wine classics

Terre da Vino's intensely coloured Barbaresco La Casa in Collina has an interesting aroma of flowers, sour cherries, cedar wood and mint chocolate. The juicy flavour is extremely balanced with excellent persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, shiny ruby red colour. Inviting and clear on the nose, of raspberries, precious wood and fine wild strawberries, fragrant. Tightly woven on the palate, juicy, slightly salty, with pleasant pressure, elegant." Falstaff

"A fresh, medium-bodied nebbiolo with a tight and focused red-berry nose and palate, lightly firm tannins and good drive at the end. I like the racy character with lots of fruit pushing through." James Suckling

Wonderfully fragrant, fruity and floral bouquet. The flavour is reminiscent of plums and cherries with a fine vanilla-spicy component and clear, very pleasant acidity and polished tannins. Clear fruit flavours, enormous velvety texture and a long finish emphasise the harmony of this Nobile Riserva. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour. Deep on the nose, with notes of red peach, peppermint, ripe tomatoes, plus some candle wax and undergrowth. Beautifully juicy on the palate with a balsamic fruit core, compact, slightly rough tannins and a savoury finish with minimal dryness." Falstaff

"Piquant walnut notes with a balsamic hint of vanilla and dark cherry fruit. This wine is flavourful and creamy with juicy berries and firm, chewy tannins. Lots of oak spice and savouriness on the lingering, long finish." James Suckling

Dievoles Chianti Classico Petrignano is the result of the effort to highlight the identity characteristics of particularly suitable vineyards, leading to ever more precise expressions of Sangiovese. Petrignano is the name of a characteristic area with a soil rich in minerals and stones. At an altitude of about 330 metres, rocks protrude from the ground, typical of the geological formation of Monte Morello. The abundance of stones, the depth of the roots and the low growth of the vines result in an expressive and lush wine from this characteristic and authentic cru site.

Intense ruby red. Very appealing bouquet dominated by ripe fruit, cherry and blackberry aromas. Juicy, full and rich on the palate, with blackberry and ripe fruit flavours. Warm and velvety finish with fine and soft tannins that are very accentuated interwoven with the fine acid structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant medium ruby red with orange reflections. Lively cherry nose with some signs of development and hints of tobacco leaf and sweet spice. Spicy, juicy cherry fruit and crisp tannins. More energetic on the palate than on the nose, and that's where it hits the spot." Jancis Robinson

"Dark forest fruit with an earthy character offers plenty of appeal. High acidity and tannins with very good length." Decanter

"This is a new addition to the Dievole portfolio with a cool, retro-styled label. The organic 2020 Chianti Classico Petrignano is 100% Sangiovese fermented in cement tulips and aged in large oak casks over 12 months. Winemaking is simple and to the point. These results show vibrant freshness and pretty fruit purity with a focused delivery." Wine Advocate

"A supple red, infused with a beam of cherry and strawberry fruit, with a texture that is silky at first, then overtaken by firm, dusty tannins. The finish reveals almond, earth and herbal notes that linger long. Give it time for the two halves to meld together." Wine Spectator

"A delicious, crisp red with very fine tannins and a pretty and delicate finish. Very tasty and with a creamy texture. Fresh finish." James Suckling

Not a Lambrusco, but a highly elegant and classically yeast-fermented spumante made from Lambrusco di Sorbara grapes: elegant pale pink colour, delicate aroma of rosehip and a hint of wild strawberry and raspberry. A lovely freshness on the palate with a fruity, long finish and great structure. SUPERIORE.DE

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 features a faithful reproduction of one of his writings (from 1398) with beautiful calligraphy. "Don't worry about the cost of this wine, even though it was expensive: its quality will make up for it."

