Matured

Dark cherry red. Multi-layered nose with aromas of wild berries, fine spice and dried meat, combined with cedar and earthy notes. In the mouth powerful black cherry, blackberry, plum, red rose petals and a delicate toast note. Wonderful on the long finish with hints of pepper and exotic spices. A great Riserva from a great vintage with cult potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby-garnet. Attractive, intense nose with notes of blackberry and dark cherry, some liquorice. On the palate nicely worked out, juicy fruit, after cherries and plums, gripping, hearty tannin, firm pressure in the final." Falstaff

"Deep ruby. Slightly reticent nose hints at black cherry, herbs and flint. Then juicy and bright, with deep flavors of minerals, blueberry and red cherry, complicated by peppery herbs. Closes long with repeating mineral nuances. A sleeping giant, the fruit is having a tough time emerging currently but I’d say there’s plenty there, just lying beneath the wine’s noble tannic cloak. Cellar this very refined Brunello for five or six years to see how it develops." Vinous

"Ripe, offering cherry, plum and floral aromas and flavors, matched to a rich texture. Tobacco and iron notes emerge as this builds to a lengthy finish. A touch dry on the finish, but the sweet fruit returns in the end." Wine Spectator

"Earthy aromas of wild berry, new leather, truffle and exotic spice emerge from the glass. The concentrated, vibrant palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco and black pepper alongside fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Showing ripe and balanced fruit, the Valdicava 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano offers many very positive attributes. The wine flaunts a slightly contemporary or international side, and it does so with extreme confidence and elegance. Much of that natural balance comes directly from the classic vintage that exhibits both the structure and acidity necessary for prolonged cellar aging. Now, in the wine's youngest phase, it offers lush primary cherry and blackberry flavors followed carefully by measured spice, toast and red rose potpourri." Wine Advocate

"This opens with savory, truffle and meaty aromas with a complex and quite cryptic nose that delivers a wealth of ripe plums and cherries, cedar and fresh, violet-like flowers, as well as some earthy nuances. The palate has a very sturdy, intense and power-charged core of rich plums and dark cherries, framed in quite fierce tannins that are so long. Super Brunello Riserva here with great potential." James Suckling

This is a special Riserva from Michele Chiarlo that is late to the market. The Barolo Riserva Cerequio is a great wine, with particularly taut tannins and a concentrated richness that permeates its substantial textile fibre. The flavours of dark fruits such as blackberries and dried cherries are accompanied by spices, leather, tar and ashes from the bonfire. The wine shows the concentration and density of long oak ageing with tannins that definitely need more ageing before this exceptional wine will fully convince its connoisseurs! SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautiful nose of dried red fruits, cherry chocolate, bergamot and bark with hints of citrus blossom and dry earth. So polished and refined with medium to full body and a compact tannin structure. It has savoury nuances in the fruit character and a minerality of gravel on the finish. Already attractive now, but can age further." James Suckling

"The 2016 vintage is still young. Held back for further aging at the winery, the Michele Chiarlo 2016 Barolo Riserva Cerequio has only begun to move away from primary intensity. Flavours of dried fruit and pressed roses follow through to a long, polished mouthfeel. The Cerequio is a full-bodied wine with rich fruit and savoury oak tannins." Wine Advocate

"Enchanting aromas of spiced cherry preserves, baking spices and rosewood just scratch the surface of what can and will emerge from this stunning Barolo. The palate strikes a firm tone with a foundation of tannins and acidity built for the cellar while tart red berries, aged tea and herbal flavors give an alluring aura to this wine." Wine Enthusiast

Michele described his absolute top wine to us during his lifetime as follows: "Cannubi San Lorenzo is the highest part of the Cannubi hill and we own its summit. This plot is characterised by its tiny size: facing east-south-east, it is barely a fifth of a hectare and is cultivated in the same way as our ancestors - without any mechanical help. We harvest just a few precious grapes from these rows of ancient vines, press them and leave the results to mature in large bottles for at least ten years. In the glass, the wine displays an extraordinary complexity: the aroma is refined, almost kaleidoscopic, punctuated by notes of spices and orange; in the mouth, it is delicate and classic. It connects the experienced connoisseur with the land of the Langa. And once it's in the glass, it's like looking through a keyhole, with each further sip there is so much more to discover. This wine shows that time passes very slowly in Barolo." SUPERIORE.DE

