Wine

Pale straw yellow, creamy foam with fine persistent perlage. Fragrant and quickly present on the nose with floral and fruity notes reminiscent of apple and white peach. On the palate, it is characterised by liveliness and freshness combined with good balance and unusual elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright lemon yellow with fine-grained and persistent perlage. Intense nose of bread crust and yeast, reverberating with citrus fruit and ripe banana. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with crisp acidity and very fine-grained perlage, long final." Falstaff

Ben Ryé - the great naturally sweet and world-famous white wine from Donnafugata. The grapes are harvested in mid-August and left to dry naturally for 20 to 30 days. In September, the later ripening grapes are harvested and processed fresh. The hand-picked raisined berries are added to the must in several stages during fermentation. Light orange yellow in colour. Overwhelming aromas of apricot, peach and orange peel. Creamy notes of passion fruit and peach on the palate with an impressive elegance and length. For us, one of the best sweet wines in Italy every year! SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant orange with golden reflections, elegant. Enormous aroma of peaches and peach tea, honey, honeycomb, with a fine hint of nutmeg, dried apricots, bergamots and oranges. Wonderfully balanced on the palate, creamy-oily texture, with clear, radiant peach fruit, well-balanced interplay between sugar and acidity, lingers endlessly in many layers, with a final of dried figs." Falstaff

"Complex flavours of sultanas, caramel, honey, iced tea, peaches and vanilla. Creamy on the palate, with a zesty acidity." Decanter

"The 2021 Ben Ryé is a real pleasure. It seduces with a bouquet that mixes sweet smoke with mandarins, mint leaves and cloves. Like pure nectar, it envelops everything it touches on the palate with ripe fruit trees and tropical melon. Sweet spices and sour citrus fruits contrast towards the end. The finish is savoury and long, leaving a dusty, floral note and a hint of candied ginger and lime. Ben Ryé is always an absolute delight and, in my opinion, one of the best dessert wines in Italy. This single varietal Zibibbo finishes with 197 grams of residual sugar per Liters." Vinous

"A rich, luxurious sweetie, with flavors of orange glacée, pink grapefruit sorbet, spun honey, apple peel and butterscotch melting on the palate like cotton candy. A bright tang of citrusy acidity and a touch of salinity give this good cut and form, while fragrant hints of lavender, cardamom, white chocolate and Earl Grey waft in on the long, lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"This wine has a light copper colour and a copper-coloured aroma. On the nose, yellow peaches and dried apricots play with various orange notes. On the palate, stone fruit and citrus continue to shine before a warm, honeyed, almost syrupy finish reminiscent of a beeswax candle." Wine Enthusiast

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

Good, full red colour. Captivating aromas and flavours of ripe red cherry, spicy herbs and blackcurrant jelly are interwoven with bright liquorice and blood orange nuances. An exceptional Rosso that combines richness and vibrancy in a remarkably harmonious way. Closes creamy yet refined. Wow, this is more than the little brother of Brunello di Montalcino! SUPERIORE.DE

"A burst of crushed raspberry and sweet smoke comes together with cloves, cinnamon sticks and hints of worn leather as the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino opens in the glass. This is softly textured yet lifted in feel with ripe red fruits propelled by juicy acidity, as rosy inner florals add further depth. The 2021 tapers off structured and long, leaving the mouth watering even as grippy tannins resonate. The 2021 found excellent balance in this warm vintage." Vinous

"Here comes an intense and fruit-expressive Rosso di Montalcino that delivers excellent richness and freshness on the nose. Mineral, ripe strawberries, red plums and walnuts to the nose follow through to a tight, medium- to full-bodied palate. Quite vertical and structured with lots of tannins that give a comfortably grippy closure to the long, tight finish. A serious, outstanding Rosso di Montalcino." James Suckling

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

Castello di Ama, one of the highest wineries in the Classico area, produces one of the most delicious wines of its appellation every year with the Ama. The grapes come from the single vineyards Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo, Bertinga and Montebuoni. A fresh wine with youthful charm and aromas of cherry, plum and spicy notes. Complex, full-bodied and with fine-grained tannin on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Castello di Ama's bottled Annata is characterised by aromas of violet, lilac and blood orange. It is made from 10- to 12-year-old Sangiovese young vines and infused with a dash of Merlot, which adds a touch of richness to the lean, supple red cherry fruit. The graceful palate is softly textured, with an appealing chalkiness on the finish." Decanter

"A bright, focused style, offering black cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and floral aromas and flavors. Taut, vibrant and balanced, with fine intensity from start to the mineral-tinged finish." Wine Spectator

