WEINWISSER

Well-balanced Pinot Bianco with a fine scent of jasmine, dried apple and nice spice. Expressive fruit in the drink, lively, very polished with remarkable length and mineral freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Nice mix of fruit and smokiness, plus lots of spice and mineral hints, earthy, juicy, with lots of energy and saltiness, fine-boned, substantial, good pressure, yellow-fruited, long, game." Weinwisser

"The 2019 Pinot Bianco is spicy and wickedly fresh, wafting up notes of crushed stone and wild herbs before settling into a display of apricot and green apple. It's silky and expansive, yet there's a reverberation of zesty acids and salty minerals that maintain perfect balance. Inner florals and a twang of cheek-puckering lime linger, yet there's also a good amount of structure here. Give this another year or two, and then watch it blossom." Vinous

"A sensational pinot bianco with lots of gunmetal, apple, pear and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. It's full-bodied and layered with a round, creamy texture that gives the wine a rich, luscious feel." James Suckling

Intoxicating aromas of yellow fruits, pineapple, nutmeg and the faint memory of clove. On the palate, an almost magical bright sweetness, very complex and long. A great and extremely exciting Gewürztraminer from the single vineyard Vigna Kolbenhof registered in the cadastre. SUPERIORE.DE

"The charismatic Martin Foradori Hofstätter has long been one of the leading wine personalities in South Tyrol. His wines, especially the outstanding Pinot Noirs, are known far beyond South Tyrol's borders. His approximately 50 hectares of vineyards are situated on a wide variety of soils and in different micro-climates ranging from 250 to 850 metres above sea level. This Gewürztraminer presents itself with an intense aroma of exotic fruits and yellow roses, but behind it also very spicy-raminic notes that do credit to the name of the variety. In the mouth, it scores with a multi-layered play, exotic fruits as well as an unmistakable mineral spiciness. Bravo!" Weinwisser

Beautiful and very balanced red from the three main historic areas of Montalcino, which bring different geo-climatic characteristics due to their different slopes and altitudes - providing a unique balance between freshness and structure, body and elegance.

Ruby red with garnet reflections, opens immediately with a rich, complex nose. Initially dark cherry, chinotto orange and violet. Then it opens to broader, more complex notes of blueberry, vanilla, tobacco, cinnamon and chocolate with a subtle menthol finish. This juicy 2016 Brunello di Montalcino offers plenty of energy and brightness, transmitted through the cherry fruit and wild berry flavours at its core. The primary fruit is surrounded by spice, grilled herbs and floral earth. The natural complexity, purity and depth of the Sangiovese grape comes through particularly well in this dream vintage and especially in this Brunello. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, noble ruby red with a radiant core. Open and inviting nose, slightly fleshy, with nuances of ripe sour cherries, pepper and raspberries, reverberating with rose hips. Shows very polished and balanced on the palate, with tight tannin, opens up great during the course, slightly salty finish." Falstaff

"Bricky ruby. Senescent fruit sweetness, lovely ripe cherry and undergrowth. Some apparent oak sweetness on the palate too but even so there is a delicacy here, perhaps because the tannins are so fine and relatively light. Elegant, dry, delicate, long, even juicy." Jancis Robinson

"There's something savory and slightly rustic about the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino that I find quite attractive. Baked black cherries, balsamic spice and hints of animal musk form up to create a beguiling display. The textures are silky-smooth, with cooling acids and salty minerals lifting the expression while giving way to tart red fruits. Tannins mount, slowly drying out the senses yet there's still plenty of pleasure to be found here today, as the 2016 comes across as both youthfully structured but also spicy and fresh. This is a blend of Val di Suga's vineyards throughout Montalcino." Vinous

"Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit-black cherry and blackberry-settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied." James Suckling

The 2016 edition of Ugolforte is a beautiful image of this vintage. Unadulterated, racy, dynamic and very precise, this Brunello advances. On the nose, clearly ripe cherry, tobacco and a little damp earth. On the palate, first the pure Sangiovese feeling: beautiful small red berries, wild cherry, lively acidity. Then an impenetrable web of red and black fruits that, together with a fine web of tannins and minerals, reveal more and more of themselves. Compressed and with each sip more open and present, the beautifully diversified taste components present themselves until they then lead into an aristocratically long and fresh finish with a hint of liquorice. SUPERIORE.DE

"Feminine floral scent of violets, blue flowers, dried red berries and blossoms, touches of cinnamon, anise and liquorice. Wonderfully juicy, fine-bodied, silky tannin, finesse-rich final with a touch of bitter chocolate. Great wine value!" Weinwisser

"Rich, bright ruby red. Shy on the nose, gives a bit of everything but not too much. Compact and polished on the palate, tight tannin, opens on clear, salty fruit, punchy and long." Falstaff

"Blue-flower, star anise, coffee- bean and crushed mint aromas take shape in the glass. On the austere, linear palate, taut, close-grained tannins accompany sour cherry, blood orange and licorice while firm acidity keeps it light on its feet." Wine Enthusiast

"The San Giorgio 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte shows immediate richness and softness, with a smooth vinous texture that is fleshed out with ripe cherry, plum and dried blackberry. This expression offers extra dimension with a broad textural approach and attractive softness that is both velvety and elegant. There are earthy notes and hints of sour cherry on the close." Robert Parker

"Just after the 2016 harvest, the ColleMassari Group’s Claudio Tipa purchased the San Giorgio property and immediately started the conversion to organic viticulture. Ageing has also been adjusted - this no longer sees any new barriques and instead matures entirely in 30hL Slavonian oak casks. It shows wonderful restraint with subtle scents of lavender, lilac and mint blossom. Black cherry and earth appear on the palate, which is firm and admirably uncompromising in its constitution. A robust and concentrated yet buoyant Brunello." Decanter

