Methusalem | 6 Liters

As a result of extensive soil research, Francesco Ricasoli was able to identify three microlocations, which will be vinified separately from the 2015 vintage onwards. The range of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione now includes, in addition to the famous Castello di Brolio, three cru sites (Colledilà, Roncicone and Ceniprimo), all of which are 100% planted with Sangiovese. They differ in structure and taste in close correspondence with their terroir and impressively demonstrate the complexity of the Chanti Classico region.

Cru Roncicone comes from soils with maritime deposits. It is a 10.1 hectare plot planted between 1998 and 2000 at a density of 6,000 plants per hectare. The soils are rich in marine fossils with sand at the top and thicker clay under the topsoil. Our impression of this wine is that it is the most immediately and softly structured.

Deep dark, fruity-smoky bouquet. On the palate then dark, violet fruits, paired with notes of forest floor, tobacco and a nice spiciness. The volume is full and deep, the tannins very accessible even at a young age and the finish is flanked by a well-structured acidity framework, which will also ensure a very good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Linear and compact, offering a core of cherry and strawberry singed by iron, tobacco and oak spice flavors. There's intensity to this, combined with a firm structure and balanced in a tightly wound package, showing excellent length." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Roncicone emerges from a parcel on marine soils that naturally yield a bright, taut expression of Sangiovese. Sweet red berry fruit, flowers, chalk, mint and blood orange bring out the more lifted, red-toned expression of Sangiovese. The Roncicone is another very pretty wine in this range from Brolio." Vinous

"Aromas of minerals, crushed stones and cherries. Pine needles, too. Floral. Full-to medium-bodied with a tight, linear palate and super fine tannins. Extremely deep. Fresh. Light saltiness. Give this three or four years to open." James Suckling

Deep ruby red, intense aroma of dark fruit underlaid with delicate toasty aromas. At the palate complex and full-bodied, stoffig, with balsamic notes, perfectly integrated tannins and a finely balanced fruity-spicy finish. An intense wine, which also does not want to be a lightweight and which plays its strength perfectly. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with purple glints. Opens with notes of licorice and dried tomatoes, then lovely currant. Very good presence on the palate, showing tension and fresh fruit, fine-meshed tannin, lots of dark berry juice on the final." Falstaff

"This wine is built on solid foundations and shows a rich vinous footprint. The fruit is black and concentrated, as is to be expected of a wine of this ambition, and it sits with a dark and almost impenetrable appearance in the glass. Orma shows a careful balance between fruit and oak spice, and both are calibrated to achieve high sensorial impact and intensity. If you're looking for the classic Tuscan blended red with sunshine and power, this release is for you." Robert Parker

"Subtle currant, light sandalwood and some cherry aromas. Full-bodied, yet fine-tuned and polished with tannins that melt beautifully into the wine. Long and focused. Beauty and balance to this." James Suckling

Deep dark ruby violet. On the nose, cassis, blackcurrant and a powerful herbal spiciness with a good dose of pipe tobacco, tar and crushed boulders. On the palate, dark berries, chocolate and a cornucopia of herbs define the full body. This wine monument has precisely integrated tannins, an enormous silkiness and a seemingly endless finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, sparkling ruby with a slight violet shimmer. Complex nose with notes of cedar, black truffle, then lots of cassis and blackberry. Round and supple on the palate, showing well matured fruit, exceedingly precise, fine, polished tannin, very long, dark chocolate in the finish." Falstaff

"This is a dark, concentrated and full-bodied expression that exudes black fruit and blackberry with spicy tobacco and savory spice. Despite the Bordeaux blend in its DNA, the wine is fully Tuscan in character and spirit, with the softness and fullness that comes from fruit cultivated under the golden sunshine of Central Italy." Robert Parker

"Currant, flower and orange-blossom aromas follow through to a full body with fine, creamy tannins and a long, persistent finish. Shows finesse and precision. Cherry and orange-peel notes at the end. The flavors go on and on." James Suckling

