Decanter

Classic Etna Rosso from Nerello Mascalese with a small proportion of Nerello Cappuccio – grown at an altitude of over 700 metres in various contrade on the northern flank of the volcano, where ash, lava rock and the alpine microclimate form an unmistakable style. Medium ruby red in colour with a garnet-red rim. On the nose, fragrant sour cherry, redcurrant, humming berry, a metallic hint, floral notes and subtle spice. Precise on the palate, with cool fruit, lively acidity and fine-grained tannins. The ageing in used wooden barrels and cement tanks maintains the balance and expression of origin. An authentic, elegant Etna Rosso with good drinkability. SUPERIORE.DE

"After working with Sangiovese for ten years, I finally decided to produce a single-varietal wine. For too long I had unjustly relegated this grape variety to a marginal role in my production. It is not only the expression of pure Tuscan tradition, but also the most technically difficult grape, capable of producing great emotions. The name (Der Knappe) is a tribute to its famous teacher, the Sangiovese pioneer of Bolgheri, Cavaliere Michele Satta, to whom I will always be grateful." Fabio Motta

Taurasi, undisputedly the great red of the south, rightly referred to as the "Barolo of the south", shows all its power and nobility in Feudi di San Gregorio's interpretation. The pure Aglianico comes from vineyards at altitudes of up to 700 metres, on volcanic soils with basalt, clay and tuff. The result is a brooding, long-lasting red wine with character of origin and high standards. Dark ruby red in the glass with a purple centre. The bouquet is intense and clearly structured: black cherry, cassis, blackberry, tobacco, roasted coffee, liquorice, tar and a hint of balsamic herbs. The ageing in large wooden barrels and barriques ensures balance and a fine, polished tannin structure. Dense yet cool on the palate, with grippy tannins, deep fruit and mineral freshness. The vintage also brings clarity, precise contours and an elegant length.

For two decades, the white indigenous cuvée Biancosesto has stood for one of the most original and stylistically distinctive interpretations of the Friulian white wine tradition – a poetic blend of Friulano and Ribolla Gialla from old vineyards around the historic settlement of Sesto al Reghena. The calcareous marl soils (Ponca) and the cool microclimate of the Colli Orientali provide this classic white wine with complexity and finesse every year.

The year is 1773 and a storm drives the English merchant ship "Elizabeth" into the harbour of Marsala. John Woodhouse, a merchant from Liverpool, seeks shelter – and finds a wine in an osteria that won't let him go. To stabilise it for the long journey home, he fortifies it with Acquavite. A makeshift solution that establishes the history of an entire wine. Pellegrino, the centrepiece of the Marsala tradition since 1880, has dedicated its own cuvée to this far-sighted Englishman. "Old John" – respect in two words. Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia, harvested in the hinterland between Marsala and Mazara del Vallo, are fortified with neutral alcohol after fermentation has stopped and topped with mosto cotto – grape must – flavoured and slightly sweetened. Then comes the time: at least 48 months in large oak barrels and a further six months in barriques. The 1998 is a true Riserva – not a vintage for the impatient.

Sparkling yellow-green colour. The elegant, floral-scented Sauvignon Bianco Mantele is irresistible, with beautiful varietal typicity and a pleasingly slender waistline. Fine mineral notes on the palate add playfulness and vibrancy, overall very juicy and fresh. SUPERIORE.DE

A timeless symbol of the region and a tribute to the origins of Franciacorta: '61 Extra Brut is a classic blend of around 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Nero. It is matured for at least 24 months on the fine lees, which gives it a clear structure, elegance and harmonious fruit density. It therefore stands for a modern, precise style that is also deeply rooted. In the glass, it shines in a light straw yellow colour with a delicate, persistent perlage. The nose has fine aromas of apple, citrus zest and almond blossom, accompanied by subtle floral and herbal notes. The palate reveals a clear fruit line with crisp acidity and a fine texture. The finish is dry, elegant and characterised by clear minerality. A Franciacorta that impresses with its stylistic clarity – charming, fresh and unmistakably Guido Berlucchi. Perfect as an aperitif or a high-class accompaniment to seafood antipasti or mild cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