Opens with classic aromas of blackberry, cassis and a fine hint of violet. Warm and full on the palate, a firm core of dark, sweet fruit, smooth tannins, rich and with elegant acidity. Spicy and long, with an unmistakable appetising hint of sage and mint on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2020 is bright, lively and full of energy. Crushed flowers, red-coloured fruit, chalk and white pepper are abundant. As is so often the case, Ser Lapo is one of the hidden gems of the Mazzei range. On the other hand, the core of Ser Lapo comes from the Caggio estate, where the Mazzei family produces its top wine Gran Selezione Ipsus." Vinous

"There is purity to the black cherry and blackberry fruit in this satiny red, which is backed by a layer of solid tannins. Earth, leather and wild rosemary accents add detail as this plays out on the lingering finish. This is an iron fist in a velvet glove." Wine Spectator

Radiant ruby red. Lively nose of small primary fruity red berries, discreet use of wood and an impressive breed and complexity for the price. Precise and taut on the palate, boldly and definitely showing its origin. Then a harmoniously balanced mix of tobacco, leather, cedar and of course cherry and plum. The finely tuned tannin carries this powerful and impressive Riserva into a long final. Impressive, and not only because of its exceedingly moderate price! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Chianti Classico Riserva Il Grigio da San Felice 2020 is a powerful, heady wine. Juicy black plum, leather, tobacco, menthol and oak are amplified in this decidedly rich Riserva. The 2020 isn't exactly subtle, but it's beautifully made, all style." Vinous

"Aromas of black cherry, bark and cedar follow through to a medium body, with firm and chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Still a little austere, but will develop magnificently with a year or two of bottle age." James Suckling

"Reverting to a spicy and savory taste profile, the 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Grigio shows a dark, mid-weight texture with extra heft that comes in the form of baked plum, candied cherry and spice." Wine Advocate

"Bright and fruity, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, roses and Mediterranean bushes. It does not lack structure, it remains balanced and long. Tobacco and mineral elements show on the finish." Wine Spectator

This red in Riserva quality is dedicated to Bettino Ricasoli, who wrote down the grape variety blend of today's Chianti as early as 1872. But he was much more than that: twice prime minister of the united Italy (1861 and 1866), founder of the daily newspaper "La Nazione", agricultural researcher and "father" of the first product specification of Chianti. The creation of this wine interprets his tireless will to create an independent Chianti style that is both traditional and contemporary to this day.

Chianti Classico Brolio Bettino captivates with a hauntingruby red. The intense and inviting aroma of dark fruits is underpinned with noble balsamic notes. Flawless and polished on the refined palate with well-proportioned acidity and perfectly integrated tannin, powerful and long. SUPERIORE.DE

The vineyards in Gaiole and Greve form the core of the blend, with a hint of fruit from Radda. On the nose, floral aromas and red fruits in the super-classic, medium-bodied style that is so typical of the Querciabella style today. Rose petals, lavender, mint and sweet raspberry fruit take centre stage. Brilliant medium ruby red colour. Enormous density on the palate, firm fruit body, with great youthful, fresh temperament, paired with a certain finesse and elegance. Finishes long with notes of juicy red berries, great! SUPERIORE.DE

"This has a fresh character with ripe cherries and raspberries as well as dried flowers, bark and stones. Polished and textural with a medium body and vivid acidity. Focused and fresh with chalky tannin structure and a linear finish with notes of citrus and minerals." James Suckling

"The 2021 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific resonance, this wine shows just how compelling the vintage is. Readers will find a Chianti Classico of dynamic energy and volume. Dark red cherry, purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice and a gentle kiss of French oak build into the sumptuous, vibrant finish. Superb." Vinous

Dense with complex fruit flavours, lots of extract, soft, mouth-filling, unusually velvety and enveloped in gentle tannins. Matured in small barriques of old and new oak and in traditional Tuscan wooden barrels. Riecine has been producing one of the most subtle Chianti Classico wines for years - a marvellous wine. SUPERIORE.DE

A solid wine that excels every year is the exciting Nobile from Poliziano, which smells of dark red cherries, blackberries and roasted notes. Juicy, compact and polished on the palate, soft and balanced with silky tannins and a long, elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Dievole's new Chianti Classico Casanova, just released with the debut 2020 vintage, is the result of a quest to highlight the identity characteristics of particularly suitable vineyards, leading to ever more precise expressions of Sangiovese. The Casanova grapes come from a vineyard at an altitude of about 400 metres, with an ideal south-west to south-east exposure and composed mainly of sandstone rocks Macigno del Chianti. The result is a Chianti Classico that is very immediate and direct, with a beautiful acidity to boot. It has the elegance and freshness and the bright, radiant fruit of Chianti Classico "as it used to be".

