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Four years ago, Pio Boffa bought himself a "small" present for his 60th birthday. Not a new set of golf clubs, a picture hanging in the hall, a holiday for him and the family. No. Just a vineyard called Mosconi in Monforte d'Alba, a region of Piedmont where four generations of the Pio Cesare dynasty never gained a foothold. Originally, the grapes from the 10-hectare vineyard were to enhance the quality of his classic Barolo, but after the first barrel samples, it was unmistakably clear to Pio Boffa that this would be at least an equal - if stylistically different - counterpart to the hitherto undisputed flagship Ornato.

Chianti Classico La Casuccia from a single vineyard of the same name with Gran-Selezione status combines in its typical way exemplary excellent structure with highest elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

The 2011 edition of the Gran Selezione from the Bellavista vineyard is rich and dark with aromas of wild cherry, smoke, liquorice, menthol and tobacco. Extremely attractive and full-bodied on the palate, firm tannins form the backbone of this virile, potent wine. SUPERIORE.DE

Monteverro - a classic French blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot - is a great cru from the Maremma and brims with opulence and diversity. Rich, dark ruby with a black core. Incredibly rich in aromas of dark fruits, chocolate and spices, soft, full body, polished tannins. It is impossible to exaggerate the joy of the magnificence of this wine. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep, full red with a fine sheen. The La Morra edition from Vietti's famous Barolo family impresses with an impressive aroma of red berries, cherries, wild herbs, mint, minerals and rose petals, rounded off with a hint of blood orange. On the palate, it is opulent, full, with fine sweetness and structure, and the multilayered, long final is accompanied by almost aristocratic tannin. A typical Vietti Cru with a lot of class. SUPERIORE.DE

Scrio - great Tuscan Syrah by Le Macchiole - is a true beauty. The persistent bouquet offers aromas of dark berries and cured meat, warm and balsamic on the palate with great intensity and dynamism, rich in extracts and long. SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Lazzarito impresses every year by its precision and class - two characteristics that are not often found in the Nebbiolo of the Serralunga region. Iron, smoke and white pepper flow into the nose, in the glass these impressions are extended by a touch of pomegranate, red cherry jam, wild flowers and blood orange. Viettis Lazzarito always stands for strength and finesse and has been in no way inferior to his "colleagues" from Ravera and Rocche for quite some time. SUPERIORE.DE

Viettis Ravera is one of the great stars of Piedmont in its precision and structure. Rose petals, chalk, pepper and a hint of pomegranate make this Barolo one of the most sought-after appellations every year. With a little storage maturity, the strong tannins give way to an elegant appearance that does not deviate one millimetre from the coveted style of this large site. A monument to Barolo, which apart from Vietti and Giacosa, only a few other Piedmontese winegrowers bring into the bottle with such consistency! SUPERIORE.DE

Vietti's Ravera is one of the very big stars of Piedmont in its precision and structure. Rose petals, chalk, pepper and a hint of pomegranate make this Barolo one of the most sought-after in the appellation every year. With a little ageing, the strong tannins give way to an elegant impression that does not deviate one millimetre from the coveted style of this great vineyard. A monument of Barolo, which only a few other winemakers in Piedmont besides Vietti and also Giacosa bottle with such consistency! SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is arguably the richest wine in Vietti's vintage roster. It is a monument based on performance, intensity and power. At the same time, Rocche is incredibly precise and complex every year. It is precisely this interplay of fullness and finesse that makes Rocche so enticing. Rose petals, mint and sweet red berries form a crescendo of aromas and textures that appeals to all the senses. In the almost endless reverberation, everything comes back into harmony as if by magic, leaving behind a Nebbiolo experience of the third kind. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep, full red with a fine sheen. The La Morra edition from Vietti's famous Barolo family convinces with an impressive aroma of red berries, cherries, wild herbs, mint, minerals and rose petals, rounded off with a hint of blood orange. The palate is opulent, full, with fine sweetness and structure, and the multi-layered, long final is accompanied by downright aristocratic tannin. A typical Vietti cru with a lot of class. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for the deep Le Vigne come from Baudana in Serralunga d'Alba (for power), Villero in Castiglione Falletto (for precision), Vignane in Barolo (for purity of aromas) and Merli in Novello (for richness of fruit). It opens wide with aromas of fresh red fruits and a delicate spicy note. Very intense on the palate, remarkably elegant, fine-grained tannins, exceedingly clear, structured and long. SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Lazzarito impresses every year with its precision and class - two qualities not often found in the Nebbiolo of the Serralunga area. Iron, smoke and white pepper flow into the nose, in the glass these impressions are prolonged by a hint of pomegranate, red cherry jam, wild flowers and blood orange. Vietti's Lazzarito always stands for power and finesse and has been in no way inferior to its "colleagues" from Ravera and Rocche for quite some time. SUPERIORE.DE

