Wine

The grapes for the spicy, persistent Contrada come from over 50-year-old Nero d'Avola vines. Rich, lush bouquet of black cherries and plums, wonderfully fruity aromas on the palate with notes of leather, spices and liquorice. Seduces powerfully, with vitality and freshness, tension and a very distinguished elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

For some years now, Matteo Catania has been holding back a few hundred bottles of his wines in the best vintages in order to offer them to his most loyal importers after a few years. From this "private reserve" comes Nerobaronj 2014, which is now - in spring 2023 - being offered in small quantities with 5 years of further bottle ageing quasi in Riserva quality.

"Perfumed and remarkably pretty, the 2014 NeroBaronj emerges from the glass with a dusty mix of autumnal spices, sweet rose and vibrant, freshly squeezed black cherries. It has a creamy texture with a pleasing inner sweetness, while cool acidity enlivens the crisp wild berries and contrasting sour citrus tones within. A hint of tart concentration lingers at the edge of the palate, while a lingering note of red candy lingers in the middle. This is a highly appealing and potent version of NeroBaronj." Vinous

"Deep, earthy bouquet with lots of ripe black plums, plus fresh dates and figs. Rich and quite tannic, although these two aspects of the wine now harmonise well. Notes of leather and cloves develop with air. Confident, dry finish with a lovely powdery texture." James Suckling

Taurasi Vigna Andrea - a rich Aglianico with outstanding depth. On the nose, typical varietal aromas of dark cherries, plums, smoke, cedar wood and tobacco, which develop wonderfully over time. Complex on the palate, with a good portion of velvety tannins and a deep, masculine finish. Great ageing and maturation potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A distinctive red, with a rich note of fresh loamy earth and hints of dark chocolate and sage, layered with dried raspberry, blackberry coulis and macerated black cherry flavors. Reveals a savory, sanguine edge that reins in the rich fruit flavors, as does a frame of bright orange peel acidity. Offers taut, chalky tannins that firm the finish. Let this open in the glass or decant." Wine Spectator

"The Taurasi Vigna Andrea 2019 tantalises the senses with sweet exotic spices and cedar wood shavings that fade into medicinal blackberries and cherries. It is silky and polished on the palate. A lively acidity accompanies the ripe wild berry fruit, while the fine tannins slowly build up towards the end. The 2019 finishes lightly structured with lingering candied sweetness, tactile mineral tones and a hint of blood orange. The 2019 is deceptively accessible today, but wonderfully balanced for a long and successful development." Vinous

Sun-kissed Syrah from Etna, with an aroma of dark berries and a pleasant spicy note. The flavour is mineral and has a complex structure. An elegant wine with a harmonious final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, medium ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. Black pepper and ripe cherries on the nose, with a chocolate aftertaste. Juicy and well-balanced on the palate, with fine-grained tannins and a long, spicy final." Falstaff

"Oudeis" has its origins in the Greek name "Odysseus" and means "nobody". And indeed, no one but the outstanding terroir of the Alta Langa is responsible for the complexity of Enrico Serafino's sparkling wines.

Bright, rich straw yellow colour. The fragrant nose seduces with a salty minerality, a potpourri of country flowers, lime, blood orange and ripe peach. The palate is exciting, fresh and extremely flavoursome, with well-integrated perlage and precisely measured intensity and a texture that is never too heavy or too flat. Oudeis Brut has a very energetic arc of tension and convinces in the remarkable final with a refined interplay of fruit and acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

"This Alta Langa opens with a mix of lemon and orange peel, baked apples, yellow flowers and cake batter. On the palate, it is round with a vinous note that emphasises the character of the Pinot Noir, with cherry and flowers and a mineral finish." Wine Enthusiast

"Alta Langa's Brut Oudeis 2019 is remarkably pretty, with a delicate blend of peaches and young mango accompanied by hints of incense and spice. It shows a round, smooth texture and juicy acidity with a core of tart fruit that creates a nice tension towards the end. The finish is of medium length, leaving a hint of sour citrus and a steely minerality that gives it a tactile edge. The 2019 is beautifully made and shows incredible balance. Well done." Vinous

"An elegant sparkler, with a refined mousse. Offers well-honed acidity and a salty underpinning enmeshed with a lovely range of yellow peach, grapefruit granita, crushed lemon thyme and white blossom notes." Wine Spectator

