Decanter World Wine Awards 2023

Beautifully matured Cabernet Sauvignon that underlines its rich, fleshy fruit with graphite and liquorice aromas. Its broad, full and balanced flavour, polished tannins and fruity, elegant style build up to a long, balsamic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red with a brightening rim. On the nose, rich pepper, cassis, cranberry, leather and undergrowth. Hearty and impetuous on the palate, stretches very powerfully across the tongue, gripping, with rich pressure, a balsamic touch and minimal dryness on the finish." Falstaff

"A vibrant, concentrated red, offering black cherry, black currant, iron, tobacco and spice aromas and flavors. Though dense, this is also fluid, with excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"Olmaia has developed into a brand in its own right. The wine emphasises the potential of Cabernet Sauvignon in this part of Tuscany, an area where Sangiovese is grown almost exclusively. The 2016 Sant'Antimo Cabernet Olmaia reminds us of the importance of diversity in a monoculture, which allows us to better understand the potential of a growing area. This wine has a dark colour and a dense concentration of colour. It is certainly broad and full-bodied, but it transcends the senses with nuanced grace. Black and purple fruits segue into earthy tobacco, cured leather and dark spices. These flavours are particularly finely tuned in this classic vintage." Wine Advocate

Essenze Barolo Riserva is vinified only in the best vintages. It is a blend of the best grapes from the vineyards of the Comune del Barolo. Ethereal scent, some forest earth, tar, tobacco and spices. A wonderfully balanced Barolo with a fine acid and tannin structure and a beautiful fruit component - completely in the style of the house and made for a long life! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromatic notes of dried herbs and cherries with a smooth, rounded palate, strong tannins and a long, tarry finish." Decanter

"Bright ruby garnet. Smells of rosewood, wild raspberries and pickled nuts on the nose. Gripping tannin that spreads out well, shows good tension, lots of raspberry fruit, juicy, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Deep red and darker berries on the nose, along with floral and leathery notes. Full-bodied with grainy tannins infused with spice and fruit. It is approachable now but should age for a long time. Best from 2023." James Suckling

This impressive red comes from the single vineyard "Vitticciana", which was specially created for a pure Sangiovese wine by the "Godfather of Carmignano" Ugo Contini Bonacossi due to its perfect orientation. It is only produced in the best years, when it presents itself as a multi-layered wine with fine fruit and fine-grained tannins. After a few years of ageing in the bottle, it can easily hold its own with some of the best Brunello di Montalcino. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, medium ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. Red sour cherries and pickled plums on the nose, with some verbena and spice in the background. Velvety tannins on the palate, well-balanced, still a little young on the final." Falstaff

"A hint of floral and spicy notes, with beautiful, pure fruit underneath. Very well-managed tannins and a long finish." Decanter

"A hint of dusty spices and pencil shavings accompany the ripe cherry and plum fruit flavours. Juicy and very lively on the palate with medium to full body and firm, metallic tannins that are firmly attached to the finish. Needs time." James Suckling

"The 2018 Ugo Contini Bonacossi, a varietal Sangiovese, evolves in the glass with a rich blend of cherry and plum sauce, accentuated and lifted by hints of sage and sweet mint. This is velvety smooth yet full of zesty energy, with a core of nervous acidity that enlivens its sour red and black berry fruits. The 2018 finishes long and staining yet light on its feet, leaving edgy tannins to resonate as the cheeks pucker with youthful tension. I expect the 2018 to evolve sooner than bigger vintages, but with that said, it is no less pleasurable." Vinous

Lisini's vineyards are located between Sant'Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the inner edge of the Sesta area and are cleansed by the constant breeze from the Tuscan coast. The stony soils with a significant proportion of limestone and the altitude of over 300 metres help to maintain the freshness of the wines. The 2018 is wonderfully fragrant, almost exotic. Plump red fruits and sweet summer herbs fill the mouth, but instead of being heavy, it is balanced and transparent. The powdery tannins are fine and lead to a long, maritime finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, shiny ruby red with orange-coloured reflections. Very closed and backward on the nose. Cherry on the palate with a slight hint of dried fruit, but much more convincing than it sounds. Long yet restrained on the finish, with fine-grained tannins that only reveal their complex depth at the very end. Skilfully made, and there is more to come." Jancis Robinson