"The Chianti Classico Ama 2021 is outrageously beautiful. Rich and sensual, with enormous depth, the Ama shows how important the vintage is. harvestwho want to explore the style of the house will find a magnificent wine with which to do so. Dark fruits, leather, spices, tobacco and menthol combine in a lush, layered Chianti Classico that hits all the right notes. Bright acids and vibrant floral accents round out the finish. Excellent." Vinous

"Crushed red berries, flowers, bark and fresh mushrooms. Complex nose. Medium-bodied with fine and firm tannins that extend throughout the length of the wine. Powerful yet polished and refined. Juicy on the finish with some crispness." James Suckling

"Another cornerstone of the variety, freshness and drinkability without sacrificing complexity. On the nose, pomegranate, notes of marjoram and wild mint, with a hint of iris. On the palate, it's iodine-rich, zesty with a menthol-fruity finish and a nice drinking length." Luca Gardini

The Passito I Capitelli is like a delicious sweet, with a lightly mouth-coating and finely knitted palette of flavours that includes fruity notes of papaya, candied watermelon, preserved Meyer lemon and dried fig, with aromatic accents of tea rose, star anise and pickled ginger just above the dryness level. Luscious and juicy, with juicy acidity on the slightly roasted finish, great! SUPERIORE.DE

The Durella grapes for this sparkling wine produced using the Champagne method come from the volcanic soils of the Agno Valley. Brilliant, light straw yellow in colour with a fine, persistent perlage. Salty, fruity notes of citrus fruit and quince on the nose. Powerful and mouth-filling on the palate, lively with striking acidity and a wonderful, bone-dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Energetic and vibrant from the moment the cork pops, this wine opens with citrus, stone fruit and fresh lily aromas. Bright, yet with a cream texture from the elegant perlage that helps the citrus oil, white peach and subtle mineral notes lift on the palate." Wine Enthusiast

"A grape variety with high acidity and optimum ripeness for such a creamy, sparkling and non-dosed sparkling wine. Also very good. Accents of vanilla apples and lemon blossom are brought to a good length by a persistent perlage and juicy acidity." James Suckling

"The Metodo Classico Durella Leon is airy and fresh with a spicy burst of ground ginger that fades into young peach and white smoke. It is savoury and mineral, with a silky bead of fine bubbles and salty fruit that slowly saturates. Notes of lime zest meet sour melon and the finish is long and powerful." Vinous

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

Maso Michei is located high up in a secluded mountain world in southern Trentino. There, the vines thrive at 790 to 850 metres above sea level on a sun-soaked south-facing slope in pristine nature. In this remarkable location for viticulture, the vines grow slowly and the grapes ripen late. With the acquisition of the 13 ha Maso Michei vineyards in the Valle dei Ronchi above Ala, Martin Foradori Hofstätter is returning to the roots of his ancestors in Trentino.

Dense, deep ruby red. Fresh and straightforward on the palate, with perfectly balanced acidity and rich aromatic nuances with distinct notes of wild berries, strawberries, red currants and delicate hints of undergrowth, nice length. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinadorino, the "entry-level wine" from the house Pian dell'Orino, represents its origin with a lot of class. Bright, shining ruby red, beautiful bouquet of dark cherry, fresh plum, peppery note and delicate vanilla tones. On the palate, a juicy fruit accompanied by a flattering wood note, finely balanced tannin and good length. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this Supertuscan come from the San Giovanni vineyard near San Giovanni a Cerreto. In the church next to the vineyard there is a painting by Rutilo Manetti depicting St John the Baptist (San Giovanni). Deep ruby red, youthful, rich, dark fruit, berry and cassis flavours meld with French oak. On the palate with deep, subtle fruit flavours and an excellent balance of fruit and tannin, plus some smoke, liquorice and tar. A rich, almost opulent red with outstanding structure and great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"An intense red with aromas of graphite, spice and tar complementing concentrated flavours of blackberries, blueberries, wild rosemary and minerals. The wine shows powerful tannins that are assertive but not overly astringent at this youthful stage. Compact finish." Wine Spectator

"A medium-bodied red wine with flavours of currants, berries and sandalwood. It is easy to chew, but shows glamour and tension." James Suckling

"An undertone of Bing cherries provides pop on an otherwise earthy, metallic nose. Orange zest brings out the cherries' subtle sourness on the palate, while strong acid and heat keep things lively until a structured, tannic finish." Wine Enthusiast

"This is a particularly intense and soft red blend that shows impressive and seamless integration. You get the dark intensity of the two grapes used in the blend, framed by the sweet spice and toast of French oak ageing. This vintage has particularly broad shoulders and is especially rich." Wine Advocate

"The Valdisanti 2020 is outstanding in this vintage. Rich, dark and lush, this blend is seductive from the start. Deep dark fruits, grilled herbs, leather, new oak, liquorice and mocha are nicely turned up. The 2020 is opulent, but by no means heavy. The 2020 is a great Valdisanti." Vinous

