Weinwisser

After many years of identifying the best Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot parcels within the boundaries of their Bolgheri vineyard with the help of the famous OenologistMichel Rolland, the Antinori family discovered in the early 2000s that there was an even more special microclimate and terroir in the middle of this microclimate, the results of which surpassed those of the larger area. Everyone involved immediately realised that this unique character had to be vinified and emphasised separately - this was the birth of today's cult wine Lodovico.

Connoisseurs know and appreciate the Biserno, the winery's second flagship. The grape composition is roughly the same, only here the grapes come from the Bellaria vineyard. As every year, Lodovico crowns the results of the Tenuta di Biserno. The 2018 edition is a highly successful wine of exceptional expression and enormous depth - and a flavour profile that balances concentration and power with the careful precision of the varieties used in the blend. The result is sharp and focussed, allowing for the detailed mapping of blackberries and plums followed by spice, delicate toasty notes and some chocolate. The elegant tannins are sweet and carefully integrated into every fibre of the wine. If you have followed the development of Lodovico over the last decade, the current vintage and the age of the vines have found the rhythm to produce a world-class wine. Chapeau! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with violet edges. Very wide-ranging nose with lots of ripe, black berry fruit, already appears very noble and aristocratic, a touch of truffle chocolate resonates. The finest vanilla tones and cedar bear witness to the noble wood maturation, behind these noble aromas a mineral terroir note reminiscent of iron also emerges. In the mouth, this is enormously dense, yet incredibly polished and characterised by great harmony, very round and velvety, almost pleasing, but it simply needs time to reveal its true greatness and the existing terroir aspects even more. A majestic wine." Weinwisser

"Rich ruby with a fine violet-coloured shimmer. Compact, fleshy nose with notes of cardamom, a hint of cinnamon, lots of blackberry and cassis. Very polished on the palate, with plenty of fine tannins, blackberry and tobacco flavours and a green, spicy final that somewhat dampens the flow." Falstaff

"Beautiful aromas of redcurrant, sage and other fresh herbs merge into a full body with round, creamy tannins. Tantalising texture and lush fruit character. Very balanced and refined. It is already beautiful now, but will be even better from 2023." James Suckling

"The Tenuta di Biserno 2018 Lodovico shows a high level of focus and focus in this vintage, which was not always easy given some extra rain showers. This full-bodied Tuscan red wine is vertical and very intense, while maintaining a careful sense of balance and aromatic equilibrium. It shows great black intensity with plenty of fruit and layering. The wine walks the proverbial fine line between power and elegance." Wine Advocate

"Lodovico has been produced in Bibbona on the border with Bolgheri since 2007 and is a relatively young brand run by Lodovico Antinori. Annual production is less than 10,000 bottles and the exact blend is not disclosed. The wine is based on Cabernet Franc and is blended with small quantities of Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is fermented in stainless steel and aged for 16 months in barriques, although it is bottled at a significantly lower volume than an equivalent Bordeaux. The 2018 is not entirely representative (try the excellent and more concentrated 2016), but it describes the graceful, Margaux-like elegance of this super Tuscan quite well. Parma violets, cedar, eucalyptus, wild raspberries and coffee grounds outline its complexity. The silky tannins are combined with a refreshing acidity." Wine Spectator

Complex and multi-layered classic from the old master of Nebbiolo from Piedmont. Cedar wood, plum, red fruit, undergrowth and a hint of rose on the nose. Balanced, spicy flavour, firm tannins and a precise, long finish. This muscular monument of a red wine definitely needs a few more years in the bottle, with a little patience it will turn into pure elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fragrant and complex with aromas of ripe wild strawberries, sour cherry, raspberry and blood orange, wonderfully floral with rose petals. Wonderfully juicy on the palate with fine grip and skilfully concentrated red berry fruit; despite the warm, charming vintage, it is very youthful and grippy with almost crunchy fruit, the nobly arranged tannins and gripping, fine acid veins give additional freshness and verve. It seems to me that a change in style is taking place here towards an earlier harvest and more freshness." Weinwisser

