0.375 liter

Acininobili Bianco Passito is a stunning interpretation of the indigenous Vespaiola grape, offering impressive depth, complexity and personality. It is a superb dessert wine made from grapes that were air-dried for up to 120 days after harvest and developed Botrytis cinerea during the careful appassimento process. Basically, the same Vespaiola grapes are used here that are used for Torcolato. At the end of the drying process, the grapes that have developed noble rot are hand-selected and passed into this precious wine. If the noble rot does not appear, this wine is not made.

The rare result is truly exceptional with a deep aroma of candied orange peel, maple syrup and golden honey. Monumental and viscous in the drink, this alien elixir coats the palate with smooth and even waves of magnificent intensity. This is grape juice in purezza! SUPERIORE.DE

"Not too sweet, the 2018 Acininobili Bianco Passito is in fact special in its delivery of sweetness versus complexity, with dried fruit, apricot, honey, beeswax and tropical fruit. This viscous, full-bodied expression of Vespaiola shows some light spice and toasted almond." Wine Advocate

"Quite a discreet and restrained nose for this subtle passito. Fine honeysuckle, apricot, pickled kumquat with subtle sultanas and turmeric. Also some wet stones and butterscotch. The palate is supple and silky with a lovely gliding acidity. Great balance with quite a long, lively finish. Quite effortless." James Suckling

Giovanni Manetti's Vin Santo del Chianti Classico consists of 50% Malvasia and 50% Sangiovese and was aged for 84 months in small oak barrels. The wine is absolutely stunning - from start to finish - and there are just 1,000 bottles of it.

It shows bright amber reflections that alternate with the same dark brown colour as a polished chestnut shell. Its thick, viscous consistency glides over the smooth surfaces of the glass with the soft, slow movements of maple syrup. The bouquet leaves notes of honey, brown sugar, roasted nuts, rum cake, vanilla, white truffle, candied apricots and moist pipe tobacco firmly etched in the memory. You don't drink this wine. Instead, you sip it and savour every last drop. SUPERIORE.DE

With the 2006 vintage, Monsanto's Vin Santo was released for the first time as "Occhio di Pernice", i.e. it was made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. It is only vinified in the very best years, the grapes are carefully harvested by hand in October and then placed on special racks where they rest until the beginning of the following year. After gentle pressing, the must is sealed and fermented in small oak, cherry and chestnut barrels in the "Vinsantaia", where it is exposed to seasonal temperature fluctuations.

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Montegrossi's delicious Vin Santo del Chianti Classico matures for seven years in traditional Caratelli barrels made from oak, cherry and mulberry wood. It shows a marvellous concentration with thick glycerine that slowly runs down the rim of the glass with thick streaks of amber colour. The flavours are of astonishing intensity with explosive notes of candied fruit, brown sugar, maple syrup, caramel, toffee, butterscotch and dried apricots. With its pleasant and very balanced sweetness, it is a wonderful accompaniment to desserts, foie gras or soft cheeses. SUPERIORE.DE

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

Vernaccia di Oristano Antico Gregori Riserva was not only named dessert wine of the year in Gambero Rosso 2021, but was also given a vintage for the first time in this edition. Since this year it was possible to fill a little more than in other years, this year they did without the normally undertaken assemblage of the best vintages of the last century. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, it became a breathtaking wine that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of intensity, ripeness and depth! SUPERIORE.DE

Vernaccia di Oristano Antico Gregori Riserva was not only named dessert wine of the year in Gambero Rosso 2021 (1976 vintage), but was also bottled in this 1979 vintage edition. As it was possible to bottle a little more this year than in other years, the usual assemblage of the best vintages of the last century was dispensed with this year. Nonetheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, it is, as always, a breathtaking wine that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of intensity, maturity and depth! SUPERIORE.DE

"Lots of nutty undertones with dried fruit, chocolate and aged orange peel aromas and flavors. Hints of dried mushrooms and a touch of volatility, just enough to enhance its character and add some brightness and tension to the dry and refined palate. Characterful and long. Impressive condition." James Suckling

