cult wines

Anniversary edition: Top-class Pinot Bianco from the South Tyrolean Wine Route, more precisely from the exposed Sirmian vineyard, where the Pinot Bianco finds its ideal location and an optimal microclimate. Every year it is of remarkable quality. Clear and sparkling straw yellow in the glass, with an intense bouquet of light flowers, green apple, redcurrants and a hint of sage and nutmeg. Harmonious, powerful and persistent on the palate, with a full flavour typical of the grape variety and a beautiful melting, mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Pinot Bianco Sirmian 2021 has a bouquet of sweet floral scents, freshly cut green apples and ginger. On the palate, it is round and soothing, with a lively acidity and lime nuances that enliven the ripe fruit of the orchard. The 2021 is wonderfully fresh and balanced, finishing with commendable length and subtle spice." Vinous

"A fresh, mineral-driven white, with a pleasing tension and fine knit to the flavors of patisserie apple, pear and blanched almond. Offers accents of honeycomb, chamomile, lemon peel and ground ginger on the long and creamy finish." Wine Spectator

"Bright, intense straw yellow colour. Opens on the nose with ripe apple and melon, underpinned by spicy notes of meadow herbs and hay. Filling in the mouth, with beautiful pressure on the palate, rich fruit through to the long finish." Falstaff

"It's chewy with dried apple and mango and some lemon zest. Also dried peaches. Full-bodied with multi-layered fruit and fresh acidity. Also some yoghurt character." James Suckling

"This bottle bears a special 50th anniversary label, making it one of the oldest representatives of this grape variety in the region. The Nals Margreid 2021 Alto Adige Pinot Bianco Sirmian draws its fruit from over 15 hectares of high-altitude vineyards, where this grape variety shows its best results. A beautiful expression with a mouthful that is so precise and sharp that the wine tastes almost spicy. Grapefruit, Granny Smith apple and crisp pear are offset by a light spiciness and saffron. There's also a hint of white peppercorn." Wine Advocate

"Creamy and smooth with plenty of lemon zest, nutty baked apple, ripe apricot and saffron, emphasised by the emerging strong minerality and focused saline finish." Decanter

"One of the clearest Pinot Blancs in Alto Adige, flavoured with the crisp craftsmanship that is at home in Nalles. Vineyards at the foot of the winery, 7 months in barrels and steel tanks, cedar peel and hawthorn on the nose. Very taut, lively, spicy and with an excellent finish on the palate." Luca Gardini

Deep, dark yellow colour. Rich, almost opulent impressions of candied apricots, orange zest and traces of fine yellow flowers on the nose. Fabulously viscous texture on the palate, multi-layered, very concentrated flavour of candied fruit with a wonderfully polished sweetness. One of Italy's greatest Vin Santo with a long, persistent finish and made to last. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Vin Santo di Carmignano Riserva is an understated beauty, opening slowly. It entices with a whiff of saw dust and crushed toasted almond, giving way to dried apricot, nectarine and finally a dusting of cocoa. The Riserva flows across the palate more like nectar than wine, with a mix of sweet autumnal spice and peach preserves, all held together perfectly by brisk acidity. The 2016 is amazingly long, balanced and complex, leaving a staining of ground ginger and burnt sugar. Through it all, the mouth is left watering as nearly a minute goes by and hints of brown butter and sweet cinnamon carry on. Simply stated, this is among the absolute best Vin Santos I have ever had the pleasure of tasting." Vinous

Amarone Calcarole is only produced in small quantities in the best vintages and has officially been allowed to bear the label Riserva since the 2015 vintage. The single vineyard of the same name is located above Villa di Rovereti in the heart of Negrar in the Valpolicella Classico region. The vineyard offers ideal conditions for great red wines due to its particularly warm climate and stony soil as well as its south-western exposure. The grapes are 100% dried in small crates in the historic rooms of Pojega. A wonderfully intense balsamic wine with memories of rosemary oil, damp forest floor and dried ginger. On the palate, complex berry flavours and a wonderful depth, Calcarole is thoroughly masculine, energetic and powerful, with tightly woven tannins and clearly structured. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Fragrant nose, of ripe cherries and ripe plums, dried rose petal, underpinned by fine spice. Compact and noble on the palate, with beautiful juice, shows tight, polished tannin, tightens up nicely and lingers for a long time." Falstaff

