Wine

Fragrant bouquet of light blossoms, peach and tropical fruits, slight hints of honey and minerals. Supple texture on the palate, very balanced, complex and with an invigorating mineral freshness. A very rare, remarkable Tuscan Chardonnay, aged for 11 months on lees in barriques. Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a real achievement, especially for its natural ability to present the purity of the grape variety and the importance of texture in equal measure. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a wine of unusual pedigree and depth. Lemon zest, dried pear, chamomile, white pepper and crushed rock give the 2021 a layered complexity. I particularly admire the sense of verticality in this wine." Vinous

"Bright straw yellow. Ripe white fruits with a hint of spicy oak, a touch of oatmeal and cut lemon. Focused and with a hint of orange blossom. White fruits with just a hint of oak that is very restrained. Gentle, citrusy white fruit flavours with a hint of creaminess, but the focus was clearly on maintaining freshness; something that is increasingly in demand as global warming increases. The wine is very drinkable but should become even more interesting in a few years." Jancis Robinson

"Attractive aromas of walnut, peach pit and vanilla with grilled lemon and sliced quince. Full and textured with a creamy mouthfeel. Structured and complex with nutty and mineral undertones on the finish. Rounded and long lasting final." James Suckling

"The Isole e Olena 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata has a very citrusy side with grapefruit and preserved lemon. These fresh aromas transition into hints of cinnamon and saffron, but the overall style is reductive in character. This is a medium-bodied white wine with a nice richness and salty, mineral notes on the finish. This Tuscan Chardonnay has a lot of character. However, the wine needs time to gain more weight and texture." Wine Advocate

"Bright, intense straw yellow with light green nuances. Opens with notes of hazelnuts and white asparagus, then pear and fresh apple. Fresh and clear on the nose, salty, opens very nicely, creates a wide range of tension, creamy on the final." Falstaff

The De Ferrari brothers select their Riserva from the oldest vines on the estate's best plots. Ruby red in colour with a garnet hue. The wine opens discreetly with subtle but captivating hints of sage, leather and allspice. On the palate, it is supple and agile and feels confidently extracted, with firm, straightforward tannins, but not overdone. The wood supports rather than imposes on the wine, and the vibrant acidity of the vintage comes through nicely. Long, seductive and delicately spicy on the final. SUPERIORE.DE

Ogrà, named after the family's grandmother, is the result of many years of experimentation and experience with the interaction of microclimate and terroir on the best possible development of the Syrah grape. Finally, the family vineyard Castiglione in Teverina was chosen, from whose volcanic soils the grapes for the just 3,000 bottles of this rare exceptional Syrah come.

Concentrated, deep-dark bouquet of ripe fruit and spices. On the palate of beguiling texture, powerful, dense and very rich. The extract sweetness is well proportioned, with traces of pepper and campfire ash as the wine progresses. Ogra impresses until the long, unforgettable finish and is one of the most impressive Syrahs of central Italy. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Syrah Ogrà Cotarella almost goes overboard in terms of intensity and concentration. The wine sees rich layers of black fruit, baking chocolate and sticky cigar tobacco. The wine is big for sure, but expert winemaking means it does not taste overripe or too heavy." Wine Advocate

Bright, medium ruby colour with a brightening rim. Pinot Nero Renaissance Riserva opens smoky in the glass, with fine aromas of wild strawberries, blackberries and sage. On the palate, it soothes with its soft textures, which are enriched by salty, mineral tones and tart wild berry fruits. Very polished tannins, complex and multi-layered with further aeration, yet highly aristocratic. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, medium-dense ruby colour with a light rim. Opens with smoky, spicy components, then lots of raspberry, some pomegranate, exciting. Spreads out on the palate with lots of juicy fruit, raspberry and sour cherries, fine-meshed, dense ruby, spreads out for a long time, good tension." Falstaff

"The 2019 Riserva Pinot Noir Renaissance is extremely bright and focused, with a beautiful bouquet that shows elements of roses, wild berries, blood orange, crushed slate, smoke and camphor ash. The flavours are outstanding and the wine continues on the palate with medium intensity. Only 3,000 bottles were produced." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 Pinot Noir Riserva Renaissance is decidedly savoury, with a spicy blend of dried cherries accented by ground ginger, cloves and grilled herbs. It glides effortlessly across the palate, silky and round, with lively acidity and mineral tones giving way to tart red and black fruits. The finish is medium-long and slightly tannic. A hint of sour citrus gradually fades." Vinous