Straw yellow with golden reflections. The rich bouquet presents a fine and persistent scent of minerals, flowers and citrus fruits. Precise, refined and creamy in the drink, spicy, with a beautiful note of flint and pebbles. Everything seems perfectly balanced, almost weightless, fresh and long. On the palate, Propago proves to be in wonderful harmony with the nose, with a consistent flavourful reminiscence of citrus notes and a recurring subtle minerality. SUPERIORE.DE

"A little and a lot. Some call it Pinot Blanc. And yet. Our Pinot Bianco Eichhorn has an Alpine-Mediterranean flavour: bright and flowery like alpine meadows, long-lasting and spicy like the sea." Michael Graf Goëss-Enzenberg, Weingut Manincor

Eichhorn Pinot Blanc has a light golden colour with beautiful aromas of lemon peel, orange marmalade, some smoke and ripe pears. The flavour is clear, fruity and long. Modern classicism and casual elegance from Manincor. SUPERIORE.DE

"Highly elegant aroma with white flowers and peach, plus warm citrus fruit and yellow apple. Delicate and full of finesse on the palate, stimulating fresh acidity, citrusy, a hint of tannin gives the wine its fine, grippy texture." Weinwisser

"A crisp hint of lemon pith lends definition to the light and pleasingly plump notes of ripe melon and apricot, salted Marcona almond, ground ginger and white blossoms. This is bright and elegant, with a snappy, mineral-laced finish." Wine Spectator

Ceretto's Langhe Rosso Monsordo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah with fruit from 11 hectares in the Langa area. It penetrates areas never addressed by Ceretto's master grape, Nebbiolo. Monsordo tries to give answers to questions that are rarely asked in the Langa, and he answers them with fine sweetness, fullness and pure extraction.

Monsordo opens with a dark and impenetrable appearance. Dark cherries and blackberries merge with sweet tobacco and exotic spices. Its aromas are heady, determined and intense, especially in this vintage. A very exotic and punchy wine for the Langhe, it virtually comes out of nowhere and leaves a strong impression. SUPERIORE.DE

Passorosso is a single-varietal Nerello Mascalese that shows fine garnet-red reflections in its bright ruby red. Proud and fascinating, it presents an intense bouquet of red berries, coffee and olives. Its engaging taste convinces with clear, well-defined fruit and pronounced minerality. Graceful and special. SUPERIORE.DE

"A juicy aroma of black cherry and plum, mint and a little graphite accompany the fruit. It also shows juice and power on the palate, dark cherries are structured by a grippy tannin. The acidity gives the wine a lot of freshness. The grapes for the wine come from 80 to 120 year old vines." Vinum

"The 2020 Etna Rosso Passorosso has a bright and punchy bouquet with blackcurrant, rosemary sprig, white pepper, cola and ferrous earth or rusty nail. There is a sanguine, almost metallic element to the bouquet. The wine proceeds with medium texture, firm tannins and good length." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Passorosso is spicy and shows dried flowers, hints of cardamom and white pepper before the dusty cherry fruit comes to the fore. Soft and enveloping, it impresses with a pure blend of red fruits and inner rose tones accompanied by cooling acidity. It finishes lightly structured with a bitter aftertaste of concentrated sour cherries. While the Passorosso is typically a more forward expression, the 2020 could do with another year in the cellar before showing its best. Nevertheless, it is a very nice wine with a lot of potential." Vinous

The grapes for this fine Valpolicella come from limestone marl soils in the terraced vineyards of the Novare winery. Similar to the Amarone method, the grapes undergo a second fermentation on the sweetish skins of dried grapes in March after the harvest. Deep ruby red in colour, with warm spicy notes, cherry, black pepper and hints of chocolate on the palate. Animating in the glass with intense fruity flavours, wonderfully soft tannin structure and beautiful persistence. This multi-layered, luxurious wine has nothing to hide behind its big brother! SUPERIORE.DE

"If I was forced to choose a number of wines that can steer the anachronistic Ripasso category into a brighter future, this would be among a very few. A mid-weighted, streamlined expression with just enough fruit on the bones. Think strawberries, lilacs, Asian plums, cloves and a hint of licorice. A noble, almost alpine bitterness lifts the finish. Brilliant." James Suckling

Great Apulian aroma cinema of black cherries, dark berries, caramel, lovage, leather and toast notes. Just as typical on the palate: full, lush, very concentrated and with multilayered, sweet fruit in the long juicy finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shining ruby red. Expressive on the nose, of cherry syrup and dried tomatoes, sage and mint, plus fine floral hints. On the palate with a creamy, melting entry, plus plenty of grippy tannin, punchy, savoury on clear fruit on the final." Falstaff

Straw yellow in colour with golden reflections. Refined aromas of citrus fruit and lemon zest, rounded off with fruity hints of yellow apple and Mediterranean herbs. Very soft on the palate with a fascinating elegance, with a fine Viking minerality becoming apparent as the wine progresses. Great ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

Cherry pink in colour with a brilliant core. The bouquet is delicate and lightly toasted, of hazelnuts and cherries, forest fruits, delicate tea nuances. Very fruity on the palate, opens on ripe raspberry, draws a fine bow with crisp melting, dry, powerful final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright cherry pink colour, fine, delicate perlage. Seductive aroma of raspberries and brioche on the nose. A hint of hazelnuts on the palate, creamy, beautiful melting, animating, mineral final." Falstaff

"A lithe, graceful sparkling rosé, with mouthwatering juiciness to the delicate mesh of white cherry and nectarine fruit, blood orange zest and macadamia flavors." Wine Spectator

"From a 70/30 Pinot Noir-Chardonnay blend aged in steel, an impeccable rosé, a very intense bouquet, notes of pomegranate, sage, hints of pink pepper and lime, a drink of freshness and tension, very persistent." Luca Gardini

Pushing the limits!

"Comets light up, follow their orbit and burn up. Some last for years, others only for a few moments. They leave an impression and can point to a certain direction that guides us in our everyday work. Experimentation, innovation and playing with components are at the forefront of comets. Each of our comets is unique, like a fingerprint. The labels of each bottle are individually designed: A comet tail, painted on with a finger." Clemens Lageder

The Vernatsch variety is part of South Tyrol's culture and an important component of the country's red wine varieties. The grape variety is often hastily dismissed as too simple and often gets little time in the cellar. This Vernatsch has had time to develop. NATSCH4 is a vintage blend of the four vintages 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The grapes of the wines come from the oldest parcel of the famous Vernatsch site RÖMIGBERG. The four wines are vinified on the skins and whole clusters for different lengths of time. SUPERIORE.DE

"The NV Natsch4 (a blend of four vintages of Schiava) bursts from the glass with an intense mix of crushed raspberries and black cherries complemented by autumnal spices and shaved cedar. This is zesty in nature, with tart wild berry fruits offset by stimulating acidity and sour citrus. It tapers off a bit shorter than anticipated yet leaves the mouth watering for more, as a bitter yet subtle twang of nectarine punctuates the finale. The Natsch4 does impress, yet it will be best served alongside a meal." Vinous

Maso Michei is located high up in a secluded mountain world in southern Trentino. There, the vines thrive at an altitude of 790 to 850 metres on a sun-drenched south-facing slope in unspoilt nature. In this remarkable location for viticulture, the vines grow slowly and the grapes ripen late. With the acquisition of the 13-hectare Maso Michei vineyard in the Valle dei Ronchi above Ala, Martin Foradori Hofstätter has returned to the roots of his ancestors in Trentino.

Martin Foradori also has a small plot of Chardonnay vines here. From this, he produces a heavenly sparkling wine that is aged on the lees for 48 years using the Champagne method. Elegant, fine and persistent perlage, on the palate it shows aromatic nuances of citrus fruits, yellow pulp and hints of bread, very successful! SUPERIORE.DE

San Polino's Rosso di Montalcino offers a strong mineral signature over bright cherries, cassis and herbs. Elegant and attractively layered on the palate with fine-grained tannins. Fresh, juicy and light on the long finish, which is very animating. A stylish red that impresses with its unobtrusive style. SUPERIORE.DE

The rich garnet-red Pelago in Riserva quality made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano and small amounts of Merlot has a captivating aroma of raspberries, strawberry jam, cloves, tobacco and mocha. On the palate, it reveals a noble spiciness and a hearty, juicy and very long flavour. Pelago 2019 should turn out to be a real charmer after some ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light ruby red colour with a garnet-red shimmer. Rum pot, rich black cherry and ripe plums on the nose, then slightly spicy. Sweet, juicy and drinky on the palate, with well-integrated tannins and a long final." Falstaff

"Sumptuous fruit showcasing the blue-black fruit, napeta spiciness and ink dust of ripe Cabernet, the velvet red plum on Montepulciano. There's a wisp of cigar smoke through long, fine-grained, gently stemmy tannins. A touch of freshly foraged forest mushroom, a brush of pine needle, and then the finish is soaked deep and lush and succulently red with Montepulciano fruit. Modern and international but it's classy and the Marche Montepulciano shines through." Jancis Robinson

"A pleasant, fruity red with blackcurrant and blackberry character that shows nice mineral freshness. Medium-bodied with excellent balance and non-impeding tannins. This exudes clarity and drinkability. Nicely done." James Suckling