Wine

This is one of the most interesting and expressive wines to come from the Vittoria area of Sicily. The Frappato is tangy and sharp, linear and direct. And it reveals more depth and nuances than one would expect in this price range. Normally, a good Frappato always has an authentic and transparent expression. This unmasked openness is also present here, but in addition there is an almost accidental hint of balsamic herbs and bitter almonds that give it further tension and personality. How good that Titta Cilia and Giusto Occhipinti leave nothing to chance, and so this finesse-rich frappato is rightly one of the region's most independent drops every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Frappato is remarkably pretty, opening with a cascade of violets and lavender leading into citrus and blackberries. The palate is soft and soothing, with ripe wild berries and liquorice supported by crisp acidity. The finish is long with a fluid floral note, while expertly maintaining freshness." Vinous

Fine Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown on limestone gravel soils in Kurtatsch and loamy sandy soils in Völser Aicha. Rich flavours of elderflower, gooseberry, green pepper, sage and mint. An elegant wine, pleasantly mineral, fresh and juicy with well-balanced acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wafting aromas of honeydew, pressed white flower, beeswax and lemon zest define this pretty Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is bright and fresh with loads of mixed citrus notes that evolve into white peach. It finishes with a distinct mineral note reminiscent of chalk." Wine Enthusiast

"The Sauvignon Blanc Turmhof 2021 emerges from the glass with a musky blend of peach and nectarine with a lemon flavour. It is silky smooth with ripe citrus and salty minerals that fade into savoury florals. The 2021 finishes fresh and with admirable length. A salty note and a tropical hint of sour melon let it slowly fade away." Vinous

Red classic from South Tyrol in a strong garnet red with violet reflections. Discreet bouquet of violets and red cherry fruit. Fine tannins, a round body and a discreet acidity make this red a high-quality companion for regional-rustic cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

Sangiovese in its purest form: bright ruby colour with a broad garnet rim. Rich in fruity and floral aromas, multi-layered, herbal, deep and well-polished with further development potential. A full-bodied and harmonious Chianti Classico with a highly authentic and very inviting style. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby red colour. Deep cherry flavour with dark spice notes. Concentrated, supple and full-bodied. Impressive structure with powdery tannins that have yet to settle." Jancis Robinson

"Animating cherry, cassis and herbs, shows its pithy side with a bite, salty vein and tart charm, is robust and lingers for a long time. The classic from the south of the growing region." Weinwisser

"The Fèlsina 2021 Chianti Classico Berardenga has a savoury or crisp side that I often find in Sangiovese. There's a lot of fruit brightness here with cassis, red cherries, minerals, dried tobacco and grilled rosemary. This is an easy-drinking Tuscan red wine with a natural acidity and brightness that goes well with a classic lasagne or aubergine parmigiana." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 begins with smoky nuances, earth and subtle oak, before moving into fragrant mint and thyme. It is concentrated and ripe, but balanced by freshness and vibrancy. The underlying firmness gradually dissipates to reveal a spicy finish of dried tomatoes." Decanter

"The Chianti Classico Berardenga 2021 is impetuous and expressive right from the glass. Dark fruits, earthy notes, leather, spices and tobacco convey the character of Castelnuovo Berardenga in tonnes. The wine gets better and better in the glass. It's a super-classic example of the house style and a wine to buy by the case. The Berardenga bottling can be a little wild, but in 2021 it has an added touch of sophistication that is undeniable." Vinous

"Sparkling ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. Fresh raspberries and strawberries on the nose, then a touch of forest floor and sour cherry. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with well-integrated tannins, long and fruity final." Falstaff

"A firm and silky red wine with aromas and flavours of cherries, dried flowers and orange peel. It is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh and concentrated finish. It still needs some time to mellow, but I'm already enjoying its energy." James Suckling

"Nose of red raspberry, touches of wild sage and floreal finish, with nuances of lavender. The drinkability is crunchy-sapid, good persistence with a return of Taggiasca olive." Luca Gardini