Bright, luminous ruby red. On the nose, classic aromas of the grape variety with notes of small red fruits such as cherries and sour cherries alternating with spicy notes. On the palate, it is soft, carried by a dense tannin structure and a spicy, velvety finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sour cherries, raspberries, olives and tomato leaves on the nose. Dense and tasty with medium body and still slightly chewy tannins. Rustic and light-hearted." James Suckling

"Packaged with the dark green label, this is a new submission from Dievole. The organic 2020 Chianti Classico Casanova is all Sangiovese from a site with typical sandstone soils, locally called Macigno del Chianti, that formed 30 million years ago. These conditions help to underline the aromatic finesse of Sangiovese, and indeed, this wine offers a pretty medley of wild fruits, mint and blue flower." Wine Advocate

"Infused with black cherries and blackberries, this red wine starts elegantly and firms up on the textured finish. Iron, tar and wild herbs are evident on the long, tobacco-driven finish." Wine Spectator

Dievole's new Chianti Classico Catignano, just released with the debut 2020 vintage, is the result of the effort to highlight the identity characteristics of particularly suitable vineyards, leading to ever more precise expressions of Sangiovese. Catignano is a plateau at 370 metres above sea level, with vineyards of different ages and a large proportion of Alberese. The exposure is west and southeast, which means plenty of sun during the day, but also cold temperatures at night, with a good temperature range that favours the aromatic development of the grapes.

On the nose, notes of red fruits, then a tertiary complexity of tobacco leather, graphite and liquorice. Warm and juicy on the palate, with notes of ripe red fruits. A juicy, sun-drenched cru. SUPERIORE.DE

"Made with 100% organic Sangiovese, the 2020 Chianti Classico Catignano sees fruit from a plateau of vines that are fully exposed to the bright luminosity of the Tuscan sun. This wine offers more fruit weight as a result, with dark cherry aromas, wet stone and dusty mineral." Wine Advocate

"A balanced red with a perfumed nose of cherries, red currants, wafers and dried flowers. Also lemon peel. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and lively with a flattering texture. A fresh and flavourful long finish." James Suckling

"A round red with aromas of cherry, raspberry, iron and tobacco. Firm and dense, also compact on the finish, but still needs time to fully develop. All the elements are there, so be patient." Wine Spectator

Le Redini Rosso consists mainly of Merlot and a small proportion of Alicante. The wine opens with dark intensity and a velvety texture with lots of fresh blackberry, plum, earth and wild rose. Pure red fruit on the palate, very supple, the delicate wood note well integrated. The refined notes of a Merlot from the Conca d'Oro come across wonderfully. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh and pure expression of red plums, cherries, crushed strawberries, fresh mushrooms and minerals. Superficial red fruits on the medium-bodied palate with fresh tannins and fresh, crunchy plums and red cherries on the medium-long finish. Fruit-emphasised, dry and structured. There is certainly nothing superfluous here." James Suckling

"The 2021 Le Redini is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Alicante from a site with loose soils rich in schistose Galestro. What stands out most is the soft and gentle texture of the wine, which nestles close to the palate. There are no rough edges and the finish is characterised by dark cherries, spices and baking chocolate." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Le Redini is a beautiful, beguiling wine composed primarily of Merlot with a dash of Alicante, a blend that is unique to the Chianti Classico estate. Le Redini is a wine with aromatic presence and nuance, presenting a compelling blend of ripe red cherries, wild herbs, mint, rose petals and cinnamon. A little new oak still needs to be integrated. Otherwise, the 2021 is a very good wine." Vinous