"This red is fresh, with pure black cherry fruit accented by licorice, earth, tobacco and spice notes. Firmly structured yet more sleek than dense, thanks to a brisk acidity, the lingering tannins are offset by an echo of ripe fruit." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte is a dark beauty, impressing with its youthful poise but also its potential. Mint leaf and a dusting of cedar give way to crushed stone, wild strawberry and hints of flowery undergrowth. There are depths of velvety textures and polished red/black fruits, which create a sense of elegance; yet you can feel that there are layers here which are currently unseen. A complex web of fine tannins and minerals penetrate deeply, just as brisk acids and remnants of tart woodland berries fight to remain prevalent; yet all that remains is a hint of licorice. Wow." Vinous

"This is a full-bodied red with ripe blackberry, smoked-meat and burnt-orange notes. Strong tannins with a lots of chewiness. Quite tight on the finish. But there is pureness and beauty to this. More opulent than the 2015." James Suckling

The Brunello di Montalcino 2016 is a stunning creation from an iconic vintage. It was the ideal year for Sangiovese to show its complete and true magic. You can feel the deep inner power and integrity of the fruit, yet the wine opens gently on the nose with elegance and grace. The current release shows amazing complexity with a bouquet that opens gently and subtly to reveal dark cherries, spices, balsamic herb and dried violets. On the palate, the impressions are reflected in an ideally precise and well-proportioned way, accompanied by an inner softness and finesse that completely delighted us. SUPERIORE.DE

"Always reliable Brunello, which is also convincing in this vintage: aromatic, elegant and yet with the necessary pressure on the palate, the final fruity-spicy and long. To the Viennese Rindlfeischküche." Vinum

"A broad bouquet with ripe red and dark fruits, wild strawberries, cassis and red currants. Behind this, the wood barrel ageing also shows with fine cedar, cloves and dark spices as well as herbs. Rich, almost fleshy palate, with a coarse-meshed tannin network, but of the best quality. Very persistent and substantial on the final." Weinwisser

"Rich, sparkling ruby-garnet. Impressive and present nose, full of ripe plums, cherries and also blackberries, in the background some leather and liquorice. Juicy and firm on the palate, opens with grippy, gripping tannin, profound, has firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Lustrous ruby. Savoury, meaty and brooding. Still quite closed. With aeration stony minerally notes emerge. Bags of sour-cherry and raspberry fruit in perfect balance with the finely chiselled tannins. Mouth-watering, long and focused." Jancis Robinson

"Camphor, new leather, underbrush and blue-flower aromas mingle together in the glass along with a whiff of toasted nut. On the firmly structured palate, assertive, close-grained tannins and an acidic backbone accompany dried cherry, licorice and tobacco." Wine Enthusiast

"A red with blackberry, cherry, some walnut and chocolate, as well as mahogany. Tea, too. It's full-bodied and firm-tannined with beautiful length and depth. Linear and very fine." James Suckling

"Among Montalcino's largest estates, Il Poggione continues to impress in 2016 under father and son winemaking duo, Fabrizio and Alessandro Bindocci. The wine wears its warm, southwestern origins assuredly on its sleeve, exhibiting dark bramble fruit intertwined with baked thyme and rosemary, fragrant wet earth and leather. It is weighty but not weighed down, and sports the grip and zip of the vintage, the lingering finish full of tobacco and spice." Decanter

"The Il Poggione 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a medium dark appearance with pretty Sangiovese shine and a little ruby sparkle. This vintage shows a slightly untamed or wild side with a dense and heavier fruit profile. The focus here is on blackberry, dried cherry, tobacco and even a touch of smoky tobacco or horse saddle. The wine shows the firm grip and tannic backbone that is a common trait in this vintage, especially with the vineyards on this southern, sunlit side of the appellation. I also get a considerable flash of acidity on the close, almost too much, that certainly needs a few more years to soften. You really need to wait with this one." Robert Parker

"This Brunello leads with black cherry, black currant and violet aromas, augmented by flavors of iron, tobacco and spice. Dusty tannins emerge on the lingering finish, while the sweet fruit persists. Should be compelling in a decade." Wine Spectator

"I'm not sure how Il Poggione manages to remain one of the largest producers of Brunello, maintaining such a high level of quality and turning out some of the best wines of the vintage year after year - but they do. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is yet another stunning example. Depths of mineral-encased black cherries, sage, allspice, licorice, tobacco and crushed violets lift up from the glass. It's seamlessly silky, even as the palate is peppered with tart red and black berries, nervous acids and savory exotic spices. This shows the density and weight of the vintage in a youthfully monolithic stance, yet with all the necessary components to maintain perfect balance. The 2016 Il Poggione seems to fold in upon itself through the finish, which is dark, mysterious and structured, with only hints of black tea and licorice to tempt the imagination. It's a classic in the making." Vinous

Barolo Albe comes from the three parcels Fossati, Castello della Volta and Costa di Vergne. Brilliant and finely shaped on the palate, expressive floral notes merge with bright red fruits, mint and ground berries to create a lively and distinctive Barolo that is endowed with pure energy and class. It is juicy and fruity and a clear buy not only because of its comparatively moderate price! SUPERIORE.DE

"Wonderfully clear and precise, delighting with abundant charming fruit, balanced and with velvety tannin, plus delicate spice and a salty earthy note on the finish, animating at every stage and also a little demanding." Weinwisser

"Translucent ruby. Edgy, tarry nose that's very ethereal. Tannic grip and quite a bit of heat on the way there. Floats on the palate – it's certainly not heavy, and has quite enough freshness. Long and relatively open." Jancis Robinson

"Sweet, charming, and attractive with fresh and youthful aromas. Great mid-palate concentration. Multi-layered and meaty with a velvety texture." Decanter

"The 2017 Barolo Albe is exquisite. Bright and beautifully lifted, the 2017 Albe is a wine of pure and total pleasure. All the elements come together so gracefully. Crushed flowers, red berries, mint, cinnamon and lavender are some of the many notes that open in the glass. The 2017 is so nicely done in the way it captures the radiance of the year and the classicism that runs through all these wines. Vineyard sites are Fossati, Costa di Vergne and Le Volte." Vinous