"There’s a tight bead of dried red berry and koji berry running through this from start to finish. Along the way are still firm tannins that even out the full-bodied feel and create a focused engine to drive the fruit through the long finish. Feels like a new-wave style of Amarone, with tighter control applied to the dried-fruit character. Delicious now, but will benefit from another year in bottle. Try from 2023." James Suckling

"The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Calcarole is dusty and floral, unexpectedly lifted and airy, showing dried roses and cherries offset by a hint of sweet smoke. This is opulent and rich, like crushed velvet on the palate, with mineral-tinged raspberry and cherry complemented by confectionary spices and balsam herbs. The 2015 somehow maintains amazing energy and finesse but make no mistake about it, this is a big and ripe style for Amarone. That said, you can’t even notice the 17% abv." Vinous

Beguiling aroma of sweet, dark berries with a hint of cassis, cedar wood and antique leather. Very balanced on the palate, beautifully viscous with an elegant melt. Fine-meshed tannins, restrained mineral tones and wonderfully polished fruit accompany a remarkable finish. For all its elegance, it shows pressure and power and, with the right dose of acidity, promises a long life and almost reaches the level of its famous big brother. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2021 is the result of a first-class and extremely satisfying vintage and allows the good tannin quality and well-dosed concentration that characterise the wines of this vintage to shine through. In the glass, it impresses with a brilliant ruby red colour with the usual violet reflections. The nose is fresh with notes of pink pepper and cypress cones, reminiscent of the Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, the wine is elegant, with a beautiful acidity and a long, spicy final that invites you to take a second sip." Olga Fusari, Oenologist

"Almost black in the glass. Subtle fragrance, delicate fruity notes of blackberry, blueberry and some elderberry. A subtle hint of coconut wood. Also dark fruity on the palate, velvety with fine-grained tannins, embedded acidity and a fine herbal flavour. Very balanced and harmonious, young but with great potential. Long and fresh, juicy finish." Vinum

"The Serre Nuove is the second wine of the Ornellaia and is also a Bordeaux blend that consists of about half Merlot. Rich aroma with flavours of red-blue fruits such as blackberry, blueberry and ripe plums. The palate is also rich and dark-fruity with a velvety texture and fine-grained tannins, good acidity and a fine herbal flavour. Balanced and harmonious, still very youthful, but with great potential." Weinwisser

"The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a beautifully extracted and rich blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This vintage is very generous, even opulent, with dark fruits framed by exotic spices, baking chocolate and soft toasty tones from French oak. The wine finishes on a creamy note with vanilla and cinnamon. The oak needs a few more years to integrate." Wine Advocate

"A sophisticated red wine, complex and perfumed, with aromas and flavours of blackcurrants, blackberries, plums, violets and iron. It builds beautifully, showing its balance and releasing the dense tannins at the end. This wine should develop well." Wine Spectator

"A powerful and straightforward red wine with blackcurrant, berry, chocolate and cedarwood flavours. It is medium to full-bodied. Fine tannins that extend over the entire length of the wine. It is dense and concentrated. Energetic and bright. Still needs time, better after 2026." James Suckling

"Sparkling, rich ruby red with a light violet rim. Noble and delicate nose of red currants, ripe plums and rich sour cherries, with a subtle hint of leather and a hint of mint in the background. Velvety tannins on the palate, well-balanced, with a fruity, elegant and long-lasting finish." Falstaff

"The 2021 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia has enormous power. Masses of dark fruit, dark chocolate, leather, liquorice and cloves saturate the palate. I can't recall a Serre Nuove with this much sheer power and dark intensity, but the balance is there, especially with aeration. It will be interesting to see how the 2021 develops. It's quite a powerhouse today." Vinous

"Pungent, meaty umami flavours dominate the nose, but dark fruit and a tangy, metallic component prevent these notes of smoke, pepper and tar from becoming overpowering. Undertones of vanilla and chocolate lift the fruit on the palate, but unyielding tannins and energetic acidity ensure that the savoury earthiness persists." Wine Enthusiast

Bright, rich ruby red colour. Elegant, concentrated bouquet with spicy notes of blackcurrant, chocolate and tobacco. Compact on the palate, excellently structured and very well balanced with noticeable acidity and pleasant tannins. Long and very fruity. A seducer with great elegance and a terrific finish. All our respect for this great wine from Apulia! SUPERIORE.DE