"A unique Vernaccia di Oristano from a winery that has written its own history. A refined, everlasting method that starts from a base vintage and includes lots that are a hundred years old. Apricot in syrup, almond, turmeric and ginger on the nose. The flavour is salty, fruity, spicy and restrained." Luca Gardini

Adjacent to the Kolbenhof there is an extremely steep vineyard, "Leiten" in South Tyrol, which is more south-facing. It descends into the deep gorge of the Hell Valley and is exposed to a very special microclimate. Thanks to the persistent coolness, the grapes ripen slowly and are harvested by hand only in November. They are then overripe and particularly tasty - ideal for the Gewürztraminer Spätlese Rechtenthaler Schloßleiten.

Opulent fruit aromas such as highly ripe apricots, Williams pear, blossom honey, acacia. In the glass, it presents itself with a highly concentrated aroma and acidity, expansive and dense. The fruit sweetness remains opulent and elegant on the palate for a long time. SUPERIORE.DE

This exceptional Recioto (formerly "A Roberto") was aged for 6 years in Slavonian oak. Deep dark ruby red in colour. In the nose, a beguiling extract of black cherry, dried flowers and a fine spiciness, with hints of liquorice and mint. On the palate, the fruit is uniform, extremely harmonious and concentrated to the point. Notes of gingerbread, dark chocolate and black cherry glide into an almost endless finish with an unforgettable aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"In the glass, the Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2011 is dark and rich. It smells of brown spices, cocoa and balsamic herbs, while notes of dried citrus peel and cherries develop over time. A pleasing inner sweetness greets the palate, with pure, silky texture and racy acidity maintaining a fantastic balance, while liquid mineral rock balances rum-soaked currants and dark chocolate. The 2011 finishes with traces of medicinal wild berries and liquorice, ending incredibly long and with an exoticism that screams Quintarelli." Vinous

"A totem of the region, a breathtaking Recioto created through six months of appassimentation and almost a decade in the barrel. It is reminiscent of chinotto, alpine spruce, bitter cherry, clove, mahogany and walnut shell, with a hint of something exotic like incense and Chinese medicine cabinet. The finish is incredibly dry, sooty and almost grainy, such is the precision of the tannin structure. Captivating gait, as if you discover a new needle in a haystack of overwhelming complexity with every new sip." James Suckling

Passito Seré is not a new wine from Dal Forno, but the former Recioto DOCG, which is now being marketed as an IGT - if you get to see or drink it at all. Incredibly rich and dense, lots of ripe, dark fruit and roasted coffee beans on the nose. Opulent and generous on the palate, the sweetness shows excellent balance. A particularly structured and almost magical dessert wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Has an enticing nose, with prune, tar, espresso and dried nuts. Full- to medium-bodied, with good supportive tannins that turn chewy on the finish and lots of dark chocolate and mocha that linger at the end. This will be worth the wait. Superintense and layered. Like a baby vintage Port." Wine Spectator

"The 2003 Rosso Passito Vino Dolce Vigna Serè is impossibly fresh. It opens like a dusty cedar spice box with a sweet mix of cloves, cocoa, cherry sauce and dusty rose, all lifted by a hint of fresh mint. This flows across the palate like pure silk, seamlessly smooth yet surprisingly lifted and delicate. Masses of ripe red fruit and inner spice are motivated by zesty acidity. It leaves a staining of raspberry preserves and cloves to linger while finishing with incredible length and freshness, making the 2003 a dessert in a glass but also too easy to drink. All of this is at just 140 grams of residual sugar per liter. The Rosso Passito Vino Dolce Vigna Serè was not permitted to be bottled as a Recioto because it did not meet the "specific characteristics'' of the category. Marco believes this is the greatest Recioto his father ever created, even though it can't be labeled as such." Vinous