Beguiling aroma of sweet, dark berries with hints of cassis, cedar and antique leather. Very balanced and elegant on the palate, of beautiful viscosity with an elegant melting. Fine-meshed tannin, restrained mineral tones and a wonderfully fresh and polished fruit accompany into a remarkable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2018 shines in a rich ruby red and has a pronounced aromatic complexity, which is a typical characteristic of the vintage. On the nose, aromas of wild berries, blackberries, raspberries and red cherries unfold, accompanied by floral nuances such as wild roses and spicy notes such as pink pepper and liquorice. On the palate, the wine is supple and balanced with a lovely tannic structure and a crisp, tasty final." Olga Fusari (Kellermeisterin Ornellaia)

"Bright, rich garnet. In the nose noble but reserved, a hint of mint, ripe wild berries. Then extremely polished on the palate, excellent use of wood, with pressure, tightly woven, spreads elegantly, punchy, long and compact." Falstaff

"The 2018 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is everything a second wine should be. Open-knit and silky, with impeccable balance and tons of sheer appeal, the 2018 is exquisite today. I would prefer to drink it on the early side in order to capture all of its freshness." Vinous

"The 2018 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that is aged in oak for 15 months. The wine shows depth, concentration and generous fruit weight that adds to the intensity and the textural importance of this abundant, full-bodied expression. Late-season rains threw some challenges at the winemakers of Bolgheri, but this open-knit wine has emerged unscathed." Robert Parker

"Le Serre Nuove's approachable style comes from younger vines or those on lighter, sandier soils, whilst retaining its potential to age in bottle. 2018 brought useful winter dormancy, provocative spring deluges, hot August flushes, and cool, calming harvest nights. It's a sophisticated red with smooth, Ornellaia-esque appeal in a lighter key. Its forward-flowing, velvety fruit is well defined, clear, persistent and easy to engage with. Tannins from both fruit and oak are integrated and in sync." Decanter

"Really beautiful second wine from Ornellaia with blackcurrant and blueberry aromas and flavors. Full body and round, soft tannins that caress the palate." James Suckling

Its original vineyard of the same name has long been regarded as one of the best sites in the Castellina zone. From equal parts of Merlot and Sangiovese comes this excellent, very dense wine with ripe fruit aromas and sweet vanilla hints. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautiful aromas of violets, berries and currants. Dried flowers, too. Full body, such intense fruit and acidity. Vivid and complex. Wild raspberry. Tight and dense. A triumph for Siepi. Half sangivoese and merlot. Better in 2022 but hard to not drink now." James Suckling

"This is a delightful 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot with a bold and contemporary personality. The 2015 Siepi is a consistent product year in and year out. The wine faithfully delivers a New World interpretation with an all-Tuscan soul. You get Italy-centric aromas of Mediterranean herb and rosemary backed by plump black cherry, sweet tobacco, clove and cinnamon. The oak influences are evident vis-à-vis the wine's structure and power. The mouthfeel is layered and textured. It is ready to drink now, but the bottle could also be put aside for the next 10 years. The Siepi vineyard is located on a well-exposed plateau some 260 meters above sea level." Robert Parker

"This has depth and complexity, featuring black cherry, plum, leather, spice and mineral flavors. The dense texture exudes refined tannins as this stays fresh through the long, saturated finish. Fruit, spice and tobacco elements linger." Wine Spectator

Deep dark ruby red. Floral nose with lots of red, warm fruit and delicate herbal notes. Supple and elegant on the palate with a wonderful depth and structure. Then herbs again, plus violets, some plum and a hint of tar and leather. Saffredi literally sneaks up on you until it then moves into a very long and harmonious finish with an impressive presence and finesse. One of Italy's great wines full of elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, very rich ruby red with purple-violet edges. Wow, the Saffredi always reveals a fascinating orgy of scents. Dense and warm, with blackberry fruit, especially ripe blackberry and cassis, underpinned by herbaceous-ethereal and wonderfully floral notes, liquorice as well as a hint of bacon spice and earthy tobacco notes resonate. The voluminous palate is wonderfully dense and engaging, framed and supported by gripping tannins and juicy, ethereal freshness. The juicy conciseness with the deep spiciness is style-defining here, as are the apart-balsamic notes with the dark nougat chocolate and tobacco in the final." Weinwisser