Since the 2016 vintage, Livio Felluga's top wine Sossò has been maturing in the bottle for an extra year before being released for sale. This Riserva is a beautiful, rich and comforting red wine that is dense on the palate, imparting pretty cherry and dark fruit flavours with plenty of spice and tobacco. The extremely articulate flavour shoulders a convincing tannin portion and yet steers into an intensely fruity final with terrific length. The wine simply glides forward with its unique feel and a dynamism that is slow and long-lasting. SUPERIORE.DE

In the Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni, all the elements of a wine full of character multiply exponentially: room-filling aromas of sweet berries, perfectly integrated wood tones, a cornucopia of ripe fruit on the palate, powerful and sensual. Caprai's top wine, which gives incredible pleasure and must be aerated for 3-4 hours when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe dark berries, chocolate, sweet spices, charred bark, walnuts and a hint of tar on the nose. Full and intense with depth and persistence in the fruit and firm, slightly chewy tannins. Long lasting and earthy finish." James Suckling

"A rich, medium to full-bodied red with a fragrant thread of chopped marjoram, orange peel and spice box that winds through concentrated flavours of reduced cherries, damson jam, red liquorice and tarry minerals. Firm and chewy, but balanced overall, with a tightly wound, well-spiced finish." Wine Spectator

"This darkly coloured wine opens with rich aromas of preserved blackberry, preserves, pepper and clove with a hint of violet. The powerful palate is layered with black plums, dried herbs, baking spices and forest floor, all framed by classically firm Sagrantino tannins and finishing with balanced acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"24 months in barriques for the 'definitive' Sagrantino, the culmination of years of research: sour cherry, balsamic notes and star anise, with a hint of wild iris, dense, juicy, savoury on the palate, with notes of undergrowth, black fruits and sweet spices." Luca Gardini

"Rich ruby red with a garnet-red rim. Intense and multi-layered on the nose, with notes of ripe blackberries and Amarena cherries, echoes of violets, dark chocolate and malt, slightly ethereal. Powerful but well-integrated tannins on the palate, builds up in a multi-layered way with a very long final." Falstaff

"The 2019 Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni is imposing, buzzing with a dark mix of dried black cherries, crushed plums, sage, allspice and sweet mint. The texture is exciting, velvety yet cool, weighty yet tangy, washing over the palate with polished red and black fruits and slowly building black tea tannins. An abundance of spice, tobacco and blood orange nuances linger on the finish with tremendous length and concentration. The balance is absolutely fantastic. This is a breathtaking achievement." Vinous

The world-famous Caiarossa is an extremely exciting blend of the Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Alicante varieties, with the rich, dark fruit flavours of the Cabernet grapes taking centre stage. On the nose, a beautiful first wave of dark fruits that never appear too ripe, which greatly benefits the elegance of the wine. The palate is very balanced and focussed with blackberries, cassis and slight hints of salty or rusty minerals. Caiarossa displays a good degree of elegance, not least due to its fine and taut tannins, and despite its density and complexity never comes across as opulent or even overloaded. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich colour. Sweet, intense and savoury, the Caiarossa 2020 has a deep and generous aroma, with lots of Cabernet character and a little Syrah fragrance. Rich, sweet, raisiny style. Melting, round and velvety in the mouth, its dense tannins remain present for a long time, as it does not have the aromatic richness of the past two years. It seems a little hollow in the centre, yet it has a lovely texture on the tongue, is long and spicy, racy and has lively acidity. Due to its great diversity of grape varieties, it has an extraordinary complexity, yet it is somewhat less rich and sweet than expected. Still has room for improvement!" Weinwisser

"Dark ruby red colour with fine violet reflections. Fine spice on the nose, cheese rind, cassis, blackberry, some mint, plus fine earthy tones and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate with a creamy entry and progression, dense and tightly meshed, shows juicy tannins, spans a wide arc, comes back again and again juicy and powerful, long." Falstaff

"Very dark, impenetrable purple red colour. Elevated nose of black forest fruits with a pinch of oak and a hint of damson plum. Supple black forest fruits and raspberries and just enough acidity to keep the overall tension. More medium-bodied than full-bodied. Long, fine-grained tannins that are a little bitter and noticeable on the finish, but this will improve with further bottle age." Jancis Robinson

"Offers a combination of blackcurrant, blackberry and clay flavours, with hints of iron and tobacco, supported by dense tannins that leave a burr on the finish." Wine Spectator

