Lazio

Typical Vitiano: its colour is deep ruby red and aromas of cherries and berries fill the nose. The generous flavour is beautifully clear, just as we know it, with wonderfully fresh cherry tones with an aromatic vanilla note in the foreground. The youngest Vitiano also has an excellent structure and fine tannins. Already round, full-bodied, juicy and with long-lasting fruit. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of blackberries, graphite and white pepper, leading to a medium body with light, fine tannins and a spicy finish. Delicate and delicious." James Suckling

"The 2022 Rosso Vitiano is a total pleasure on the nose, wafting up with a burst of wild blueberries, lavender and confectionary spice. It is silky-smooth and nearly creamy in texture, with masses of ripe red and blue fruits, gaining balance through a core of brisk acidity. It tapers off with outstanding length and concentration, leaving a pleasantly bitter blackberry tinge to linger on." Vinous

A flattering and thoroughly elegant wine. Intense notes of sour cherry and citrus fruit on the nose, with a fine, balsamic spiciness and hints of bay leaf, bitter chocolate and nuts. Soft on the palate, polished tannins and harmonious acidity, balsamic and long on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The fame and Latin name of this legendary wine dates back to the beginning of the 12th century. In the current Est! Est!!! Est!!! Poggio dei Gelsi, Riccardo Cotarella brought all his bravura to bear: he gave it an appetising, aromatic spiciness that is supported by a slender, lively structure. Pale straw yellow in colour. Subtle, pure aromas of fresh citrus fruit, white flowers and nectarine. Fresh, beautifully balanced and gently concentrated on the palate, offering good density and a bright acidity lift. SUPERIORE.DE

Trentanni is a complex, dense wine made from equal parts of Sangiovese and Merlot. Intense bouquet of dark fruits, round and soft on the palate with lots of fruit and long. SUPERIORE.DE

The Aleatico grape variety is of Greek origin and is mainly used in Tuscany and central Italy for the production of dessert wines. Complex and multi-layered on the nose and palate, it has an exceptional aromatic range and is the ideal accompaniment to desserts and pastries. Total production: 2,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

A delight for lovers of smooth red wines and the second wine from Cotarella's Tenuta Montiano. Deep ruby red, slightly sweetish notes of ripe blackberries and black cherries on the nose, some coffee, spices, vanilla and subtle roasted flavours. Pure and clear in the mouth, soft but powerful tannins, long. SUPERIORE.DE

"A refined and creamy merlot with blackberries, dark chocolate and light graphite. It’s medium-bodied and balanced, with a lovely texture and a juicy and delicious finish. Beautiful now." James Suckling

"Darkly floral, the 2022 Merlot Sodale opens with a daunting dark bouquet of dried violets, lavender, traces of stone dust and crushed blackberries. This splashes across the palate, silky and lifted, with ripe blueberries underscored by tactile mineral tones. The Sodale finishes perfumed and extended with a coating of fine-grained tannins and a staining of primary concentration that resonates." Vinous

One of the best rosati in Lazio, only 2,800 bottles are filled: The grapes for the rare Sorèlle come from Cotarella's younger Merlot vineyards and the historic Aleatico vineyard. The grapes, which are pressed at different times, are left in the press at a temperature of 10°C for two hours after destemming. This allows the flavours to be fixed and their characteristics to be brought out to the full. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wine remains in steel tanks in contact with its fine lees. Only then is it blended. Salmon pink in colour, a bouquet of roses and blueberries full of character. Perfect structure on the palate, good acidity, a firm wine with excellent texture and persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

A fascinating drop made from 100% Roscetto, with half of the grapes air-dried. The dense and intense bouquet is filled with the scent of pear and melon, underpinned with heavier tones of honey and apricot. On the palate, multi-layered with inspiring fruit dynamics, enveloping and powerful with a delicious sweetness and length. Total production: 2,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

Ferentano is a pure white wine made from the rare, indigenous Roscetto vine, which has a very thick skin. The grapes are therefore frozen after the harvest to make it easier to break the skins during pressing and to ensure that only the fruit passes through during pressing.

Bright yellow in colour, with a slightly sweet aroma of citrus fruits, melon and Golden Delicious. Rich and fruity on the palate, with a powerful structure and hints of grapefruit, honeydew melon and apricot jam. An exceptional and very harmonious white wine in which all the components are finely balanced - and an equal alternative to high-quality Chardonnay matured in wood. SUPERIORE.DE

"A tangy and fresh white with white peaches and hints of fresh herbs and citrus. Medium- to full-bodied, creamy and delicious. Some basalt and chalk undertones. Delicious finish."