Sensual bouquet of ripe raspberry and sour cherry flavours, with earthy and spicy nuances, coffee, chocolate and tobacco. Plump and full-bodied flavour, perfectly structured with silky tannins and a long final. Excellent price/quality ratio in small quantities. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep dark ruby colour. Opens with notes of cedar wood and roasted hazelnuts, then lots of juicy cherry, some dark chocolate. Blossoms beautifully on the palate, juicy and savoury, well-integrated, dense tannins, spans a wide range." Falstaff

"This is spicy with notes of walnut, cedar, black raspberries and cherries with some nutmeg undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with compact tannins and velvety texture. Broad and rich but fresh and attractive." James Suckling

Brilliant ruby red colour with a slightly brightening rim. Impressive aroma of red berries, smoke, roasted almonds and dark spices. Taut, straightforward, expressive and beautifully long on the palate. With its classic understatement, Boscarelli's Nobile di Montepulciano is a wonderfully precise example of its growing region every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, sparkling ruby red with a brightening rim. Fine spice and cherry on the nose, with a woody aftertaste. Beautiful juiciness and clear, fresh fruit on the palate, compact, noble, classic in the best sense of the word, with a fine salty finish." Falstaff

"Aromas are shy and discreet, taking time to reveal pretty scents of cherry blossom and plum. This midweight contender boasts ample freshness, its bright acidity and elegant sandy tannins supporting a core of ripe red cherry and blood orange. Gracefully composed, it exhibits lovely balance and is one of the vintage’s more immediately approachable offerings." Decanter

Strong ruby red. Clearly defined bouquet with beautiful herbal spice. In the glass, a deep dark fruit and a very round body, fine acidity and polished tannins. A classic representative of the noble Bolgheri appellation with an exceptionally harmonious overall impression. Be sure to aerate. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Passi di Orma is the entry-level wine at Orma from Bolgheri. The 21 has a dull, light-toned aroma of chocolatey fruit and berry accents with incense, rosemary and bay leaves. Sweet, fleshy, round and somewhat hearty it then appears in the mouth. Broad, full-bodied, with a rich mid-palate but little finesse or character, lingering somewhat reductive and framed by good wood." Weinwisser

"Rich ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. Spicy on the nose of black pepper and fruity of rich sour cherry, then slightly leathery with a touch of chocolate and coffee grounds. Lots of ripe cherry on the palate, well balanced, with fine-grained tannin and a long final." Falstaff

Le Difese is the freshest and most accessible of the three wines from San Guido. For us, it is one of Tuscany's finest price-quality wonders. Magnificent, sweetly perfumed fruit aromas in the opulent bouquet, equally generous and broad in the long-lasting flavour of dark cherries, wild strawberries and tangy rosehips. Le Difese shows the estate's great class in a more playful way. SUPERIORE.DE

"This red delivers cherry, berry and rose flavors shaded by earth and a touch of minerality. Tips to the tannic side on the finish, with fine length." Wine Spectator

"Le Difese 2021 is predominantly Sangiovese (55%), departing from the traditional 70/30 split in favour of Cabernet Sauvignon. The third generation of Tenuta San Guido, Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, explained that this decision was made to enhance the "local Tuscan" character of the wine and improve its drinkability at an early stage as a "first step into the world of Tenuta San Guido". While the Cabernet is grown on the estate, the Sangiovese is, as always, sourced from long-standing partners in Chianti Rufina. Bright, incredibly vibrant red, black and blue fruits are accompanied by subtle, fine-grained tannins with notes of wood and chocolate. It is simultaneously juicy, tangy and crisp, with good ripeness and great acidity." Decanter