"On the nose, dark fruits and berries are balanced with the fresh lightness of white pepper, mint and eucalyptus. On the palate, notes of vanilla and dark chocolate emphasise the juicy breadth of the fruit, but a sharp, peppery finish provides a thought-provoking contrast and leads to a meditative finish." Wine Enthusiast

"The Caiarossa 2020 Caiarossa is one of the Italian wines closest to Bordeaux both in DNA (the estate is French-owned) and winemaking. This is a full-bodied red with a bold and very exuberant personality. There is balance and depth with plenty of purple and black fruits, spice and oak toast to add dimension and complexity." Wine Advocate

"Fragrant herbs and warm, sun-kissed black fruit on the nose - no wonder, as it was the warmest summer since 1800, but with plenty of rain in June and late August, which allowed the grapes to ripen well. It smells of baked blackcurrants and roses. It is supple and rich, generous and filling, with wonderfully plump but also quite defined tannins that give it structure and tension. The fruit is tangy and ripe, and the acidity creates a tension between sharpness and ripeness. The wine is round, direct and forward, it has energy and structure, and I love the freshness that lingers on the tongue. Well executed with plenty of perfume and a mineral, stony grip on the finish alongside dried herbs and liquorice spice. A delicious Tuscan wine with a French flair." Decanter

"Aromatic with dried cherries and plum skins as well as spiced chocolate, lilac, walnut shell and nutmeg. Also some wet stones. The palate is full, structured and broad with super-fine tannins. It is powerful but not heavy with freshness and crispness. It shows intensity and richness. Give it time." James Suckling

"The 2020 Caiarossa is the best wine I've tasted from this estate in some time, perhaps ever. Rich, deep and yet not at all heavy, the 2020 offers an exotic blend of dark cherry/plum fruit, mocha, liquorice, new leather and incense. All the elements are so beautifully balanced." Vinous

Kairós is the "little Harlequin" in terms of grape variety composition and is always produced in the years when its big brother is not in production. This is really not a flaw, because with its comparatively attractive price and above all its crazy blend of four white and 12 red grape varieties, it is an incredibly fleshy and juicy wine with an impenetrable, dark appearance. The bouquet is equally charged, almost voltaic, with rich layers of dark fruit that remain surprisingly airy and fresh despite the considerable weight and concentration. This is a wine of extremes, but there is no doubting its mad drinking pleasure and the harmony it offers to the senses. However, you need to be in the right mood, because only then does the eclectic Kairós blend offer an intoxicating and incomparable experience with guaranteed memorable value. SUPERIORE.DE

"There's plenty to savour on the nose, from baked cherries and red berries to graphite and pressed flowers. Medium-bodied with the same broad spectrum of complex flavours, tamed a little at the moment by firm, clean tannins. An interesting blend of 16 indigenous and international grape varieties, 12 red and four white. It's still approachable now, but will develop into something very special after another year or two in the bottle." James Suckling

Named after the quartz flecks in the volcanic porphyry rock of Terlan, Italy's most famous Sauvignon Bianco lives up to its name. Sparkling yellow-green. Filigree, delicately scented with grapefruit, peach, honey and green papaya. Quartz is taut and precise, with a fleshy, creamy texture, great depth and a wonderful mineral-salty finish. Must have and must taste! SUPERIORE.DE

"Our Sauvignon selection, which has been given a truly significant name, is as filigree as the fine quartz incrustations in the volcanic porphyry rock of Terlan. Characteristic of the quartz are its fine texture and depth as well as a salty reverberation, which have in the meantime brought this noble white wine international renown." Rudi Kofler, Kellermeister Terlan

"Subtle grassy herbal notes lead to an expressive palate with lemon curd, guava and focused mineral characters; refreshing and long." Decanter

"The aromas of melon, kiwi, Meyer lemon and notes of chive blossom and toast are very harmonious. An enticing white cleverly knitted with razor-sharp acidity and salty minerality. The palate is long and creamy, with spice, mineral and herbal accents on the lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Quartz is very seductive, with a rich blend of spicy herbs and grapefruit peel underlined by a cooling hint of white smoke. It is powerful and smooth with medium body and a pretty inner sweetness that borders on decadence but is balanced by a bracing core of zesty acidity. Candied lemon and lime resonate, while a touch of salty minerality and chalk dust provide a perfect contrast. Like most Quartz vintages, this wine will age well over the medium term. Still, there's no harm in enjoying it now in this wonderful primary state." Vinous