G.D. Vajra's Ravera (whose vineyard extends over the municipalities of Novello and Barolo) is always the most angular, powerful and vertical of their collection. It comes from soils with clay and sandstone at 320 to 340 metres above sea level. This is the ideal place for wines that show both power and elegance. The tannins are sweet, but every fibre of the backbone is dense and firm. Red and purple fruits with liquorice, tar and white truffle are neatly packaged here and only reveal themselves gradually, but then with beautiful precision and straightforwardness. The final has a wonderfully long aftertaste, superb! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of ripe raspberries, sour cherries and blue berries, framed by a smoky floral note. In the mouth, it is still grippy and compact, but shows more and more finesse with air. A beautiful mix of classic and modern, which characterises the style of the estate." Weinwisser

"Powerful and muscular. Lots of tannin. Needs time!" Jancis Robinson

"The Ravera site is rich in iron oxide in the soils, and in the far south of Barolo, near Montforte, there was a brick factory near here 200 years ago, which speaks to the clay-rich soils. The aromatics are rich and opulent, giving hints of exotic spice and frankincense. The palate is stunning and layered—a roundness and ripe character with black cherry flesh, smoky-turned soils and spicy red plums." Decanter

"The 2020 Barolo Ravera is a gorgeous, aromatically exotic wine that is going to need time to be at its best. Orange peel, spice, menthol and kirsch all lift from the glass, conveying a good deal of ethereal Nebbiolo beauty before the tannins kick in. There's gorgeous weight and substance here, in the mid-weight style of the year. More than anything else, I admire the balance." Vinous

"Blood orange, savory plum and clove characters with a touch of haw fruit and white pepper. Close-knit, chalky tannins on the palate with a structured full body and a zesty, tense finish. Long, complex, austere and expansive." James Suckling

This powerful red wine, characterised by spicy new oak, exudes aromas and flavours of plums, blackberries, fruit cake, almonds and vanilla. Balanced in an exuberant way, with pronounced fruit and a long aftertaste. A Barbera of exquisite intensity, class and beauty.

"A stellar wine, the 2021 Barbera d'Alba Tulin is packed with blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather, espresso and spice. It's a superb example of the heights Barbera aged in French oak can reach. The style won't be for everyone, but readers who want to see what wines of this school are all about will find a fabulous example here." Vinous

The Teroldego from Foradori are all a great experience. Elisabetta makes extremely interesting wines from the autochthonous grape variety from the foot of the Dolomites. And they are purely organic and partly also in amphorae.

Morei (dark in the Trentino dialect) is an original red wine that is true to its terroir and yet irresistibly elegant and refined. Warm, dense and mineral like the soil on which it grows. Morei is protected from cold northerly winds by the nearby, abruptly rising rock faces. The rock stores heat during the day, which radiates to the vineyard at night. The soil here is very stony and therefore relatively warm, dense, dark and mineralised, just like the Morei Teroldego wine of the same name. The average age of the vines (30 years) also contributes to its depth of character. SUPERIORE.DE

"A beguiling blend of black raspberries, exotic spices, leather straps, cocoa and crushed stones makes the 2022 Teroldego Morei impossible to ignore. It's juicy and fresh, with a fine structure, crisp wild berries and zesty acidity that keeps the energy remarkably high. Tactile mineral tones add a pleasing crunch, while notes of white pepper and pomegranate linger over a bed of gently grippy tannins. The Morei 2022 seems more immediate than previous vintages, but its balance cannot be denied. The purity alone is fascinating." Vinous

The Brunello from Le Chiuse is made from almost 30-year-old vines from an eight-hectare plot of calcareous clay. As soon as you pour the wine, you notice that it is bursting with energy and temperament. This is also noticeable in the crisp fruit, reminiscent of wild berries, cassis and sour cherries. These red fruit flavours are framed by light smoke, tar, potting soil, blue flowers and crushed minerals or limestone. This is an extremely balanced wine that will increase in elegance and finesse with further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Expressive, elegant herbal spice, sage, sandalwood, fine minty style, blueberry, some musk, extremely delicate nose; powerful, fine, noble cocoa note, dense but not fat, clayey texture, very present but not heavy." Meinigers Sommelier

"Mid ruby. Brooding, sweet, perfumed fruit with a savoury hint. Ripe and concentrated with lots of juicy, supple fruit while the grainy tannins give it a complex edge." Jancis Robinson

