slow wine

"L'Atto" - "The Deed". The names of Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti's wines are reminiscent of his father's notarial world.

Fresh, precise Aglianico with a bouquet of red fruits and spicy accents. Rich, full flavour, pleasantly aromatic, with very fine tannins, nicely structured and of good length. SUPERIORE.DE

"A bouquet of crushed violet candies, freshly sliced plum and hints of animal musk lifts up from the 2020 Aglianico l’Atto. It’s soft and fleshy in style, as silky textures cast an opulent display of ripe black fruits and sweet inner herbal tones across the palate. Spiced blackberries mix with a hint of ginger cookie and purple-tinged inner florals as the 2020 l’Atto finishes long. There is a lot of immediate pleasure to be found here, but not at the expense of balance. Very nice." Vinous

Medium cherry red. Tobacco, leather and liquorice on the nose, with a beautiful cherry aroma on the palate, supported by good acidity and tannin structure. Excellent Sangiovese interpretation with great value. SUPERIORE.DE

"Black cherry, crushed stone and citrus fruit on the nose. Aromatic and pleasing. Medium-bodied with vivid fruit and a fresh finish. Very typical Chianti Rufina with subtle, clean fruit and bright acidity." James Suckling

Soave Monte Carbonare is a beautiful, rich and mineral white wine. Complex aromas of apricots, citrus and orange, structured, expansive and fresh on the palate. Good ageing potential and highly drinkable! SUPERIORE.DE

"Incredible melange of fruit on the nose here. Fresh pear, melon, peach and more exotic notes of papaya and even banana. Add to that aromas of dried flowers and river stones. Medium-to full-bodied and layered with lip-smackingly fresh, exotic fruit up front and a dense bed of sweeter fruit and mineral underneath. The intensity doesn't let off for minutes. Best decanted." James Suckling

Out with the cliché, in with the surprise! The Paltrinieris' most famous Lambrusco growth will also fill every connoisseur with joy. Radice is produced using the Pét Nat method (Metodo Ancestrale) and therefore undergoes a second fermentation on its own yeast after bottling.

This naturally cloudy, dry Frizzante already convinces in the bouquet with notes of rhubarb, a fresh citrus note and a little bread. The persistent, fine perlage and its drinky nature make it a racy companion to hearty, spicy antipasti, light meat dishes or simply an upbeat celebration surrounded by nature and happy people. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cloudy orange. In the nose yeast, lemon juice, in the reverberation even blossom honey. On the palate, very straightforward, steely, with prominent acidity and tightly meshed perlage, bone dry, accompanies supreme drinking pleasure with oily salumi." Falstaff

"Pet-nat style of Lambrusco. Cloudy guava pink. Smells of dried rose buds, marshmallows, Turkish delight, blood orange. Bone, bone dry. Like the crunch of French breakfast radishes served with bitter orange and sour cherry. Herbal. Super-tart but wonderfully refreshing. Needs some fatty fennel-and-truffle salami to go with it!" Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice presents a savory display of dusty rose, ginger and sour melon. It's silky-smooth and textural, as a tug-of-war between sweet and sour plays out upon the senses. Minerals, tart apples, wild herbs and spices resonate throughout, as this finishes long yet with cheek-puckering freshness. The decidedly dry Radice is made from the Sorbara grape, which is re-fermented to dryness in bottle, creating a frizzante style." Vinous

Intense, straw-yellow colour and a complex bouquet in which the scent of melons and pineapple alternate with spicy notes of chamomile, vanilla and nutmeg. On the palate, it presents itself round with a rich texture and the pleasant mineral note so typical of the Tufo area. Elegant, long finish with a delicate almond tone. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Greco di Tufo Cutizzi mixes dusty yellow flowers with pears and an enriching note of crushed almond. It’s silky and elegant in feel with mineral-tinged stone fruits, lime and zesty acids. This finishes with cheek-puckering intensity, as a note of sour citrus rinds slowly fades." Vinous

"A refreshing nose of lemons and sliced green apples. Medium body with bright, linear acidity, which carries the palate of citrus and fruit nicely. Quite a saline finish." James Suckling

"The Feudi di San Gregorio 2020 Greco di Tufo Cutizzi showcases the spectacular brightness and luminosity that we can expect of this wine (packaged in a really fun ribbed bottle). The bouquet reveals preserved lemon, crushed oyster shell, white peach and orange blossom. This wine offers a tight and streamlined approach, but that freshness is spot on." Robert Parker