"A sophisticated Sauvignon with a complex and aromatic nose offering notes of glazed citrus and stone fruit with honeysuckle and melon rind. The palate is full and structured with lively acidity. Creamy with the texture of a ripe nectarine and an exciting mineral finish." James Suckling

"Cantina Terlano's usual fascinating journey into the potential of Sauvignon Blanc. On the nose cedar, lychee, a hint of nectarine, then a menthol note and cedar thyme. Dense, crisp and exciting on the palate, with a fruity, citrusy finish and long reverberation." Luca Gardini

"Bright, sparkling straw yellow. Very intense nose, smells richly of dark currants and elderflowers, plus some tomato green, exciting. Also shows great spiciness on the palate, lots of sage, salty, nice melting on the final, lingers very long." Falstaff

Sauvignon Bianco Rachtl comes from a –of just 0.4 ha. It gets its fine – and –nose from the porphyry soils near Unteraicha in the municipality of Völs. Very subtle on the palate with a fine –interplay, fresh fruit and a long-lasting finish. If you can call one of the just about 2,000 bottles of this vintage your own, you can consider yourself lucky! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, light straw yellow. Opens with emphatic smoky notes, flint, some dill, red currant in the background. Shows great play on the palate, very well elaborated fruit, fine sweet melting, good tension, very long finish." Falstaff

"The Tiefenbrunner 2019 Alto Adige Sauvignon Blanc Riserva Rachtl reveals mid–weight intensity with orange zest, almond paste, honey and hints of spicy saffron. The wine glides smoothly over the palate with plush richness that is capped off by fresh acidity. This is a bigger style of Sauvignon Blanc, with some modest age on it, that opens the door to a wide range of pairing, such as scallops in butter sauce or stuffed clams. Winemaking sees a combination of tonneaux and stainless steel, and only 2,000 bottles were released." Wine Advocate

Capo di Stato has long been a legend thanks to its top quality and history. The cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbech was created by Conte Loredan Gasparini. A wine rich in finesse in the classic Bordeaux style, dense and of outstanding structure with flavours of spices and red fruits. Fascinatingly ripe tannins, skilfully integrated into the new French barrique in which the wine was matured for two years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright, dark ruby red colour. Great expression on the nose, fine and fragrant, on elderberries, ripe cassis, with fine mint, some earth and leather in the background, inviting. Great juiciness and freshness on the palate, tightly woven, salty tannins accompany the course, elegant and clear until the long final. Still young at the moment, put it away and enjoy fully in a few years." Falstaff

"A spicy red showing mulberries, paprika, chilis and sour cherries on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with chalky tannins. Lots of texture. pepat the end." James Suckling

Aged in the cellars for over 25 years, this magnificent amber-style Riserva pours from the bottle with amber intensity. This rare Marsala offers tremendous intensity with a bouquet strong with maple syrup, roasted chestnuts, brown sugar, caramel, dried figs, porcini mushrooms and spicy tobacco. In the mouth, you can feel the alcohol content, but this warmth is wonderfully absorbed by the fleshy intensity and richness of the texture. This wine is a quarter of a century old, but thanks to all the ageless fruit, it hides its age very well. This is a rather atypical "wine", but one that offers a terrific insight into one of Sicily's most important wine traditions. SUPERIORE.DE

Intense ruby red with garnet reflections. Rich and complex bouquet, with numerous hints of black fruits and underlying notes of vanilla, oak, some tar, liquorice and cocoa. Full, powerful, full of character, but at the same time elegant and sensual taste with a delicately sweet aftertaste, harmonious and very delicate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense ruby red. The nose is very broad and shows structure and complexity. Notes of ripe red fruits, liquorice, vanilla and toasted wood, also hints of leather and cocoa powder. Juicy on the palate, elegantly full-bodied, harmonious and persistent finish." Falstaff

"The 2019 Barbera d’Asti Ai Suma is laced with blackberry jam, crème de cassis, sweet spice, licorice, lavender and plenty of sweet French oak. Silky and supple, with terrific balance, this decidedly extroverted Asti Barbera delivers the goods, and then some." Vinous

This is how Aglianico from Apulia goes: Star Oenologist Renzo Cotarella and his team impress with their quality offensive in the extremely dense and very complex Bocca di Lupo. Deep dark colour and just as aromas of liquorice, tar, black cherries and berries. Tightly woven tannins and a lively acidity give the wine power and potential for a little eternity. One of the greatest red wines of southern Italy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh and harmonious, with a frame of fine-grained tannins creating plush texture for concentrated flavors of ripe black cherry, dried sage leaf, iron and ground anise and white pepper, which echo on the long, sculpted finish." Wine Spectator