"Project in strict organic management, spontaneous fermentations, for a wine with a unique character, as well as beautiful cleanliness. Refined nose, touches of red plum, laurel and floral, gardenia, with hints of juniper. The mouthfeel is taut and juicy, the tannins sapid, the finish balsamic." Luca Gardini

"This shows some balance and polish for a 2017, with plenty of integrated and nicely chewy tannins. The ripe-cherry, bark and light dry-earth character comes through clearly. Give it time to soften, but already attractive." James Suckling

"Offers key themes of black cherry, blackberry and violet aromas and flavors, with mineral, tobacco and bitter almond accents. Solidly built, with dense tannins expanding on the finish. Overall, there is a sense of elegance here, with a silkiness and persistence." Wine Spectator

"Wild herbs, crushed pomegranates, dusty rose and savory spice define the wildly exotic 2017 Brunello di Montalcino. Its textures are silky and pliant, but with a vibrant streak of acidity and mineral tones that add a more grippy yet jovial feel, as potent red fruits and lavender tones slowly saturate toward the close. Fine tannins come forward through the medium-length finale, as this tapers off to hints of sour citrus, rose and clove." Vinous

"Lorenzo Magnelli opted to pick early to avoid opulence in 2017. Along with gentler punch-downs and fewer pump-overs, he aged the wine for less time in wood – 30 months rather than 36 – as he felt it didn’t need too much oxygen. Vibrancy of expression is palpable in the tangle of spices, woodland berries, earthy mushroom and forest growth. The palate is sturdy but not aggressive as well-composed tannins sweep across the palate." Decanter

"The Le Chiuse 2017 Brunello di Montalcino (made with certified organic fruit) exhibits a silky and elegant profile that only a handful of estates in the appellation achieve with consistency. This is the desired direction of Brunello as a whole I believe, and it's nice to see these successful results in a difficult, hot vintage such as 2017. The wine is silky and glossy on the palate with wildflowers, berry and forest floor." Wine Advocate

"One of the best wines of the vintage, this stunner opens with compelling aromas of new leather, forest floor, perfumed berry and menthol. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the delicious palate delivers crushed raspberry, ripe Marasca cherry, baking spice and licorice set against firm, refined tannins. It boasts remarkable freshness and balance for the hot vintage." Wine Enthusiast

Black cherry fruit, smoke, wild herbs, liquorice and tar form a compelling backdrop of aromas, flavours and textures as this dazzling, powerful Barolo opens up in the glass. The intense final is accompanied by delicate rose petals, lavender and a fine mineral-salty vein. Its stable tannin structure awaits a few more years of ageing in the bottle, as is typically the case with a classic Serralunga Barolo. SUPERIORE.DE

"The bouquet is dominated by forest fruit and wild flower flavours, also fine spice; juicy in the mouth, the tannins noticeable, ends long on notes of plums and liquorice. To accompany a roast beef." Vinum

"Notes of ground spices, nutshells and cedar wood with subtle flavours of red fruits in the background. Medium-bodied, structured and firm. Strong and slightly tart on the finish." James Suckling

"Aromas of cherries, raspberry liqueur, mint and minerals emphasise this taut, dense red wine, which is balanced and has notes of eucalyptus and juniper on the long finish." Wine Spectator

"The Barolo Baudana 2019 offers good power and ripeness with sweet fruit flavours, dark cherry, spices and ferruginous earth. These flavours are characteristic of this vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. On the palate, the wine is silky and generous, with a salty minerality on the finish." Wine Advocate

"The Baudana, fermented and aged in large oak barrels, shows great complexity and finesse of liquorice root, smoky forest, rose and violet aromas, with wild strawberry and peony in the depths. The palate is firm and acidic, with structured but fine-grained tannins. It has the dustiness typical of Nebbiolo and is super-tart but fierce in character, with a hint of youthful rusticity on the finish. I would age it given its old-fashioned character." Decanter

"Intense, sparkling ruby colour with a slightly light rim. Opens with distinctly fragrant notes of peony, fresh cherries and some strawberry. Juicy on the attack and on the palate, with beautifully emphasised fruit and polished tannins that create firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Vivid aromas of cherry stand out as the dominant fruit note, harmonizing with abundant mineral and mixed spice characteristics. The palate presents a firm yet giving structure. The chiseled palate offers notes of wildflowers, savory herbs and spices finishing with a persistent minerality." Wine Enthusiast