"Enrico's vision in this revealing Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend from 36 months on the fine lees, giving a clear idea of the terroir, nose with notes of white peach, broom and cedar thyme, taut mouthfeel of beautiful complexity and density, finish with a fruity orchestral return." Luca Gardini

Chiarandà is a graceful and elegant Chardonnay. It combines potency and gentle accessibility. Aroma of white pear, banana, vanilla and white chocolate. Powerful, multi-layered and slightly buttery spice, then perfect balance on the palate with a fine vein of salt. A creamy, powerful white with a great finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this sparkling wine, produced using the classic Champagne method, come from vineyards around Contessa Entellina. Fine, intense bouquet of bread crust and some dried fruit. Elegant, fresh and balanced flavour and a wonderful length. SUPERIORE.DE

Korem is a wine that perfectly interprets the Argiolas family philosophy: Innovation with deep respect for Sardinian tradition. A wine born from the desire to enhance and perfect the Bovale vine. Bovale is a low-yielding grape variety, as it requires well-aerated soils with excellent exposure. It is refined in Korem by the addition of Carignano and Cannonau, two other traditional Sardinian grape varieties.

Korem shines in deep ruby red from the glass. Intense aromas of black cherry, sandalwood and lavender on the nose. Velvety, full-bodied, warm and round in the mouth. A refined top wine that impressively reflects the great potential of the family winery. SUPERIORE.DE

"I love the aromas of blackberries, graphite and walnut with cedar. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine, showing class and sophistication. Creamy and finely textured. Needs three to four years to soften." James Suckling

Medium cherry red colour. Tobacco, leather and liquorice on the nose, with a beautiful cherry aroma on the palate, supported by a good acidity and tannin structure. An excellent interpretation of Sangiovese with a great value. SUPERIORE.DE

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

Tramonto d'Oca is a single-varietal red wine made from the French (and not entirely simple) Petit Verdot variety. In addition to the traditional wood note from the barrel, the bouquet has a variety of aromas of spices, violets, blackberries and blackcurrants. Notes of pickled fruit, coffee and chocolate on the palate. Firmly structured and long, needs time and air. SUPERIORE.DE

"A dense and concentrated red wine with black cherries, hints of chocolate and flowers that develop into a medium body. Firm finish." James Suckling

Top Barbera from the Montemareto hill in the Nice DOCG. Intense ruby red with violet reflections. On the nose cherry, black cherry, sweet spices and floral notes of violets. Deep and complex on the palate, with an intense fruit core and soft tannins, intense long finish, great! SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, brilliant crimson. Brooding, deep, sweet-sour raspberry and cherry nose. The longer it lingers in the glass, the more depth it shows. Great purity of raspberry and cherry fruit on the palate, carried by supple acidity and laced with bitter-sweet, grainy tannins. Very long with savoury spice notes on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Sleek and focused, with blackberry, boysenberry and pomegranate flavors that are intense from beginning to end. Balanced and bracing." Wine Spectator

"The opulent nose of this juicy Barbera opens with aromas of plums, baking spices, violets and vanilla. The lush palate is filled with tart cherries, herbs, toasted oak spice and lively acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"Deep dark cherries on the nose with some dried meat, dark spices and geranium leading into a silky palate of dark sour cherries. Lively, juicy and polished." James Suckling

"The 2020 Nizza Montemareto is packed with wild dark cherries, rose petals, cherry, game, smoke, tobacco and incense. Deep and structured, the 2020 has a lot to offer. A year in the barrel is good to tame some of its natural wildness." Vinous

Fine Prosecco Spumante Superiore from the renowned Cartizze growing zone: Brilliant silver-grey, very elegant with a fine perlage, pleasantly sweet note and fine fruit reminiscent of dewy August apples and citrus fruits. Long, creamy and persistent. SUPERIORE.DE

IbBianco is a blend of Vermentino and Grechetto and smells wonderfully of candied apricot and peach. Elegance and finesse in the powerful fruity and complex taste, which lasts long and with a certain coolness and pleasant freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

Garnet red in colour with aromas of jammy fruit, black cherry, cherry, vanilla, with a hint of wilt and spice. It is a wine of great structure, enveloped in fine, chalky tannins, complex, elegant and velvety. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby colour with a subtly brightening rim. Fine sweet fruit on the nose, elegant potpourri of oranges, cherries and wild strawberries, inviting and clear. Subtle, elegant pressure on the palate, savoury, precise, opens with polished tannins and light juiciness, beautiful length." Falstaff