The wine icon, rare every year and very highly rated, presents itself in a shiny, rich ruby. On the nose, crisp berry fruit, ripe dark cherries, sweet plums and delicate notes of cinnamon. In the mouth it is full-bodied and firm, very juicy, unfolds a finely woven tannin and glides in a wide arc into a powerful, long final. A great wine full of tension and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense, sweet and with great seductiveness, it smells out of the glass with lots of chocolate and nutty aromas. Fine-grained and clearly structured on the palate, it has excellent breed with playful acidity, which in turn gives it depth and length. Impressively typical I Sodi, which has never lost its traditional character. Even though it was one of the more modern top wines from Tuscany in the 90s because of its ageing in barriques, today it has to be classified rather with the classics." Weinwisser

"Rich, sparkling ruby with a slightly pale rim. Opens clear and deep on the nose, with plums and blackberries, discreet smoky notes, some cardamom. Firm and sturdy on the palate, shows lots of tightly woven tannin, builds up firm pressure, lots of plum, long final." Falstaff

"This is marked by new oak initially, then the plum and cherry flavors shine through. Vibrant, with leather and earth elements joining in before the oak spice and tannins frame the finish. Fresh and complex, with a lot going on—just needs time." Wine Spectator

"Bright and vibrant, the trademark lively and vibrant acidity at the fore straight away giving life and lift to the caramelised cherries, pomegranates and strawberry fruit. The wood is a little apparent, giving the frame a spiced edge that sticks out a little and pulls the fruit forwardness back a bit. Clearly powerful, there is a richness and ripeness to the fruit with massy tannins. Nuanced and generous with precision and focus from beginning to the end." Decanter

"This celebrated Tuscan red is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with a smaller part of Malvasia Nera. The Castellare di Castellina 2018 I Sodi di S. Niccolò shows the elegance and grace of these native grapes with aromas of red and purple fruit, cherry, wild rose and gardening soil. However, there is also a strong oak element that adds spice and toast to the bouquet and textural weight to the wine's generous build." Wine Advocate

"A vibrant, balanced and fresh red with raspberries, pomegranates, cherry stones and spice box on the nose. Sleek, tight tannins. Focused, with a very fine structure and wound-up energy." James Suckling

"The 2018 I Sodi di San Niccolò is the most elegant Sodi I have ever tasted, and I have tasted them all. Sodi can be quite the bruiser in its youth, as the tannins are often imposing, but the 2018 is impressive because there is more than enough fruit to balance things out. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and gravel build in a Sodi endowed with mind-blowing purity and exceptional finesse. Superb!" Vinous

"M" stands for Mario Schiopetto. This is the wine that the children have dedicated to their father for years and it is the undisputed white flagship of the winery. This exceptional Friulano with a dash of Riesling seduces with elegant aromas of white flowers, a little smoke and spirited fruit. Ingeniously balanced, fresh and of considerable length and great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dried peach, mango and pear with some melon. Flint, too. Full-bodied, tight and focused center-palate with density and energy at the same time. Spiced pear and matchstick at the end. Very complex and complete. From 60-year-old vines in a single plot of Collio." James Suckling

Castello della Sala has been producing one of Italy's most famous white wines, Cervaro, for many years. In recent years, it has become fresher and deeper at the same time, without the conservative, broad style that characterised older late harvest editions of this wine. On the nose, stewed apples, cream, notes of oak bark, mango and peach. The palate is full of tropical fruit with a fine vein of acidity and a precise mineral component. A long-lasting, beautiful white wine and rightly one of the most sought-after white wines in the wine world every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Castello della Sala 2022 Cervaro della Sala is based on Chardonnay and has a small part of the local grape Grechetto in the blend. The nose opens to a reductive note of flint or matchstick, but it lifts quickly to reveal soft orchard fruit, white peach and minty apple. There are delicately applied toasted notes with a hint of pecan or macadamia nut. To finish, you also get salty mineral notes that underline the extremely vertical or lifted personality of the bouquet." Wine Advocate