"This round red wine shows flavours of cherry, raspberry, minerals, eucalyptus and hay. Balanced, with a good dose of well-integrated tannins that provide support on the lively finish." Wine Spectator

"The Barbaresco 2020 is a very young wine. In most years, the Gaja Barbaresco is quite striking, but the 2020 clearly needs time. It has great fruit intensity. Nowadays, the Gaja wines have less oak influence, which pushes the fruit forward, but also produces a wine that is a little more austere at the beginning." Vinous

"This wine shows the class, beauty and vitality of the noble Nebbiolo grown in the soils of Barbaresco. The wine opens with aromas of ripe cherries, warmed strawberries in sweet spices, fresh herbs and mixed flowers. The palate is lifted and vibrant with a verve that electrifies the palate as flavors of boysenberry, dried blood orange and black tea saunter about alongside well-intergrated tannins, making this wine drinkable now but ready for the cellar." Wine Enthusiast

"So many flavours of fresh rose petals and hibiscus tea. Medium bodied with a crisp and floral character with sliced strawberries and a bright finish. Very appealing with nice structure. Powerful on the finish." James Suckling

"Depth, structure and complexity are the hallmarks of Nebbiolo, and this wine not only offers these characteristics, but also a juicy portion of fresh berry fruit. It is blended from 14 different vineyards throughout the Barbaresco DOCG area with an average vine age of 40 years. Barbaresco is the wine with which the Gaja legacy began in 1859. Aromatic notes of spiced orange peel, an assertive bouquet of dried violet flowers and a hint of dried mint. On the palate, the spicy character of baking chocolate and fennel seed is balanced by an abundance of ripe red berry fruit - notes of strawberries and balsamic, raspberries, fresh mint and dried tobacco. The wine is richly structured, but a stylistic shift in the younger vintages of Barbaresco makes this wine immediately drinkable." Decanter

"Bright ruby-garnet colour, sparkling. Extremely fragrant nose of peach and pomegranate, then fresh plum, appears extremely fresh. Lots of juicy fruit on the palate, opens up with elegant, polished tannins, fine raspberry notes, lingers for a very long time." Falstaff

The Barolo Falletto from the vineyard of the same name in Serralunga, where the winery is located, has a wonderfully complex and racy personality. It impresses with the depth and intensity of its dark fruit and the outstanding overall balance that can only be found in this coveted vineyard. Its spectrum ranges from small dark berries to menthol, flowers and liquorice through to a present yet consistently elegant tannin. It is a particularly precise and direct Barolo, without being loud. However, its full character, variety of flavours and finesse will only really come to the fore with further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Smoky cherry and wild berry fruit, nutmeg, Amarena cherry. Melting and powerful in the mouth, also grippy with a flattering sweetness and texture, will only develop its full potential in 5-8 years." Weinwisser

"Transparent carmine red. Again slightly spicy and slightly floral. Sweet and rich and very flattering. Long and by no means simple. More fruit than tannin at this early stage." Jancis Robinson

Sassicaia 2020 is in one word: magical. Even at a young age, it shows an aromatic richness and intensity that inspires us. The optimal climate has favoured its very Mediterranean character, and so here presents a fresh and very direct wine that delights all the senses. Everything is in its place here and the omnipresent fruit gets an extra place on the podium in this vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium purple red, the bottom of the glass is clearly visible. Intense nose with a hint of iodine. Great spiciness that seems more Tuscan than Bordeaux. Long lasting with a very long finish. Embryonic but convincing that it has a bright future ahead of it. Subtle rather than showy. I wouldn't guess it was 14%. I aerated it and left it in a young wine decanter for an hour and it was a delight. It has more appeal than many previous vintages." Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Sassicaia is a real beauty and shows great purity, elegance and silkiness. On the nose, it is a typical, noble Sassicaia with the typical liaison of Cabernet and Mediterranean spice, reminiscent of the neighbouring maquis forest. There are notes of lavender, but also Mediterranean herbs such as sage, myrrh and rosemary, refined with dark cherries, cassis, wild berries, graphite, tobacco and earth. Also in the mouth with noble restraint, the fine fruit presence is majestically underpinned by earthy and herbaceous notes, even a touch of olive tapenade resonates. Despite the present fruit, it appears fresh thanks to its penetrating acidity, with a silky texture and an elegant, grippy tannin structure. It is a seductive temptation to drink it young, but it will benefit from a few years of ageing. So patience will be rewarded with more complexity." Weinwisser