This exceptional Recioto was matured for 6 years in Slavonian oak. Deep, dark ruby red in colour. In the nose, a beguiling extract of black cherry, dried flowers and a fine spiciness, with hints of liquorice and mint. On the palate, the fruit is uniform, extremely harmonious and concentrated to the point. Notes of gingerbread, dark chocolate and black cherry glide into an almost endless finish with an unforgettable aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby with purple hues, the 2015 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico is youthfully coy, requiring coaxing to evolve in the glass. Swirling and time bring forward a more savory bouquet as exotic spices, balsamic tones and hints of incense emerge, followed by dried blueberries and violet pastille. This is pure seduction, like silk draped across the palate, revealing depths of ripe black cherry and wild berry fruits, enhanced by a core of blood orange. Even at 70 grams-per-liter of residual sugar, it's hard to perceive the 2015 as a sweet wine. Its zesty acidity adds harmony, closing with a pleasantly bitter tinge and gently grippy tannins that frame the experience so well." Vinous

In 2001, Luca Sanjust unceremoniously renamed his Vinsanto del Chianti "San Petrolo Passito Bianco", as he was no longer willing to put up with the uncompromising and incomprehensible views of the consortium on the specification of a Vin Santo del Chianti Classico. For some of the analytical values (sugar, acidity, alcohol content) of his exceptional dessert wine did not correspond to the rigid specifications of the regulations, which, however, did not detract from the quality of his wine. There are just 600 bottles of each vintage, but they are quite something.

San Petrolo Passito is a hedonistic and intellectual wine that immediately commands any attention thanks to its powerful aromas of candied fruit, brown sugar and caramel sweets. This luscious, full-bodied sweet wine shows wonderful concentration and balance in a style that manages to deliver tons of flavour and richness without being overly heavy. Coconut, spices, flowers and dried figs emerge on the palate and the balance of the wine is simply impeccable from start to finish. In short, this impressive wine is a gem and owner Luca Sanjust and his team have once again done everything right! SUPERIORE.DE

"Here's a precious and distinctive dessert wine. Made with air-dried grapes, the Petrolo 2008 Sanpetrolo Passito pours forth with a dark brown color and deep amber hues. The wine is sugary and viscous, with its heavy liquid mass clinging to the inside of your glass. The concentration and richness is outstanding, and it is impossible not to think of all the very hard work employed to make this nectar. The bouquet is redolent of dried fig, maple syrup, chestnut honey and bitter chocolate. This is a work of extremes, and a work of art." Wine Advocate

Passito Seré is not a new wine from Dal Forno, but the former Recioto DOCG, which is now on the market as IGT - if you get to see it or drink it at all. Incredibly rich and dense, lots of ripe, dark fruit and roasted coffee beans on the nose. Opulent and generous on the palate, the sweetness shows excellent balance. A particularly structured and almost magical dessert wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Labeled as “air-dried sweet red wine” instead of its traditional name “Recioto,” this is indeed a powerful and generous wine. It boasts huge density and superintense aromas of blackberry, oak spice and tobacco. Keep it for your cellar." Wine Enthusiast

"Bright deep ruby. Intense but refined aromas and flavors of red cherry jam, licorice cocoa and flinty minerals, with a bright violet topnote. Lively but harmonious acidity really lift and extend the rich high concentrated and multilayered flavors on the long, luscious and very precise finish. In many respects, this is always my favorite wine from Dal Forno, as I find it has impeccable balance (14% alcohol, 150g/L r.s. and 7g/L total acidity) and a very high easy-drinking quality (especially given a rather crazy-high 56g/L dry extract). The extremely high quality of this wine (it used to be labeled as a Recioto della Valpolicella) and Dal Forno’s exacting standards are well demonstrated by the fact that he has only made this wine six times in the roughly thirty year lifetime of the estate! Even though the 2004 vintage was marred by an early July hailstorm, this is one of Dal Forno’s best Reciotos ever." Vinous