The Rosso di Montalcino comes from slightly younger Brunello vines and is matured for 12 months in large oak barrels. It undoubtedly bears the signature of the top winery Biondi Santi: delicately sweet, open flavours of red berries, flowers and cloves. Like all of the winery's other wines, the Rosso is classic and firm in style, with a bombastic structure and a brilliant, long finish. True to the house, it also has a long ageing and maturation potential and can compete with some of the Brunello wines of the appellation today and in the future. SUPERIORE.DE

"Stylish, perfumed cherry and raspberry nose with a sweet balsamic note. Unobtrusive and balanced, fresh and the tannins are super-fine." Jancis Robinson

"The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino displays a bright, vibrant red colour in the glass, slowly unfolding to reveal pretty roses and hints of cherry, leather and Tuscan dust. The palate is silky and flattering, revealing outstanding purity with a vibrant display of wild strawberries and minerals. The 2018 then takes a turn towards the savoury side, becoming quite mineral yet remaining juicy and remarkably fresh for such a young Rosso." Vinous

"Elegant, graceful and fine, the Biondi-Santi 2018 Rosso di Montalcino offers a delicate approach to the senses and spreads out on the palate with polished and silky intensity. The acidity is very high in this vintage. A handful of historic producers in Montalcino are taking the Rosso category to the next level, and the venerable house of Biondi-Santi is one of them. This wine shows even ripening and is quite lively and tangy in terms of its acidity. In spectacular Sangiovese fashion, the wine finishes with lingering notes of wild cherry, sweet earth, floral soil and fragrant violets."

Sauvignon Bianco Rachtl comes from a small micro-location of just 0.4 hectares. It gets its fine flint and graphite nose from the porphyry soils near Unteraicha in the municipality of Völs. Very subtle on the palate with fine saline acidity, fresh fruit and a long-lasting finish. If you can call one of the 2,000 bottles of this vintage your own, you can count yourself lucky! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale straw yellow with light green notes. Opens with notes of sage and flint, green asparagus and some smoke. Salty on the palate, shows very good tension, finely elaborated fruit, lingers beautifully." Falstaff

"Bright flavours of lemon, satsuma and smoky minerals with clean, precise acidity and nice concentration; long and fresh." Decanter

Deep bouquet of black berries and cocoa, violets and lavender. On the palate flavours of cherries, blackberries and wild berries, in the long finish the invigorating fresh impressions of medicinal herbs. A dense, polished and stately wine of the upper class. SUPERIORE.DE

"A masterpiece of polished perfection from Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta for 48 months in large oak casks. Black cherries, liquorice, rhubarb, a mentholated touch on the olfaction, rich and multifaceted. Juicy, persistent, with a return of black fruits and mentholated on the palate." Luca Gardini

"Extremely complex notes of sweet plums, black cherry syrup and dried flowers with a powerful tannin core and illustrious structure. Long and persistent with an herbaceous note on the finish." Decanter

"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato is very classic Zenato style, with macerated cherries, sultanas, sweet herbs, cocoa, black pepper and cedar chips. This wine is very structured, with a dense wave of mineral-coated dark red fruits and balsamic spice supported by a core of bracing acidity. Mocha and clove mingle with blackcurrant and olive as the 2017 finishes dramatically long and powerful. There is just so much going on here, and more is guaranteed to come with ageing. It's also worth noting that the 2017 has a residual sugar content of just 3.3 grams. This wine is as serious as it gets." Vinous

"This is one of those wines where the nose lingers long in the glass to savour the complex aromas that range from raspberries to dates, fragrant bark to polished wood, pressed flowers to fresh mushrooms. Full-bodied, dense and concentrated with fine, well-integrated tannins, plenty of fruit flavours and an endless finish." James Suckling

Batàr is undoubtedly reminiscent of Burgundy, but with unmistakable Tuscan authenticity. Vintage after vintage, Querciabella's forward-thinking winemaking has moved beyond the hedonistic idea of growing foreign, albeit noble, white grapes in a stronghold of red wines to focus on expressing a particular sense of place. The Batàr's inherent vitality and classic minerality clearly come from the high altitude vineyards of Ruffoli and the Galestro soils typical of the best Chianti Classico sites.

Batàr's legendary ability to defy age and improve over time requires a careful combination of hand-picked Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes, timely micro-vinification and patient ageing in barrel. The long time on the lees in high-quality French barriques allows the individual lots to develop their best expression. Only when the optimal maturation is complete is the final assemblage put together through extensive sampling. Further maturation in the bottle before release seals the multi-layered texture that is the proverbial mouthfeel of Batàr.