"Warm, fragrant aromas of red berries and flowers open the round; elegant attack, but also with character, melting and good length. Pleasing with its elegant yet powerful texture." Vinum

"Very classic Sangiovese nose, dark cherries, sour cherry (Marasca), fine wood, very classic style on the palate too, incredibly juicy with fine spice and salty hints, compact but by no means rustic, rather balanced and with a lot of structure. Compact juiciness. Wonderful presence, noble elegance, fantastically integrated acidity and tannins. Beautiful piquancy. Stony and firm style. Long-lasting." Weinwisser

"Like a kid in a sweet shop, it's a pleasure to take in the candy, medicinal cherry, blueberry compote and liquorice aromas of the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino. While the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is silky and elegant, it is also racy and full of character, as the red and black berries are complemented by notes of cinnamon, cloves and a bitter hint of cocoa. The 2018 finishes powerful and long, but only slightly structured, which suggests a certain amount of ageing, but also that it is showing off all its skills. Almost a minute passes and nuances of violet pastilles and red sweets still linger." Vinous

"Strawberry liqueur with herbal notes on the nose. Juicy and refreshing, modern in style, but promising for the coming years." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of medium volume and intensity with dark fruits, ripe cherries, black plums, spices and sweet floral earth. This theme of sweetness continues on the soft, lightly structured palate. The wine is ready to drink in the short to medium term; the tannins are round and ready, and it finishes with bright acidity." Wine Advocate

"Rich and deep, with base notes of plum and loamy earth balancing the flavours of cherry, hibiscus and eucalyptus. Dense, with muscular tannins and a lively acidity to support it. The long aftertaste is reminiscent of earth and Mediterranean scrub." Wine Spectator

"Dark, bright ruby red colour. Fragrant, inviting nose of ripe wild berries, candle wax, fine spicy tones and some liquorice. On the palate, with pithy tannins that beautifully envelop the clear fruit, balanced and elegant." Falstaff

"Dark fruit aromas stretch across the nose but don't entirely mask hints of vanilla, pencil shavings and a salty, peppery stoniness. On the palate, the vanilla escalates to initially further emphasize the dark fruits, before new undertones of bitter orange and meaty umami elements emerge. Acid zips around dense tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Sant'Angelo in Colle, a wine of excellent juiciness that expresses Lisini's great craftsmanship. Notes of dogwood, then chinotto and juniper. The palate has juicy tannins, beautiful citrus-olfactory nuances and a fruity return." Luca Gardini

Named after the quartz speckles in the volcanic porphyry rock of Terlan, the most famous Sauvignon Bianco in Italy lives up to its name. Sparkling yellow-green in colour. 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 characteristic name, is as filigree as the fine quartz crystals in Terlan's volcanic porphyry rock. The quartz is characterised by its fine texture and depth as well as a salty finish, which have now earned this fine white wine an international reputation." Rudi Kofler, Kellermeister Terlan

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

"The flavours of melon, kiwi, Meyer lemon and notes of chive blossom and toast are very harmonious. A tantalising white that is skilfully knitted with razor-sharp acidity and salty minerality. It is long and creamy on the palate, with spice, mineral and herb accents on the lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Quarz is very seductive, with a rich blend of savoury herbs and grapefruit zest underscored by a cooling hint of white smoke. It is bold and smooth with a medium body and a pretty inner sweetness that borders on decadent but is balanced by an energising core of zesty acidity. Candied lemon and lime resonate, while hints of salty minerality and chalk dust provide a perfect contrast. Like most Quartz vintages, this wine will age well over the medium term. Nevertheless, there is no harm in enjoying it now in this wonderful primary state." Vinous

"The Sauvignon Quartz is a very exact and precise expression, with tropical tones, crushed stone, tomato leaves and green papaya. There is a hint of sweetness, like candied pineapple or mango ice cream. I have always felt a special connection with this wine. There's a hint of pulverised quartz stone on the finish." Wine Advocate