"The Tenuta San Guido 2020 Bolgheri Sassicaia appeals to those seeking a more lush, opulent and ultimately approachable wine. This vintage is an accurate reflection of coastal Tuscany, as opposed to a more generic 'Tuscan' wine from other parts of this great central Italian region. You can taste the ripeness and soft fruit weight that come from a coastal appellation with particularly bright light and warm Mediterranean breezes. Sassicaia from the cool vintages is notoriously a reticent wine in its early years, needing a long lead time before it settles into an ideal drinking window. That is definitely not the case here. This wine is beautiful and compelling from the start. It shows a beautiful blend of dark fruits, oak spice, balanced freshness, rich texture, soft tannins and a skilfully controlled alcohol level of 14%. The immediate character of the wine is what makes this vintage stand out and I wouldn't get too hung up on over-ambition for cellaring. The wine is a pure pleasure as it is, with overwhelming primary fruit and high intensity in the near and medium term." Wine Advocate

"A very fragrant Sassicaia on the nose with forest floor, citrus and dark fruits. Blackcurrants. Cedarwood and black tea. Some balsamic. Pine needles. Full and very juicy. Very long, structured and complete. Spicy and energetic with a linear line of fresh tannins and acidity. Very Sassicaia throughout. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest is Cabernet Franc. Very attractive now in a youthful and vibrant way but this will be better in three to four years. Try it after 2027." James Suckling

"The 2020 Sassicaia is a bold, rapturous wine. Dark, fleshy and expansive on the palate, the 2020 offers scents of blackberry jam, gravel, spices, new leather, liquorice and crème de cassis. The powerful tannins are almost masked by the sheer intensity of the fruit. The 2020 seems to have an added dimension of textural intensity. An intensity that is very appealing." Vinous

"Complex aromas and flavours of blackcurrants, blackberries, iron, sweet tobacco and Mediterranean herbs are the hallmarks of this elegant, exciting red wine, which already reveals a lot, yet seems restrained, as if there are still many facets to discover. It impresses with harmony, freshness and a long finish." Wine Spectator

"The frost damaged the earlier developing Cabernet Franc at the end of March, resulting in lower production but excellent quality fruit. The spring was mild and the summer generally warm, but a rapid acceleration of ripening in late summer forced the team to start harvesting in the first week of September to avoid over-ripening. This traditional blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc features an intense and balsamic flavour that brings out the character of blackcurrants, dust, leaves and cedar. It is balanced and light on its feet, with super-fresh acidity and a fine-grained, almost imperceptible tannin structure. Ripe and tangy raspberry and blueberry fruit linger on the mid palate, leading to a long, fresh finish with notes of cream and chocolate. This wine will reward ageing into the 2050s, but it will also provide much pleasure in its youth. We recommend storing it in the bottle for at least 10 months before opening it," says Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta." Decanter

"An - after aeration - increasingly promising bouquet of wild berries, with subtle hints of Mediterranean maquis and truffles; perfectly chiselled texture with youthful, tightly meshed tannins, the acidity provides that certain extra, in the persistent multi-faceted finish lots of fruit, but also spice. Timelessly elegant." Vinum

"Ruby red colour, compact and brilliant. The nose has clear notes of blackberries, with slightly wild notes of marjoram, floral nuances of peony and an iodine-balsamic finish. In the mouth crisp red fruits, tannins that combine well with the fresh-salty component, balsamic and liquorice on the finish, excellent drinkability. A wine that will last a long time." Luca Gardini