"Fresh and floral aromas with plum, orange peel and some cedar follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very drinkable now, but will improve with age." James Suckling

"Red berry, rose and camphor aromas waft out of the glass. Tangy and delicious, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, fleshy raspberry and hints of ground baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. It's already accessible but also has good midterm aging potential." Wine Enthusiast

"This is one of the most accessible and trustworthy wines you can buy from Piedmont. Keeping in line with past vintages, the G.D. Vajra 2017 Barolo Albe opens to medium concentration and a very expressive or fruit-forward bouquet. This hot-climate 2017 edition shows a little more ripeness and roundness as is to be expected, but these results are a safe bet nonetheless. Cherry and raspberry aromas are followed by blue flower and pressed violets. Set this bottle aside for medium or long-term drinking." Robert Parker

Full, rich ruby red. Refined bouquet of raspberry, pomegranate and some white pepper. Sweeping and multi-layered on the palate with a very classic Sangiovese style, powerful, intense and at the same time very harmonious. With its noble tannin, it strides confidently into a long, fascinatingly deep finish. This wine from the excellent 2016 vintage sets a milestone in the long and successful history of the Fanti family. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fragrant, very precisely framed bouquet with red fruits and flowers, violets, hibiscus, behind it fine mineral hints. Quite direct and immediate in the mouth, showing itself round and supple and coherent without clashing." Weinwisser

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is sweetly spiced, hauntingly floral and seductive from the first tilt of the glass. A dusting of confectioners' sugar gives way to bright cherries, candied orange, mint leaf and lavender to form an extroverted yet delectable display. It's seamless and silky in the mouth, with a subtle twang of citrus and vibrant acids that energize the expression, ushering in ripe red hints of herbal-tinged black berries. Rounded tannins come forward through the close under an air of licorice and violets. The 2016 is already so easy to like for its primary intensity, yet it should really be cellared for three to five years for maximum effect. It's a great value for age-worthy Brunello that overdelivers." Vinous

"Though light on its feet, this red evokes plenty of cherry, wild thyme, eucalyptus and tar flavors. A vibrant acidity drives the finish, while mature tannins mesh nicely, echoing the cherry theme." Wine Spectator

"The Fanti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino comes roaring out with terrific intensity and balance. This vintage certainly marks a landmark for the Fanti family as I don't remember a new release as confident and impactful as this. The wine is round and smooth, with layers of dark fruit, cherry and spice. These various aromas blend nicely, showing the right contrasts where necessary. This is a classic expression of the vintage with some of the extra texture and power that defines this estate located in the Castelnuovo dell'Abata area." Robert Parker

"A red with dark cherry, plum and hints of milk chocolate on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied with layers of fruit and velvety tannins. Flavorful, if a bit tight at the finish. Serious Brunello." James Suckling

This powerful and long-lasting Brunello from the great 2016 vintage is royal. Only the best grapes from our own vineyards are used for this Selezione. It perfectly embodies the powerful elegance of the great Tuscan red wines. Ruby red, with an expansive bouquet of rosehip, lilac and spices. One tastes the dense dark berry fruit, toasted and tobacco aromas accompany the firm, juicy and persistent finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe, intense, floral-spicy aroma with dark cherries, raspberries and rose bushes. Dense palate with fine-grained tannins, very intense, punchy and engaging in the course, combines the ripeness with the freshness of the vintage." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red. In the nose inviting spice tones, of sage, mint, then of cherries and a hint of vanilla sugar rounds off the bouquet. Juicy and clear on the palate, opens up in many layers, slightly earthy undertone, yet elegant, also mineral, minimal bitterness, long finish." Falstaff

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vallocchio from Fanti dials it up a notch from the straight Brunello di Montalcino. Darker, deeper and sultry, this displays notes of ripe blackberry and plums complemented by exotic brown spice and a hint of lemon confit. Its textures are like velvet being drawn across the palate, black-fruited and ripe, offset by tactile minerals and cooling herbal tones. This is youthfully monolithic and dense, only revealing its stern tannic core toward the close, where I'm finding notes of black tea, licorice and hints of cocoa." Vinous

"Mocha, truffle, anisette and camphor aromas lead the nose along with a floral whiff of violet. It's full bodied and bracing, offering dried black cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside firm, close-grained tannins. Give it time to fully unwind." Wine Enthusiast

"Vibrant cherry and currant flavors are framed by savory notes of leather, spice and wild herbs in this nimble, fluid red, whose tannins leave a dusty feel, with a fresh, lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"This is a deep and rich red with dark-chocolate, clove, smoke and leather aromas, mingled with dried tangerine peel. It's full-bodied and dark with an earthy undertone. Fine-grained tannins. Lots of bark and cacao on the finish." James Suckling

"This wine sources its fruit from a five-hectare vineyard, rich in friable schistous Galestro soil at a moderate (and warm) 250 meters above sea level. The Fanti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vallocchio shows roundness and softness with hints of elegant mineral and warm soil at the edges. The core of this full-bodied wine is packed with purple and black fruits such as plum and blackberry. Like the 2015 vintage that I remember well, this 2016 release also shows pretty elegance that shines through the more robust nature of this vineyard site." Robert Parker

With this exceptional Chianti Classico Riserva the Mazzei family celebrates their famous ancestor Ser Lapo, in whose writings the name "Chianti" is mentioned for the first time. The upper part of the label shows a faithful reproduction of one of his writings (from the year 1398) with a beautiful calligraphy. "Don't worry about the cost of this wine, although it was expensive: its quality will make up for it."