"The most classic of all house brands, a wine with complexity and finesse. Notes of red plums on the nose, then mentholated notes of eucalyptus, juniper and fresh bay leaves. Juicy and sweet on the palate, with a menthol-fruity finish and a long aftertaste that is rounded off with notes of medicinal herbs." Luca Gardini

"The Barolo Baudana 2019 is absolutely captivating. Exuberant and bright in the glass, with plenty of freshness and remarkable purity of fruit, the Baudana offers generous dark red fruit, spice, leather, cherry, candy, cedar, tobacco and undergrowth. It has enormous depth and exceptional balance. Rose petals, white pepper and chalk add a special touch to the intense, savoury finish." Vinous

Palazzo Lana Extrême Riserva is a masterpiece from a great vintage. The pure Pinot Nero is characterised by a complex bouquet of fresh yeast, pear and lemongrass. Bright fruit on the palate, firm, with lively acidity and wonderfully consistent perlage. SUPERIORE.DE

"Noble straw yellow with a drop of copper and a persistent perlage. A nose of cold smoke, elegant precious wood, milk chocolate, candied fruit and fine porcini mushrooms, sea salt, very complex and inviting. Balanced and very elegant on the palate, with plenty of juice and fruit flavours, simultaneously pure and bone-dry, with a tightly meshed perlage and a long finish." Falstaff

"Complex notes of grapefruit, fresh figs, lemons, green apples, walnuts, chalk and salted nuts. It is lively and racy, with a medium body and broad, creamy bubbles. Excellent flavour intensity and persistence with a dry and nutty finish." James Suckling

"This 100% Pinot Noir from the classic and historic Berlucchi estate does not disappoint. Aromas of roasted pineapple, grilled peach, warmed honey, baking spices, and fresh bread define the heady nose. The rich and structured palate shows notes of candied citrus, white strawberry and crushed stone, finishing with crisp and radiant." Wine Enthusiast

"A bouquet of sweet smoke, crushed pear, chamomile and dusty dried flowers makes the 2011 Franciacorta Riserva Palazzo Lana unmissable. On the palate, this wine displays a balance of soothing bubbles, salty minerals and ripe, ginger-flavoured apples that provide pure elegance. Despite being labelled Extra Brut, the wine is bone dry on the finish, leaving notes of raw almonds, hazelnuts and citrus that linger. The 2011 is complex, with fantastic depth and balance. It is an absolute pleasure to taste." Vinous

"The 2011 Franciacorta Riserva Palazzo Lana Extrême Extra Brut from Guido Berlucchi has a thick layer of creamy peach or apricot that goes beyond the bouquet and ultimately colours the palate richly. These fruits are framed by small hints of exotic spices, cinnamon and caraway. The acidity is lively and the wine finishes on a dry note with a slight effervescence. This is certainly a delicious sparkling food wine." Wine Advocate

The name says it all: Marne means marl soil, on which the vines for this marvellous Amarone grow. They are over 20 years old and lie in an ideal 180° direction, from south-west to south-east. Rich, shiny ruby red colour, compact bouquet with intense aromas of plum, black cherry, green tea and tobacco, with a fine chocolate note in the background. The body, coated in fine berry fruit, develops a dynamic flavour experience on the palate with a sweet fruit melt, firm tannins and a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ruby red in colour. Notes of ripe red fruit, cherries, redcurrants, blueberries with a slight hint of mint. Structured on the palate with warm and enveloping notes, present, well-integrated tannins. Long and juicy finish." Falstaff

"The Amarone della Valpolicella Marne 180 from the 2019 vintage is savoury and quite mineral and opens with various wild berries, herbal notes and brown spice. A juicy blend of ripe red and black fruits unfolds on the palate. Salty minerals slowly saturate and give the wine more traction towards the end. The 2019 finishes with a burst of inner sweetness contrasted by chewy concentration and framing tannins, leaving behind tart cherry and sage nuances." Vinous

"Almost coffee-coloured, dried red berries on the nose, developing into a full, silky palate with fine tannins that are well integrated into the wine, carrying the intense berry and dark cherry fruit into a long finish." James Suckling

"This lush yet well-balanced Amarone opens with aromas of black currant, wild blackberry dusted with wild herbs, sweet spices and pepper. Crushed black cherries, espresso and violet notes hold court on the structured palate, which is backed by a minerality and finishes with ripe tannins." Decanter

"Balsamic nose full of complex aromas of ripe dark plums, sultanas, black cherries, chocolate and spicy notes of meat juice. The palate is warm, broad and intense, supported by a lively acidity." Decanter