Elisabetta Geppetti's Saffredi is one of Italy's great red wines every year, full of elegance! Dark, polished ruby red colour with purple-violet edges. The explosive aroma of blackcurrants, blackberries, plums, violets and oak spices is accompanied by fascinating spicy, ethereal and wonderfully floral accents with earthy tobacco notes. Dense and velvety on the palate, framed by firm tannins and a juicy freshness that leads the wine full of energy into an endless finish. The flavour profile, which is very typical of Saffredi, is wonderfully balanced, yet multi-layered and very focused with its spiciness. Saffredi 2021 is a genuine and multi-dimensional beauty that should mature for a few more years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Complex, elegant bouquet with fine concentration and precisely contoured fruit body, a basket of blue berries and ripe red cherries, plus a floral backdrop, violets, Mediterranean herbs and maquis as well as undergrowth. Polished, clear and radiant on the palate, juicy and tightly woven with velvety, super-fine tannins, a radiant and elegant Saffredi." Weinwisser

"The Fattoria le Pupille 2021 Saffredi offers seamless integration of dark fruit flavors that bleed directly into spice, Tuscan cigar and earthy iris root. This vintage is compact and firm, especially in terms of mouthfeel, and there are graceful floral tones to close." Wine Advocate

"Fascinating aromas of sandalwood, lavender, sage and blackcurrant. Mint and spearmint. Pencil shavings. Also light coffee bean. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins. Lasts for minutes. Already so approachable now, but it will age beautifully. Best after 2026 and beyond." James Suckling

"The symbolic wine of the house, the first to put the winery and the region "on the map". Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, nose of small black fruits, notes of laurel, mint and Mediterranean herbs, taut and dense drink, with salty tannins, closes with a fruity and oily return." Luca Gardini

Mazzei's top wine Siepi is not only an outstanding Tuscan wine every year, but also a 6-hectare vineyard in the middle of dense oak forests with an ideal altitude and a unique climate. The sunshine is optimal throughout the day and a constant breeze from the west prevents excessive heat and creates a mild, Mediterranean climate. The oak forests also provide an ideal protective barrier against extreme weather conditions. Rocky soils of marl, limestone and clay from the Pliocene period ensure a special balance of elements in this geological complex.

Siepi's greatest strength every year is its pronounced sense of integration and harmony, and this excellent 2021 vintage is no exception. The bouquet is fresh and lively with lots of wild cherry, spices, wild rose, lilac and lavender. On the palate, it delights with soft fruit and delicate spice and shows an increasingly fluid personality in the glass, gradually revealing a beautiful sequence of background flavours. The 2021 edition is already very elegant, even polished, but Siepi connoisseurs know that it will need at least five more years of careful bottle ageing before this monumental red begins to show its true greatness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Massive, viscous colour. The Siepi 2021 has a youthful aroma of fine, fresh wood, offensive and brash, with fleshy intensity and limited depth. Its actual flavour has not yet really come through. It is rich and melting, round and lush, sweet and wood-accentuated in the mouth. It is less dense in its core flavours and lives more from its melting, lively flow, which asserts itself clearly and straightforwardly." Weinwisser

"Rich, deep dark ruby violet colour. Compact and dense nose, showing notes of redcurrant, blackberry, ripe cherry, fresh herbal notes in the background. Lots of polished, very well-integrated tannins on the palate, smooth and long finish, juicy and fine melting." Falstaff

"The 2021 Siepi opens with sweet fruit flavours of cooked cherry, blackberry jam, cinnamon and nutmeg. This full-bodied wine is supple and very smooth in the mouthfeel, and its flavour profile is rich and all-encompassing. This wine is balanced and seamless, and the 2021 vintage is certainly one of the best editions of Siepi we've seen to date." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Siepi is impressive. Blue/purple fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and mocha are beautifully balanced. This lush, juicy blend of Sangiovese and Merlot is, as so often, a real charmer. The 2021 is exceptionally elegant and polished, certainly one of the best editions of recent times. Nevertheless, I feel that the Siepi would benefit from longer ageing in wood or in glass, as it is coming to market too early for a wine of its size and potential." Vinous