"Dried flowers, potpourri nuances on the nose - so aromatic and perfumed. Dried fruits, cherries and cranberries, but also baked and stewed red berry fruits and fresh red cherries alongside caramel, coffee and dark chocolate. This round, supple and lively wine is delightful from the first sip, with a lovely sweet, almost tart cherry acidity and juicy strawberry flavours. Creamy, chalky, docile and full-bodied, it's a veritable cornucopia of flavour and texture. I love the elegance but also the sheer confidence it displays, full of character, nuanced and delicious - it's both fun and sensual. Multi-faceted and with outstanding freshness - so long, broad and expansive, the flavour goes on and on. Light bitter notes in the mid-palate and finish add variety and interest - cola, aniseed, medicinal eucalyptus and dried herbs. Simply brilliant. Tasted and sold only from the magnum bottle. The flavour is still there after 10 minutes. From a 0.25 ha parcel." Decanter

Crichët Pajé 2015 is one of the most captivating and striking wines anyone can discover in Piedmont. It possesses a ripe, savoury style with a fruit profile that tends towards cherry and plum compote flavours, accented by coffee, soy, tar and mineral notes, all supported by a dense layer of massive tannins. Despite the ripe fruit profile, this wine is surprisingly fresh on the finish and has excellent length. This still young wine should age for decades. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Barbaresco Crichet Paje 2015 is a wine of extreme elegance and seduction. Bright red fruit, rose petals, tobacco, incense and spices give it a striking inner perfume. The 2015 is a wine of great aromatic presence and exceptional balance, which impresses above all with its balance between exoticism and classicism. Here, too, the balance is simply stunning." Vinous

"An opulent style, this complex red offers notes of cherry, plum, rose, fresh herbs, licorice, tar and mineral, with layers of flavor and texture unfolding as this builds to a long and nuanced aftertaste, where a stony mineral component lingers. So fresh, it's hard to believe this is closing in on a decade already." Wine Spectator

Bright garnet red. Despite advanced maturity, the nose appears youthful, compact and closed. Dark earth, stony notes, a cool scent reminiscent of iron and graphite, some bacon, tar and wood smoke. Its fruit moves completely on the dark side, small blueberries, blackthorn, dried cranberries and dark plum puree. Extreme depth already in the nose. On the palate, a lot of freshness with the right dose of acidity and a still youthful tannin structure. A great, exciting drop, a monument of power that conceals incredible elegance and facets. Those who can wait have a clear advantage. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby garnet. Exciting and multi-layered nose, of raspberries, strawberries and rosewood, in the background some cinchona bark and dried orange peel. The palate also shows considerable density, rich tannin with fine meshes at the core, built up in many layers, ripe plums, discreet leather notes in the aftertaste". Falstaff

"The 2008 Barbaresco Crichet Pajé is a gorgeous, translucent wine that shows this cool, late-ripening vintage at its best. Sweet red cherry, mint, kirsch, hard candy and white pepper are all beautifully delineated. In many vintages, Crichet Pajé was massively tannic and forbidding. The 2008 is the most refined vintage of this wine I have ever tasted." Antonio Galloni

"Transparent ruby red with a chimney red fading rim. Spicy notes of cloves, allspice, mace and pepper mingle with cherries, bay and raspberry jelly, currant leaves and floral top notes of orange blossom complete the delight. On the palate, Crichët Pajé presents itself with great calm in a steady flow. Nothing is brash or exuberant here, but shines with distinguished elegance - an equilibrium in perfect balance. The aromatically exuberant nose is disciplined on the palate by the long, calm flow of focused, cool acidity, on whose shores fully ripe and fine-grained tannins entwine. Silky with an almost aristocratic nobility, its enormous complexity is revealed in the second sip when the flavors begin to unravel in the epic finish like a massive Win-Zip file. A wine for today, for tomorrow and for many, many more years to come. Undisputedly world class." Sebastian Bordthäuser (Sommelier und Wein-Journalist)