In the hills of Bibbona, where the vineyards of the Alta Maremma overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea, this characterful cuvée is the result of the Antinori brothers' ambitious project. The name Insoglio is a poetic reference to the places where wild boar burrow in the ground – a symbol of the wild, unspoilt nature of the Maremma landscape. Composed mainly of Syrah, supplemented by Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is an intense purple-red colour with violet reflections.

Multi-layered aroma, lots of dark cherry fruit, delicate herbal spice and cedar flavours. Juicy dark wild cherries on the palate, ripe, perfectly integrated tannins, elegant and delicate, fine mineral spice, surprisingly full-bodied and animating. A representative of the appellation that opens up beautifully and hits the right notes, like something out of a picture book! SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this elegant Metodo Classico come from loose limestone soils with a clay content from the Überetsch and Unterland regions. The three grape varieties are vinified separately, gently pressed and fermented at a controlled temperature of 14°-16°C. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees of the first fermentation until spring. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees from the first fermentation until spring. Bright straw yellow in colour, fine and persistent perlage, fruity aroma with a subtle hint of yeast and flint. Fresh, dry and very persistent on the palate, with a pleasant aftertaste of dried fruit and a saline touch. SUPERIORE.DE

From the legendary San Guido estate, the cradle of Sassicaia, comes Le Difese, a wine that combines the essence of two worlds: the international class of Cabernet Sauvignon with the Tuscan soul of Sangiovese. Named after the golden boar tusks on the label – a symbol of the wild Maremma –this blend, first created in 2002, embodies the accessible side of an icon. After gentle hand-picking and temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, Le Difese matures for twelve months in French and American barriques, followed by three months in the bottle.

Villa di Capezzana has been the Tenuta's flagship since 1925 and is a living testimony to Tuscan wine culture. This Carmignano DOCG epitomises the vision of the Contini Bonacossi family, who for five generations have been cultivating the heritage of a wine estate whose first documented mention dates back to 804. In 1975, Carmignano was the first Tuscan DOC zone ever to officially include Cabernet Sauvignon in the assemblage – centuries before the Super Tuscans discovered this idea for themselves. The tradition goes back to the 16th century, when Caterina de' Medici had Cabernet cuttings brought to Carmignano from Bordeaux.

Castello di Monsanto's Chianti Classico Riserva is a fabulous wine that punches well above its weight. Dark cherry, plum, liquorice, spice, leather, lavender and tobacco run through this wonderfully nuanced and vibrant Riserva. It is surprisingly expressive and open even at a young age and will continue to drink well for over 15 years. Sweet floral notes extend the finish of this medium-bodied, graceful and well-structured wine. Interesting Storage potential! SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for Poggio Anticos Rosso have always come from 100% Brunello vineyards and the wine is a real insider tip for Montalcino lovers. Several of the vineyards have been certified organic since 2022. After some aeration, it beguiles the nose with an overwhelming bouquet of spices, ripe red cherries and fine leather notes. Full, firm and fleshy on the palate, the structure is very polished and balanced. A Rosso that could easily be a Brunello with a little patience and further bottle ageing: precise, delicious and with a beautiful, long final full of depth and a delightful aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

In 1090, while Leif Erikson was discovering America and the first universities in Europe were being established, two friends of Abbot Rolando paid "two capons, three loaves of bread and six silver denarii from Lucca" for the annual lease of a vineyard in the divine valley of Dievole. Nine hundred (Novecento) years later, in 1990, this wine was created as a reminiscence of the incredible journey through the centuries. The grapes thrive between 300 and 420 metres above sea level on stony soils of marl, limestone and galestro. The vines, which are on average 15 years old and cultivated organically as in the early days of this domain, undergo a 14-day spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts in cement vats before maturing for 18 months in large, unroasted French Allier oak barrels.