"The 2021 Le Difese smells of crushed red berries, rose petals, lavender, spices and sweet pipe tobacco. The 2021 is medium-bodied, but beautifully complex and impeccably balanced. Even at this early stage, it is a real pleasure. In many vintages, Le Difese is a fruity, forward wine, but the 2021 has a classic flavour that is very appealing. It is one of my favourite vintages of recent years. As has been the case for some time, Le Difese is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate and Sangiovese purchased from various estates in Chianti Classico, with the energy of the Sangiovese coming through very strongly in this vintage." Vinous

"Dark, sparkling ruby red colour. Opens up on the nose to ripe sour cherry and blueberries, followed by notes of sage and wood spice. Flattering on the palate, with pithy tannins and concentrated fruit, pleasant right through to the lingering final." Falstaff

Classic Franciacorta made from Chardonnay with aromas of ripe, tropical fruit and a hint of brioche. Fresh, dry and delicately sparkling on the palate, the ideal aperitif. SUPERIORE.DE

When a wine is named after the founder and mastermind of what is probably the most famous and hottest winery in the region around Modena, you should take a closer look, or better yet, reach directly for the bottle. This extraordinary sparkling wine is produced using the Blanc de Noirs method, i.e. a white spumante from red grapes - certainly not an everyday occurrence in the Lambrusco world.

And the result is just as special and high-class: golden colour with greenish reflections, lively and with a fine, infinitely long-lasting perlage. On the nose, delicate white peach, flint, salt, lemon and grapefruit. On the palate, then, crisply vibrant and endowed with an elegant acidity, the subtle fruit sweetness stretches out beautifully and its delicate mousseux gives this exceptional spumante its inimitable structure. The archetype of an aperitif and in its high-class, irresistible drinking flow simply unbeatable good and equal to the great name of the founder! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright silver with delicate perlage. In the nose at first with a slight reduction, something like flint, ripe lemons, in addition cold smoke and candle wax. On the palate precise, almost cutting, with racy acidity and high draw, makes the tongue click." Falstaff

Here is one of the most serious and at the same time most exciting sparkling wines that can be made from the Sorbara variety!

Pale to dusky pink in colour with a fine foam and accentuated, persistent perlage. The bouquet is almost magical and yet very distinguished, with hints of raspberry and wild strawberry, which is what makes a top-class Lambrusco, but still seems to be an unattainable goal for many local winemakers. A fine acidity on the palate, with delicate, dry bitter notes and an exciting brightening of fruity tones of wild strawberry and pomegranate. The overall impression is bone-dry and the bottled dream of a Lambrusco produced using the Champagne method, which is unrivalled in the wine landscape. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light, bright salmon pink colour. Intense cherry and tangerine flavours on the nose. Opens on the palate with fresh tangerine, gentle perlage and light pressure, shows great acidity, with tension, ends sweet and fruity." Falstaff

"The 2017 Brut Rosé Metodo Classico Lambrusco di Sorbara is airy and spicy in the glass. This is pleasantly round with a pretty inner sweetness to balance its mineral-tinged bubbles and tart orchard fruits. The 2017 finishes remarkably fresh as a residual bump of acidity keeps the mouth watering and hints of sour citrus fade." Vinous

Very fine perlage, noble fragrance of light fruits, aromatic herbs and vanilla, elegant on the palate. The high-quality Cuvée Imperiale is full-fruity, stimulating, soft and persistent on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for the Villa Antinori Riserva come from four different municipalities in Chianti Classico: San Casciano, Gaiole, Castellina and Greve. The current edition is multi-layered with a wonderful bouquet of dark fruit, gravel and beautiful spices. On the palate, the wine has a velvety attack that is savoury, complex and persistent, with spicy notes of sweet tobacco and dark chocolate. This Riserva has a balance and length that will delight any Tuscany fan. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori is not married to a particular subzone of the appellation, as it is intended to reflect a house style rather than a vineyard identity. Aged in tonneaux and partly in barriques, the wine is rich and persistent. It remains elegant on the palate, with fine tannins and a good fruit tension with cherry and blue flowers." Wine Advocate