Opened with classic aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and fine violet. Warm and full on the palate, firm core of dark sweet fruits, smooth tannins, rich and with elegant acidity. Spicy and long, with an unmistakable appetising aftertaste of sage and mint. SUPERIORE.DE

"As charming as the Gran Selezione is, the Ser Lapo is of a pithy and compact construction, precise and demanding, with a stony note and a lot of spice, dominated by the cherry aromas and accompanied by notes of wood right up to the finish. Weinwisser

"Sparkling, bright ruby red with opaque rim. Compact and red berry nose underlined with light spicy notes, deep plum. Smooth in the attack and course with juicy tannin, balanced body and fruity core, long and salty, exciting, powerful in the final". Falstaff

"The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo is bold, rich and full of energy. Super-ripe red cherry, kirsch, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and spice all run through the 2016. Bright acids keep the flavors bright, with all of the juiciness that is such a Fonterutoli signature very much front and center." Vinous

"Here's a terrific wine, at a reasonable price point, that gives you an authentic albeit contemporary taste of Tuscany. The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo reflects the best qualities of this classic vintage with sharp lines, good freshness and delineated contours. The wine shows a tight core of black fruit surrounded by softer layers of spice and smoke at the edges." Robert Parker

"Bright aromas of sliced cherries and hints of strawberries with some orange peel. Full body and super fine and ripe tannins. They melt into the wine. Delicate yet energetic. Crisp finish." James Suckling

"A vibrant yet brooding red, with bracing acidity driving the cherry, currant, iron, tobacco and almond flavors. Complex and intense, this needs a few years to absorb the tannins. Delivers fine presence and length." Wine Spectator

For years, the red top Riserva of the Bolzano Winery has undisputedly been the Lagrein Taber with a fine bouquet of wild berry fruit, herbal aromas and spicy notes. Taber is a dense, full-bodied wine carried by a pleasant acidity and silky tannins, finishing with notes of candied fruit. A top wine from over 80-year-old vines of the Taberhof near Gries and virtually every year an aspirant to the "Tre Bicchieri" of the Gambero Rosso. The best Lagrein Riserva in South Tyrol? Find out! SUPERIORE.DE

"Very dense, concentrated nose with lots of dark fruit, exotic spices, dark dark chocolate, ripe blueberries and dark spicy notes, liquorice. Despite the fullness with quite cool beginnings. In the mouth, the powerful Lagrein is very creamy, with an almost chocolatey texture and round, pleasing and melting in the best sense, an elegant delight with fine, acidity and noticeable, sweetish tannins, but also with a nice draw and freshness. Still too young. Let it lie." Weinwisser

"Rich, impenetrable ruby violet. Intense nose with notes of elderberries and blueberries, spicy background, plus some dark chocolate. Hearty and grippy on the palate, showing plenty of pithy tannin with a supple core, lots of fresh juicy fruit, elderberries and black cherries, lingers long." Falstaff

"Plush aromas of wood smoke, aromatic herb, plum, fig, and cedar, palate of black cherry and dark chocolate." Decanter

"Pouring from the bottle with an exceptionally dark and inky appearance, the 2018 Alto Adige Lagrein Riserva Taber is super rich and succulent. You could pair it with spicy barbecued ribs, given the softness of the tannins and the broad, velvety appeal of the mouthfeel. Dark fruit, plum and ripe blackberry ride long on the finish. There is a playful note of sweetness on the close." Robert Parker

"This smells of the blackest wild berries you can imagine, but on the palate it is plusher and livelier than the nose suggested. The velvety tannins and energetic acidity are already very well integrated on the medium-to full-bodied palate. Should age well, thanks to the excellent balance." James Suckling

Bright ruby red with a light rim. Equally bright and very complex bouquet of wild berries, strawberries, dried fruits, tar and balsamic herbs. On the palate, a very attractive, supple texture, again a beautiful red berry fruit in the drink, plus traces of blackcurrant, blueberry and liquorice. In the long, clean finish, traces of well-integrated light wood and a very appealing silkiness. Probably one of the most successful Brunello from La Gerla we have ever had in the glass! SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy fruit aromas, wrapped in balsamic nuances; juicy and balanced on the palate, nice melting, good length. Convinces with its finesse." Vinum

"Very nice, present bouquet with floral notes with delicately candied, ripe cherries, lilac, rose petals. In the mouth punchy and with rather red berry freshness, nice spice and herbal notes, good tension with fine-grained tannins and freshness." Weinwisser

"Noble shining ruby red. In the nose after tobacco, light leather, then after ripe forest fruits and sour cherries, very ripe strawberries, in the reverberation after dried rose petals. Clear and radiant on the palate, opens with many layers, with pressure and finesse, spans a magnificent fan, also salty, great length."Falstaff

"Lightish brick ruby. Lively, perfumed with sour cherry. So fragrant and open. Sweet tobacco and herbs. Light and juicy on the palate but intense and persistent. The tannins are super-fine and infused by the aromatic fruit. Pretty and finely dry on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"This red is round, with juicy cherry, plum and spice flavors. Shows hints of chocolate and loam, remaining harmonious and fresh through the long finish." Wine Spectator

"Underbrush, rose, leather and dark spice aromas lift out of the glass along with a whiff of camphor. The linear, elegantly structured palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, orange zest, star anise and crushed mint alongside tightly wound but refined tannins and bright acidity. It's still young and nervous so give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"Elegant, tight and streamlined, the La Gerla 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a savory and slightly spicy bouquet. More than fruit, the first tones you get focus on tar, smoke, licorice and mixed herbs. This wine offers a very Mediterranean personality with elegant mineral notes that come out in a second wave. The wine goes through a relatively quick fermentation with about 15 days of skin contact followed by 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks. With more time in the glass, it opens to blue flower, lilac, dried berry and crème de cassis." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino displays depths of rich blackberry and cherry sauce with mentholated herbal tones adding lift, while notes of cedar and clove develop in the glass. Its textures are like pure silk, draped slowly across the palate, showing admirable density and weight, balanced by bright acids and minerals. This is so tightly wound up in its youthful state, yet it's packed full of potential with a core of dark primary fruit that isn't quite ready to reveal its charms. A web of fine tannin makes itself known only at the very end, as the 2016 slowly tapers off to hints of tobacco. The 2016 will take some time for this to come fully into focus, but it will be well worth the wait." Vinous

"Very pretty ripe and dried fruit with blackberries and sweet cherries. It's full-bodied with depth of fruit and creamy, polished tannins. Extremely compact and long. Pure fruit at the end. A gorgeous wine." James Suckling

