Dave Phinney, founder of Locations Wines, wants to make the best possible wine from a country or region. To do this, he removes restrictions that limit his freedom to achieve his goal. This is especially true in European countries such as Italy, where rules restrict blending across appellations. If you do not follow the appellation restrictions, you can only market your blend as "table wine" and you cannot show the vintage year. Phinney avoids vintage year by labeling his Italian blend as I-1, I-2, etc.
Locations Wine was sold by Dave Phinney in June 2018 to E & J Gallo. The press release states that Phinney will continue as the winemaker and leader for this brand. Consolidation of wine brand ownerships into a few major corporations continues and that may not be a good thing, but Gallo's clout may make this wine more widely available.
Locations I-4 is a blend of Negroamaro and Nero d'Avola from Puglia in Southern Italy and Barbera from Piemonte in the North. This is a rich, smooth, creamy wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberries and a little plum. All in all this is a very enjoyable wine unlike anything else I have tasted from Italy. Some critics have rated the wine at 90 points and I think that is a little low.
Total Wine and More prices this wine at $19.99 and that is not the best price in town. This is not a Total Wine "winery direct" wine but I had a coupon that did not have that restriction and I was able to buy it for $16.99.
SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points
Locations Wine was sold by Dave Phinney in June 2018 to E & J Gallo. The press release states that Phinney will continue as the winemaker and leader for this brand. Consolidation of wine brand ownerships into a few major corporations continues and that may not be a good thing, but Gallo's clout may make this wine more widely available.
Locations I-4 is a blend of Negroamaro and Nero d'Avola from Puglia in Southern Italy and Barbera from Piemonte in the North. This is a rich, smooth, creamy wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberries and a little plum. All in all this is a very enjoyable wine unlike anything else I have tasted from Italy. Some critics have rated the wine at 90 points and I think that is a little low.
Total Wine and More prices this wine at $19.99 and that is not the best price in town. This is not a Total Wine "winery direct" wine but I had a coupon that did not have that restriction and I was able to buy it for $16.99.
SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points
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