"Dark ruby red with orange-coloured reflections. Cherry liqueur with a hint of dark chocolate. Lush, deep cherry on the palate with a hint of Mon Chéri and a bite of firm but polished tannins and overall dramatically more balanced than the pure Classico." Jancis Robinson

"Quite a vegetal nose with dried berries underneath. Fruitier on the palate, with a full body and fine, slightly firm tannins that accompany the fruit through the long finish. The vegetal note persists, but by the end it becomes an element of complexity rather than a distraction." James Suckling

"The Cavolo Amarone is a selection of top grapes from throughout the estate's vineyards. This wine opens with aromas of raspberry jam, dried cherries dusted with cinnamon and cocoa with wafting notes of cedar and tobacco. Lifted flavors of tart plum and fresh blackberries mingle with bay leaf, chia spice, licorice roots and white pepper. Elegant on the palate, fine tannins and vibrant acidity give this wine a foundation for aging." Wine Enthusiast

"Le Merle" is named after the Merlot-loving blackbirds that compete with the harvest workers during the grape harvest. Eleonora and Elena Charrère deliberately decided to grow Merlot, a very rare variety in the region, of international origin, in order to challenge the terroir on the one hand and to create a wine of great consistency and richness on the other.

Bright ruby red. A cornucopia of small black fruits, cranberries and blackberry jam on the nose, with floral notes of violets and roses. Tasty spices enhance the flavourful experience on the palate, closing softly with notes of roasted cocoa. Very successful alpine interpretation of the grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

Barbera d'Asti Riserva from the noble DOCG Nizza opens with dark red fruit, followed by smoke, spices and flowers. Dense, intense fruit with a pleasantly salty, mineral note on the palate. Impressive Barbera presentation with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of macerated black cherries and ripe raspberries combine with star anise, cedar and violets that pour out of the glass. The palate is loaded with notes of ripe plum, blackberries, fresh thyme and fine oak spices. Structured tannins give the wine heft, finishing with enough acidity to balance each component." Wine Enthusiast

"This wine has a red fruity character with notes of tea leaves, dried herbs and ground cloves. Medium-bodied with bright and lively fruit, crisp acidity and firm, polished tannins. Fresh and spicy." James Suckling

"A pure nose of cherry and other ripe red fruits. With sour cherry, plums and dried cranberries. Freshness and balance, precision and intensity, the oak is well integrated." Decanter

"The 2019 Nizza Riserva is packed with dark fruits, graphite, cured meat, cloves, leather and lavender. Deep and layered, with enormous stature, the Riserva is a wonderfully complete wine that just needs a few years in the bottle to round itself out. It is another impressive wine in this range from Olim Bauda." Vinous

Gauggiole comes from a single vineyard in the north-east of the Castiglion del Bosco estate and is vinified exclusively in concrete barrels. Bright, lively red. On the nose, fresh red berry fruits with delicate herbal notes. Well structured in the mouth with cool red fruit flavours like cherry, floral nuances of violet and peppery notes on the finish. Well balanced on the palate with fine tannins and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Beautifully deep nose with fantastic focus. Juicy fruit, supple and elegant but with a little more concentration than L'America and rich, enveloping tannins." Jancis Robinson

"The Rosso di Montalcino Gauggiole 2020 is a pretty and discreet expression with a bouquet of wild strawberries and peppery herbs. It is silky and has a cool character, while red berries and mineral tones slowly unfold. The finish is classically dry with an acidic citrus note that adds nicely to the expression. The Gauggiole comes from a single vineyard in the north-east of the Castiglion del Bosco estate. It is aged in concrete barrels." Vinous

"Here is a new surprise from Castiglion del Bosco. The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Gauggiole is made from a selection of fruit from a 20-hectare vineyard with rich clay soils and is quite soft and silky from the start. The wine offers a delicate ensemble of wild berries, cherries, blue flowers and white pepper. Pretty background tones of crushed limestone and iron ore give the wine a sense of place. All in all, this is an elegant expression that highlights the true personality of young Sangiovese." Wine Advocate

