Methusalem | 6 Liters

Deep dark ruby. In the nose cassis, black berries and a powerful herb spice with a good dose of pipe tobacco. On the palate dark berries, chocolate and a cornucopia of herbs define the full-bodied body. This wine monument has precisely integrated tannins, an enormous silkiness and an almost infinite finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, glowing ruby violet. Finely drawn nose with notes of dark, juicy currants, some tar and slate in the background. It plays nicely on the palate, a lot of present berry fruit, fine-meshed tannin, unfolds very straight." Falstaff

"The 2016 Oreno is gorgeous. Rich, unctuous and resonant, the 2016 is laced with inky blue/purplish fruit, bittersweet chocolate, spice, lavender, licorice and incense. I would prefer to give the 2016 a few years to come into its own, but it is impressive, even in the early going. Silky tannins and dense, plush fruit add to its undeniable immediacy and sheer appeal." Antonio Galloni

"The 2016 Oreno is a fantastic expression from Tuscany that blossoms with each swirl and tilt of the glass. This is a full-bodied red with generous aromas of black fruit, spice, tobacco and soft spice." Robert Parker

"Gorgeous floral and deep, dark berry aromas with hints of spices such as cinnamon and hazelnuts. Full body and ultra-fine and strong tannins that are powerful yet so sleek and beautiful. Fantastic length and texture. Deep, dark and profound. Takes you on a long journey and shows you its true character."  James Suckling (Platz 4 - TOP-Weine Italien 2018)

Magari is vinified from 50 percent Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in equal parts. It presents itself fresh and juicy, with strong vegetal accents and great depth. Simply delicious! SUPERIORE.DE

"Gaja started to make wine in Bolgheri in 2000. Magari changed in blend in 2014, replacing the difficult Merlot in this warm climate with Petit Verdot which ripens better here than in Bordeaux. The 2016 is youthful in colour, full of leafy Cabernet Franc notes. It has firm, extracted tannins and is not without great tension on the palate. It needs time to develop in finesse and complexity, having now the exuberance of youth." Decanter

"The 2016 Magari is a dark, powerful wine. In most vintages, Magari is a wine of Tuscan charm, but powerful tannins give the 2016 a somewhat compact feel. There is plenty of depth to the black fruit, mocha, new leather and spice flavors, but the 2016 is clearly very young. There is not much Bolgheri charm in the early going. The 2016 is going to need at least a few years in bottle to come together." VINOUS

"A very fresh nose with tons of dark fruit, such as brambleberries, blueberries and dark cherries, as well as vanilla, dried herbs and eucalyptus. Medium to full body, fresh acidity and a tight finish." James Suckling

"Black currant and black cherry fruit mingles with mint, olive, graphite and tobacco notes in this red. Elegant, with ample density and bright acidity, ending in a firm, fruit-, mineral- and herb-tinged aftertaste. Well-proportioned and classy." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Magari produces an expressive and opulent red wine, with great acidity and definition. The wine is firm and tightly wound, with secondary complexity that expresses itself in terms of tar, leather and spice. The tannins are supple and soft." Robert Parker

Floral nose with very much red, warm fruit and tender herb note. On the palate it is smooth and elegant with a wonderful depth and structure. Then again herbs, in addition violets, some plum and a breath of tar and leather. Saffredi sneaks up on the palate and then, with an impressive presence and elegance, it turns into a very long and harmonious finish. One of the great Italian wines from an equally great Tuscany vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby with a fine violet shimmer. Intense and dense nose, with notes of pickled blackberries, plums and cassis, plenty of cardamom. On the palate it shows a lot of ripe berry fruit, round and supple, lots of blackberry and cassis, present, well integrated tannin, very long and persistent." Falstaff

"This vintage is compact, firm and precise, with lovely floral aromas on the bouquet in front of blackberry and plum. Long oak toasting gives the wine tasty notes of spice and cinnamon and rounds the bouquet off nicely. The mouthfeel is soft and velvety. This is a complex, integrated and absolutely beautiful wine." Robert Parker

"Incredible aromas of dark berries, lavender, rosemary, licorice and dried flowers. Spice. Full body and fantastic tannin texture with great length. Goes on for minutes. Muscular yet wonderfully formed and refined. A glorious Saffredi." James Suckling (Platz 12 - TOP-Weine Italien 2018)

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

Sparkling, intense ruby violet. In the nose with notes of ripe elderberries and plums, underlaid with fine sandalwood. Juicy and full-bodied in the base and course, shows an enormously opulent and crunchy berry fruit, grippy, fine-meshed tannin, very long aftertaste, in the finale decent of tobacco, straightforward and clear. Dream vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich ruby with a violet core. Compact nose with rich notes of ripe blackberries and blueberries, plus plenty of cinnamon and cloves, almost Christmassy. Juicy, much clear, ripe berry fruit, well integrated tannin with beautiful drive, in the aftertaste still subtle wood notes noticeable." Falstaff

"The 2016 Siepi, the estate's Sangiovese/Merlot blend, is a big, rich wine. In 2016, the Merlot is especially prominent. Black cherry jam, torrefaction, spice, leather, menthol and new French oak are all pushed forward. Time in the glass brings out a good bit of aromatic freshness to balance things out. Readers should expect a potent, seriously concentrated wine. Vinous"

"A blend of Merlot and Sangiovese in equal parts, the 2016 Siepi is a luscious and soft wine that oozes forth with dark berry intensity. The fruit is compact and dense. This wine performs beautifully in terms of aromas, but the mouthfeel is especially fine-tuned and elegant in this classic vintage. Dark fruit is followed by spice, tar, rose bud and sharp mineral nuances that recall the gravel and limestone-rich soils of Chianti Classico. This is perhaps the best vintage of Siepi I have tasted thus far." Robert Parker

"What a beautiful nose of elderberries, freshly picked blackcurrants, citrus, herbs, licorice and crushed stones, amidst a backdrop of coffee beans, cedar and vanilla. Full-bodied and very subtle and refined with tightly wound tannins and an impressive balance of fruit and acidity. Long, grainy and elegant on the finish. A masterpiece." James Suckling

 

He's never been better. Galatrona is a pure Merlot of the extra class. With the 2016 edition, owner Luca Sanjust achieved an absolute masterpiece. Black-red ruby in the glass. In the bouquet black berries, fine wood spice and some leather. Very generous fruit aromas and extremely complex on the palate, it glides elegantly into the depths until it is caught by a finely woven tannin and merges into a long and finesse rich finish. A wine that doesn't have to hide behind Masseto & Co., on the contrary it has been Italy's Merlot benchmark for years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, sparkling ruby violet. Very clear and catchy nose, full of blackberries, dark currants and ripe blueberries, with fine resinous components and tobacco. Fresh and with a lot of juicy, ripe berry fruit at the base, then opens with a lot of fine-meshed, dense tannin, salty and very long." Falstaff

"This is full of enticing blackberry, blueberry and plum flavors, with a spine of acidity, iron accents and beefy tannins. Long and well-proportioned, this needs time to integrate. Tobacco and spice hints detail the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Galatrona (Merlot) is fabulous. Powerful, dense and layered, the 2016 brings together serious fruit intensity and energy, as is so typical of this important Tuscan vintage. A whole range of floral and spice notes develop in the glass, adding further shades of nuance. I have long felt Galatrona is released too early. The 2016 is a perfect example of that. Opening a bottle now is a crime." Antonio Galloni

"The aromas of dried flowers, stones, dark tea leaves, hot tile, and dark berries. Full-bodied, yet tight and linear. Wonderful drive and depth. An extremely long and focused finish. A great wine." James Suckling

"The 2016 Galatrona is indeed a masterpiece to behold. This wine offers thick layering and deep intensity with aromas that offer an incredible range, starting off with luscious dark chocolate on one side and ending with fragrant white truffle on the far end of its long aromatic trajectory. You get plummy fruit, spice, sweet tobacco and tilled earth packed tight in between. This full-bodied Merlot is softly textured and succulent with long-lasting flavor intensity on the close. Petrolo's Merlot is planted in a ten-hectare parcel distinguished by thick clay soils. I have been watching Galatrona's evolution for years and have tasted the wine on occasion in various vertical tastings. This is my favorite vintage made thus far." Robert Parker