"Shiny, rich ruby with a slight violet shimmer. Very expressive and deep nose, opens with notes of tobacco and damp earth, then full of cassis, some mint in the background, multilayered. On the palate very powerful and with lots of sweet melting, dark berry fruit, plus some liquorice in the finish, very long lasting." Falstaff

"A light touch of wild herbs and oak spice frame the saturated flavors of black cherry and plum in this open-knit red, with a dusting of tannins lining the finish. Shows fine harmony and length." Wine Spectator

"The Fattoria le Pupille 2018 Saffredi borrows quite a bit from all of the grapes that make up the blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot). These balanced results open to a round bouquet of dark fruit, black cherry and plum. As the wine warms in the glass, it shows spice, cured tobacco and campfire embers. This is a full-bodied expression, but not excessively so. It puts forth immediate elegance with carefully measured tannins and a fitting postscript of fresh acidity. This newest vintage of Saffredi should be hitting the market now, but if you buy it, you should plan on cellaring it." Robert Parker

"The 2018 Saffredi is a regal, elegant, supremely polished wine. It may very well be the most refined Saffredi I have ever tasted. Silky in its first impression, with striking aromatic presence and exceptional balance, the 2018 is a total knock-out. Sweet red cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and cinnamon accents develop over time, but it is the wine's overall balance and poise that are so impressive today. The 2018 is an absolutely gorgeous Saffredi. Don't miss it." Vinous

"A fantastic nose to this with currant, sage, rosemary and rose-petal character. Sweet tobacco and spicy chocolate, too. Very complex. The palate shows lovely depth of fruit with blackberries, blackcurrants and fine tannins. It's racy and refined with a direct, focused palate. Just a baby. This needs at least two or three years to soften." James Suckling

 

Beguiling aroma of sweet, dark berries with hints of cassis, cedar and antique leather. Very balanced on the palate, of beautiful viscosity with an elegant melting. Fine-meshed tannin, restrained mineral tones and a wonderfully polished fruit accompany into a remarkable finish. With all its elegance, it shows pressure and power and promises a long life with the right dose of acidity. A great wine from a great vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2019 shines in its typical intense colour. Fresh aromas of ripe red berries unfold on the nose, accompanied by lively balsamic notes that recall the scent of cypress cones and eucalyptus. On the palate, the wine presents itself silky-soft and full-bodied, with an elegant tannic structure and a tasty, long-lasting final." OLGA FUSARI (KELLERMEISTERIN ORNELLAIA)

"Sparkling, rich ruby with violet. Fresh and appealing nose, opens with notes of tobacco, lots of blackberry and cassis. Round and supple in attack and course, showing plenty of polished, well-integrated tannin, lots of juicy berry fruit." Falstaff

"Currants, sweet tobacco, walnut husk and flowers on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied, it grows on the palate, with firm yet polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Very solid and well-crafted second wine from Ornellaia." James Suckling

"A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia shows a greater degree of focus and detail compared to the previous vintage that I tasted at the same time. This wine reveals the sharp contours and etched character of the Cabernet Franc, especially with black licorice and black pepper. The results are linear and pure. Elegant fruit notes of blackberry and dark currant add to the thick layering of the wine." Robert Parker

 

Siepi is developing more and more into a cult wine that can easily keep up with the very big reds of Tuscany. The 2018 edition presents itself powerful and very nicely centred, here all elements fit together perfectly. Ripe dark berry fruit, forest floor and roasted almonds. Intense and powerful on the palate with complex and layered hints of plum, tobacco and forest floor. The tension of extract sweetness and polished tannins leads into a fresh, spicy finish with an interesting salty note. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is one of the 50 wines that changed Italian wine culture." Gambero Rosso

"Shiny, rich ruby with a fine violet shimmer. Very clear and memorable nose, full of cassis and blackberry, balsamic notes in the background. Very precise on the palate, showing lots of fresh fruit of black cherry, polished, finely meshed tannin, fine melting on the final." Falstaff

