Wines from Tuscany | Bolgheri

Rich ruby red colour, with a delicate woody note on the nose resulting from the fact that around 45% of the wine is aged for a short time in barriques. Fresh aroma of cherries, dense, pithy flavour with good structure and length. The tannins are still strong, but by no means aggressive. A wine with a strong personality from Antinori's Tenuta di Biserno winery. SUPERIORE.DE

Here comes Varvàra, the convincing "second wine" from the Bolgheri shooting star, named in honour of BaroneVarvàra Wrangel. A wine in the style of the house: a rich, bright ruby colour with a garnet rim, a sophisticated bouquet with a finely pronounced ripe berry nose and beautiful herbal aromas. Warm on the palate, polished, tightly woven and of great elegance and refinement. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, almost impenetrable ruby red colour. Multi-layered bouquet with notes of dark chocolate, black pepper, juniper berries, opulent. Also powerful on the palate, with firm tannins, lots of dark fruit, juicy and persistent on the finish." Falstaff

"It shows notes of spiced cherries, blackcurrant leaf, dark chocolate and bark. Medium to full-bodied. It has a weighty core of dark berries with compact and fine tannins that melt into the wine. Focussed and long lasting." James Suckling

"This red wine is all about balance and texture, bringing out the aromas and flavours of blackcurrants, black cherries, liquorice, rosemary and iron. Refined tannins give the wine grip on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Varvàra shows inky black fruit and rich concentration with a hint of black olive or caper flower. This is another of the historic value wines of Bolgheri that is generous, thickly layered but also accessible. There is a hint of spice on the close that recalls black pepper and chili flake." Wine Advocate

"Pleasant variation on the theme, another wine of great sophistication. Redcurrant on the nose, with a hint of liquorice powder, peony and a touch of orange peel, crisp, salty on the palate, with a fruity and floral return, citrusy finish and beautiful persistence." Luca Gardini

Rich bouquet of sweet red berries, balsamic notes, fine flavours of tobacco and chocolate. Very harmonious on the palate of dark cherries, flatteringly full flavour, perfectly balanced tannins, fresh acidity and good length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2021 offers bright and youthful fruit with dark cherries, cassis, spices and red roses. This wine is made from Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. You can feel the acidity of the Italian grapes and the rich fruit of the two French grape varieties. The wine is taut and dense with medium intensity. This is the entry-level red wine from one of Italy's best-known wineries." Wine Advocate

"A firm and silky wine with aromas and flavours of bark, berries, chocolate and light coffee. Medium body. Creamy, structured finish. Drinkable and fresh." James Suckling

"Shows expressive, juicy flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry, cassis and lavender that need time to meld with the firm, dusty tannins, some of which come from the oak. Gets even better with a few minutes of air. Offers a nice length. Decant now." Wine Spectator

"Intense ruby red with a slightly lighter rim. Subtle aromas of ripe sour cherry and preserved plums on the nose, with some spice and a touch of liquorice in the background. Well-balanced on the palate, with fine-grained tannins, drinky and a long final." Falstaff

"The nose blends rich fruit notes of cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and raspberry with a woody, earthy, slightly herbal savoriness. The cherries and blood orange star on the palate, with the savory elements continuing to make themselves known before a closing kick of chili heat. Vibrant acidity bounces around chalky tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Pagus Cerbaia refers to a prime small plot of sedimentary soils. This is where the small quantities of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon come from, which are partially fermented in amphorae and oak barrels after the harvest. Bottled in only a few hundred bottles, the "Selection Rosato" offers an intense floral aroma and beguiles the palate in a lively, cheerful way with a lingering spicy note and a wonderfully complex finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is very layered and beautiful with sliced-strawberry, lemon and peach character. Medium-bodied, it shows finesse and balance with beautiful fruit and focus. Crisp and dry. Fermented 50 per cent in barrel and 50 per cent in amphora." James Suckling

Classic Bolgheri Rosso with a strong bouquet of raspberries and redcurrants, cassis and a little tobacco. Juicy, full-bodied flavour, beautiful tannins and good acidity. A wonderful introduction to the great world of Le Macchiole wines. SUPERIORE.DE

40 years after acquiring the Montalcino branch Campogiovanni, the Tuscan flagship winery San Felice, which belongs to the Allianz insurance group, has decided on a further expansion called Bell'Aja. In the Bolgheri locality of Le Sondraie, 6 hectares of vineyards with clayey-sandy soils were selected, where mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were planted over 12 years ago. There are only two wines from this new Bell'Aja appellation, Bolgheri Rosso and Bolgheri Rosso Superiore.

Bright purple in colour, the bouquet is full of dark forest berries. The palate is then full of harmony with a delicate acidity and soft, very enveloping tannins. A warm, flattering red with a profile that fully lives up to its noble origins. SUPERIORE.DE

A convincing and racy cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah with a marvellous bouquet of dark cherries, leather, mocha and lavender. Multi-layered and powerful on the palate with a cornucopia of spice and dark fruit. Well-structured tannins flank the extremely flavourful and expressive finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, shimmering ruby red with a brightening rim. Invitingly fruity nose, opulent aromas of ripe plums, underpinned by clove and cedar wood. Velvety on the palate, with tightly woven tannins, powerful and balanced through to the lingering finish." Falstaff

"It shows plenty of oak with baking chocolate, sweet spices, ripe blackberries, toasted coconut and espresso beans. Given the generous oak, I can understand the appeal." Wine Advocate