Black cherry fruit, smoke, wild herbs, liquorice and tar form a compelling backdrop of aromas, flavours and textures as this dazzling, powerful Barolo opens up in the glass. The intense final is accompanied by delicate rose petals, lavender and a fine mineral-salty vein. Its stable tannin structure awaits a few more years of ageing in the bottle, as is typically the case with a classic Serralunga Barolo. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beguiling nose with floral-spicy notes, smoky-mineral, tobacco, ripe redcurrant. Initially soft and red berry on the palate, then becomes more tightly meshed with a salty-mineral line, iron, highly elegant, taut and tense with a laser-like structure, finishes with the finest tobacco and sweet spices full of finesse." Weinwisser

"Polished and fresh thanks to limestone. Really lively and tense. Fresh!" Jancis Robinson

"Attractive notes of cherries, peaches, red plums and violets on the nose. Juicy and bright, with a medium body and delicious red berry fruit accompanied by fine-grained tannins." James Suckling

"The 2020 Barolo Baudana opens with a burst of plump, juicy, red-toned fruit. Bright acids and persistent tannins are a reminder we’re in Serralunga. The 2020 is going to need a few years to come together, but it is a relatively accessible wine for this part of the appellation. The purity of the fruit here is lovely. Pretty floral and spice overtones lift the finish effortlessly." Vinous

"With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the Luigi Baudana 2020 Barolo Baudana is a bold and ripe expression with dark currant, black cherry, sweet orange peel and crushed red rose. Soft, earthy layers appear on the mid-palate with hints of spicy licorice. All of that intensity, with soil, fruit and spice, swells over the palate, giving this wine an impactful character. It is almost ready to drink straight out of the gate." Wine Advocate

The Nero d'Avola grapes for the very rare Sultana come from a steeply sloping, bush-shaped vineyard facing north-west. The soil here is white with a limestone matrix, rich in minerals and drainage capacity. The pronounced slope and very poor soil reinforce the pedoclimatic characteristics in which the Nero d'Avola plants find a natural habitat. It is an extreme terroir, a combination of environmental and human factors, that distinguishes the Sultana vineyard from other vineyards. The light reflected by the white soils enhances the characteristics and ultimately the quality of the grapes from the vineyard. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep purple in colour and significantly darker than the Vigna Guarnaschelli of the same vintage. Concentrated nose of sour cherry and raspberry with chalky notes. Juicy, lively, almost tart cherry and raspberry fruit, with a dose of grippy tannins on the finish, suggesting that this wine needs more age. Much less full-bodied than its 15% would suggest. It is currently more approachable than the Vigna Guarnaschelli." Jancis Robinson

"Spectacular aromas of hibiscus, lemon blossom, raspberry and red liquorice. Lots of crushed red berries. Medium body with fine, flattering tannins. Bright acidity on the finish. A triumph." James Suckling

The Aleatico grapes for this very small edition (< 500 hand-numbered bottles) dry slightly on the vine when they are harvested. They are then subjected to further drying in well-ventilated rooms for about 45 days, as in the production of Amarone. The first fermentation takes place in stainless steel, the further course then in new small wooden barrels of medium toasting.

Intense garnet red, primary aromas on the nose such as roses, dried apricots and ripe black fruits, plus a spicy herbal note and wonderfully integrated wood. On the palate, complex, full of character, with great consistency and personality, the exciting correspondence of residual sweetness and natural acidity makes it a highly balanced, almost hedonistic meditation wine of great rarity value. SUPERIORE.DE

You can tell from this white masterpiece that Giulia Negri spent some time in Burgundy, where she gained the tools for her still very young, but stellar career as a winemaker. What's more, this Chardonnay in no way denies the characteristics of the Langhe. The long ageing in small tonneaux on the fine lees and excellent grapes from up to 500 metres above sea level are the recipe for a taut, fresh and incredibly elegant white.

Bright light yellow with green reflections. On the nose, initially a floral fragrance, citrus notes and tropical accents, followed by a well-integrated and pleasantly subtle woody note. On the palate, it is again lightly fruity with captivating clarity and a hint of creaminess. A true Piedmontese white that dances like a border crosser between worlds and reveals its sophistication anew with every sip. SUPERIORE.DE

The single vineyard Guarnaschelli is a 60-year-old vineyard with a slight westerly exposure. A loamy matrix of brown skeletal soils can be found here. This generous soil, characterised by limestone, gives the wines finesse and minerality. Here, the plants produce grapes of consistently high quality every year - the result of deep roots and restrained, intelligent vineyard work. The strong exposure to the sun is tempered by constant winds blowing from all directions. This sets in motion a play of temperature fluctuations from which the old vines benefit to produce complex and aromatic grapes.

