Bibenda

Rupicolo smells of dried cherries and hints of sage and camphor. It is silky and round in texture, with ripe red and black fruits giving way to a salty and savoury impression towards the end. A touch of fine tannins lingers on the medium-long final, along with tart wild berries and spices. SUPERIORE.DE

"Racy blueberries, white pepper, violet and brambly raspberries to the nose. Fresh and crunchy with bright acidity cutting through the medium-bodied palate with firm tannins. Vibrant and juicy finish." James Suckling

Convincing Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of high quality at a very appealing price. Variety-typical, strong fruit aroma, full and spicy structure on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

Intense straw yellow with light rim. Fine nose of flowers and white melon. Macrina, fragrant and balanced with its mineral-salty aroma and notes of flint, is of irresistible freshness, length and juiciness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with green reflections. Intense scent of meadow flowers and white stone fruit on the nose. Balanced acidity on the palate, mineral and with fine citrus notes, salty on the finish." Falstaff

Excellent, single-varietal red wine from the ancient southern Italian vine Nero di Troia. Violante convinces with its fine-smelling, red-berried and delicately smoky bouquet. Fresh on the palate, well structured and beautifully balanced between fruit and acidity, it is a wonderful food companion and very inexpensive everyday wine. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant ruby red, delicate aromas of cherry and chocolate on the nose. Dense body, fine-grained, well-integrated tannin and an interesting acid wire give this fresh food companion a good structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a slightly lightening rim. In the nose after ripe cherries and plums, in the reverberation some chocolate. Well balanced on the palate, juicy, with fine and well integrated tannin, in the final clear fruit with good length." Falstaff

The deep red cuveé of Montepulciano and Sangiovese exudes the beguiling scent of sour cherries, coffee, marjoram and vanilla. Flattering, juicy and very dense on the palate. Chocolate and plum in the long finish. Due to the maturation in Slovenian oak barrels, the tannin is ripe and melting. A fantastic everyday wine with charm and character. SUPERIORE.DE

Rich ruby red with a violet hue, the typical primary fruity taste of bitter almonds and liquorice caresses the palate. This Dolcetto shines with its full body and an unexpected power and present acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense plum, blueberry and cherry with peppery, violet undertones; a robust style with ample energy and a long, vibrant finish." Decanter

Concerto is an extremely elegant, perfectly balanced Lambrusco. Purple ruby, fine foam. Clear and flawless its dark fruity blackberry aroma, round, fresh and animating the dry, tart-spicy taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, radiant purple red, with delicate perlage. In the nose fully ripe cherries and plums, marzipan, floral hints behind, reminiscent of geranium blossoms. Juicy and finely spicy in the drink, with noticeable fruitiness, lingers a little on the finish." Falstaff

La Villa is a casual feminine Barbera d'Asti that smells of ripe red fruits, flowers and spices. Round and focused on the palate with a silky texture and good length. This is what price-performance looks like in an ideal case! SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe dark cherries and blueberries with notes of dried flowers, cocoa and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with a smooth, red-fruited palate. Lively acidity and a flavourful, structured finish." James Suckling

Rosso Piancarda is intensely flavoured and perfumed, with medicinal cherries and raspberries complemented by dusty roses and sweet cedar wood notes. On the palate, Piancarda turns to the savoury spectrum. Salty and full of savoury minerality, it shows spicy red fruits, a hint of plum and a lively acidity that keeps the expression fresh. The grippy tannins remain until the final, while the notes of sour citrus fruits and tart berries slowly fade away. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shimmering ruby red colour with a deep dark core. Juicy plums on the nose, with a hint of ginger and a slightly animal note. Grippy and savoury on the palate, with dense tannins, lush fruit and a pleasantly juicy final." Falstaff

"The 2020 Rosso Conero Piancarda, a Montepulciano grape variety, rises from the glass with a dusty mix of dried roses, redcurrants and a hint of nectarine, creating a truly inviting bouquet. The wine is silky and elegant, almost creamy, yet sublime and cool, with mineral forest berries and a saline note adding a savoury touch towards the end. The 2020 leaves a layer of fine tannins as inner flowers arch across the palate and a minerality slowly fades. The warm vintage has given this wine a particularly soft character, but the structure and acidity of the Piancarda are beautifully balanced and should favour medium-term cellaring. Put a few bottles in the cellar, you'll thank me later. " Vinous