"A sophisticated Sauvignon with a complex and aromatic nose that offers notes of glazed citrus and stone fruit with honeysuckle and melon rind. The palate is full and structured with a lively acidity. Creamy with the texture of 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 wood, 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 a long aftertaste." Luca Gardini

"Bright, sparkling straw yellow colour. Very intense nose, rich aromas of dark redcurrants and elderflower, with a hint of tomato green, exciting. Also shows great flavour on the palate, lots of sage, salty, beautiful melting on the final, lingers for a very long time." Falstaff

The approx. 1.6 hectare single vineyard Loreto is situated on a slope directly next to the winery and has an ideal south-east exposure. Vigna Loreto is vinified only in the best vintages and is an even more intense interpretation of the Sangiovese grape. It has a texture that is both creamy and robust, with a depth and richness that make it very rich and exceptional. With further aeration, beautiful notes of black fruits, tobacco and spices. Aristocratic, powerful and very long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Quite deep, somewhat tarry aroma of ripe black and red berries with a hint of mushrooms, iron, tobacco, pepper and a little dried herbs. Ripe, firm, rather dark fruit, coffee-spicy wood aromas, some dark chocolate and smoke, present, ripe tannin still drying a bit, clearly salt in the background, a touch of dried herbs and tobacco, a hint of bread crust, deep and quite concentrated, still gaining expression and at the same time harmony with air, long, firm, tart finish with noble juice and cigar box. Gains strength over days and should definitely still mature." Wein-Plus

"Bright garnet red with a light rim. Opens on the nose with notes of pickled cherries and plums, behind that some spicy juniper berries and cigar box. Blooms great on the palate, lots of sweet melting, fine-meshed tannin embedded in it, ripe fruit, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Spicy and fragrant notes of sour cherries, currants, bay leaves, charred bark, tobacco, rosemary stems and toasted wood. It is full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Deep and sensual dark fruits and toasted aromas. Taste it in 2024." James Suckling

"Pebble and tufa soils for this successful Brunello reading. Raspberry jam on the nose, with notes of marjoram and lemon thyme, then nuances of iris. Iodine tannins on the palate, again with floral notes." Luca Gardini

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto rises from the glass with a beguiling blend of crushed ash stones merging into dried cherries and cloves. The palate is seductively soft and supple, with polished red fruits and a pleasing inner sweetness accompanied by an evolving minerality and a hint of acidic citrus. The finish is of excellent length, balancing fine tannins with a saturation of tart wild berries that lingers. This is one of the finest interpretations of Vigna Loreto I have ever tasted. Masterfully done." Vinous

"An elegant red with an attractive blend of cherry, raspberry, red floral, mineral and rosemary aromas. Juicy and lively, with refined, resonant tannins supporting the long finish. Very balanced and expressive." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto has an understated, dry and elegant personality with a long, silky texture that gently caresses the palate. The essence of Sangiovese with its wild side, dried raspberries, blue flowers and crushed stones, comes through with precise precision. This wine is a bull's eye in a vintage that has not always been easy to handle." Wine Advocate

"This wine is relatively dark, though translucent now, and the scents are sweet, warm, open and inviting, built around a core of ripe plum. The palate is deep and secondary, meaning the plum is beginning to morph into the softer but less precise fruits of ripeness; there are also prominent but well-rounded tannins, while the acidity is livelier and more vital than one might expect from the flavours. An excellent Brunello for mid-range ripeness." Decanter

Il Quercione means the ultimate commitment to terroir for Tenuta Campogiovanni. The wine comes from a strictly selected selection of Sangiovese Grosso grapes from the approximately 2.5 hectare vineyard "Il Quercione" and combines originality, concentration and elegance with an exceptional storage life. Full, lush bouquet of cherry and blackberry, rounded off by spices and young leather. Dark, concentrated, deep on the palate, the harmonious tannins are warm and enveloping, giving the wine power and confidence. Very determined and precise progression into the respectable finish. Great wine from a great vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Il Quercione unfolds in the glass with a rich and seductive bouquet of plum jam, tobacco and cocoa, accompanied by mentholated herbs and hints of pine. On the palate, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Il Quercione unfolds in velvety waves, presenting ripe currants mingling with savoury balsamic spices and minerals that add a salty note towards the end. The tannins are sweet and round and are complemented by notes of sour citrus and sour cherries. As usual, San Felice offers a balanced pleasure with Riserva Il Quercione that only needs a short cellar ageing to really shine." Vinous

