“From early days at Bar 888 in SF’s Intercontinental Hotel, which opened in 2008 with one of the nation’s biggest grappa collections, to my magical 2013 travels in grappa’s hometown of Bassano del Grappa, I have loved the great Jacopo Poli. This producer typifies the most elegant grappas in famously striking bottles. Cleopatra Oro is part of Poli’s line of rare grappas, just released to the States at historic stores like D&M. Cleopatra is made from white muscat grapes, distilled in an innovative bain-marie (double boiler) vacuum still, then aged. Cleopatra exemplifies the glories grappa can reach. Aromatic, floral and evocative of tropical fruits — from pineapple to mango — it also exudes hints of citrus, ultimately showcasing the almighty grape in the way only grappa can.”– 5/5