Impenetrable dark colour and warm bouquet of ripe dark fruits with hints of forest floor. The Cantalupi's dose of wood is perfectly balanced with the fruit. An extremely harmonious wine with cocoa and vanilla notes in the soft, dense taste. Very respectable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich black fruit with some dried dates, dark chocolate and bitter spices. Full body on the palate with lovely richness and dryness. Firm, chewy tannins and a paucity of fruit sweetness. Fine bitterness in the flavorful finish." James Suckling

Maculans Rosato Costadolio is a single varietal Merlot. Attractive floral fruit scent, softly textured and very approachable on the palate. A round, fresh wine for many occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

Medium-bodied ruby red. On the nose, rich, dark berry fruit, forest floor and hints of chocolate. On the palate, it spreads softly and creamily, flanked by fresh berry aromas and a taut acidity that forms a wonderful harmony with the fruit and tannin. A drop full of character from an almost extinct, autochthonous grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

Fresh ruby red with violet reflections. Refined scent of rose petals, roasted herbs, elder and small red berries. drinky taste of fruit compote, the tannin very fresh and supple. Long finish with great Italian personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of blackberry, tar and burnt orange transition to a medium body with creamy, fine tannins and a tangy finish. Lots of energy." James Suckling

"The 2021 Dogliani San Luigi is lively and seductive from the start. Bright acids enliven a core of red/purple fruits, lavender and rose petals. The purity of the aromas is remarkable. This is a fabulous performance from the San Luigi. The 2021 is an absolute delight." Vinous

"Bright cherry, kirsch, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this rich, vibrant and harmonious Dolcetto, which has plenty of structure, building to a long, complex aftertaste of fruit and mineral." Wine Spectator

Rosso del Duca is a very classic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Powerful fragrance of blueberries, cherries and cocoa, straightforward and tireless on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

Caprais Montefalco Rosso is an attractive red made from predominantly Sangiovese with small portions of Sagrantino and Merlot. The aroma is unmistakably black cherries and violets, power and freshness on the palate, firm structure, elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby red with a dark core. On the nose ripe blackberries, blackcurrants and blueberries as well as slightly earthy notes. Well-integrated acidity on the palate, powerful with gripping tannins and lingering drinkability." Falstaff

"Pretty violets, roses, wild berries and hints of wet stone waft up from the 2020 Montefalco Rosso. This is juicy and playful, with balanced acids enlivening its crunchy red berry fruits, which leaves a slight mineral twang toward the close. The 2020 finishes fresh and perfumed with a spicy flourish. The Rosso Montefalco is a fun and vibrant blend." Vinous

"Aromas of grilled meat, baked plum and cooking spice. Full-bodied with dense tannins. Savory and layered with notes of coffee, iodine, clove and paprika." James Suckling

Concentrated ruby red with garnet reflections. To the predominant black cherry and berry scent, the wood contributes very slight hints of roasted coffee. Full and very intense flavour of dark berries, very slightly of violets and plums, the compact tannins are carried by balsamic notes, in the aftertaste fine liquorice tones. The harmony that this powerful and already delicious Aglianico hints at will only come to full fruition after a few years of bottle ageing, definitely aerate! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Riserva Contado, rises from the glass with a blend of cinnamon-coloured currants and spicy herbs. The palate is round and supple, with sage complementing the ripe black fruits. For all its depth and power, the acidity keeps the balance. The 2017 finishes with a tarry concentration." Vinous

"Rich and complex nose of grilled herbs, olives, blackberries, cassis and smoked meat. Some orange peel and chocolate. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a dense, savoury and flavourful palate." James Suckling

San Vincenzo, with its nuances of fine herbs that combine with the aromas of peach and almonds, conquers the palate with a firm, optimally structured, fresh taste. It finishes long and full of character. And last but not least, the San Vincenzo impresses with its reasonable price! SUPERIORE.DE

"This is an estate that offers not only among the best white wines in the Veneto, but among Italy’s finest per se. They show even greater transparency and brilliance with age. Apricot pith, cardamon, mango peel, and a waft of vanillin-cedar French oak nicely embedded into the fray. The finish is long and pungently mineral, boding well for bottle age. A hot vintage melded into a coil of well-handled reductive tension and ample flare. Drink or hold." James Suckling

The Valpolicella produced in the Appassimento or Amarone process presents itself with a rich ruby violet. The nose has compact notes of ripe cherries, blackberries, some cloves, elderberries and liquorice, with subtle hints of chocolate in the background. Full and powerful with a lot of melting on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dusty roses, licorice, tart cherries and peppery herbs waft up from the 2019 Valpolicella Superiore Capitel Nicalo'. This is silky in texture, with a flourish of sweet fruit that’s balanced by saline-minerals and savory spice. A hint of sour tangerine citrus adds further depths. It finishes long, staining and structured, with hints of sweet tannin that provide grip. The Capitel Nicalo' is produced using grapes that are dried for three to four weeks prior to refining for one year in large barrels." Vinous