"Notes of redcurrants, flowers and undergrowth on the nose; compact in the mouth, in perfect harmony between structure and acidity, smooth finish on notes of wild berries and spices. Excellent with pasta and light meat dishes." Vinum

Deep garnet red, in the fruity bouquet notes of red berries, wild herbs, cherries, plums and a hint of undergrowth and figs. Beautiful structure and elegance, spicy, dense, round, smooth tannins and a subtle vanilla note. A charming Merlot that spoils the palate. 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

"Radiant, bright ruby red. Finely marked nose, with notes of currants, juniper and cloves, plus slightly medicinal notes. Shows very juicy on the palate, with ripe fruit, slightly smoky, tight, slightly drying tannins." Falstaff

"The Passorosso is a blend of fruit from the various vineyard sites. Crisp, herbal and slightly smoky red berry aromas are followed by a ripe, sweet, red-fruited palate full of balsamic intrigue and subtle stoniness. Bright strawberries, cherries and raspberries are supported by taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity, ending with a juicy finish. Delicious!" Decanter

"The 2021 Passorosso is shy in the glass, opening slowly with hints of dusty rose and dried strawberry accompanied by a touch of sweet Indian curry. It is silky yet racy, with a salty minerality that quickly emerges, perfectly balanced by a core of juicy red fruits and autumnal spice. The Passorosso leaves a youthful concentration on the palate, while a touch of residual acidity maintains a great freshness and the liquorice notes fade out. What a beauty. This is a first class Etna Rosso. It is important to note that Passorosso is not a second wine or a wine made from younger vines, but a blend of old vines from all of Passopisciaro's crus. If there is one wine from this portfolio that should be considered every year, it is this one." Vinous

"Made from Nerello Mascalese sourced from all vineyards. The aromas show lots of strawberries and cherries with wrought iron and pumice. Medium bodied with creamy and polished tannins with hints of cedar and light nutmeg. Spicy and slightly tannic, giving it tension and beauty." James Suckling

Old school and captivating at the same time: purple red with light red reflections. Intensely fruity nose of small red berries, cherry and a hint of cedar wood and spices. It is already very accessible at a young age, its rich spectrum of flavours and the fine-meshed tannin structure ensure great drinkability and a lasting, very energetic impression. SUPERIORE.DE

"I think it's safe to say that Serena Palazzolo and her husband Christian Patat are at the top of their game, which means that the wines of Ronco del Gnemiz are among the best made in Friuli today. There is a lot to choose from here, because the transparency of the terroir is paramount. It may be easier to sell and market one or two Sauvignons, Chardonnay or Friulano wines, but the differences between each hill, each site and the age of each vineyard create such unique expressions that it would be a shame not to produce all six.

Standing on the hill where this winery is located, looking out over Rosazzo in the Colli Orientali, it becomes clear why these vineyard designations are so important to the future of the region. These hills rise and fall like bubbles rising from the earth and dropping to the horizon. I can imagine a winemaker's fascination with each of these unique sites. If you were to make a short list of the best producers in Friuli, you should put Ronco del Gnemiz at the top of the list." Vinous

Iris presents itself in a delicate and restrained style. Bright straw green, on the nose hints of apricots, lime zest and a subtle tropical vein. Wonderful fruit-acid interplay on the palate, not quite as wild as its counterpart, but just as mineral and tension-filled. A skilful example of why it is sometimes good to vinify different terroirs separately and skilfully bring out the characteristics. Great Sauvignon cinema from a master hand! SUPERIORE.DE

"The bouquet of the Sauvignon Blanc Iris 2020 has a candied quality that is perfectly balanced by earthy notes of wet stone and freshly cut pear. The texture is soft, with pleasant ripe peach flavours and floral notes developing towards the finish. The finish is a little shorter than expected, but leaves a pleasant refreshment on the palate. Very nice." Vinous

Intense salmon pink. Seductive bouquet of cherry, raspberry, strawberry, floral notes and traces of tangerine. Spices and small red berries on the palate, blessed with crisp acidity and a wonderful freshness. A high-class companion to strong Mediterranean starters, light pasta dishes or simply to sociable barbecues with Tuscany-savvy wine friends. SUPERIORE.DE

Proud single-vineyard Sicilian in a small edition made from 100% Carricante. Fine bouquet of citrus fruits and apricots. Wonderfully juicy fruit on the palate paired with good structure, balanced acidity, fine minerality and appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE