Wine

Deep dark, sparkling ruby red. On the nose, an opulent dark red fruit basket, intense and full. Already in the first sip, a depth that is unparalleled in this price range. The heights to which this wine is capable of carrying the connoisseur are nothing short of spectacular. At the same time, it always convinces with an indescribable balance. Maharis is never fat or jammy, but its potpourri of dark fruits, spices, matured leather and a subtle smoky note is always balanced with a surprising freshness and liveliness. The final is long, velvety and richly textured. Great! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shining ruby red. In the nose with noble use of wood, fine spice, black pepper and grated black currant, sour cherries, dried flowers in the aftertaste. On the palate grippy and present, with cool fruit core and tight tannin, final on fine salty notes." Falstaff

"This poised Syrah, from alberello vines grown in limestone soils in Noto, has an incredible fragrance of Parma violets, cedar, dark chocolate, balsam, dried cherries and wild strawberries. In the mouth it's concentrated and vertical, showing tons of freshness, floral fragrance and airy delicacy allied to some dark, sapid fruit. Succulent and stony with violet and lavender overtones, then liquorice, black pepper and coffee hints on the long finish, this is such a pretty wine." Decanter

"Silent greatness. Noble is he who is self-sufficient. Perhaps a little demanding and in any case sensitive. But has much sought-after qualities: Clarity, freshness, complexity." Michael Graf Goëss-Enzenberg, Weingut Manincor

Sparkling green-silver Sauvignon Blanc with intense and inviting aromas of grapefruit, lychee and white peach. Full-bodied and very racy on the nose, then mineral and distinguishedly lean with fine acidity and a subtle extract-sweet core. Very long. SUPERIORE.DE

Don Luigi Riserva, a solid, powerful red from Montepulciano and Aglianico has an intense, complex bouquet of sour cherries preserved in alcohol and a rich, delicately woody flavour with a long, warm finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Toasted hazelnuts, chocolate cherries, dark berries, bay leaves and walnuts on the nose. Full-bodied with a rich, ripe core of dark fruits framed by firm and muscular tannins. Salty undertones. Big and delicious." James Suckling

"The 2017 Don Luigi Riserva smolders up with a darkly alluring mix of musky black currants, sweet sage and crushed ashen stones. This is full-bodied and nearly creamy in feel. Depths of ripe dark fruits and exotic spices swirl throughout. There isn’t a hard edge in sight, while the 2017 blends brisk acidity with lingering notes of red plum and cedar. Just a touch of grippy tannin lurks beneath the surface. The balance here is stunning, yet some cellaring may be required to unlock further aromatic depth. That said, this is a beautiful rendition of Don Luigi Riserva." Vinous

Deep, dark Riserva with a powerful berry bouquet and intense spicy notes and hints of damp forest floor. Taut on the palate, crisp fruit, solid tannins, good length. Lots of energy, nice spice and great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Very intense and inviting nose, flavours of raspberries, cherry jam and hazelnut biscuits. Firm tannins dominate the palate, lots of damson." Falstaff

"On the nose, the sweetness of cherry and vanilla is balanced by the gentle bitterness of orange zest and herbs. On the palate, a rush of chocolate invigorates the fruit element, but balance is maintained by an earthiness that's drawn out by chalky, clingy tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 is a blend of Sangiovese (90%) with smaller proportions of Merlot and Colorino. It shows a dark, saturated appearance and a heavy aromatic load of black fruits, ripe cherries, plums, spices and sweet floral earth. The wine finishes with medium concentration, herbal notes and the natural freshness of Sangiovese." Wine Advocate

"There's a good balance of fruit and oak here, with red berries and fine oak giving off a hint of vanilla. Medium to full-bodied with well-integrated fruit and oak tannins and a sort of plump feel on the palate. The finish is medium length at the moment but should lengthen with time in the bottle. Try it from mid-2024." James Suckling

Filetta di Lamole comes from selected Lamole vineyards owned by the Manetti family at an altitude of 600 metres. A multi-layered, elegant Chianti Classico that plays out its flavours in a nuanced way and has a fascinating structure. Ruby red in colour with light reflections. A multi-layered bouquet of cherry, followed by slightly tarry notes, violets and wild flowers. You can recognise Fontodi's signature in this profound wine, and yet it is different because it is more subtle and restrained with its existing strengths. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, youthful ruby. Brooding, deep red-fruit nose with saline, minerally notes. Lifted and with a peppery tingle. Lush and energetic palate with fantastic, gravelly tannins and lots of juice. Real substance." Jancis Robinson

Golden yellow, wide, floral bouquet with fine wood notes and distinct aromas of light fruits and freshly baked brioche. Full, round and persistent on the palate with an elegant structure, very long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fine reductive nose with creamed apples, lemon zest, fine lees and flinty stones. Textured and almost full-bodied on the palate with fresh, high acidity and a subtle and rather mineral finish." James Suckling

Excellent Pinot Grigio, matured in small wooden barrels. Strong straw yellow colour, fruity aroma of apple, pear and fine vanilla, strong character in taste with pleasantly gentle acidity, strength and fullness. Pinot Grigio Sanct Valentin has been convincing for decades and is consistently one of the highest-rated Pinot Grigio wines in Italy. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, intense straw yellow colour. Banana, ripe apple and a hint of flint on the nose. Well-balanced, drinky, fresh and juicy on the palate, with a lingering finish." Falstaff

"The 2021 Pinot Grigio Sanct Valentin is unobtrusive with a pretty mix of lime-soaked apples and grated sage. It's soft and round, with cooling acidity, ripe fruit and melon tones swirling through a stream of vibrant acidity. The finish is savoury and long. The mouth remains watery and the traces of ginger spice slowly fade." Vinous

"The 2021 Pinot Grigio Sanct Valentin has aromas of pineapple, grapefruit, gooseberry, some white pepper, waxy notes, petrol, honeycomb and lemon compote. Something reminds me of acrylic chalk. The medium-bodied mouthfeel finishes with raw honey." Wine Advocate

"A very well made Pinot Grigio with notes of crushed stones, white almonds, nectarines, subtle cream and meringue. Excellent weight and texture on the palate with a full body and a long but elegant finish with a subtle phenolic kick at the end. An outstanding Pinot Grigio." James Suckling

A fascinating Pinot Nero with the structure of a Nebbiolo. Fine cherry aroma with well-dosed extract sweetness, plus rose petals, mint and some Asian herbal spice. The wine is prancing on the palate with distinguished restraint, revealing its finesse and structure at the latest with the third sip and with the medium-bodied finish. This is as much a wine for Pinot fans as it is for lovers of enigmatic, subrilegious style - and clearly love at second sight. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is fruity and vibrant with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as roselle flowers and orange peel. Medium-bodied, round and mellow with creamy tannins. Delicious. Drink now." James Suckling

Pale pink with orange reflections. Elegant, fine fragrance of flowers and roses, small red berries and herbs and the typical scent of bread and yeast. Very supple on the palate, fresh and forward, the acidity agile and the mousseux soft and fine. A mouthful of red berries and very broad herb and spice flavours are wonderfully enveloped by a fresh acidity that finishes this very long drop with a fruity, subtle tartness and salinity. SUPERIORE.DE

Cuvée Royale has a pale yellow colour, a creamy foam and a fine and long perlage. The nose reveals pleasant notes of white peach, well balanced by notes of bread crust and yeast. Yeast. On the palate, it is harmonious and fully expresses the liveliness of a good Franciacorta brut. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep, dark ruby red colour. Strong, warm Lagrein with a pronounced aroma of ripe blackberries, cherries, fine mountain herbs, pepper and smoky charcoal notes. The full, juicy, cherry flavour is beautifully balanced with a broad, long finish. Only selected grapes from the best vineyards with low yields are used for the Lagrein Riserva Prestige. An absolute top red wine from the Alto Adige region! SUPERIORE.DE

"Pretty black and blue berry fruit on the nose with violets and bitter chocolate. It’s creamy and beautifully textured with powdery tannins. Medium to full body. Juicy and bright finish." James Suckling

The Chianti Classico Riserva has a penetrating and wonderfully clear colour and an inviting aroma reminiscent of ripe cherries with notes of spices and wild herbs. The flavour is dense and extremely juicy, with a good tannin grip, full of personality and authenticity. SUPERIORE.DE

"In a bottle with a black label, the Fèlsina 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga shows an open-knit quality with soft fruit flavors of dark cherry and baked plum. Those fruit flavors are followed by pretty mineral notes and light spice. That openness and those sweet cherry flavors are characteristic of the warm 2020 growing season. The wine finishes with bright acidity that is typical of Sangiovese." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva is another super-classic wine in this range from Fèlsina. Dried herbs, game, scorched earth, tobacco, incense and dark fruit infuse the Riserva with tons of nuance. The Riserva conveys tons of village character as well as the house style." Vinous

"A juicy and pretty wine with berries, chocolate, and bark. Subtle. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are slightly chewy and austere now but will soften nicely with age." James Suckling

"A solidly built red introduced by aromas of mint, lavender and wild rosemary. Shows cherry, raspberry, earth, iron, sanguine and tobacco flavors allied to an almost viscous texture as this cruises to the long finish. Impressive now, yet will be better in three to five years." Wine Spectator

Berlucchi's 61 Satèn is a soft, creamy Franciacorta. In the glass, it has an intense straw-yellow colour with a fine, even perlage and delicate foam. Smells of bread dough, apple pie and lemon zest, very aromatic and well-structured on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

Elegant Metodo Classico without dosage, dry and very vinous, with aromas of apple, pear, walnut and almond. Full body, beautiful fruit, delicious and long. An ideal and puristic companion to light Mediterranean dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

Castellares Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 opens with a bouquet of black cherry, plum, mocha, game, spices, leather and tobacco. A dark, mysterious wine that has enormous depth and has what it takes to develop well for many years to come. This medium-bodied, super-classic Riserva captures the Castellare style beautifully, with plenty of character and a strong personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark and brooding, with aromas of eucalyptus, tar, resin and blackberry giving way to flavours of black cherry, blackberry, plum, tobacco and sandalwood. Shows fine balance and length." Wine Spectator

"The Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 is rich in dark fruits, leather and sweet spices. It has a lot of depth and appeal, but the oak impression is also quite strong. With a little less oak, this could be a much more transparent expression of Sangiovese, but it is undoubtedly very well made." Vinous

"Red plums and berries vie with a fair dose of oak on the nose and palate, where the fresh fruit is riding the firm fruit and oak tannins well. Medium-bodied with good balance for aging, though for riserva lovers it’s approachable even now." James Suckling

"An impeccable proof in the field of Chianti Classico da Castellare, Riserva type. Red cherry and iris, a hint of thyme, a touch of iodine in the final aroma. On the palate it is spicy, dense and excellently crisp, the tannins are savoury, the finish is persistent and fruity." Luca Gardini

Marina Cvetic's Trebbiano Riserva - a dream and cult wine for lovers of full-bodied and complex white wines. Aromas of golden delicious, nougat, almond, honey, coconut and vanilla spread across the nose and palate. The balsamic-like texture gently conquers the palate and ends, flanked by fresh, lemony notes, in a long finish on crème caramel. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose is acidic and textured, yet not without sweetness, with aromas of yellow apple, pineapple, lemon and vanilla. These notes all continue on the rich palate." Wine Enthusiast

"It has flavours of pineapple, smoked almonds, lemon cake and pralines. A hint of white chocolate. Creamy, medium to full-bodied and complex, with plenty of texture and depth and a long, nutty finish." James Suckling

Chianti Classico by Giovanni Manetti offers a profound, densely woven and still very youthful bouquet of dark and red berries and fine spicy notes. The dry, cherry flavour with long-lasting impressions, well-extracted tannins and the acidity typical of Sangiovese show a clearly recognisable terroir character. Very clear, straightforward, long, always fresh and juicy, with excellent strength and balance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep crimson. Enticing, deep red-fruit nose with hints of white pepper and leather. Succulent red fruit, with the finely grained, plentiful tannins unfurling on the finish." Jancis Robinson

Intense, compact, ruby red colour. An intense mixture of black raspberry, wild herbs, air-dried meat, thyme and smoke flows from the glass. Refined and lively on the palate with delicate, salty acidity and berry fruit flavours. As it progresses, a beautiful cherry centre with a hint of sweet blood orange that keeps you coming back to the glass. This is already a pure thrill for the palate, and with further bottle ageing it will reveal its full depth and sophistication. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, bright ruby red colour with a light garnet hue. On the nose, rich heart cherries and ripe plums, then cassis and slightly leathery. Sweet and fruity on the palate, with velvety tannins, juicy and drinky, long finish." Falstaff

"Rich currants, baked cherries, some sweet spices and hazelnuts. Lots of juicy fruit on the medium- to full-bodied palate with firm tannins and a fleshy middle. Flavorful, ripe finish to close." James Suckling

"The 2021 Carmignano Il Sasso impresses with its rich bouquet of crushed plums, sage and balsamic spice. It’s pure energy on the palate, silky yet sleek with racy acidity and depths of crisp wild berry fruits, underpinned by tactile minerals and hints of tangerine. The 2021 leaves the palate refreshed, finishing structured and long as violet inner florals and blackberry notes fade. This super-seductive Il Sasso will win a lot of hearts." Vinous

This wine bears the small print name Viola delle Viole, although its fruit comes from the Bricco delle Viole and Bricco Bertone vineyards, two sites with different soil types, one of which provides structure and the other aromatic purity. Vajra's Barbera d'Alba Superiore opens with a dark, almost impenetrable appearance. Powerful aromas of blackberry jam and preserved cherries unfold on the nose. You can feel its warmth and richness and there is no way around it. It is a super-sized Barbera that goes one better in terms of extraction and intensity. The finish is almost sweet, followed by good acidity. It shows great aromatic perfection, length and a very accentuated style. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby red colour with a violet hue. Ripe fruit notes on the nose, reminiscent of plum and sour cherry, with some dark chocolate behind it. Round and full-bodied on the palate, juicy, subtle extract sweetness, striking acidity, fine tannins, elegant final." Falstaff

"From Bricco Bertoni, across the road from Bricco Falletto, a naturally low-yielding site on a steep, terraced marl slope. Vibrant purple in colour with aromas of spiced plum, sour cherries and herbal touches, it features a super-intense, saline attack with concentration of bright red and black fruits. Vertical, with prickly spice and very fresh acidity, there is sapidity, depth and vibrancy evident here. Wow." Decanter

"Just bottled, the 2021 Barbera d'Alba Superiore is fabulous. Rich and inky, with tremendous depth, the 2021 is so vibrant in the glass. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, sweet spice and mocha are all dialed up, with a kiss of French oak that adds raciness." Vinous