D'Alceo is a single vineyard. The name is in honor of Maurizia and Luca Di Napoli’s late father Alceo, who planted the vineyard. While Sammarco is a pioneer in the Super-Tuscan establishment, Castello dei Rampolla’s d’Alceo—which debuted in 1996 as Vigna d’Alceo —has undeniably attracted greater attention. Its intense marriage of opulence and power has given it cult status, placing it in the realm of Masseto and Messorio. No other in its class achieves such a stunning and provocative expression—with a lush density that belies the wine’s serious structure. Petit Verdot's contribution—unusual in the Super-Tuscan genre—renders d'Alceo more potent than the most power-hungry of cult Cabernets, imparting a sleek and spicy dimension.
The 2008 d’Alceo is a huge, inward, brooding wine. Plums, black cherries, camphor, incense and smoke emerge over time, but only with great reluctance. The 2008 is going to require considerable patience, but it is shaping up to be an absolute jewel. The d’Alceo is a wine of notable depth and purity, but it is very closed down at the moment. Dark red fruit, flowers, mint, spices, tar, cassis, graphite and camphor linger on the huge, structured finish. This is a towering effort from the Di Napoli family. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.