Pelagrilli presents itself already more open and pleasing than Pacenti's flagship Vecchie Vigne when young. The bouquet is rich and engaging with dark cherries, herbs and young leather. The palate is punchy, precise and excellently structured, the recognisable wood well integrated. In the long final, we discover salty notes in addition to a very appealing extract sweetness, which can otherwise only be found in Casanova di Neri's Tenuta Nuova. A beautiful Sangiovese from a great vintage with an almost ideal climate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Precise nose with aromas of raspberries, pepper, leather; the attack pithy, with plenty of polish, character and opulence, the tannins tightly woven and age-worthy, the acidity invigorating, supple and long. Perfectly made Brunello to be enjoyed with food." Vinum

"Deep, dark blue bouquet with ripe red and dark plums, wild berries, fragolino and ripe raspberry resonate behind the cedar and dark herbal spice. Pressive, velvety palate, still encapsulated within itself, with velvety but hugely present tannins standing guard, so to speak, for further potential." Weinwisser

"Rich, dark ruby, very concentrated. Precise, rich fruit, lots of blackberry, some mulberry, behind it fine tobacco notes, spicy. On the palate lots of sturdy and gripping tannin, spreads out richly, dark fruit components, sturdy and firm on the final, also still closed, still needs long ageing." Falstaff

"Pelagrilli takes its name from the locale in the northern sector of Montalcino where Siro Pacenti purchased property in 1970. It is made from 25- to 35-year-old vines and includes a small percentage of fruit from the estate's Piancornello vineyard in the south. Dark brambly aromas make way for fragrant bay laurel and eucalyptus. There's lovely purity of juicy black currants at this wine's nucleus, and grainy, grippy tannins give textural drama." Decanter

"Siro Pacenti is the estate behind some of the most contemporary and fruit-froward wines made in Montalcino. For sure, the Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is decidedly more focused on black fruit aromas rather than red fruit brightness, and it follows through with a healthy delivery of cedar, toasted spice, pencil shaving and campfire ash. Blackberry, fresh prune and plum cede to those oak-driven aromas. Like the other wines from this producer, I found that the oak tannins are not approachable in the near term. You really need to give this wine more time in the bottle. Siro Pacenti farms beautiful and carefully manicured vineyards on the north side of Montalcino." Robert Parker

"Wow. This is really rich and layered with velvety tannins that coat the palate. It's full-bodied with ripe tannins and a finish of black cherries, cedar, walnuts, dried mushrooms and dried leaves. Needs time to soften." James Suckling

"A pure and focused version, with cherry, strawberry and currant fruit shaded by mineral and tobacco accents. Vibrant and harmonious, this is all about the fruit, with a well-integrated structure and terrific length on the finish." Wine Spectator

La Casa 2016 is a terrificwine in deep dark ruby red and a bouquet of small red berries, cedar wood and spicy-scented flowers that opens up for minutes. The palate is precise, taut and finely layered, with silky textures and a palate concert of spicy black cherries, spices, leather, tobacco and tar. Dense yet elegant as it progresses, the fine-grained tannins rounding out its perfect beauty. Very intense and with a wonderful ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The round dance opens with fine-smelling aromas of raspberries and blossoms; opens with fine-grained tannins and concise acidity, then an extremely linear course to a multi-tonal fruit finish. Very successful." Vinum

"Already the bouquet shows a lot of intensity with ripe plums and dark, candied cherries, plus a bouquet of floral notes, violets, lavender, but also "powerful" notes like iron and blood. Densely built on the palate with present, ripe tannins, sweet berry fruit, showing provenance and vintage with a multi-layered final and punchy Sangiovese spice." Weinwisser

"Powerful, sparkling ruby. Very much present and clear fruit, after fresh plums, dark cherries, fine cloves in the background. Gripping, gripping tannin, spreads out richly, after red berry fruit, slightly malty note in the final." Falstaff

"One of five vineyards sites in the Caparzo stable, Vigna La Casa is located on the Galestro-rich soil of Montalcino's revered Montosoli hill. Quite primary and fresh, this hints at smoke, cedar and star anise. It is more firmly structured and robust than the estate Brunello, with palpable wood tannins and ripe, dark cherry filling out the palate." Decanter

"Rose, graphite, star anise and eucalyptus aromas come to the forefront. The chiseled, racy palate features juicy morello cherry, licorice and coffee bean framed in close-grained tannins and bright acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino La Casa takes a little time to collect itself in the glass, pulling you closer as white smoke gives way to crushed stone, then peppery florals, wild strawberry and cedar. The textures are like pure silk, with an elegant display of savory black cherry and spice complicated by salty minerals. This shows amazing density while never feeling heavy, nearly masking its fine-grained tannins until the very end, where hints of orange citrus and dried berries linger. The 2016 La Casa is a beauty with plenty of upside potential." Vinous

"This red displays a mix of macerated plum, cherry, mint, earth, iron and sanguine flavors. In the savory camp, without the purity of many of its peers, at least today, yet harmonious and long, with dusty tannins on the finish. Be patient." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of berry, toffee and chocolate with cherry undertones. It's full-bodied with a tight, focused palate with ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. Tight and polished. Needs bottle age to open and show its true potential." James Suckling

The northern slope of Montalcino was not once covered with vines, but was cultivated with cereals, olives and cherries. In this area, influenced by the Apennines, the seasons are more pronounced, continental and the north wind lowers the temperature significantly in winter. It is therefore the coldest Brunello area at this time of year, but also the wettest. This northern slope is a gentle hill: a characteristic more reminiscent of the Crete Senesi area, right next to it, than of the two stiffer, steeper and warmer southern slopes of Montalcino.

Due to the climate and the origin of the soils, the grapes in this area of Montalcino are harvested last every year. Vigna del Lago is the vineyard that welcomes all visitors arriving from the north of Montalcino. It takes its name from the lake that surrounds it and plays a fundamental role in the microclimate of the area; the soil is a constant alternation between clay and strips of very fine galestro.