Fantastic Cabernet that reflects the first-class terroir of its Umbrian homeland in the most beautiful way. Deep, dark red in colour, with an incredibly fruity aroma of black berries, the finest spice aromas and a hint of toasted bread. Very concentrated and dense on the palate, lots of finesse and elegance, the new wood perfectly integrated, wonderful sweetish fruit extract, soft, juicy tannins and a brilliant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark ruby red, only very slight garnet-coloured rim brightening, almost impenetrable. Compact, elegant nose, ripe cherry fruit, coffee beans and Mediterranean herbs. Juicy on the palate, lots of marzipan, builds up a lot of pressure, ripe tannins with refreshing acidity, lingering final characterised by fruit and wood spice, lots of future potential." Falstaff

"The rose-tinged bouquet impresses with dusty black currants, fresh mint, lavender and stone dust. This is decidedly soft and round with plush textural fruits and juicy acidity, propelling black raspberry and cherry notes across the palate. Its structure comes in late, coating the palate through the finale. Fine-grain tannins add a push and pull of tension as hints of salted licorice and currant fade." Vinous

San Giovenale Rosso is the inexpensive entry into the fascinating world of probably the best red wines of Lazio. Just 2,000 bottles are produced each year from this blend of two vintages of Habemus (Etichetta Bianca).

Strong ruby with violet reflections. Infinitely deep, balsamic and intense bouquet of sweet spices, black pepper, aniseed as well as fruity notes of plum, redcurrant and raspberry. Powerful and dense on the palate, always lively and dynamic thanks to a surprising acidity that is brilliantly balanced with fine tannins. The intense finish is warm and complex with a long reverberation of spices and again beguiling, balsamic notes – thus closing the circle. SUPERIORE.DE

Intense, seductive aroma of sweet spices, tobacco, dark cherries and wild berries. The flavour is perfectly matched by enormous elegance, rich fruit, complexity, structure and length. A wonderful, taut and highly polished Merlot. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ruby red at the core with garnet-red edges. Ripe blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose, then slightly vanilla-like and leathery from the wood ageing. Full-bodied on the palate with supple tannins, very elegant and with a long, spicy final." Falstaff

"The 2020 Merlot Montiano is youthfully dark and brooding, shimmering from the glass with an exotic blend of crushed black raspberries, blueberries, blood oranges and incense. This wine is elegant and refined. Brilliant acidity enlivens a core of vibrant ripe red and blue fruits. A chalky hint of violet pastille envelops the palate. It is incredibly long and colours the final, with sweet tannins perfectly framing the experience without slowing its momentum. This sun-drenched vintage of Montiano Merlot aims to please without ever losing its balance." Vinous

"The chocolate, red fruit and subtle cedar character is vivid and impressive but all in check. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a creamy and polished texture and a flavorful finish. Dark chocolate and black olive undertones. Balanced and refined." James Suckling

"The marvellously inimitable volcanic temperament of Montefiascone for an exceptional red wine, a Merlot of density, fruit and tension. Currant and raspberry on the nose, a hint of nutmeg, salty tannins in the mouth, juicy and dense, with a return of small red fruits and a long finish." Luca Gardini

For some years now, Riccardo Cotarella's Montiano has been characterised by great freshness and dark, concentrated fruit. In contrast to the vintages of the early 1990s, the wine is incredibly lively and dynamic with black cherry, redcurrant, sweet apricot and exotic spices delivered with full intensity. We also find a lovely Mediterranean element here, reminiscent of grilled rosemary or lavender. Montiano - undoubtedly one of Italy's most famous Merlots - stands out from the crowd in a pleasing and refreshing way. A taut and highly polished Merlot to fall in love with. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with a violet-coloured core. Ripe blackberries, blueberries and black elderberries on the nose, underlaid with cedar and leather. A very fruity entry on the palate with a pleasant juiciness and a spicy finish, the grippy tannins are well integrated." Falstaff

"This wine is really intense, with pencil shavings, graphite, violet fruit and violets on the nose. Medium-bodied, refined and very polished, with mineral and basaltic undertones. Just a hint of wood on the finish. Already very nice, but even better in a year or two." James Suckling

"Fragrant and enticing, with warm spice and dried flower aromas accenting flavours of baked black cherry and cured tobacco, as well as hints of dark chocolate and black licorice. This wine is supple and well blended, with a slightly dark, brooding note coupled with fresh focus and length. Supple tannins firm up the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Montiano 2021 is intense from the very first swirl of the glass. It smells of cedar wood shavings, cloves and cocoa before giving way to dried blueberries and sage. The palate reveals pure elegance, velvety smooth yet with a cool acidity and a mix of red and black fruits that slowly saturate towards the end. The 2021 tapers off with superb length and concentration, leaving grippy tannins and a pleasing note of blackberry and dark chocolate that tickles the cheeks. This is a wonderfully refined Montiano that integrates the oak well." Vinous

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

The classic Habemus with its white label is probably the most famous wine of the exceptional Roman winemaker Emanuele Pangrazi. This may not only be due to its extreme quality, but also to the relatively large production of 9,000 bottles per vintage for the boutique winery, which should ensure a certain distribution at least in international connoisseur circles. Habemus is one of the 100 best wines in Italy every year and, with its style inspired by the great wines of the Rhone, at least casts a small but very bright light on the wine region of Lazio, which is otherwise not particularly conspicuous in terms of exceptional wines.