"Intense blackcurrant on the nose, baked and ripe, so expressive and inviting with little hints of liquorice and tar. Supple, generous, juicy and bright, this 50/50 Sangiovese Merlot is so well crafted and harmonious - rich, broad and full in the mouth, it runs with life and energy and such underlying vigour. You can feel the intensity and sculpting that is evident here. This wine is no wallflower, but it is so neat and beautifully presented. I love the tannins, massive but controlled and a perfect counterpart to the fresh and ripe red and black fruits with black pepper, tar, tobacco and bitter orange as well as soft floral notes. The brightness is a great match for the depth and complexity delivered by a nuanced glass of wine that has so much to say. I love the tannins and the sense of direction and confidence. It's still in its brooding, flamboyant, youthful phase with plenty of warmth and spice, but it's a beauty." Decanter

"An opulent yet exciting young red wine with the character of blackberries, violets and black olive skin. Full-bodied. But with so much energy and focus. Lasts for minutes. Best opened after 2028." James Suckling

Galatrona is a pure Merlot in a class of its own. Black-red ruby in the glass. Black berries, fine woody spice and some leather on the nose. Very generous fruit flavours and extremely complex on the palate, it glides elegantly into the depths until it is picked up by a finely woven tannin and leads into a long and finesse-rich finish. A wine that has no need to hide behind Masseto & Co. On the contrary, for us it has been Italy's Merlot benchmark for years. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Galatrona from Petrolo is a highly acclaimed Merlot from Tuscany. It is aged for 18 months in large wooden barrels. Viscous, dark colour. The 2021 Galatrona has an aroma of herbs and spices, liquorice and some wood. Full, juicy and melting, it is much more aromatic in the mouth than on the nose. Intense tannins and a very racy acidity create a full structure of medium depth." Weinwisser

"Although seamless and lusciously saturated with aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry, violet, iron, tobacco and spice, this red is also solidly built, with polished tannins. Yet it's more about finesse and elegance than power, with a lively profile and a super-long finish." Wine Spectator

"Bright purple in the glass, gorgeous aromas of black cherry and blackcurrant with floral notes - this 100% Merlot smells wonderfully fragrant and inviting. On the palate it is supple, full-bodied and really seductive, sensual with silky but grippy tannins, beautifully ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruit and crisp acidity that is not too sharp or obvious but enlivens the palate and adds a kick and wonderful freshness to the overall expression. Beautifully presented, harmonious, balanced and absolutely enjoyable from the first to the last sip. A great wine, intense yet energetic, full of nuances of flavour and texture. A wine not to be sneezed at, although it still has plenty of potential for further ageing." Decanter

"The nose shows a wide world of spicy aromas, from red chalk and metal to wood and earth, with cranberries, redcurrants and dark berries as a sweet contrast. The palate reveals a lively flavour with the warmth of earth and freshly ripened fruit, accompanied by tart tannins that promise a long finish. An absolutely acrobatic feat when it comes to Merlot." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2021 Val d'Arno di Sopra Galatrona shows extremely focused aromas, but very generous ones all the while, with soft mint, cherry and stracciatella over a full-bodied texture with soft layers of spice and cedarwood. The wine boasts an elegantly chalky quality to the tannins, but the mouthfeel is so generous, everything irons out beautifully over the palate." Wine Advocate

"The Galatrona 2021 is a good successor to the 2020. In most vintages, the Galatrona is very noticeable right from the start. This is not at all the case with the 2021. This wine will need a few more years to show its best side. Black cherry, plum, mocha, leather, liquorice and incense give the 2021 enormous complexity. More than anything, I admire the sense of vertical, explosive energy that catapults the 2021 into the stratosphere. This is a great wine in every way." Vinous

"The flavours here are very pronounced with dried flowers such as lavender and violets. Also some sage. Black berries and black olive skin. Full-bodied yet straightforward and energetic with very fine tannins and a fantastic length. Fresh and lively on the finish. Best after 2026." James Suckling

"Brilliant dark ruby red colour. Noble, spicy nose of blackcurrants, fine earthy notes, a hint of dried rose petal, cigar box. Sweet and melting on the palate, interwoven with savoury, juicy tannins, elegant on the palate, comes back long and juicy on the final, with fine spicy notes, still a little young." Falstaff