Brunello Vigna del Lago is a historic cru from the Val di Suga winery, it is an old school Brunello, from the times before the arrival of barriques and technology. An authentic product that is enjoying increasing demand. Unlike the Poggio al Granchio, which is aged in new French 300-litre barriques, this wine is aged in large 30- and 50-hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels.

It is a wine with a lower alcohol content, bright orange-ruby colour, with very fine and almost imperceptible tannins, with a floral nose of citrus notes, myrtle and fresh cherries. It is a Brunello of great richness and balance, and also has a very pleasant lightness, well-contoured acidity and a salty, mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Appetising berry-herb nose; juicy in the mouth with plenty of polish and a lovely final on notes of wild berries and balsamic nuances. Makes you want more." Vinum

"Multi-layered aroma with ripe cherries, dried red flowers, violets, iron. Very linear and tightly woven on the palate, but with a super mature, complex tannic structure that embraces the wine fully and energetically, very grippy and vertically oriented with lively acidity and vibrant final." Weinwisser

"Powerful, bright ruby. Very clear and precise nose, fragrant, of ripe dark cherries, cardamom in the background. Very much juicy fruit on the palate, opens with well-integrated, fine-meshed tannin, round and smooth, fine salty components in the final." Falstaff

"Just mid ruby. Perfumed cherry and oak nose with a hint of coffee bean. Elegant and vibrant cherry and raspberry palate, yet with great depth. Fresh, nervy and long with coating tannins adding more depth to the fruit on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Forest-floor, camphor, wild-berry and toasted nut aromas lead the way. Elegantly structured, the linear palate offers dried cherry, blood orange, star anise and hazelnut framed in close-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"This starts out with pronounced iron and graphite aromas and flavors, wrapped around a beam of black cherry and black currant fruit. Earth, tobacco and wild herb accents get swept up in the dense, dusty tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Crushed gravel and dried earth on the nose with intense layers of mushrooms, dried oysters and potpourri. Dried flowers and grapefruit peel. It's full-bodied with refined tannins and a long, elegant finish. Quite tight. Juicy and savory at the end." James Suckling

"Different from everything you know: wild and earthy, this single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc presents itself. A special experience for wine freaks." Michael Graf Goëss-Enzenberg, Manincor Winery

Golden yellow Sauvignon with rich, complex aromas of ripe tropical fruits such as mango, papaya and passion fruit. Full-bodied on the palate, otherwise rather mineral like wet stone and with juicy acidity. Also in the long finish a harmonious exchange between austere minerality and ripe fruit. Lieben Aich is an original and rare experience for true Sauvignon fans (only about 3,000 bottles filled)! SUPERIORE.DE

"Herbaceous scent with hints of hay, freshly cut grass, rather ripe yellow fruits like pineapple, papaya (as green gooseberry), also a fine apricot note resonates. Rich, rather creamy Sauvignon Blanc style, yet very precisely infused with the finest acid wirethat contrast the smooth richness well." Weinwisser

"Brilliantly radiant lemon yellow with a green touch. Intensely fragrant of ripe pineapple, papaya, black elderberries and verbena, with hints of nut butter. Juicy attack with lively acidity, pulls through precisely and with traction, presses again on the palate in the final, long, fruit-driven finish, beautiful expression." Falstaff

"Breathtakingly refined nose with all the facets of the lemon, from the blossom to the candied fruit, the hint of oak effortlessly integrated on the incredibly silky palate that's as soft as a baby's skin. So concentrated, yet so delicate and so pure at the very long, crystalline finish." James Suckling

Coste di Rose presents itself straightforward, driven forward and impresses even at a young age with its refreshing frankness. Very precise bouquet of cherry, plum, liquorice, spices and menthol, on the palate then a wide and multi-layered bow of fruit with lots of juice and power, supporting tannins and a full, long, mineral-minty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"One of the most Burgundian Barolo I know; strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate, with good power and density, compact and salty, plus always carried by ample fruit, with grainy tannins that linger. Delicious." Weinwisser

"Youthful mid ruby. Gorgeous, savoury leafy cherry fruit on the nose. Fragrant, elegant fruit palate. Very poised and sappy and with long coating tannins supporting the fruit. Can be approached now." Jancis Robinson

"Sweet-strawberry, flower, iodine and stone aromas follow through to a full body with firm, polished tannins that show finesse and form." James Suckling

"The 2017 Barolo Coste di Rose is pretty, supple and inviting. Some of the tannins need to resolve, but this is a young Barolo after all. The Coste di Rose doesn't have the sensuality of the Albe or the pedigree of the Viole, but it nevertheless has so much to give. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint, crushed rocks and sage are some of the many notes that linger. I won't be surprised if the 2017 is even better than this note suggests once it softens a bit." Vinous

"With fruit from higher-elevation vineyards in the village of Barolo, the 2017 Barolo Coste di Rose is quite elegantly downplayed and fragile. The wine reveals wild berry, cassis and lots of blue flower or lilac. A pretty mineral note recalls crushed limestone and is present through the long and polished mouthfeel. This wine overperforms, considering the challenges of this vintage that saw extreme weather, from spring frost to scorching summer temperatures. These vineyard sites performed better than most." Robert Parker

"Wild berry, menthol and tilled earth aromas mingle with whiffs of dark spice. Linear and savory, the lithe palate is already immediate, featuring juicy raspberry, red cherry, crushed mint and star anise accompanied by taut, polished tannins. Tangy acidity keeps it fresh and bright." Wine Enthusiast

