Dancing Bear Cellars
Importer and Distributor of Handcrafted, Artisanal Wines

Our emphasis is on quality over quantity.  Browse our wines to discover the rare pleasure of small production, family produced wines.

Lis Neris Pinot Grigio Gris 2006    92 points.
"Sweet, perfumed aromatics meld into a core of expressive ripe fruit as the 2006 GRis opens up in the glass. Sikly, finessed tannins frame the wine from start to finish, and sweet lingering notes on the close provide a wonderful sense of harmony and overall balance. The Gris is aged in barrels that are all at least 3 years old, and the oark is barely perceptible. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014." – Robert Parker

Lis Neris Chardonnay Jurosa 2006    91 points.
"The 2006 Chardonnay Jurosa is another restrained bottling. Ripe tropical fruit, smoke, tar and minerals emerge from this fresh, vibrant Chardonnnay. The aromatics are well-delineated and the wine possesses an outstanding sense of balance. The Jurosa sees a higher percentage of new oak barrels, ranging from 30-50%. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2014." – Robert Parker

Lis Neris Sauvignon Picol 2006    93 points.
"The 2006 Sauvignon Picol reveals tons of varietal character, but the use of French oak has given this wine an additional level of richness, complexity and sheer dimension. Mint, sage and crushed rocks resonate in this sublime Sauvignon that captures the essence of Friuli. It is highly recommmended. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012." – Robert Parker

  Sauvignon Picol received "I Tre Bicchieri" in the Slow Food 2009 edition.

Lis Neris Tal-Luc 2005    93 points.
"The 2005 Tal Luc is a unique dessert wine made from Verduzzo (95%) and Riesling (5%). This restrained, elegant wine possesses a floral bouquet with delicate suggestions of candied orange peel, spices and mint that gradually emerge. The floral notes return on the finish, giving the wine an attractive lift on the close. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015."
– Robert Parker

Gualdo Del Re l'Rennero 2004

Score: 92. Winemaker Barbara Tamburini is a rising star and her l'Rennero Merlot is outstandingly juiicy and succulent. Notes of ripe fruit such as black cherry and blueberry are backed by sweet spice and a rich, plush mouthfeel. The wine is powerful and chewy but also elegant and balanced at the same time.-ML

 

Gualdo Del Re Val di Cornia Suvereto 2003

Score: 90.  This is a modern, powerful wine with dense penetration and generous aromas of clove, spice, vanilla, black cherry and inky blackberry. Those pretty, sweet-tasting, wood-driven flavors last a long time on the palate. - ML

 

 

 

Marchesi Ginori Lisci Campordigno (Montescudaio) 2004

Score: 86. This seems very ripe, and offers notes of cooked cherry, backed by loads of exotic spice, cherry cola, prune, plum, creme de cassis and graphite. It exhibits a velvety mouthfeel and pretty good length on the finish.-ML

Poggio Nardone Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2001

Score: 95.  Editor's Choice. "A liquid lullaby more than a wine, this Brunello caresses and smoothes over your senses with amazing intensity and harmonious aromas of cherry-chocolate fudge, almond paste, ginger, balsamic notes, blueberry pie, firewood and vanilla. There's a shroud of cedar and cherry fruit within the wine's unwavering structure and a seemingly endless finish." -ML   March, 2008

Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino 2003

Score: 90.  "Beautiful aromas of cherry, raspberry and lavendar follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. Shows lovely balance for the vintage. Best after 2010." (JS)  February 2, 2008

TOP 100 WINES of 2007
Gianni Brunelli
2003 Amor Costante
80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot
RANKED # 98

TOP 100 BEST BUYS of 2007
Barnard Griffin
2005 Fume Blanc
RANKED # 14

December 2007 Ratings

Gualdo del Rel Fredrico Primo 2004    95 points.
"Ruby colored; dense. Beautifully expressive nose of fruit and earth. On palate, sweet sensation from the ripe fruit; good/rich earth and minerality; bracing acidity and good tannic bite. Very young, but all the structural components are nicely balanced. Medium+ body, elegant, long, complex, superb. Thought it was Sassicaia. My first experience with this wine. Blown away!..." - Barbara B.




Gualdo del Rel I'Rennero 2001    96 points.
"Dark, dense, ruby, youthful. Hugely complex nose and palate, entire spectrum from primary to tertiary; ripe fruit, oak, soy, minerals, earth, spices. Rich, smooth and chewy tannins (grape and oak), good acidity with some MLF butter notes, full bodied and nicely balanced structurally, long and complex. Evolves beautifully in glass. Outstanding. Near unanimous WOTN. Would easily rival the best of Italian Merlots, including Masseto." - Barbara B.

Ciabot Berton 2003 Barolo Roggeri
received a 92 point score from
"This shows ripe fruit, with plum and dried flower aromas that follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a chewy finish. Big and juicy. Best after 2010. 500 cases made." (JS)

Ciabot Berton 2003 Barolo
received a 90 point score from
"This is layered and very pretty, with plum and toasty oak character. Full-bodied with velvety tannins and a long finish. Best after 2010.
1200 cases made." (JS)