"The 2004 Passito Rosso Vino Dolce Vigna Seré is a masterpiece that is impossible to repeat. In fact, the wine has not been produced since 2004. Even if a vintage as good as this did come along, we'd need to wait another 13 years before we could enjoy this level of maturity and evolution. Formally a Recioto della Valpolicella, this sweet red wine is made with air-dried fruit as local tradition dictates. Luckily no botrytis set in that year, because that would have eroded the wine's deep and luscious color saturation. The bouquet delivers a generous flow of dark spice, bitter chocolate, espresso, raisin, plum, barbecue spice and teriyaki smoke. The concentration and layering of the wine are both rare and distinctive. The mouthfeel sees sweet flavors with a syrupy mouthfeel. The finish offers hints of caramelized brown sugar and savory hickory. The aging window is impossible to predict, but the wine is surely built to last. I can think of no other wine that comes close to matching this unique style." Wine Advocate

Caramel-coloured Vin Santo with intense aromas of toffee and dark chocolate, enriched by acacia honey and Mediterranean herbs. Notes of freesia, candied orange peel and French pastry. On the palate, this intriguing sweet wine reveals a blend of fig, almond and lemon flavours, followed by roasted coffee beans. The perfect balance between acidity and sweetness lead into a sensual finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mahogany in colour. A fine patina in the fragrance, dried figs, maraschino cherry, coffee, caramel. Very viscous in the mouth, with concentrated grape aromas and at the same time with delicate notes of ageing, the silky sweetness is balanced by perfectly integrated acidity, dense and oily and yet animating, a stylistic masterpiece, matured à point." Falstaff

"The Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2001 (375 millilitres) is a divine and wonderfully delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The result is very concentrated and boiled down to a delicious reduction sauce. There are so many flavours to list, but among the most obvious are candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, roasted coffee beans, vanilla bean, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow roses. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and layered. Compared to the Occhio di Pernice, I recommend a slightly shorter drinking window here. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I'm pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone who has reached legal drinking age." Wine Advocate

"Thick in texture, with aromas and flavours of dried figs, espresso, macadamia nuts and sultanas. Intensely sweet, with lingering accents of leather and cigar. Despite its boisterousness, it remains balanced and finishes clean." Wine Spectator

This barrique-aged Passito is an absolute filet piece even for die-hard sweet wine connoisseurs and at the same time an exotic wine for the region. The Quintarelli family produces it handpicked only in the very best vintages, making it a real rarity and the small edition also, but not only, explains its price. Brilliant golden yellow with amber reflections. Candied apricot, peach, orange peel and a delicate honey note on the nose, rounded off with warm components such as sugar couleur, roasted almonds and rendered butter. Firm and ingratiating on the palate, yet retains its freshness with each sip, with great persistence and impressive, unforgettable length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ginger and incense, dried apricots, crushed almond and nuances of butterscotch lift from the 2015 Amabile del Cerè. This soothes with silken, weighty textures, yet its balance is in place with a sour citrus wave that leaves a salty sensation in its wake. It tapers off long with a smoky note and tropical florals and citrus that linger on while remaining incredibly fresh. The 2015 Amabile del Cere is pure hedonistic pleasure." Vinous

Occhio di Pernice means eye of the partridge and refers to the salmon red colour of this lightly vinified Vin Santo from the red grape variety Prugnolo Gentile. Dense and dark after 10 years of barrel ageing, rich in aromas of dates, dried plums and fruitcake. Sweet aroma with sensual flavours of lemon, salted caramel with warm French pastry. This wine lingers in the memory long after the last sip. SUPERIORE.DE

Occhio di Pernice means eye of the partridge and refers to the salmon red colour of this lightly vinified Vin Santo from the red grape variety Prugnolo Gentile. Dense and dark after 10 years of barrel ageing, rich in aromas of dates, dried plums and fruitcake. Sweet aroma with sensual flavours of lemon, salted caramel with warm French pastry. This wine lingers in the memory long after the last sip. SUPERIORE.DE