Mastrojanni repeatedly shows, and not only in excellent vintages like this one, that the Brunello from this house belongs to the very great ones of the appellation. With a lot of tailwind from the exceptional year of 2016, it crosses the finish line even earlier than many others and reveals anew that the wines from this house are anything but average. It flirts playfully with the attributes that make a Sangiovese Grosso so lovable: You have all the components in the bouquet and on the tongue that have made the richness and class of this wine so famous, and yet it is different: it is rich but at the same time controlled, it is opulent and yet always aristocratic - it gives away just as much as its distinguished restraint allows. And that is exactly why it is one of our favourites of the vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"In the expansive bouquet, red and blue fruits (wild berries, plum) mingle with earthy and ethereal-herbal aromas. Finely marked palate with juicy, fresh, never opulent fruit, elegantly framed by grippy, polished tannins and supporting freshness." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red. Open-hearted and inviting nose of ripe wild berries, raspberries and pomegranate, underpinned by a discreet hint of mint, reverberating with icing sugar. On the palate clear and with red berry fruit, opens elegantly and flows finesse-rich over the tongue, beautiful length, very coherent." Falstaff

"The core of cherry and plum flavors is framed by tar, earth and tobacco in this robust red, whose ripe fruit stands up easily to the foundation of drying, dusty tannins. Fruit, earth and iron accents converge on the finish. Put this away for a few years." Wine Spectator

"Lots of savory tones to this with aromas of mushrooms, beetroot and dried leaves. Intensely flavorful with a unique umami quality. Olives and porcini mushrooms. This is full-to medium-bodied with chewy tannins. A little lean at the end now, but the tannins will soften nicely. Racy." James Suckling

"The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and velvety in appearance, boasting rich fruit concentration. The bouquet shows dried cherry, blackberry, spice, leather, tar and all the good things you get when Brunello lives a trouble-free childhood in the winery. I recall the 2015 vintage showing enhanced density and richness, and this wine unfolds in a very similar manner. Perhaps the difference between the two vintages is more clearly enunciated in terms of mouthfeel. This 2016 vintage gives the impression of being more linear, tight and structured. Elegant mineral tones define the long and polished finish." Robert Parker

"Earthy aromas of underbrush, wild herb and rose mingle with woodland berry and toasted nut on this full-bodied red. Combining finesse, structure and concentration, the smooth palate doles out ripe morello cherry, licorice and bitter almond alongside a backbone of firm but refined tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Just 9,000 bottles make up the annual production of this boutique winery from Etna. At 950 metres above sea level, the one-and-a-half hectares of vines, divided into eight tiny plots, are gradually bought up by the renowned oenologist. The area is planted with Nerello Mascalese bush vines, which have been spared the phylloxera vine louse and make their way through the lava-covered terraces.

The single vines, which are on average 80 to 100 years old, are cultivated in the traditional, low-bush Alberello style, to which the wine also owes its name. Alberelli di Giodo is of extreme elegance and spiciness and represents to a remarkable degree the minerality and finesse typical of its volcanic growing region. SUPERIORE.DE

"From 2 hectares, the well-known Tuscan oenologist Carlo Ferrini produces his own Brunello di Montalcino from Podere Giodo as well as a Sicilian red wine from Etna called Albarelli di Giodo. It is made from the local, Burgundy-like grape variety Nerello Mascalese and has the typical delicate colour. Quite fruity and very accessible, the Albarello di Giodo presents itself as an inviting, harmonious interpretation with a sweet Tuscan touch. Deep, fine and very balanced also in the mouth, the delicate tannins are enveloped by Tuscan-like sweetness." Weinwisser

"Savory nose with dried cranberries, orange peel and strawberries. There is a subtle, spicy and mineral edge that gives it another layer. Really bright and medium-bodied with very assertive tannins. Juicy and delicately long." James Suckling

Deep dark ruby. Opulent nose of red berries, pleasant smoky notes and fine herbal spice. Opulent and round on the palate, the fine tannins give the wine a delicate but definite structure and the necessary seriousness until the long, soft finish. The well-integrated wood and the fruit of the Cabernet grape find an exciting symbiosis with the rather strict and taut Petit Verdot style in a very harmonious way. SUPERIORE.DE

"This blend comes from the Maremma and already shows the generosity of the local landscape in the aroma. Wonderfully juicy dark cherries and morello cherries blend skilfully with chocolate and smoky, dark-roasted notes. Elegant in the mouth, the fruit is precise and finely contoured despite its concentration, the grippy, fine-pored and noble tannin and the juicy acidity wonderfully embrace the meltingly dense body, and a fine dark chocolate flashes in the final. Weinwisser

"Rich ruby red. In the nose of ink, graphite, noble wood, then blackberry and truffle. On the palate with great, polished and clear fruit, spreads out nicely, dense and elegant, radiant, stays long." Falstaff

"The 2018 Ilatraia is a heady, potent wine that captures all of the natural density of Maremma. A blast of black plum fruit, chocolate, dried herbs, licorice and copious French oak lends notable exuberance. Ilatraia doesn't quite have the open-knit charm of most Bolgheri reds, likely because of the booming structure of Petit Verdot and its formidable tannic clout. Even so, there is plenty to like, especially for readers who enjoy big Tuscan wines." Vinous

"Blackberries and currants with some violet and walnut undertones. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, polished tannins that show balance and focus. Stone and mahogany. Just a hint of chocolate. Racy and fine." James Suckling

The world-famous Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer has been a real benchmark for years and is also a convincing wine in terms of longevity. Bright yellow with greenish reflections. Varietal perfection, complex and deep, but also agile and fresh with beautiful nuances. Smoky notes, black tea, white fruit. On the palate it flows silky smooth, velvety and spicy, lingers long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Nussbaumer" has long been at least as famous as the winery itself, which is one of the very great, historical classics of South Tyrol. Fascinating fragrance with a real kaleidoscope of aromas. On the nose, yellow roses, lilies, nutmeg, lychee, ripe melon and passion fruit, as well as herbaceous notes. Meltingly dense palate with a certain exoticism, good structure and freshness balance the whole. Will benefit from further bottle ageing." Weinwisser

"Sparkling rich straw yellow with green shimmer. Opens with emphatic spicy notes of ground coriander seeds, yellow roses, lychee and mango, beautiful fragrance play. Rich and dense in attack and course, lots of ripe tropical fruit, glides along on a rich carpet of oriental spices, rich pressure in the final, long finish." Falstaff