Bright light red colour. Bouquet of red cherries, aromatic herbs and some tobacco. Big and powerful on the palate in typical Campogiovanni style, with lush red cherries and aromatic herbal flavours that echo for a long time on the soft, slightly warm finish. A Rosso that gives a good foretaste of the more persistent and multi-layered Brunello. Very successful and charming and accessible even at a young age. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Campogiovanni 2021 Rosso di Montalcino has a dark ruby colour and immediately shows powerful fruit flavours and plenty of dark cherry. This is a nicely saturated Sangiovese with enough texture on the mid-palate to pair with a savoury bean soup or roast pork. The fresh acidity rounds it out. This is a good value proposition." Wine Advocate

"Earthy berries, oranges and a hint of dried bark on the nose. Juicy and beautifully flavoursome on the palate with a medium body and firm tannins." James Suckling

"Black raspberries, exotic spices, sage and cloves make the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino a total pleasure on the nose. It's silky and refined with cooling mineral tones and ripe red and blue fruits that easily wash across the palate. This takes on a savory edge through the finish, with tart raspberry and brown spice that linger through the lightly structured finale. I love the contrasts and early appeal of this darkly alluring Rosso." Vinous

Rami is an attractive and at the same time very individual blend of Grecanico and Inzolia. Bright golden yellow with a light, typical cloudiness of an orange wine and with an initially restrained-reductive bouquet, then with some aeration it smells sweetly of apricots, dried flowers and orange peel. This intellectual white needs time and a certain experience with natural wines - with the necessary portion of oxygen it is highly appetising and elegant on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Rami, a blend of Inzolia and Grecanico, seduces with dusty flowers and subtle citrus tones that slowly fade into gingery apples. The palate is soft and supple, with a tasty blend of exotic spices and chalky fruit. Lively acidity provides a nice inner freshness, while the 2022 finishes perfumed and lightly textured. A hint of apple berry lingers." Vinous

"Attractive aromas of candied orange, peach skin, dried flowers, pie crust and honey. Medium-bodied, juicy and structured with lively acidity. A little phenolic on the finish with a zesty character." James Suckling

The name Da-Di derives from Chinese and means earth/soil. DA-DI bianco was born from owner Virginie Saverys' intuition to rediscover the vocation of the Cortona area for the production of great white wines from autochthonous grapes, and encapsulates all of Avignonesi's love of experimentation.

In the glass, it opens intensely with floral notes of wisteria and lime, white peach and gooseberry. On the palate, the approach is precise and straightforward. Lemon peel, mint and the complexity of wildflower honey emerge. The pronounced acidity makes it long and elegant. In the aftertaste, hints of flint bring back mineral notes. An exciting wine with a distinct and fresh personality. Approx. 2,000 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium lemon-gold hue. Mineral, spiced lemon, smoked pineapples and oranges on the nose. Textured and medium-bodied on the palate with a zesty center palate and a taut, slightly saline finish." James Suckling

"Zero Infinito" stands for zero chemical intervention and infinity. Years of research and experimentation have led to this extraordinary project, in which the grapes of the fungus-resistant Solaris grape variety are transformed into wine without any additives: no treatment in the vineyard, no use of sulphur dioxide, no commercial yeasts, no clarifying agents, no filtering and no antioxidants! The grapes for this sparkling wine made according to the Méthode Ancestrale (Pet Nat) with yeast lees come from the south-west facing Maso Rella vineyard, which lies at an altitude of 800 to 900 metres.

Bright yellow with orange reflections. Aromatic bouquet of elderflower and mountain flowers, plus Golden Delicious, apricot and peach. These flavours can also be found in the well-balanced taste; overall, this extremely independent frizzante presents itself with impressive purity and freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Zero Infinito is spicy and savory with a wild bouquet that blends dried flowers and ginger with tangerine and foreign spices. This is full of zesty tension with a pretty inner sweetness contrasted by a tart lemon rind twang as soothing bubbles cascade. Long and intense yet still clean and crisp, the 2022 leaves the palate perfectly reset for another sip as grapefruit traces slowly fade. The Zero Infinito is a varietal Solaris Pet Nat. Fantastic." Vinous

Radiant, precise dessert wine from the Traminer, Sauvignon and Semillon varieties from the sun-drenched Maremma in southern Tuscany. Precious and delicious, the wine opens with a bright golden colour with amber reflections. On the nose, hints of dried fruit, honey, pressed rose petals and candied almonds. Soft sweetness on the palate, wonderfully flattering finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The Morellino Riserva has a ripe and intense nose of black fruits, raspberries and notes of violets. Wonderful texture on the palate, beautiful fruit, very harmonious flavour. An extremely elegant wine, with lovely tannins and a final that combines freshness and depth. Very successful! SUPERIORE.DE