Aristocratic, amphora-aged natural wine made from 100 per cent Zibibbo with a reductive, floral bouquet, notes of white and yellow stone fruit and a savoury, spicy herbal aroma. The flavours meld with great elegance on the palate, with delicate notes of peach and exotic fruit, long, fresh, mineral and an extremely interesting finish. Be sure to aerate sufficiently before drinking! SUPERIORE.DE

The organically certified Sangiovese grapes for this Chianti Classico are grown in the legendary Conca d'Oro south of Panzano, that amphitheatrical Golden Valley with its unique microclimate of warm days and cool nights. Giovanni Manetti, president of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, vinifies exclusively hand-picked grapes in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts on the chalky Galestro soils of his 170-hectare Tenuta. After three weeks of maceration, the wine matures for 18 months in French oak barrels of various sizes.

High above San Casciano dei Bagni, at an altitude of 650 metres, where Carlo Franchetti once discovered a forgotten Pinot Noir vineyard and began his Sancaba project, Grechetto now also grows – an indigenous Tuscan grape variety that develops a surprising complexity here in the cooler microclimate. Carlo, the cousin of the late Andrea Franchetti, is pursuing his vision with Sancaba Bianco: to create elegant, broodingwhite wines that express the terroir just as precisely as his celebrated Pinot Nero. Grechetto is an underestimated grape variety, but in the perfect terroir, vinified with the right flair, it produces wines of impressive structure and freshness.

Deep dark, sparkling ruby red colour. An opulent dark red fruit basket on the nose, intense and full. From the very first sip, a depth that is unrivalled in this price range. The heights to which this wine is capable of carrying the connoisseur are nothing short of spectacular. At the same time, it always convinces with an indescribable balance. Maharis is never fat or jammy, but its potpourri of dark fruits, spices, matured leather and a subtle smoky note is balanced at all times with an almost surprising freshness and liveliness. The final is long, velvety and richly textured. Magnificent! SUPERIORE.DE

The Pecorari family's passion for single-varietal wines is best represented by the Pinot Grigio Gris, which is matured for 11 months on the fine lees with bâtonnage. This Pinot Grigio fermented in oak offers an exciting and complex bouquet of white peach, citrus, flint, crushed oyster shells, white rose petals and notes of acacia honey. The well-proportioned acidity, the fresh flavour and the wonderful depth and tension make it easy to see that the Pinot Grigio at Lis Neris occupies an absolutely special position every year. SUPERIORE.DE"Firm, somewhat nutty, planty to herbaceous and hints of mushroomy aromas of yellow fruit with slightly smoky and vanilla wood notes and nuances reminiscent of mussel shells. Polished, firm fruit with melting and some light wood notes, fine acidity, has a grip of ripe tannin, good substance and persistence, certain depth, salty minerality, tobacco, butter and hints of crab meat in the background, very good, animating finish with bite." Wein-Plus"Bright straw yellow colour. Fine reduction on the nose, subtle flint, precious wood and stone fruit. Full-bodied and radiant on the palate, with great juiciness and salinity, powerful, savoury, lingers for a long time, great Pinot Grigio!" Falstaff"It is fresh and mineral with notes of white peaches, flowers and stones. Crisp and juicy with a medium body and a polished, mineral backbone. Tasty finish." James Suckling"The 2021 Pinot Grigio Gris tantalises the senses with an opulent blend of vanilla pods, sweet spices and whole butter complementing ripe apples and pears. It is pleasantly round and silky in flavour, with a core of juicy acidity that balances it out and ripe fruit that plays around it. The balance on the inside is fantastic. The 2021 rejuvenates with a saline mineral note and sour citrus, leaving a youthful inner tension. The oak will need to be integrated a little over the coming years, but I expect that with a little patience an absolutely stunning interpretation will develop." Vinous