"A juicy red, featuring an herbal overtone, lightly chewy tannins and lots of steeped cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with coffee liqueur and Mandarin orange peel accents. Well-knit and medium-bodied, with a hint of smoke showing on the finish. This calls out for food, a hearty pasta or meat on the grill." Wine Spectator

"This is a classic Valpolicella from a classic estate. This wine has a near perfect balance between fruity and herbal characteristics. A combination of cherry, Mission fig and blueberry aromas and flavors clear the path for the more earth-driven notes of black tea, anise and roasted coffee. The palate is luscious and has bright acidity to freshen the palate after each sip." Wine Enthusiast

"Very pleasant notes of lightly spiced aronia berries and a hint of sous bois, following through to a medium body with lightly firm, well-integrated tannins and a long, bright finish, leaving an aftertaste of cherry dark chocolate. Serious Valpo and delicious." James Suckling

Conti Zecca's Liranu from Negroamaro shows typicity and refinement. The bouquet opens with smoked spices, sausage, tobacco and candied fruits. On the palate, beautiful mineral nuances, fine fruity texture and silky, finely woven tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pleasant red with red berries and lightly spicy oak on the nose and palate. Medium body with still firm tannins and a focused finish. Drinkable now, but better with another year. Best from 2023." James Suckling

Our price-performance favourite at a high level: Varietally pure and juicy Primitivo of shimmering violet, dark ruby red, smelling of cherries soaked in alcohol, chocolate and hazelnut. The full, warm and well-structured taste has good length and pleasing, slightly sweet tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Strawberries, cranberries, herbs and chocolate orange on the nose. It’s full-bodied with ripe fruit and chewy, slightly rustic tannins." James Suckling

Bright, shining ruby. Youthful nose of early ripe cherries and wild strawberries, slightly vegetal, delicately peppery and spicy in the aftertaste. On the palate very precise, juicy and with young tannin, crisp fruit, high drinkability, in a few months even more complete. A great food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"Young fellow with a lot of freshness and fruitiness. Very much sour cherry and mineral salty style. On the palate juicy, fresh, with then more sweet cherry and strawberry fruit. Red rose hips with hibiscus flowers come into play here. The tannins are very soft and supple. Refreshing in its way and despite its buoyant nature, it has length, lots of fruit and perfectly defined tannins. Tastes like more even when chilled! Really good Morellino." Vinum

"The Morellino di Scansano 2022 is fabulous. Aromatic, sensual and inviting, the 2022 is an ideal wine to drink now and in the years to come. Silky tannins envelop a core of dark red/purple berry fruit, lavender, rose petals, spice and menthol. All elements are very well balanced. A real charmer." Vinous

"Sparkling, bright ruby red. Presents itself fresh on the nose, of crisp sour cherry and wild berries, plus a hint of rosehip. On the palate with lively acidity, juicy and with good drinking flow, until the finish." Falstaff

"Aromas of roses, crushed stones and light cherries. Medium body. Crisp. Very tasty. Crisp finish." James Suckling

"The "basic" Morellino from Le Pupille, the confirmation of a project with great foresight. Intense on the nose, black mulberry, hints of liquorice and garrigue, spicy on the palate, with tannins perfectly integrated into the body, excellent flavour persistence." Luca Gardini

This still Muscat, conceived as the "little brother" of the Torcolato and Acininobili, is a masterpiece and proves once again that Fausto Maculan is one of the world's best producers of dessert wines. Dindarello scores with a bouquet of peaches, elderberries and aromatic herbs. These aromas accompany the wonderfully full taste until the finish. Its perfect balance between sweetness and acidity will ennoble any finish to a meal. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Dindarello 2022 (Moscato) enchants with a whimsical blend of peach sorbet, kiwi and fresh mint. It is round and smooth with a balanced inner sweetness that complements its notes of candied lime, while tropical flowers cascade through on the inside. The finish is unexpectedly long, leaving a slight chewy sensation as the notes of sour melon slowly fade away. The 2022 is a real beauty." Vinous

"A lovely sweet moscato that offers aromas of ripe melon, delicate toffee apple and flowers. Nicely compact flavors on the medium-bodied palate and just the right balance to prolong the pleasure." James Suckling