"Deep, impenetrable purple red colour. Impressive depth of lifted cherry and damson fruit, with a complex note of spicy oak and hints of eucalyptus and white pepper. The palate is juicy, lush, sour cherry and damson, with a hint of grainy tannins and surprisingly high acidity on the finish. The 15% alcohol is well integrated. A few more years in the bottle wouldn't go amiss, as this wine has both the richness and the tannic structure." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of terracotta, dried earth, stone and black berries. Medium to full body. Strong but fine tannins. Lasts for minutes. The fruit remains flowing but always in check. A wine for the cellar. A new benchmark for Nero d'Avola. The magic of a single vineyard." James Suckling

The name Tresette is derived from the fact that only 2,800 bottles of this single-varietal Merlot are produced each year and it is aged in three Liters French oak barrels. The grapes come from old vines on a plot 480 metres above sea level, and it is only vinified in the best years. Tresette is a cool, archetypal Merlot that is very elegant and unique in Tuscany and is entirely in keeping with the house style. Juicy blackberry flavours, clove, herbs and spices on the nose. Enveloped by supple tannins, this fresh red leads into a delicious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense ruby red colour. Notes of cherry, raspberry and sour cherry, with a hint of herbs and Mediterranean scrub. Deep and soft on the palate, with excellently integrated tannins and a spicy, fresh finish." Falstaff

"Violets, raspberries and passion fruit on the nose of this Tuscan Merlot join with savory notes of graphite, wet stone near a running stream, and black olives. Juicy fruit bursts through on the palate, offering cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Firm if forgiving tannins strike a tension between powerful and graceful." Wine Enthusiast

"The Riecine 2018 Merlot TreSette comes from a site with schistose galestro clay soils. This wine is dark and velvety in texture with dark fruit, spice and savory tones of dark cherry and plum. What stands out most in this Tuscan Merlot is the robust nature of the mouthfeel. This creative wine is made with early-ripening fruit from one of the wildest corners of the region." Wine Advocate

"Attractive red with plum, herb and orange-peel character. Medium body, refined tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. Really delicious now." James Suckling

Castello della Sala has been producing one of Italy's most famous white wines, Cervaro, for many years. In recent years, it has become fresher and deeper at the same time, without the conservative, broad style that characterised older late harvest editions of this wine. On the nose, stewed apples, cream, notes of oak bark, mango and peach. The palate is full of tropical fruit with a fine vein of acidity and a precise mineral component. A long-lasting, beautiful white wine and rightly one of the most sought-after white wines in the wine world every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Castello della Sala 2022 Cervaro della Sala is based on Chardonnay and has a small part of the local grape Grechetto in the blend. The nose opens to a reductive note of flint or matchstick, but it lifts quickly to reveal soft orchard fruit, white peach and minty apple. There are delicately applied toasted notes with a hint of pecan or macadamia nut. To finish, you also get salty mineral notes that underline the extremely vertical or lifted personality of the bouquet." Wine Advocate

The red Archineri from Nerello Mascalese grapes is full of character and elegant. Very refined bouquet of currants and wild berries, plus a hint of dog roses, stone fruit and ethereal aromas. Very exquisite, very juicy, tasty and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny garnet with copper accent in the rim. Pronounced scent of dried raspberries, cranberry jam, some white pepper and wet stone. Tightens up with fine-meshed tannin, crisp freshness, harmonious in attack and course, very fresh in the drink, keeps coming." Falstaff

"Aromas of woodland berry, Mediterranean scrub, camphor and oak-driven spice shape the nose on this fragrant red. On the tight palate, firm acidity accompanies raspberry jam, orange zest, vanilla and licorice. Firm, grainy tannins leave a puckering, drying close. Give the tannins a few years more years to relax a bit then drink." Wine Enthusiast

Amarone Calcarole is only produced in small quantities in the best vintages and has officially been allowed to bear the label Riserva since the 2015 vintage. The single vineyard of the same name is located above Villa di Rovereti in the heart of Negrar in the Valpolicella Classico region. The vineyard offers ideal conditions for great red wines due to its particularly warm climate and stony soil as well as its south-western exposure. The grapes are 100% dried in small crates in the historic rooms of Pojega. A wonderfully intense balsamic wine with memories of rosemary oil, damp forest floor and dried ginger. On the palate, complex berry flavours and a wonderful depth, Calcarole is thoroughly masculine, energetic and powerful, with tightly woven tannins and clearly structured. SUPERIORE.DE

"Showing a savory and earthy character, the Guerrieri Rizzardi 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Calcarole offers a mix of dried spice, bitter chocolate, dark fruit and herb. This is a full-bodied Amarone from a classic vintage that sits at an encouraging place in its drinking window. The alcohol measures an imposing 17%, but the wine actually goes down easier than you might expect. There is sweetness on the close with candid cherry or blood orange." Wine Advocate

"The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Calcarole 2016 is a sleeping giant with an abundance of crushed blueberries and black cherries accompanied by blood orange, allspice and mocha. This wine is deep and velvety in texture, with cooling mineral tones and vibrant acids contrasting with the rich red fruits on the palate. Balsamic spices and inner rose tones linger as the 2016 finishes with sweet tannins that frame this red wine perfectly. It is stunningly beautiful, but beware of the 17% alcohol content." Vinous

The excellent Cabernet-Merlot blend Giusto di Notri is a concentrated wine with an intense, rich flavour. A perfectly balanced bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant and fine herbal spice. Compact on the palate with a well-tempered balance between fruit and oak, plus a distinctive tannin, promising and powerful in the final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep, dark ruby-purple colour. Present and rich nose, inspiring with notes of blackcurrant, mulberry and blackberry, spicy cedar wood, some grape sugar. Fine-meshed tannin, unfolds continuously, shows full grip, clear, dark berry fruit, firm pressure on the final, good freshness and juiciness." Falstaff

"Intense aromas of redcurrant, sweet tobacco, lead pencil and terracotta. Medium to full body with polished tannins that are very well integrated into the wine. It is racy and long with lovely mocha and subtle fruit on the finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Giusto di Notri is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Intensity and depth are highlighted nicely here. This benefits complexity and aromas. The vintage also delivers more freshness and balanced tannins. This is a beautiful wine, one that's set up for long cellar aging." Wine Advocate

Piante a Lapio is a rich and complex white wine produced in small quantities (about 3,000 bottles per vintage) from the grapes of a single vineyard parcel of just under one hectare in the municipality of Boschi in Lapio (AV). It consists of 35-40 year old vines planted on stratified and complex calcareous soils with basaltic subsoil at an altitude of about 550 metres. The vineyard is protected at the back by a namesake forest, which contributes to the vineyard's special microclimatic conditions. Here, in the heart of Irpinia, white wines are produced with great freshness and good acidity levels, which, vinified with the necessary care, can age for over 20 years.

Deep, bright straw yellow. Rich and complex on the nose, interwoven with notes of spices, herbs, hazelnuts, citrus fruits, honey and salt. In the mouth it has a clear structure, complex, intense, refined and with great personality. Piante a Lapio is a full-bodied, long-lasting wine whose future development is already undoubtedly visible today (after sufficient aeration). SUPERIORE.DE

"Considering the ten years that the 2013 Piante a Lapio has rested in the winery before release, the vibrant yellow-gold color alone is stunning. Its aromatics impress even more, blending roasted almond and hazelnut with honeyed florals and crushed yellow apple. It smooths over the palate, weighty yet lifted and distinctly savory, with a slight tropical citrus profile complicated by depths of saline minerals and hints of rum raisin, yet not sweet by any scope of the imagination. The 2013 tapers off with tension, and young peach and dried apricot nuances stick around. The Piante a Lapio is a serious meditation wine, produced from 80-to-100-year-old Fiano vines and matured in a mix of chestnut and acacia casks for five years. It’s a stunning wine for the more adventurous palate." Vinous

Since the exceptional 2019 harvest, Luca Sanjust has taken another step towards "quality without compromise" with his Boggina C. The yields per plant have been reduced even further and the selection of grapes from the identified parcel has been made even stricter. This led to a reduction in the number of bottles available to around 3,000. The same meticulousness was also applied in the cellar by selecting the most suitable 7 hectolitre barrels for ageing "sur lie". Great attention was paid to their wood grain and toasting in order to achieve the harmony and flavour that a pure Grand Cru Sangiovese should have.

Bòggina C Riserva brings out the fragrance, brightness and depth of expression of Sangiovese from the Bòggina vineyard in a unique way. This version underlines the inimitable and unmistakable character of this wine, which comes from the heart of the Chianti mountains overlooking the Val d'Arno di Sopra, from where it derives the unmistakable magic of its aromas, colours and brilliance. A wine that not only warms Luca's heart, but also shows the great path that the winery has been following for years. Boggina C is the archetype of a taut and wonderfully precise Sangiovese with impressive depth. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, dark ruby colour with a slight violet tinge. Very clear and memorable nose, intense aromas of violets, plums and blood oranges, some smoky, earthy notes in the background. Polished and finely meshed on the palate, with plenty of juicy fruit, rich cherry and raspberry flavours and a very long finish." Falstaff

"A wonderful Sangiovese with aromas and flavours of orange peel, cherries, cherry blossom and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins that extend over the entire length of the wine. Fresh and lively with a solid fruit centre on the finish. Stylish is the right word. From organically grown grapes." James Suckling

"Beautiful artwork on the front label, the organic Petrolo 2021 Val d'Arno di Sopra Riserva Bòggina C is quite dense and rich, especially for a youthful Sangiovese such as this. The wine reveals a medium-dark appearance with dried cherry fruit, blackcurrant and baked plum. The wine is considerably lighter in terms of mouthfeel, with powdery tannins and mid-weight texture that adds to its overall elegance. The wine delivers authenticity and personality." Wine Advocate

This iconic wine, which is rare and very highly rated every year, presents itself in a brilliant, rich ruby colour. The bouquet is full of crisp berry fruit, ripe dark cherries, sweet plums and delicate notes of cinnamon. Full-bodied and firm on the palate, very juicy, develops a finely worked tannin and glides in a wide arc into a powerful, long final. A great wine full of vigour and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Impressive nose, very finely characterised, aromas of juicy cherries, blood orange and dried thyme, some liquorice in the background. Polished and precise from the attack to the final, fine-meshed, very well-integrated tannins, flows beautifully, finely elaborated fruit, long final." Falstaff

"The I Sodi di San Niccolò 2019 is another great wine from Castellare. At this stage, the 2019 is still a child. The purity of the fruit is convincing. Despite its considerable intensity, the 2019 seems to have less tannins than in many other years, which should allow it to drink well with minimal cellaring. Blood orange, sweet spices, leather and cedar linger on the stylish finish." Vinous

"This is a long-famous blend of 85% Sangioveto (another name for Sangiovese) and 15% Malvasia Nera from one of the leading wineries of Castellina in Chianti. The Castellare di Castellina 2019 I Sodi di S. Niccolò opens with a soft texture and medium weight with dark aromas of blackcurrant and cherry. These flavours reveal an earthy and spicy side that continues on the palate. The wine finishes with sweet tannins and this vintage has a solid structure overall." Wine Advocate

"An intense, vibrant red with hauntingaromas of violet, black cherry, blackberry, wild rosemary, eucalyptus and iron. Supple and open, but with a solid structure underneath. The precise balance of this wine makes it approachable now, but it will be even better in two to three years. Spicy aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Complex and deeply embedded flavours of ripe blackberries, spices and aromatic bark. Full-bodied and very firm for now, with impressive concentration of fruit and tannin. Very long, balanced finish. A great wine for now, but a wine for the cellar. Patience will be rewarded. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. This has always been a top Tuscan red wine. Best from 2027." James Suckling

"Super fragrant nose, patchouli, potpourri, Turkish delight, rose with caramelised red berries and a hint of smoke and incense - all very present and expressive. You could smell the nose alone for hours, it is so complex and beguiling. On the palate, it is powerful and concentrated, broad and muscular, sinewy with depth and determination. The tannins are well integrated, supporting the fruit and acidity and driving the flavours forward despite the obvious weight and grip. The red berry flavours continue on the palate with hints of stone, graphite and matches. Rich and big on the mid-palate, it becomes more focused towards the finish. Definitely well made and full of life. The acidity is great, cool, clean, smooth and packed with flavour. It's almost too much, because this wine is big and needs time, but it has great appeal and is fresh throughout." Decanter

"A blend of Sangioveto and Malvasia Nera, which has always been a wine totem for Tuscan production. Blackberry jam and Mediterranean scrub on the nose, a hint of eucalyptus, dense and flavourful on the palate, very persistent on the finish, with a balsamic hint." Luca Gardini