"Made with extremely old vines, the youngest of which are over 60 years old and most much older, this opens with aromas of new leather, scorched earth, underbrush and balsamic notes of camphor. Concentrated and boasting a great depth of flavors, the structured, full-bodied palate delivers raspberry compote, dried black cherry, carob and hazelnut alongside firm, enveloping tannins. Another compelling wine from the estate." Wine Enthusiast

"This red is full of mulled plum, cherry, menthol, stone and spice flavors. Concentrated yet fluid, with a tightly packed finish. Well-balanced and approachable now if decanted." Wine Spectator

"It's easy to fall into the cult of Crichët Pajé. The wine's name means "little hill" in Piemontese dialect, and the winemaking process is carefully weighed and contemplated. The Roagna 2011 Barbaresco Crichët Pajé is fermented with indigenous yeasts, with submerged cap and sees eight long years of aging in both oak and cement. Fruit is drawn from a half-hectare, south-facing parcel high on the Pajé slope that has been farmed by this family since 1953. The bouquet reveals wild berry fruit, rose hip, cedar, crushed stone, smoke and licorice. This expression is lightweight in texture, yet it expertly balances a full load of aromas and flavors on that small frame. The heat of the vintage has not hurt the freshness or the sharpness that you perceive here." Wine Advocate

"Just bottled, the 2011 Barbaresco Crichët Pajè is unbelievably refined. Sweet red cherry, rosewater, mint, dried flowers, pine and kirsch give the 2011 an upper register of perfume that is utterly beguiling. Silky and classy to the core, the 2011 is the most sensual Crichët Pajè I can remember tasting. There is plenty of tannin, that is clear, but it is also pretty much buried by the sheer luxuriousness of the fruit. This is such a gorgeous and complete wine. There is just an unreal amount of freshness for this dry, torrid year. Wow!!" Vinous

"Transparent ruby red with a crimson rim. Spicy notes of cloves, allspice, mace and pepper mingle with cherries, laurel and raspberry jelly, currant leaves and floral top notes of orange blossom complete the delight. On the palate, Crichët Pajé presents itself with great calm in a steady flow. Nothing is cheeky or exuberant here, but shines with distinguished elegance - an equilibrium in perfect balance. The aromatically exuberant nose is disciplined on the palate by the long, calm flow of the focussed, cool acidity, on whose shores fully ripe and fine-grained tannins entwine. Silky with an almost aristocratic nobility, its enormous complexity is revealed in the second sip, when the flavours begin to unfold in the epic finish like a massive Win-Zip file. A wine for today, for tomorrow and for many, many years to come. Undisputed world class." Sebastian Bordthäuser (Sommelier und Wein-Journalist)

"The 2012 Barbaresco Crichët Pajè is tight and not especially expressive today. In this vintage, the Crichët Pajè is a bit more floral and lighter in structure than it can be. Imagine Burgundy with Nebbiolo acids and tannins. Among other things, that means the 2012 will drink well with minimal cellaring, in relative terms for this bottling. Despite its reticence, the 2012 is also restrained and so nuanced. I can't wait to see how it develops in bottle." Vinous

"The 2012 Barbaresco Crichët Pajé is a beauty, and I am delighted to see that this hot and dry vintage has held up so well. These results are outstanding, as the wine continues to showcase tight berry nuances and an extra sharp level of primary fruit and general focus. This is a cult wine for collectors, and what they seek in this bottle is the deft hand of Roagna, especially when it comes to crafting a wine of important Piedmont culture and tradition. To the palate, you taste ripe cherry and dried raspberry, along with iron ore and camphor ash. This is an impressive bottle." Wine Advocate

"Camphor, truffle, wild berry and new leather are just some of the aromas you'll encounter on this riveting red. The enveloping, delicious palate shows both power and finesse, featuring dried cherry, pomegranate, star anise and tobacco framed in noble tannins. Surprisingly bright acidity for the warm vintage lends balance and even more intensity." Wine Enthusiast

"This is a structured red wine with plenty of finesse. It opens with enticing aromas of fragrant blue flowers, red berries, baking spices and exotic herbs, while the firm, vibrant palate offers black cherries, crushed raspberries, cloves, orange peel, liquorice and a hint of white pepper. It is still young but well balanced, with tight but polished tannins and fresh acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2012 Tignanello is deep, rich and lush, but also retains a distinct element of classicism in its concentrated, mid-weight structure. Dark red cherry, pomegranate, kirsch, spice, tobacco and menthol open up in the glass, but only hesitantly. Powerful tannins and pulsating acidity give the wine a feeling of energy and verticality. The medium weight structure should allow the wine to open up even further in a few years. The 2012 is not as powerful as the 2010 or as exotic as the 2011, but most closely resembles the 2005 in its youth. The 2012 is a Tignanello based on pure finesse and grace. I wouldn't open a bottle before its tenth birthday, if that's even possible." VINOUS

