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5218 Lawton Avenue
Oakland, CA 94114

510-654-9159

Oliver McCrum Wines has been importing small production Italian wine and distributing to fine retail and restaurant establishes throughout California since 1994. Over time, our portfolio of producers has steadily grown to over 45 producers from 15 different regions of Italy. We look for typical Italian wines with clarity and freshness, usually made from indigenous Italian grape varieties using clean, transparent winemaking techniques and no obvious use of oak. 

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Benvenuto Tricerchi Brunello

Michele Boscia

“Benvenuto Brunello sounds like a simple greeting, but, in the true spirit of Italian hospitality, it is an invitation,” writes Jessica Dupuy in her recent article for Forbes about the 2021 Brunello vintage; “It is not only ‘welcome, new vintage,’ but ‘welcome in’ to everyone who will help decide what Brunello means right now.”

That means the foreign press.

This past November at the Benvenuto Brunello premiere, writers and critics were invited to taste the 2021 releases at the region’s annual event. According to Dupuy’s own description, perhaps we should say Benvenuto Tricerchi as well, as the event confirmed the accent of Castello Tricerchi as one of the top winemakers in the region.

Calling the estate “one to watch,” Dupuy also notes winemaker Tommaso Squarcia’s preference for organic farming, a more fresh-handed style, and delicate aromatics rather than weight. In her mind, the quality of the 2021 Castello Tricerchi Brunello is the direct result of “a new generation unafraid of restraint. Detailed, precise, and full of promise.”

Forbes isn’t alone, however, in recognizing the rise of Tricerchi and Tommaso’s prowess as one of Brunello’s most exciting young winemakers. Writing for JancisRobinson.com, Walter Speller describes “a kind of magic…that I would have never expected under these conditions,” noting “there is much more to come from this estate.”

As for his thoughts on the 2021 Castello Tricerchi Brunello: it “shoots the estate straight to the top” of the region.

Vinous’s Eric Guido concurs, giving both the 2021 Brunello, along with the 2021 Brunello A.D. 1441 (from a prime parcel in the middle of the Vigna del Velo) a pair of 94 point scores, focusing on the wine’s “silky smooth” texture and “polished red berry fruits that saturate gradually.”

While we are always excited when our producers receive accolades from the press we also take the praise with perspective. We’ve long believed that the rest of the world would eventually see Tommaso’s talent and while somewhat gratifying, we find that it is even more satisfying to bring these wines to the US market and represent what we believe to be a visionary in the world of Brunello., even before the scores started to roll in.

With the Benvenuto Brunello premiere now behind us and the wines due to arrive in 2026 (and demand through the roof), we’re looking forward to saying a proper welcome to the new release!

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