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Il Quercione wears a heavier mantle of dark fruits and spices compared to the Annata wine released at the same time. This wine is visibly darker and more concentrated. You get pressed blackberries, earth and sweet baking spices or Spanish cedar. This is a rich, lavish expression of Campogiovanni, but the wine is also approachable and somewhat compact on the finish." Wine Advocate

"This red wine offers a blend of plum, black cherry, fruitcake and spice aromas. It is opulent and supported by strong tannins, but they find a nice balance. It shows a lot of concentration and has a long finish." Wine Spectator

"Savoury notes with forest undergrowth, chestnuts, and leather. Great succulence on the palate with a long, expressive, and spicy finish." Decanter

"This wine is very perfumed, with aromas of roses, lavender and dried berries reminiscent of dark cherries. Full-bodied and chewy, with polished tannins that are fine and extend throughout the length of the wine. Sandalwood and berries on the finish. Traditional and genuine. Drinkable after 2023." James Suckling

Campo del Drago is a single vineyard of just 1.5 ha and is situated on a high plateau in the Montalcino appellation with a view of the Thyrrenian Sea. The grapes from here are only vinified separately in the best years to produce the Brunello of the same name, and the result is then eagerly awaited about 5 years later.

Campo del Drago 2018 is very closely linked to its terroir. Dark, concentrated colour with beautiful saturation and density. The bouquet reveals a unique minerality and complexity. The palate is intense, complex and deep. The tannins are present but remain very elegant thanks to the acidity. The finish with the sour almond note typical of Sangiovese is great proof of how characteristic the vintage was for this grape variety. Can still mature, but is already irresistible today. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby red. The nose really has the 'wow factor'. Still a little dense and closed, but with real purity of fruit on the nose and a hint of iodine. Pure fruit with lots of fresh acidity and rich, long, fine-grained tannins. Real elegance coupled with concentration. Not yet ripe." Jancis Robinson

"Although rich and focused on a core of bright cherry fruit, this vibrant red also evokes iron, wild herbs and Mediterranean scrub. It has visible but well-integrated tannins that remain juicy and carry through the long finish." Wine Spectator

"The Castiglion del Bosco 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago was born in one of the most beautiful panoramic vineyards in Tuscany. This wine is a tribute to this magical place. It offers a special intensity and power that you can perceive with all your senses. It has more fruit weight, more black and purple berries and more soft concentration that makes for a long finish. The tannins are still tight, so give the wine a few more years to integrate." Wine Advocate

"Dark fruits dominate the nose, but savory undertones of tar, soil and graphite emerge over time. On the palate, dried cherries and cranberries continue, before a balanced finish of dark chocolate and candied orange peel. Tannins keep things clean, while acidity contrasts the plush fruit." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago smells of an irresistible blend of gravel, spicy herbs, wild strawberries and rose tones. It is elegant yet refined, with silky texture and pure, ripe red and blue fruits that take on a crisp feel towards the finish, while inner violet and lavender tones arch across the palate. Long and savoury, the 2018 finishes with light tannins, packed with salty minerals and floral scents that refuse to end. The 2018 Campo del Drago is often dark and brooding to the extreme and impressed me greatly. It has a beautiful balance but also an admirable depth for this vintage. Well done." Vinous

"Fascinating nose with notes of spicy mushrooms, almost like truffles, along with ripe red berries and a hint of exotic dates. Full-bodied, with an excellent balance of ripe fruit, velvety but not chewy tannins and a long, tasty finish. This wine should be drunk now but will improve with age. Best from 2024." James Suckling

"Once again, Vigneto Capanna and slatey soils give power to this label of beautiful intensity. Blackcurrant on the nose, notes of liquorice and rhubarb, then citrus thyme. The mouthfeel is crisp and juicy, with a return of fruit and liquorice." Luca Gardini

"Powerful black cherry, red berry and earthy floral notes with a juicy underbelly of plum sauce and cola spice. Incredibly youthful and fervent with fine-grained tannins and a saline finish." Decanter