Intense, almost impenetrable ruby red. In the expansive bouquet aromas of black cherries, blackberries, spices, smoke, tobacco, lavender and crushed stones. The palate is full-bodied and complex with remarkable concentration and depth. Habemus is beautifully balanced with a velvety texture and a wonderful sense of freshness that lasts until the long, expansive finish full of dark fruits and lavender notes. SUPERIORE.DE

The classic Habemus with its white label is probably the most famous wine of the exceptional Roman winemaker Emanuele Pangrazi. This may not only be due to its extreme quality, but also to the relatively large production of 9,000 bottles per vintage for the boutique winery, which should ensure a certain distribution at least in international connoisseur circles. Habemus is one of the 100 best wines in Italy every year and, with its style inspired by the great wines of the Rhone, at least casts a small but very bright light on the wine region of Lazio, which is otherwise not particularly conspicuous in terms of exceptional wines.

Intense, almost impenetrable ruby red. In the expansive bouquet aromas of black cherries, blackberries, spices, smoke, tobacco, lavender and crushed stones. The palate is full-bodied and complex with remarkable concentration and depth. Habemus is beautifully balanced with a velvety texture and a wonderful sense of freshness that lasts until the long, expansive finish full of dark fruits and lavender notes. SUPERIORE.DE

Emanuele Pangrazi is probably Lazio's most ambitious winemaker at the moment. With his extreme planting density and radical yield restriction, he is following a path that is trend-setting for Lazio. After he had fundamentally analysed his terroir and also the climatic conditions, it was clear to him in 2006 that he would plant mainly French grape varieties here according to the principle of the great wines of the Rhone. In addition to his famous Cuvée Habemus (Etichetta Bianca) and the San Giovenale Rosso (assemblage from two vintages of Habemus), he also vinifies four single-varietal Habemus wines, but these are absolutely small.

Habemus Etichetta Rossa, with a production volume of approx. 1,000 bottles, is a pure Cabernet Franc of the absolute extra class. Deep dark ruby red. The bouquet is broad, complex and elegant with a balsamic carpet of graphite, cinchona bark, blood orange and rhubarb. As it progresses, notes of Mediterranean scrub, sweet spices and cherries open up. The palate is full, punchy and warm, the tannins are silky and the alcohol fully integrated. On the finish, those beguiling balsamic notes and sweet spices reappear. If you have patience, you will be richly rewarded with this rare exceptional wine! SUPERIORE.DE

Emanuele Pangrazi is probably the most ambitious winemaker in Lazio at the moment. With his extreme planting density and radical yield restriction, he is following a path that is pioneering for Lazio. After thoroughly analysing his terroir and the climatic conditions, it was clear to him in 2006 that he would plant primarily French grape varieties based on the principle of the great wines of the Rhone. In addition to his famous Cuvée Habemus (Etichetta Bianca) and the San Giovenale Rosso (assemblage of two vintages of Habemus), he also vinifies four single-varietal Habemus wines, albeit in very small quantities.

Habemus Etichetta Blu is a pure Grenache (also called Alicante or Cannonau in Italy, depending on the growing region) from a one-hectare vineyard planted in 2006 in Blera at an altitude of 380 metres on loamy, skeleton-rich soils and grown in the bush. Brilliant ruby red colour. In the attractive bouquet, typical varietal aromas of wild berries, tin cans and liquorice powder, framed by blackberry and blueberry jam, undergrowth and dried violets, cocoa beans and Lebanese cedar. On the palate, a highly detailed cornucopia of sour cherry, red berries, dried oregano, aniseed and a hint of preserved peach. The palate then presents a delicate and complex overall ensemble with hints of damp earth, wonderfully refreshing acidity and a touch of Indian spice.

This Grenache is vertical and straightforward, bursting with energy and electricity and endowed with a very respectable personality. If you can buy one of the 500 bottles produced in this vintage, you should enjoy it with Rossini-style tournedos! SUPERIORE.DE

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Emanuele Pangrazi's ambitious project to produce an extremely high-quality white wine was developed in 2013 with the Lazio region and its scientific group "Arsial". Together, they experimented for the first time in the region with two white Rhone grapes, Roussanne and Marsanne, which develop particularly well in the dry and windy climate.

The facts: Alberello harvesting, no pesticide use, extremely low yields, separate vinification of the grape varieties and subsequent 16-month ageing in new oak barrels by François Frères, who is indisputably one of the best coopers in Burgundy. The result is 500 bottles per vintage, which, if you can get them at all, you should not miss.

Brilliant golden yellow. On the nose, sweet spices, honey, citrus peel and balsamic notes. Full and firm on the palate, rich and enveloping, with a fresh and delicately salty note. Energetic, long and very exceptional! SUPERIORE.DE