Deep, dark ruby red colour. Floral nose with lots of red, warm fruit and delicate herbal notes. Smooth and elegant on the palate with wonderful depth and complexity with notes of black cherry, herbs, violets, plums and a hint of tar and leather. Saffredi literally sneaks up on you until it fades into a very long and harmonious finish with an impressive presence and finesse. One of Italy's great wines, full of elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Still slightly closed. Very multi-faceted on the nose, despite the hot and dry vintage with cool accents, balsamic and herbal-spicy notes, liquorice and pencil lead, certain Bordeaux allure. Quite linear on the palate with a juicy, intense attack, still very youthful fruit, healthy, polished tannin structure, finely arranged and detailed, this will be another great Saffredi." Weinwisser

"Well structured and linear, this red frames a core of black currant and black cherry fruit with accents of toasty oak, sweet spices, tobacco and iron. Refined and harmonious, with the stuffing to develop over the next decade." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Saffredi shows a very ripe and rich interpretation of this iconic wine made by Elisabetta Geppetti and her family. The blend of fruit is the same, but 2020 actually has less oak use to allow the dark fruit to shine through. You'll find blackberries, fragrant roses, dried apricots, spices and sweet cinnamon. All in all, the wine offers immediate fruit and a vertical delivery of flavours." Wine Advocate

"A rich, juicy nose presents a handful of cherries and mulberries, along with slices of passion fruit, but a fresh spice keeps the sweetness in check. On the palate, dark chocolate adds depth to the wine, while tannins and acidity attack in tandem. Bold and confident - a precise wine." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2020 Saffredi is compelling. Deep yet quite structured, the 2020 is unlike any other Saffredi I can recall tasting because of its balance of intense dark fruit and vertical structure. Plum, blackberry, pencil shavings, lavender and spice saturate the palate." Vinous

"Grand Cru from the coast made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Multi-faceted, dynamic nose with notes of blackcurrant, undergrowth, rosemary and liquorice; full-bodied structure with perfectly structured, tightly woven tannins, balanced by plenty of freshness, also mineral salinity, long and full of esprit." Vinum

"Impressive aromas of fresh herbs from the Tuscan coast, such as sage, mint, rosemary and thyme. Also blackcurrants. Full-bodied with fine, chewy tannins that have lovely length and texture. Racy and beautiful, with plenty of subtle and refined character. There is a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in this year, which adds class to the wine. Give this wine about three or four years of bottle age." James Suckling

"Bright ruby red colour. Initially a nose of freshly baked black bread, cranberries, fine earthy notes, a hint of dark chocolate, fragrant precious wood in the aftertaste. Juicy, clear, radiant, present on the palate, with tightly woven tannins, comes back continuously juicy, great length!" Falstaff

Elisabetta Geppetti's Saffredi is one of Italy's great red wines every year, full of elegance! Dark, polished ruby red colour with purple-violet edges. The explosive aroma of blackcurrants, blackberries, plums, violets and oak spices is accompanied by fascinating spicy, ethereal and wonderfully floral accents with earthy tobacco notes. Dense and velvety on the palate, framed by firm tannins and a juicy freshness that leads the wine full of energy into an endless finish. The flavour profile, which is very typical of Saffredi, is wonderfully balanced, yet multi-layered and very focused with its spiciness. Saffredi 2021 is a genuine and multi-dimensional beauty that should mature for a few more years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Complex, elegant bouquet with fine concentration and precisely contoured fruit body, a basket of blue berries and ripe red cherries, plus a floral backdrop, violets, Mediterranean herbs and maquis as well as undergrowth. Polished, clear and radiant on the palate, juicy and tightly woven with velvety, super-fine tannins, a radiant and elegant Saffredi." Weinwisser

"The Fattoria le Pupille 2021 Saffredi offers seamless integration of dark fruit flavors that bleed directly into spice, Tuscan cigar and earthy iris root. This vintage is compact and firm, especially in terms of mouthfeel, and there are graceful floral tones to close." Wine Advocate

"Fascinating aromas of sandalwood, lavender, sage and blackcurrant. Mint and spearmint. Pencil shavings. Also light coffee bean. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins. Lasts for minutes. Already so approachable now, but it will age beautifully. Best after 2026 and beyond." James Suckling