Brilliant ruby red. Fresh and fragrant after violets and rose petals. In the drink fresh berry fruit, very smooth tannin, in the finish again much fruit with simultaneous grace. Very elegant and with medium weight. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep dark Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva with a beguiling aroma of dark red cherries and berry fruits, plus earthy notes, tar, spices and liquorice. "A mouthful of wine" in an incredibly appealing style. Spelt has remarkable concentration and excellent length. SUPERIORE.DE

"In 1994, the Di Properzio brothers founded this vineyard in the hinterland of Pescara and focus on terroir wines in the vineyards - like the Spelt: Smells of stone fruit, violets and blackcurrants; balanced in the mouth, the robust tannins contribute to the polish, shows elegance until the spicy-fruity final." Vinum

"Bright, luminous ruby garnet. In the nose of ripe forest berries and raspberries, elegant fruit, delicate spice, in the aftertaste of bread crust and light leather. Juicy and clear on the palate, spreads elegantly, crisp fruit with tightly woven tannin, seems very young, but again juicy and slightly salty in the finish, good and secure ageing potential." Falstaff

"Moderately saturated ruby. Ink, smoke, plum and red berries dominate the inviting nose. Then youthfully chewy but fine-grained, boasting long, clean, savory flavors that bring the aromas to mind. This strapping Montepulciano is relatively light on its feet." Vinous

"Bright lemons and oranges highlight raspberry and strawberry overtones. The medium-bodied palate is finely wound up in tightly buttoned tannins and driven along by vertical acidity and umami undertones." James Suckling

The heavy bottle already indicates this: This is a light-weight wine that is still fresh and cheerful in its younger years, but which will develop into a highly c Vinousomplex and more than serious white wine over the years. In the still youthful, fresh bouquet we already find a lot of minerality and fine yellow fruit notes, then on the palate a texture and depth that becomes more and more prominent at 2° higher drinking temperature and appropriate aeration. It will be even better in a few years - guaranteed! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Timorasso Derthona is a phenolic, savory wine. Orchard fruit, almond, citrus peel and white pepper all open in the glass. Racy floral and tropical accents add an exotic element that is quite appealing."

The small, museum-like island of Mozia in the Marsala lagoon is a production site of unparalleled uniqueness. It is a marine ecosystem that has always been linked to the vineyard. The English, who came to Marsala at the beginning of the 19th century and sensed the great potential there, initiated the first planting. The vines are raised naturally according to the Gobelet system with natural irrigation. The grapes are harvested in crates, brought to the mainland in shallow boats and then reach the Regaleali winery in air-conditioned trucks to guarantee their aromatic integrity.

Since 2007, when the Tasca family was entrusted by the Whitaker Foundation with the implementation of a project to promote and revitalise historic Grillo vineyards, they have been taking care of 12 hectares of vines on Mozia. From here comes arguably the best Grillo in Sicily, unparalleled in concentration and razor-sharp precision.

Light straw yellow. Enticing, very refined aromas of nectarine, yellow flowers, lime and mint herbs. Then fresh, juicy and dense, with wonderful clarity and the flavour of aromas such as pome fruit and white stone fruit and a lively, harmonious acidity. Its impressive finish is long and mineral. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliantly luminous greenish yellow. Opens cautiously on notes of white peach, lychee and yellow flowers, a hint of nutmeg. Refreshing palate entry with dancing acidity, clear, straightforward, yellow fruits set the tone, fine saltiness." Falstaff

"The 2020 Grillo Mozia lifts up to reveal honeyed florals and freshly sliced green melon. This is silky and pliant, ripe yet packed full of zesty acids and citrus tones that keep the experience fresh. An almondy richness lingers, creating lovely contrasts, as it tapers off with an air of exotic inner florals. Very nice." Vinous

"Hawthorn, citrus, white stone fruit and an inviting whiff of pastry dough form the nose. Savory and boasting a polished texture, the vibrant palate features Meyer lemon, white peach and yellow apple alongside a briny mineral note. Crisp acidity keeps it energized and balanced." Wine Enthusiast

"Grapefruit, papaya, pear, cantaloupe melon and herbs on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with fresh acidity and a creamy, juicy and fruity palate. Concentrated and delicious." James Suckling

"Winemaking on the tiny Phoenician island of Mozia is guided by the Tasca family and the Whitaker Foundation. Their 2020 Sicilia Grillo Mozia Fondazione Whitaker shows some additional fruit weight and concentration in this vintage, with lots of peach, honey and stone fruit. The vineyards are located on a tiny island with salt flats nearby, and the influence of both - the sea and the salt - play heavily on the wine's playlist." Robert Parker