Exudes elegant aromas of jasmine, peach and sweet tropical fruits and a lively minerality. Batàr secures its many admirers with great finesse and opulent diversity and has undoubtedly been one of Italy's best white wines for decades! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright light gold. In the nose peppermint, cream, some hazelnut, in the reverberation fine fumé and ripe stone fruit. Smooth and round on the palate, spreads creamy and pleasantly over the tongue, balanced, a little set in the final, still needs time." Falstaff

"The 2020 Batàr, Querciabella's white Chardonnay/White Burgundy, is infused with notes of tangerine oil, jasmine, spices and pear. Later, light tropical accents are added, giving the whole wine a wonderful nuance. The switch to high altitude vineyards and the earlier harvest result in a Batàr that has great freshness and style." Vinous

"The organic Batàr 2020 offers fresh, citrusy notes with lemon curd and candied peach. This barrel-aged white wine also offers medium density and lots of fruit, saffron and light spices. It finishes with fresh acidity." Wine Advocate

"Intense nose of cedar, smoked almonds, mango puree, papaya and lemon pie. Full-bodied, dense and creamy with delicious praline and pie crust character, balanced by just the right amount of lemony acidity." James Suckling

"The 2020 vintage is more herbal than usual, with sage, thyme and a citrussy character, then its typical peach kernel core. The attack is full, silky, concentrated and textured, yet vibrant on the finish.One of the most sought after white wines of Italy, with proven ability to age, Batàr originates from vineyards in Ruffoli, in Greve in Chianti, some of which reach 600m. The Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes are fermented and aged for nine months in French oak. It's a very classic white SuperTuscan (first vintage was 1988) with a stylish Corton-Charlemagne attitude." Decanter

The Rosso di Montalcino comes from slightly younger Brunello vines and is aged for 12 months in large oak barrels. It undoubtedly bears the signature of the top winery Biondi Santi: delicately sweet open bouquet of red berries, flowers and clove. The Rosso, like all the other wines of the winery, is of classic and firm style, with a bombastic structure and a brilliant, long finish. True to the house, it also has a long ageing potential and can compete with some Brunellos of the appellation today and the day after tomorrow. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, radiant ruby red. Finely fragrant nose of ripe red berries, rose hips, a hint of dried citrus fruit, noble wood and some delicate leather spice. On the palate, polished and tightly woven, with a gently creamy entry, comes along in many layers, punchy and with clear, precise length." Falstaff

"The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino keeps me returning to the glass to savour its dusty blend of dried strawberries and currants, underlined by nuances of shaved pine and mint. Soft and round in expression, the 2019 impresses with its lush textures and vibrant wild berry fruit. All the while, a core of saline tension builds, blending minerals with gentle tannins as the 2019 finishes with a touch of concentration yet retains a lovely freshness." Vinous

"Aromas of sliced citrus, cherries and flowers follow through to a medium body, with creamy tannins and crisp fruit on the finish. A lovely combination of fruit and acidity. Very drinkable now, but it will age well." James Suckling

"Rosso di Montalcino 2019, which convinces with its pure bouquet and lively fruit. It shows very detailed and chiselled aromas of wild cherry, cassis, dried violets, rust and orange peel. The wine has a strong structural framework, but the mouthfeel is still ethereal and light." Wine Advocate

Giacomo Neri's Pietradonice is Cabernet Sauvignon at the highest level and has become a legend, as there is hardly a wine in Montalcino that can even come close to it. Monumental and very concentrated, with hints of sour cherries and a fine cedar and liquorice note. The exciting thing: Pietradonice is clearly recognisable as a Montalcino growth and yet, with its herbaceous spiciness, it is just as typical of Neri as it is of the grape variety and thus again as if from another larger world. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Pietradonice, a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the south-east of Montalcino, is dark as it grumbles up from the glass, showing dusty rose, currents, cherries and smoke. This is velvety in feel yet wonderfully lifted and fresh, steadily building in tannic heft yet packed full of graphite-like mineral-tinged black fruits and dark inner florals. A hint of sour citrus keeps you coming back for more even as the Pietradonice flexes its structural heft. Give the 2018 five to seven years before attempting to enjoy the full potential buried within." Vinous

"Aromas of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, mushroom, earth and five spice. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Chewy and structured on the palate with a chalky texture. Balanced, layered and well defined. Long, savory finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2023." James Suckling