deep cellars.

After a quick 10-minute drive, we spotted our host waiting for us on the corner. A brisk two-block walk later, we arrived at a nondescript warehouse. We would learn that it stores wine for dozens of DC’s heavy hitters. Security waved us in.

Deep in the bowels of the warehouse we found a large antique dinner table prepared with oversized Zalto glasses and high-end Italian wine. On that table lay a collection of Super Tuscans that would light up an auction: 1985 Sassicaia. 1997 Solaia. 1994 Messorio. 2000 Tua Rita Redigaffi. 2004 Masseto. 1990 Ornellaia.

But, true to the club’s tradition, the lineup that night included a curveball. A wine that stood out, that didn’t quite belong with the others. We were astounded to find that the curveball was this 2014 Sapaio Volpolo Bolgheri Rosso. An under-$30 bottle holding its own alongside Tuscany’s biggest stars? We were stunned. Excusing ourselves, we made our way toward the bathroom. We fired off a quick email to HQ and were back at the table in four minutes. The next day we closed the deal.

The wine that so stood out in that illustrious DC lineup was hailed as “very fine and beautiful,” “pretty” and “so attractive” by James Suckling, longtime European bureau chief for Wine Spectator. He gave it 93 points. We LOVED this wine, and the price we secured is almost as pretty: $27, and you don’t even need to belong to an elite tasting club. Just 50 cases while they last.