Pithos Rosso was fermented spontaneously in the amphora and is a paragon of liveliness, freshness and elegance. On the nose, dried cherries, some leather and spices. On the palate, young and fresh, lively and yet highly fragile. A perfectly crafted, mineral and highly unusual red that embodies gentle biodynamics 100%. Be sure to aerate it sufficiently before drinking! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rosso Pithos is dark, dusty and youthfully coy, showing just a glimmer of wild blackberries, blueberries, sage and wet stone. Its silky textures are further enlivened by bright acidity, while crunchy, tart woodland berries and minerals cascade across the palate. This is so juicy yet refined, coloring within the lines of balance while delivering masses of fresh fruits and florals." Vinous

Elegant, delicate Chianti Classico and every year one of the best of its appellation: Bright red, smells of strawberry and elderberry, fresh fruit on the palate, beautifully juicy and balanced, enormously smooth in the finish. Possesses polish, elegance and, despite the visually high price, very good value. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby. A concentrated cherry nose loaded with dark spice. Succulent, tangy cherry fruit with a mint oak note. Building up in concentration on the finish but without losing its freshness or elegance. A wine that never disappoints, regardless of vintage." Jancis Robinson

"This is a terrific value buy from one of the best performing estates in the appellation. The 2018 Chianti Classico is made with 82% Sangiovese that has been blended with 15% Canaiolo and 3% Syrah from a mix of sandstone, galestro and alberese soils. The wine is fresh and fruit forward with bright berry aromas over easy spice and smoky tar." Robert Parker

"This is a really authentic and beautiful Chianti Classico, offering cherries, orange peel and light undertones of nuts and bark. It's medium-bodied, very polished and integrated with a fresh, juicy finish." James Suckling

Bright ruby red. The fragrance is dominated by red and black berry aromas. With a little air, cherries and sour cherries become more and more distinct and something spicy that cannot be immediately assigned. Somehow fresh and yet Mediterranean, but not like Chianti or Brunello. Is it that little bit of Syrah? Or is it this unique terroir? Wherever this spice comes from, in combination with this distinctive fruit it smells simply wonderful. On the palate it is full-bodied, very juicy and again this unique combination of fruit and spice, which makes the wine simply exciting and special. Juicy, finely structured, perfectly balanced, with character and animating acid bite. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich ruby. Very spicy, dark fruity nose of ripe Amarena cherries, ripe plums, rich forest berries, some black truffle, in the aftertaste of undergrowth. On the palate also spicy, very hearty with tight tannin, polished, spreads wonderfully over the tongue, with pressure, rich in the final." Falstaff

Out with the cliché, in with the surprise! The Paltrinieris' most famous Lambrusco growth will also fill every connoisseur with joy. Radice is produced using the Pét Nat method (Metodo Ancestrale) and therefore undergoes a second fermentation on its own yeast after bottling.

This naturally cloudy, dry Frizzante already convinces in the bouquet with notes of rhubarb, a fresh citrus note and a little bread. The persistent, fine perlage and its drinky nature make it a racy companion to hearty, spicy antipasti, light meat dishes or simply an upbeat celebration surrounded by nature and happy people. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cloudy orange. In the nose yeast, lemon juice, in the reverberation even blossom honey. On the palate, very straightforward, steely, with prominent acidity and tightly meshed perlage, bone dry, accompanies supreme drinking pleasure with oily salumi." Falstaff

"Pet-nat style of Lambrusco. Cloudy guava pink. Smells of dried rose buds, marshmallows, Turkish delight, blood orange. Bone, bone dry. Like the crunch of French breakfast radishes served with bitter orange and sour cherry. Herbal. Super-tart but wonderfully refreshing. Needs some fatty fennel-and-truffle salami to go with it!" Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice presents a savory display of dusty rose, ginger and sour melon. It's silky-smooth and textural, as a tug-of-war between sweet and sour plays out upon the senses. Minerals, tart apples, wild herbs and spices resonate throughout, as this finishes long yet with cheek-puckering freshness. The decidedly dry Radice is made from the Sorbara grape, which is re-fermented to dryness in bottle, creating a frizzante style." Vinous

Rare every year, Il Frappato from Arianna Occhipinti is spicy and elegant on the nose, rich in red berries, plus fresh spices and flowers. Lively on the palate, beautifully relaxed, vibrant tannin. A graceful and exceptional red. SUPERIORE.DE

"A joyful and fragrant frappato that's so sleek, fresh and mineral. With aeration, a whiff of smoke joins the bright red cherry, making the wine even more fascinating. Long, clean finish with lovely savory complexity." James Suckling