The second vintage of the red counterpart to Didacus Chardonnay impressively reflects the Planeta family's vision: elegance and tradition, family and future. This 100% Cabernet Franc comes from vines over 20 years old, planted by Diego Planeta, and is simply stunning, delicious and unforgettable. Outstanding aromas of sensual dark fruits, some leather and tobacco. Explosive, penetrating and powerful on the palate, but at the same time seamless and silky smooth. The tannin management is excellent. This is a wine to keep in the cellar - provided you have a certain amount of self-control. SUPERIORE.DE

First bottled in 1967, the Masseria comes from a vineyard in Bricco di Neive and is essentially vinified and aged like a Barolo. The 2018 vintage - now for the first time from a small parcel that used to belong to the Barbaresco winery Socré - was also deliberately released a year later to provide more harmony and balance. Vietti's Masseria is always delicate and refined, and this is all the more true for the current vintage.

"This is our flagship wine, a Barolo recognised the world over, which we have always nourished and cared for with greatest respect. Nothing will change. This is why I will dedicate this special wine to my grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. From now on, it will carry their names." Luciano Sandrone on his intention to rename his world-famous Barolo Cannubi Boschis "Aleste" with the 2013 vintage.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano 2015 is a huge, outstanding wine. Waves of vibrant, intensely fragrant fruit appear on the palate, supported by the firm, broad tannins of the plump, very rich vintage. Violets, spices, new leather and liquorice unfold in the glass, clean mineral notes frame an eruption of dark cherries, plums and camphor in a finish that fills the palate endlessly. Madonna 2015 is well on its way to becoming one of Vincenzo Abbruzzese's very great wines! SUPERIORE.DE

The single-varietal Merlot L'Apparita 2018 is outstanding - elegance, strength of character, a remarkably fine tannin and acid structure as well as the endlessly long persistence characterise this exceptional Merlot. An oenological rarity of Tuscany and not only therefore an object of desire every year. A combination of fruity and spicy impressions on the nose, excellent fleshy taste, whose juicy, still quite concise tannin blends well with the warm body. SUPERIORE.DE

Rare, exceptional Merlot from the west of Tuscany: deep ruby red with violet reflections. The bouquet is multi-layered with hints of wild berries and blackberries, ripe cherries, but also liquorice and tobacco notes. Very structured and lively on the palate. The silky tannins emphasise the delicate minerality right through to the almost endless finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes of Romirasco come from the single vineyard of the same name in the Bussia district. The vines stand at an altitude of about 400 m and are up to 55 years old. It is probably the spiciest representative in Aldo Conterno's overall programme. On the nose, fine notes of tar and smoke, along with cherry, elderberries and menthol. On the palate, notes of raspberry, redcurrant, rosemary and thyme immediately take over. The wine stands almost vertically in the glass, the different fruit and spice components marry in a most elegant way and make this wine monument one of the most irresistible representatives of the entire Barolo world every year. SUPERIORE.DE

A Barbaresco that speaks softly in the glass and lingers for a long time – costa Russi 2017 opens with a brilliant, almost violet ruby colour that immediately hints at depth and elegance. Named after a historic property name in the cru parcel, this wine exemplifies Gaja's visionary combination of tradition and innovation. The bouquet is characterised by remarkable clarity and finesse: ripe cherry, redcurrant and delicate floral notes interweave with underlying spice, slightly smoky notes and an elegant layer of aniseed – a balance of precision and expression. The palate is initially velvety and supple, then unfolds with a fine structure, carried by vital acidity and finely balanced tannins. The wine remains focussed and long, with a mineral pulse and restrained power that respects its origins and keeps it alive.

Dark cherries, menthol, flowers and tar are just some of the classic notes in the complex bouquet of the Bricco Pernice from the Ravera single vineyard. On the palate, the austere structure and great power are joined by a fine inner sweetness. In the long finish, memories of damp earth, dried herbs and wild flowers. SUPERIORE.DE

Poggio Landi's top growth Chiuso del Lupo comes from a plot of one hectare at 550 m altitude. Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, ageing is in 30 hl French oak barrels. Deep dark ruby red. On the nose, dark, earthy forest and undergrowth, plus ripe forest berries with menthol and floral accents. The sweet, lush fruit is accompanied by a salty note, the tannins are expansive but not aggressive, but youthful and chewy. A wine that is made for the long haul and whose future will be great. SUPERIORE.DE

Every year, Renieri conjures up a lush and fruit-driven Brunello in the glass, bursting with freshness, brightness and balsamic-aromatic intensity. Its grapes come from a small, nine-hectare parcel with chalky clay soils. It offers powerful cherry and blackberry aromas with delicate spice, smoke and blue flowers. The wonderfully balanced acidity pushes this showpiece wine into a seemingly endless final. Completely successful! SUPERIORE.DE