"A lush, polished version, this red is bursting with black cherry, plum and violet aromas and flavors. It's heady, showing a touch of heat on the lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"Mazzei 2018 Siepi is a dark and robust Tuscan red with a heavy center of gravity. This medium to full-bodied blend of Sangiovese and Merlot offers plenty of spice, plum, tobacco and blue flower. This wine offers beautiful intensity and richness with an especially smooth texture. It wraps thickly over the palate, imparting more dark fruit and savory spice along the way." Robert Parker

"There is a sweetness here that is enveloping and seductive with baked heart undertones set again rasperry, plum, black cherry and sandalwood. Soft and caressing tannins where the grace and aromatic power of Sangiovese is giving a satiny texture and enveloping mouthfeel by the Merlot. A brilliant wine that has an identity and a sense of place. First vintage 1992. Located in Chianti Classico, the Estate has a 600 ha forest that practices sustainable agro-forestry and is more than carbon neutral, in fact having a positive carbon balance where the Estate absorbs 5 times as much CO2 as it emits." Decanter

"Extremely perfumed and crystal-clear with violets, plums, raspberries, walnuts and black olives. It's medium-to full-bodied with very fine tannins that are extremely polished and refined. The length is long and very precise. Chocolate and hazelnuts." James Suckling

"Siepi, Fonterutoli's Merlot/Sangiovese blend, is absolutely gorgeous in 2018. Rich, pliant and creamy, Siepi offers all of the seductiveness of Merlot with the bright acids and grip of Sangiovese. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, dried herbs, spice, licorice and new leather meld together in an open-knit, inviting Tuscan red with no hard edges and tons of allure shaped by alberese soils with a good bit of clay. The 2018 is an undeniably sexy wine with so much immediacy. The 2018 is positively stellar and also one of the very best editions in recent memory. Don't miss it." Vinous

The 2019 Siepi is a stunning wine that appeals to all the senses with just the right amount of complexity. The wine is soft, brooding, velvety and long lasting. It is made from equal parts Merlot and Sangiovese and both grapes bring their best qualities to the blend. The Sangiovese grape shows a distinct personality with area-specific notes of small berries and spices, and it also offers a wonderfully fresh acidity. The Merlot plays a strong role in the background, adding softness, richness and fullness. This is an intense, punchy wine that has a terrificrange of tension, from extract sweetness to polished tannins into a fresh, spicy finish with an interesting salty note. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep dark ruby with violet shimmer. Very appealing and dense nose, rich notes of blackberry, blueberry, some black truffle, spicy macchia herbs, lots of cassis. Lots of plump and juicy fruit on the palate, very present, blackberry and cassis, unfolds with fine-meshed, almost silky tannin, firm pressure and fine resinous notes on the final." Falstaff

"Lively, sinewy nose of balsamic. Very appetising and sleek-fruited. Already enjoyable. Quite a feat! Marked acidity but fun. Easier to see the Sangiovese than the Merlot, so this is a genuine representative of Tuscany and the hills it was grown in, but it still has a long way to go." Jancis Robinson

"Power and seduction straight away on the nose, this smells intensely of black cherries and blueberries. The palate is juicy and instantly mouthwatering giving an abundance of succulent red berries and a touch of herbal spice on the finish. This is excellent quality, I adore it. Smooth and silky with purity and energy. Really shines in the glass - drinking well now but will also age." Decanter

"This is a really racy and fine Siepi with currant, black-cherry and dark-chocolate character. It's medium-to full-bodied with very long, intense tannins that are linear and fine-textured. Really builds on the palate. Super structure. Finesse with power. Try after 2024 and onwards." James Suckling

"The 2019 Siepi continues a trend towards greater finesse and nuance in this wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, licorice and plum meld together effortlessly in the glass. Dense and layered, with striking detail, the 2019 is so impressive. The flavors are bright, bold and punchy. An exceptionally beautiful and riveting wine, the 2019 is rich and concentrated, but not at all heavy. What a total knock-out." Vinous