"Very ripe tropical-fruit nose with hints of turkish delight, smoked bacon and sandalwood. Powerful with a lot of textural complexity, but no hint of bombast. Indeed, the bitter side of this grape is very well integrated in the rich, mellow palate." James Suckling

"Pouring from the bottle with a mildly saturated golden hue, the Cantina Tramin 2019 Alto Adige Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer is an almost full-bodied expression. The wine carries extra fruit weight that appears smooth and rich to the palate. It also offers elaborate aromas of fragrant summer flower and peach blossom. There is some heaviness on the finish, but it is washed away by the wine's significant persistence and freshness. This would be great with a butternut squash ravioli." Robert Parker

The grapes for the house's classic Barolo come from the sites/communes of Ornato, La Serra, Briccolina in Serralunga d'Alba, Gustava and Garretti in Grinzane Cavour, Roncaglie in La Morra, Ravera in Novello and, from the 2015 vintage, Mosconi in Monforte d'Alba. It is more of a traditional, classic Barolo with an exciting bouquet of deep, dark fruits and a pretty potpourri of rose petals, spices, smoke and tar. The palate is full-bodied and firm, opening with lots of tightly woven tannins, very powerful, with pressure and rich bite on the back end, laid out for a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Already the colour is amazingly transparent and light-coloured. The entry-level Barolo shows an open, attractive bouquet with freshly picked cranberries and currants, persimmon, ripe cherries, playful, shimmering, linear and multi-layered. Rather cool than lush. Very finely woven on the palate, very elegant and almost floating, a finesse piece for elegance drinkers." Weinwisser

"Lustrous mid ruby. Balsamic nose, slow to emerge from the glass. Hints of garden herbs, brooding cherry and cranberry. Still a little tight on the nose, but more approachable on the palate with ripe, supple fruit with plenty of stuffing without being heavy. Bags of grainy, tasty tannins and quite a firmly structured fruit-driven finish." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of spicy red cherries on a loamy underlay, together with savory twists of forest floor and walnut shell. Some orange rind, too. Full-bodied with very fine, firm and silky tannins and lots of long, focused fruit and spice flavor. Good structure for 2018. Best from 2024." James Suckling

The grapes for the immensely deep Vigna del Gris come from vines that are over 40 years old from the approximately 1 hectare parcel of the same name. The bouquet is beguilingly harmonious, with a convincing approach, weightless and powerful at the same time. On the palate, firm tannins and lots of spice, with great texture and very juicy. Long, rich finish. Don't make the mistake of opening this wine before it has gained maturity, personality and elegance after more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Impresses with precise fruit, compact structure and wonderful earthy dark spice and saltiness; a lovely vertical wine that integrates ageing in small oak barrels well, revealing subtle cocoa notes and plenty of fine-grained tannin on the finish." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red. Opens to a potpourri of truffle and iron on the nose, along with rich cherry fruit and elegant spice, to be tucked in. Dense and polished on the palate, elegant, with grippy tannin and plenty of tension, still seems young, put it away and enjoy it fully in a few years." Falstaff

"The 2017 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is classic Gris. Bright, focused and taut in feel, 2017 offers up a whole range of floral and spice top notes that give the wine terrific freshness. On the palate, the Gris is a bit nervous, as it always is, yet with superb balance and class. The tannins can be a bit edgy here, but the 2017 keeps everything in check. This is such a pretty wine." Vinous

"I always love the purity of aromas delivered in wine from this 1.8-hectare site with loose, well-draining soils in the celebrated Ginestra cru of Monforte d'Alba. The Conterno Fantino 2017 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris boasts a slightly more delicate and finessed aromatic approach with tighter weaving and an almost fragile personality. However, the warm 2017 vintage conditions do their part to build up the concentrated power and fruit weight of this Barolo. I found this wine to be more reticent in terms of mouthfeel; however, that may be a reflection of my early tasting." Robert Parker

"This is extremely perfumed with rose petal and orange zest to the ripe-strawberry and cherry character. Full and intense palate with layers of fruit and firm, dusty tannins. Chewy at the finish, but there’s plenty of fruit." James Suckling

The sandy soils north of Monforte d'Alba give this Barolo its immense power and structure. Very open and appealing on the nose of dark cherries and raspberries, with notes of mint, cedar, rose petals and sage. On the palate then very lively and expressive, with deep beauty, seamlessly contoured, with spectacular resonance. A fabulous wine from a very good vintage, classic and exotic at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Engagingly fine and clear fragrance, delicate vanilla hint with abundant fruit, depth and elegance, combines the classic with the modernity of wood use, toasty finish with balsamic vein, liquorice, typical and long." Weinwisser

"Radiant ruby red. Finely marked nose of ripe cherries, sealing wax, a hint of marzipan, leather. On the palate with a polished-creamy entry, dense and gentle, flows finely with enormous finesse and elegance, very long and harmonious." Falstaff

"The 2017 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is a gorgeous, exotic wine. Rose petal, orange peel, cinnamon, cedar and red berry fruit all open in a beautifully layered, super-expressive Barolo from Conterno-Fantino. Beams of Castelletto tannin extend the finish while lending a real feeling of vibrancy throughout. The balance of purity and structure is compelling." Vinous

"Vanilla, resin and eucalyptus aromas give way to cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors in this well-structured red, which is balanced and resonant on the long finish, needing time to absorb the oak." Wine Spectator

"This wine boasts a very etched and linear quality that defines both the bouquet and the mouthfeel. The Conterno Fantino 2017 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda starts in little clicks with wild berry, cassis, dark plum, spice and tar. Those intervals add up quickly to form a greater sense of length and endurance that this wine, made with fruit from silty soils mixed with sand and clay, delivers in both the good years and the more difficult ones alike. Light touches of smoke and spice give lift to the finish." Robert Parker

"This is very structured with fantastic tannins that frame the wine. Dark fruit with ripe strawberries, as well as wet earth and dried black truffles. Full and chewy. Tight finish. Needs four or five years to open." James Suckling