Medium-bodied ruby red, fine rose bouquet with hints of tea and dried herbs. Beautiful black cherry aroma with well-integrated wood notes makes it a balanced and at no point intrusive wine. The 2016 climate also gave this Nebbiolo an impressive precision and straightness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Developed-looking mid ruby with bricky rim. Brooding, complex, deep nose with a hint of Moroccan leather. Generous but not yet fully open fruit, stitched together by gorgeous chewy tannins and ripe acidity. Good medium-term potential." Jancis Robinson

Ruby red Pinot Noir with garnet red shimmer. Fine fruity bouquet of wild berries and cherries. An elegant red, well-proportioned and never overloaded, but with a clear identity and elegant character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich sparkling ruby red with black-red accents. Pronounced aroma of heart cherries and ripe wild berries, a hint of white pepper and mocha on the nose. Taut and juicy, well-integrated tannin, balanced use of wood, ripe nuances, coherent, lively finish." Falstaff

"I love the interplay of delicately smoky oak and black cherry on the nose of this Sub-Alpine pinot noir. With some aeration, a freshly sliced red-beet note develops. Although the gentle tannins are slightly sappy, this fits very well with the medium-bodied, lively palate. Quite a dry, crisp finish that needs some time to harmonize further." James Suckling

"The Tiefenbrunner 2018 Alto Adige Pinot Noir Riserva Linticlarus is a beautiful wine with a bit of spice and dried fruit, iron ore and blue flower, all woven together with a tight and seamless stitch. The wine plays forward over the palate with increasing intensity and balance. This is an elegant wine, and it's impossible not to be excited by these quality results with Pinot Noir from the far north of Italy. This expression concludes with length and a freshness that can be counted in minutes." Robert Parker

Ben Ryé - the great naturally sweet white wine from Donnafugata. The grapes are harvested in mid-August and left to dry naturally for 20 to 30 days. In September, the later ripening grapes are harvested and freshly processed. During fermentation, the hand-picked, raisined berries are added to the must in several stages.

A particularly good vintage has produced grapes of excellent quality, which we can see very nicely in this Ben Ryé 2012. It presents itself in a shiny gold with amber reflections; it presents notes of apricot, figs, dates, candied citrus fruits and Mediterranean maquis. On the palate, the sweetness is perfectly supported by a tangy freshness and minerality. Very long, aromatic persistence. A wine of great complexity, harmony and elegance, icon of heroic Pantelleria viticulture. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé is the result of a dry vintage and healthy concentration of sugars. Ben Ryé's taste profile changes enormously when you get to these younger vintages. Passito di Pantelleria is a wine that shows a very distinct jump in evolution just a few years into its aging process. Once it makes it past that first plateau, the wine then embarks on an excruciatingly slow progression that takes decades to complete. In fact, looking back at this retrospective, I can't say that any of the wines felt "old" or flat. Even the inaugural 1989 vintage is beaming with life. I have the same high expectations for this vintage." Robert Parker

"A rich and mouthwatering dessert wine, with expressive baked peach, nectarine pâte de fruit, green tea, meringue and candied ginger flavors. There's real drive to this wine, and the fruit and spice notes ring out on the long finish." Wine Spectator

Tasca was involved in Etna at an early stage and the latest result of this many years of experience are four new single vineyard wines from the Tascante winery: Contrada Rampante, Pianodario, Sciaranuova and Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (V.V.). The wines are filigree and profound, and despite their strength, acidity and tight tannin very elegant, rich in finesse and light-footed on the palate. Each of the four plots brings a slightly different style and personality to the wine due to the altitude, soil and morphology of the historical lava flows. A high annual rainfall secures all water reserves for the soil, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night support the variety of aromas of the grapes and ultimately the ripening potential.

The Pianodario plot is situated at an average altitude of 775 metres above sea level between the hamlet of Montelaguardia and Randazzo. It covers an area of about 8 hectares of vineyards. The soils are of volcanic origin and up to 40,000 years old. SUPERIORE.DE

"One of three new single-vineyard wines introduced by Tasca's Tascante, the 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Pianodario comes from the western-most parcel located between Montelaguardia and Randazzo. These are relatively new vines, planted in 2010, in soils representing various lava flows, the oldest in 1646 and the newest in 1981. This is a bright and accessible wine with pretty tones of wild berry and dried pomegranate followed by candied orange and pressed violets. It will no doubt be exciting to follow this wine as those vines get, proverbially speaking, older and wiser. Some 5,000 bottles were made." Robert Parker

Only in the best years does Sabino Loffredo vinify a tiny portion of his best Fiano grapes from the Cru site in Toppole Montefredane as a single-site white wine. The result is called Cupo, is virtually hand-picked and can hardly be surpassed in purity and minerality. Slender and racy in the glass, it reveals an overwhelming freshness, notes of grapefruit and a subtle saltiness that is otherwise only found in the neighbour Quintodecimo or in the whites from Etna. A real class of its own and we are delighted to have been allowed a small allocation! SUPERIORE.DE

"Talented Sabino Loffredo's wines are identified by a sleek mineral tanginess. This 2018 vintage of his selection 'Cupo' from Montefredane is intense and smoky with Mirabelle plum and an iodine character. The palate is dominated by a Mojito-like flavour of lime and mint, with stone fruit in depth. It displays great refinement of phenolics, with a tight-knit structure and lifted acidity through to the finish. One of the greatest Fiano I have tasted in 2021." Decanter

The area around the small town of Milo is the only vineyard on Etna where an Etna Bianco may be bottled as Superiore - and for good reason: only Carricante may be planted on the steep vineyard, which consists of dozens of small terraces. The vines are grown like a little tree on poles made of chestnut wood. The easterly exposure and the nearby sea allow the grapes to ripen late, thus achieving very constant acidity values and resulting in a white wine of an aromatic finesse and freshness that is unparalleled even on Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lemon zest joins sour green melon, tropical florals and sweet smoke as the 2019 Etna Bianco Contrada Superiore Rinazzo comes to life in the glass. This is deeply textural with medium-bodied weight, casting notes of papaya, young mango and minerals across a stimulating core of citrus-laced acidity. That said, the 2019 is also youthfully dense, tapering off with persistence but also a structural tension that promises many more good things to come. Like many of the best 2019 Carricante bottlings, the Rinazzo is enjoyable today, but it also has the ability to excel over medium-term cellaring." Vinous

"This is like essence of lemon, with everything from flowers to candied fruit, plus touches of pastry and fresh bread. Very concentrated, with a exciting interplay of fruit and elegant mineral acidity. Very long finish, but this still needs some time for everything to knit together. Drinkable now, but best from 2023." James Suckling

Sauvignon Peri comes from the oldest vines of the estate and is a very classic, almost strict interpretation of Sauvignon Bianco. Vintage 2017 offers a lot of varietal character and is very aromatic and yet has a very fine coolness. Green apple, pear, gooseberry and spices melt into a complex and deep finish. It is a classic white meditation wine for us. SUPERIORE.DE

A wine of pure Burgundian elegance and Tuscan spice, which convinces with its long, continuous flow of tasty fruit and carefully extracted tannin. Fresh and great unaltered in the finish and with great storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lightening Ruby Garnet. Clear and appealing nose with notes of pomegranate, raspberry and some saffron. Very juicy at the beginning and during the course, shows nice salty notes, fine tannin with a soft core, good tension." Falstaff

Sparkling, rich straw yellow, rich, complex aroma with a delicate, pleasantly creamy nose and the scent of vanilla, mango and fresh pineapple. Full, opulent and full of tension in the drink, yet juicy and salty, very elegant taste, accompanied by a fresh, well-bred acidity. The ideally integrated wood note and the fruity, complex body form a harmonious and impressive unity. The long finish is refined with a subtle hint of bitter almonds. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with a hint of light gold. Smells of coconut flakes, ripe stone fruit, mango, banana and candied pineapple on the nose. Shows polished fruit on the palate, warm approach and progression, juicy, saline, lingering final." Falstaff

"Pale golden yellow. Opulent aromas and flavors of ripe yellow apple, banana, custard cream, puff pastry and vanilla. Then big, suave and ripe, with nicely lifted flavors of ripe orchard and tropical fruit complicated by very well dosed, high-quality oak. Closes long and suave. Well done." Vinous

"A stunningly elegant chardonnay with a really wide aroma spectrum, ranging from pineapple and candied-lemon to floral and fresh-nut notes. Still very young and only just beginning to open up, we recommend decanting and large glasses to get the best out of it now." James Suckling

"The organic and biodynamic Alois Lageder 2018 Chardonnay Löwengang offers a medley of ripe fruit and apricot with soft spice and toasted cinnamon. Aged mostly in barrique and some larger wooden barrel, the oak is well balanced overall, owing more to the textural richness of the mouthfeel, as well as to the warm and toasted notes that appear on the bouquet. There is plenty of soft fruit to flesh it out." Robert Parker