"The symbolic wine of the house, the first to put the winery and the region "on the map". Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, nose of small black fruits, notes of laurel, mint and Mediterranean herbs, taut and dense drink, with salty tannins, closes with a fruity and oily return." Luca Gardini

Masseto 2020 combines all the special features of the vintage. Its colour and aromas show optimal concentration both visually and olfactorily and are characterised by a constant liveliness in the glass that does not diminish over time. On the palate, the power of this wine is expressed with a beautiful length and balsamic notes. Its solid tannin structure reveals the ageing potential typical of Masseto. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, transparent colour. Generously matured, chocolaty sweet and profound, the complex, finesse-rich nose presents itself with fine wood in it. Very dense and melting, it is extremely fine and balanced on the palate, with a large, broad structure. It carries a lot of energy and vibrancy, its dense, melting tannins are very fine-grained and clearly arranged. A great, full-bodied Masseto with plenty of flesh and richness, very harmonious, perfectly balanced and long. It always remains fresh, with exceptional presence and great depth, which it also owes to the Cabernet Franc. Noble polish, impressive perfection." Weinwisser

"The monolith - Merlot, recently also with some Cabernet Franc - of the Tuscan coast: beguiling perfume of blackberry, lilac and Mediterranean macchia, subtle notes of spices; the precise tannin-acid structure combines fullness and pressure with a light-footed evolution, leading to a smooth spicy-fruity final." Vinum

"Rich, deep dark ruby colour with a fine violet sheen. Intense and dense nose, opens with notes of cold smoke, then lots of dark redcurrant, blackberry and graphite. Full-bodied and dense in attack and finish, opens with densely woven tannins, fine spice, appears very compact, slightly earthy components on the final." Falstaff

"The Masseto 2020 features new DNA by adding a touch of Cabernet Franc to this famous Merlot-based iconic wine. This is a vintage of tremendous richness and density, and everything about this wine is a notch or two higher. But Axel Heinz and his team are well prepared for hot vintages like 2020, and changes in vineyard and canopy management ensure even ripening. This wine is always difficult to analyse in its youth. It still needs many years to soften and develop. Give it time." Wine Advocate

"Complex, with a lush texture and saturated aromas and flavours of plum, blackberry, black olive, iron, tobacco and toasted spices, this red wine has a full, rich timbre. It offers a lively, well-integrated structure, with a long aftertaste of fruit and spice and a pleasant chalky feel." Wine Spectator

"The Masseto 2020 is great. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2020 offers an exciting blend of dark fruit, mocha, spice, leather, tobacco, cedar and a hint of French oak. Lively acidity and Franc flavours add vibrancy. Franc is so evident today. This wine is exceptionally polished and refined, if a little lean compared to most years. In 2020, the Masseto is more finesse than power." Vinous

"Intense aromas of ripe herbs, plums, green coffee beans and hazelnuts. Then again crushed berries and orange peel. Full-bodied with excellent concentration and fine, velvety tannins that extend over the entire length of the wine. It is big, but agile and beautiful. Merlot. What a wine!" James Suckling

"A hedge maze of aromas greets the nose, from blackberries and black cherries to crushed stones and crumpled petals, before a gentle addition of vanilla and toasted coconut. The palate is drenched in mixed berries with vanilla and cardamom, followed by notes of freshly ploughed earth and flint and finally a tart, brooding spice on the finish. The tannins carpet the palate and the acrobatic acidity emphasises the finish with salt and pepper. A wine that speaks volumes without shouting." Wine Enthusiast

"Intense and full on the nose, redolent of ripe black fruits, floral aspects and gentle spice. The palate is round and full, rich and muscular, yet tightly and cleanly wound, with hints of liquorice, graphite, pepper, cinnamon and cloves adding an immediate but pleasing spice. It feels well-crafted, juicy with a high acidity that lifts the palate and gives it freshness and brightness, along with really delicious strawberry and raspberry fruit that captivates with dried flowers and bitter orange peel. The tannins are very fine and well integrated, yet the wine remains grippy from the start and persistent on the finish. It is nuanced and complex and still has plenty of power, but it comes across as refined, supple, purposeful and controlled. It's not elegant, more like an animal in a cage that has yet to realise its full potential, but it's stylish. A truly delicious wine with so much purity and sense of place." Decanter

Tasting the different lots of Il Marroneto from the barrel is a fascinating task. The vines are all similarly situated at high altitude, on coarse sand of marine origin, and predominantly north-facing. While they have subtle differences, the distinct character of Madonna delle Grazie often merits a separate bottling - as the 2018 proves. The aromas take on the darkest, most heady purple florals, tangled in allspice and smoky incense. The wine is muscular with firm tannins that grip it tightly and don't let go, though it is never beefy, heavy or angular. At the moment it is still developing, but the finish already reveals a refined balsamic core and a spicy, salted plum. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wonderfully clear-cut and multi-faceted on the nose, noble appearance, shows a lot of herbaceous-floral spice, white pepper, rose and violet blossoms, but also sour cherry and wild berries, behind it a dazzling peppery-spicy backdrop reminiscent of exotic spices. On the palate, enormously complex and finesse-rich with delicate, crisp fruit, carried by finely meshed tannin and a fantastically integrated acidity, wonderfully animating with beautiful spiciness and spice on the final. Once again belongs to the absolute top wines of the vintage." Weinwisser

"Sparkling, fine ruby red with a light rim. Extremely clear nose of ripe, dark cherries, rose petals and cloves, with some smoky notes in the background. On the palate, lots of sweet fruit, finely meshed tannin that is integrated into lots of melting, pithy and with firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Shiny, deep ruby red. A little closed, but with great purity of fruit on the nose. Waves of concentrated, intense fruit on the palate. Supple, elegant and generous at the same time, it shows true cru quality. Fantastic tannins following the fruit on the finish, chewy and tactile. Classic. Can be drunk now, but will continue to develop for some time." Jancis Robinson

"This wine has an array of red and dark fruits with coffee, dark chocolate, sweet spices and upturned earth. Medium to full-bodied with fine tannins and a distinct dark berry character on the palate. A little dense and textured, with a firm and long finish that leaves notes of nutshells and crushed stones. Taste after 2025." James Suckling

"The single vineyard bottling of Il Marroneto is a selection of small, loose grapes, which manifests itself in the density of the fruit and the secure structure. Next to the winery's "classic" Brunello, it often shows a more earthy, autumnal face. The 2018 corresponds with scents of chestnut and undergrowth that combine with the fruity sweetness of the vintage. Long, suede-like layers of tannin envelop the fleshy black cherry. As the wine progresses, subtle traces of pepper, leather and incense emerge, suggesting more to come. Above all, Madonna delle Grazie embodies the most positive qualities of the vintage as it flows with agility and grace." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie takes time to open up in the glass. It is complex and seductive with its musky redcurrants and savoury spices, but also with pretty pink tones. A hint of sweet smoke emerges and contrasts nicely. Its textures are like liquid velvet, with a chalky mineral tinge that comes on quickly and is perfectly balanced by a massive wave of dark red berries; yet the balance is expertly maintained by a streamlined acidity that creates a sense of total internal harmony. The 2018 leaves a structured impression, yet its tannins are silky and fine, coupled with a finish of violet pastille and lavender that I find very attractive. Remarkably, I have tasted this wine for the past two years and have accompanied this current bottle for 48 hours, never faltering and only increasing in depth and complexity. Il Marroneto's 2018 Madonna delle Grazie is undoubtedly one of the three best wines of the vintage. I take my hat off to Alessandro Mori and his team." Vinous

"The Il Marroneto 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie shows elegance and power in one go. The fruit quality is crisp and tangy, but the wine supports a medium-heavy concentration and a more elaborate style. This vintage of Il Marroneto has two personalities. On the one hand, you get a wine with beautiful primary fruit but a little more immediate, and on the other, a wine that promises good ageing thanks to its freshness and silky tannins that melt on the palate. It is young, but also mature. It is racy, but also complex." Wine Advocate

"Alessandro Mori's Brunello is more of a historical legacy than a vineyard. On the nose, notes of blackcurrant jam, with nuances of bay leaf and white pepper. The mouthfeel is dense and savoury, with a return of fruit and sweet spices. Persistent." Luca Gardini