"Stimulating, juicy cherry red colour with beautiful brilliance. Elegant nose with plenty of liquorice, Amarena cherry, cassis and a fine salinity. A prime example of modern Morellino. Lots of sweet cherry combined with a bunch of herbs. Toasted salted almonds and fresh plum. A wine with powerful but perfectly elegantly integrated tannins. The Riserva is young and challenging on the palate, but all within the comfort zone. Sangiovese with drinking appeal!" Vinum

"The nose leans sweet, with vanilla, cherries, strawberries and a touch of blood orange, but undertones of spices and earth emerge with time. Cherries also star on the palate, before buoyant acid lifts a latent heat into an astringent finish, where the nose's blood orange note blossoms." Wine Enthusiast

"The Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2020 is another convincing wine from Elisabetta Geppetti. Dark and explosive, the 2020 has so much to offer. An explosion of dark plums, chocolate, liquorice, spices, leather and menthol sweeps across the palate. The harvestwill find a Morellino of unusual density and nuance. Outstanding." Vinous

"Bright cherries, spices and a hint of dried flowers. Also rose stem. Medium body with firm and slightly chewy tannins. Bright. Needs time to mellow." James Suckling

Dark red in colour with bright violet reflections. The nose is pleasant and beautifully articulated with sensations of red and black fruits, including blackcurrants and ripe cherries. After further aeration, flavours of flowers and black pepper follow. Soft, well-integrated tannins on the palate, followed by an energetic and viral finish with red fruits in the aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cedary nose with lots of sandalwood, tobacco and game to the spiced cherries and olives. Crunchy and medium-bodied on the palate with a fluid and succulent finish. Would rate even higher if there was more mid-palate substance and volume." James Suckling

"The organic Tenuta le Colonne 2021 Bolgheri Rosso has a bright bouquet with spice and caramel over a mid-weight texture and heavy fruit weight. There is a lot of dried herb with dark berry fruit. It offers good freshness with a soft mouthfeel and sweet tannins." Wine Advocate

The fruity and characterful Angheli, made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, immediately impresses with its opulent robe. In the complex, fruit-driven bouquet, there are accentuated perceptions of sour cherries, blackberries and small forest fruits, with cocoa, liquorice and cardamom in the background. On the palate, the velvety fullness accompanied by pleasant freshness and the persistent finish are delightful. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy and black olive aromas with some bark and mushroom. Medium to full body, with chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Needs time to soften." James Suckling

True to the house style, Nerojbleo offers a generous load of ripe fruit with maraschino cherry and blackberry jam at the centre. Its texture is dense, soft and carried by a slight sweetness. A juice and power package with a nice drinking flow and a typical Gulfi interpretation of the grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

Senes, a Riserva made predominantly from Cannonau, has an intense bouquet of aromas of wild berries, Mediterranean herbs and tobacco. Full-bodied and "umami" on the palate with profound fruit, rounded tannins, balanced structure and beguiling length. Very straightforward, fresh and sincere in its style. SUPERIORE.DE

"A firm and fine tannined red with berries, walnuts, earth, bark and dried shiitake mushrooms. It’s medium-bodied with subtle yet decadent fruit. Some kelp and pine undertones in the finish." James Suckling

Bright straw yellow with greenish reflections. The nose is fragrant and distinctive with ripe lemon, white peach and a hint of green pepper. Both racy and lean on the palate, with a lovely minerality and pronounced freshness. Beautiful length. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep, dark red, fresh, vegetal notes on the nose, delicate smoky aromas and red berry fruit. The flavour is elegant and dense. A wonderfully juicy cuvée for sophisticated drinking pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, dark ruby red colour. Initially ripe cherry fruit on the nose, then leather, pepper spice, cassis. On the palate with pithy tannins, rich pressure and beautiful juiciness, shows a full-bodied, long finish, turns in the middle section, then slightly drying on the finish." Falstaff

"Classic bold aromas of dark plums, macerated cherries laced with star anise and clove lift from the glass of this Bordeaux Blend, with Italian style. Well structured with fine tannins, the sublime palate balances between concentrated fruits and savory earthiness." Wine Enthusiast

"This is showing aromas of olives, dried herbs, walnuts, sour cherries and cedar. Spicy, chewy and tasty, with a medium body and firm, fine-grained tannins. Excellent balance." James Suckling

Sparkling, rich straw yellow colour. Opens with fine spicy notes of aniseed and cloves, with plenty of mango and apricot. On the palate, it is racy and juicy, full-bodied, followed by delicate notes of papaya and lychee, with fine spices rounding off the flavour experience on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe and scented nose with roses, dried lychee and orange blossoms. Round and waxy on the palate with a supple middle and a generous, lightly bitter-sweet finish." James Suckling

Ruby red with garnet-coloured reflections. Bright, fresh nose of wild cherries, potting soil and blue flowers. Compact, medium-bodied with a fresh acid wire and well-integrated tannins. A paragon of Sangiovese, which is not only arousing enthusiasm due to its very attractive price. SUPERIORE.DE

Grosso Agontano Riserva rises dark, floral and earthy from the glass, with notes of undergrowth and tobacco that fade into blackberry and gravel. Its velvety texture leads to a sophisticated presentation of red and black fruits, underpinned by cool herbal notes, while the fine tannins slowly saturate towards the end. The finish is long, youthfully structured and with a pleasant inner sweetness, while nuances of tangerine and sour cherry linger under a hint of violet blossom.

Agontano is a 100% Montepulciano that is refined in barriques in the second passage. It is a very attractive interpretation of the grape variety and still needs some time in the cellar to show its best side. SUPERIORE.DE

This is a light-weight wine that is still rather fresh and cheerful when young, but which will develop into a highly complex and more than serious white wine over the years. In the still youthful, fresh bouquet, we already find a lot of minerality and fine yellow fruit notes, then on the palate a texture and depth that comes to the fore more and more at 2° higher drinking temperature and appropriate aeration. It will be even better in a few years - guaranteed! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Timorasso is gorgeous. Graphite, pear, chamomile, sage and dried herbs are delineated in this super-expressive white. As always, Timorasso is a white that emphasizes strong mineral and savory notes, while the fruit is in the background." Vinous

Montegrossi's Chianti Classico remains true to the estate's style every year with its deep violet colour and initially youthful, reductive nose. On the palate, it shows its potential with a fascinating build-up of tension and fresh fruit of black cherries and blackberries. The supple tannins are refined and polished, but it's the juicy, savoury notes and tangy acidity that really make the wine sing. An energetic classic of the appellation, whose average it surpasses every year. Great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Terlaner Cuvée (formerly Terlaner Classico) is the wine that best embodies the identity and personality of this iconic agricultural co-operative in South Tyrol. Since its founding in 1893, it has been closely linked to the history of the winery like no other wine. Since the 2013 vintage, its grapes have been sourced from selected vineyards in the Vorberg, Kreuth and Winkl vineyards. Aromas of tropical and passion fruit, peach, pear and sweet almonds are surrounded by a salty, mineral vein and give this wonderfully juicy white wine finesse and the pure character typical of Terlan. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fine nose, more characterised by Pinot Blanc, with fresh stone fruit such as pears and apricots, meadow flowers. Very juicy on the palate, enveloped in an elegant melting texture with hints of herbs and a salty, melting finish." Weinwisser

Watch out, or even better - don't be afraid of the wolf: Attenti al Lupo is the exciting result of a new project by Podere le Ripi, which is specifically exploring new possibilities in the vineyard and cellar to find solutions to climate change, which is now putting all farmers and winegrowers to the test.

To this end, Sangiovese clones were identified that adapt better to the changing conditions. Vineyards were also selected that are mainly located on alluvial soils, where an earlier harvest tends to be possible. During vinification, carbonic maceration of the whole grapes (with the stems) takes place over 10 days in closed stainless steel tanks, which gives the wine a portion of acidity and crisp flavours even in its youth, giving it a great deal of freshness, dynamism and liveliness.

The result is a bright red and very flavourful wine, slender and straightforward in the mouth, with a very fruity nose that is typical of the type of fermentation. This is followed by a pronounced minerality and an exciting, delicately bitter note in the aftertaste. Ideal with roasted meat, mature cheese and first courses. SUPERIORE.DE

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