"Aromas of blackcurrants and blueberries with hints of lavender and violets. Full-bodied, chewy and polished tannins and a long, flavourful finish. A wonderfully linear and polished red wine. It still needs time to develop, but it is already a beauty. The depth and class of this wine are truly impressive." James Suckling

Since 1971, the region of Tuscany has stood not only for art, architecture, landscape and unforgettable cuisine, but also for terrific IGT wines of international renown. The 2016 edition of the first so-called Supertuscan presents itself with a ripe, complex bouquet and balsamic-smoky taste. Elegant and balanced, structured and full-bodied, fruity-spicy and long-lasting. A great wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep dark ruby. Open and intense nose, shows notes of blackberries and plums, with some smoke and liquorice. Round and balanced in the beginning, opens with a lot of fine-meshed, well-integrated tannin, extremely harmonious, long finish. Falstaff

"Wonderful aromas of pine needles, rosemary, fresh mushrooms, bark and dark fruit. Full body. Very tight and tannic backbone. Racy and driven. Undertones of orange peel and wet earth. Even licorice and mint. Great finish." James Suckling

"2016 Tignanello is a rock-solid wine and a stunning beauty. The wine offers an impeccable level of precision and laser-focus delivery of fruits, spices, tilled earth, espresso beans and Mediterranean herbs. The vines are now 15 to 20 years old. Compared to the 2015 vintage that ultimately appeared more chewy and succulent, this expression from the iconic 2016 vintage is more vibrant, nervous and jazzed. It shows more savory spice, saltiness and minerality, with a beautifully integrated quality of tannins. This wine is at the top of the list of some of the best Tignanello ever made!" Wine Advocate

"A big, lush style, this red delivers pure aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry, violet, flint, tobacco and baking spices. This is supple, yet backed by a firm, dense matrix of tannins, so all the components are there, but this needs time to integrate. Lovely sweet, ripe finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Tignanello is flat out stunning. Dark, dense and resonant, the 2016 is a wonderfully complete wine that will provide readers with decades of pure drinking pleasure. The 2016 is especially dark and brooding, and yet the tannins are incredibly polished to the point of being perceptible. In the glass, the 2016 is complete and regal, perhaps because of the super-classic blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The pedigree of the vintage comes through in the wine's extraordinary balance and total sense of finesse. I don't think there is another wine anywhere in the world made entirely from estate fruit that can match Tignanello for quality, consistency and value within its peer group of top-flight reds." Vinous

"This fragrant, savory red carries aromas of underbrush, plum, blue flower, cocoa and camphor on the nose. The polished palate boasts juicy Marasca cherry, ripe blackberry, licorice, tobacco and an appealing hint of game. Silky tannins and bright acidity keep it balanced and elegant." Wine Enthusiast

Crichët Pajé 2015 is one of the most captivating and striking wines anyone can discover in Piedmont. It possesses a ripe, savoury style with a fruit profile that tends towards cherry and plum compote flavours, accented by coffee, soy, tar and mineral notes, all supported by a dense layer of massive tannins. Despite the ripe fruit profile, this wine is surprisingly fresh on the finish and has excellent length. This still young wine should age for decades. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Barbaresco Crichet Paje 2015 is a wine of extreme elegance and seduction. Bright red fruit, rose petals, tobacco, incense and spices give it a striking inner perfume. The 2015 is a wine of great aromatic presence and exceptional balance, which impresses above all with its balance between exoticism and classicism. Here, too, the balance is simply stunning." Vinous

"An opulent style, this complex red offers notes of cherry, plum, rose, fresh herbs, licorice, tar and mineral, with layers of flavor and texture unfolding as this builds to a long and nuanced aftertaste, where a stony mineral component lingers. So fresh, it's hard to believe this is closing in on a decade already." Wine Spectator