"Dark berries dominate the nose, followed by spicy undertones and a stony saltiness. The berries carry over to the palate, while the undertones become sweeter and more citrusy, before a spicy nuttiness emerges on the finish. Balanced tannins and acidity provide warmth." Wine Enthusiast

"Cocoa, walnuts, cherries and bay leaves on the nose. Well integrated and medium-bodied with powdery, dusty tannins and some mineral iron notes on the finish." James Suckling

The grapes for Villa Donoratico, like those for Bolgheri Superiore, have recently been sourced from the estate's very best vineyards. Immediately after hand-picking, they are rigorously selected by 12 employees at 2 sorting tables and the ageing in 500-litre tonneaux ensures even more elegance and finesse. The qualitative gap to Argentiera, the winery's flagship, has thus been noticeably reduced and the wine sets new standards in the entire Bolgheri DOC.

Rich, sparkling ruby colour. Fine, subtle nose of redcurrant and herbal spice, some rosewood and fresh forest floor. Very complex and multi-layered on the palate, revealing more facets with every sip, the well-articulated fruit core is flanked by a fine-meshed tannin and leads into a very elegant, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A dense red marked by black currant, blackberry, vanilla, cedar and chocolate flavors, with light-grained tannins adding support. On the chunky side overall, yet with nice length." Wine Spectator

"The nose starts with black cherries and blackberries, but eventually notes of salt and pepper come to the fore. On the palate, the cherries linger, with chocolate complementing the rich sweetness, before a complex finish of heat, spice and dusty chalk. The tannins linger while the acidity sings." Wine Enthusiast

"Dense ruby colour with a brightening rim. Spicy on the nose, with aromas of white pepper, blackcurrant, cocoa and light tobacco notes. Velvety and soft on the palate, with firm tannins and rich fruit, with a long finish." Falstaff

"Attractive Cabernet-based red wine with aromas of redcurrants and berries and undertones of lead pencil and spices. Herbs. Full-bodied with walnut, chocolate and fruit flavours. Very fine tannins with a finesse and beauty." James Suckling

"The Argentiera 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Villa Donoratico has a forward mouthfeel with plenty of immediate intensity in the mid-palate. The wine is articulate and generous with thick layers of black fruits, stewed plums, sweet earth and pressed blackberries. You get everything you want from a Bolgheri Rosso. You even get a wine that tastes more like a Bolgheri Superiore." Wine Advocate

Kappa is an almost unknown highlight from the Tuscan coast. With beautiful density and creaminess, it seduces nose and palate. Berries, spices, new leather and mocha, expansive in style, very balanced in texture, intensity and freshness. Kappa is a prototypical favourite wine of great class! SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep dark ruby violet. The nose shows notes of ripe mulberries, lots of elderberries, leather in the background. Juicy on the nose, opens up with slightly grippy tannin, dark berry fruit, then still a bit rough on the final." Falstaff

High-quality and rare Vermentino with a straw-yellow colour and a bouquet of white fruit and hazelnut. Fresh and floral on the palate, round and ripe. The well-dosed use of wood gives the wine a fine, creamy texture. A persistent, highly elegant Bolgheri Bianco with fine mineral notes for special occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

"The multi-faceted nose has seductive elderberry tones, as well as fine macchia and stone fruit notes; compact in the mouth, the acidity is lively, beautifully polished and enveloping, fresh and yet elegant." Vinum

"Bright, radiant straw yellow colour. Candied lemon and flint on the nose, beautiful fine wood, sea salt, subtle white blossom on the finish. Polished and delicately creamy on the palate, with well-integrated wood, savoury and a pleasant length." Falstaff

"A medium-bodied release, dry, fresh and admirably textured, with notes of baked apple, spiced pear and lemon drops compressed by a touch of attractive French oak. The finish, a rail of maritime salinity fused with the cedar signpost." James Suckling

"A supple white, blending elements of ripe peach and melon with Mediterranean scrub, bitter citrus and crushed stone. Lively and also leaves a chalky sensation on the long finish." Wine Spectator

"The organic Grattamacco 2021 Bolgheri Vermentino shows the results of an extra year in the bottle with steely mineral notes followed by ripe apple and preserved lemon. There is an evolution in this white 2021 that gives it beautiful layers of flint and ash. The wine is already very drinkable now, especially in terms of mouthfeel thanks to its clean, mid-weight texture and freshness. It has been partially aged in tonneaux and has a delicate hint of vanilla spice. This characterful wine comes from old and valuable vines." Wine Advocate

"A solid Vermentino that was aged partly in steel and partly in barriques. Fruity on the nose, nuances of lychee, then yellow melon and citrus thyme, with a hint of white pepper and a lovely length on the palate." Luca Gardini

Michele Satta's Viognier is sophisticated and seductive, making it the object of desire for wine lovers all over the world. Its inimitable bouquet of apricot and peach exudes an almost cheerful floweriness. Maturation in a combination of cement, oak and amphorae gives this expressive, flavoursome white wine a beautiful note. A dense white wine that spreads out softly on the palate with a lovely salty freshness and a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale straw yellow with brightening edges. Inviting aroma of ripe and dried stone fruit, honeydew melon and citrus. Full-bodied, soft on the palate with a great acidity structure and a lingering, juicy final." Falstaff

"The wine opens with a captivating aroma of white peach and light notes of quince and honey, leading to a structured and creamy palate with sapid, mineral length." Decanter

"Attractive aromas of ripe pears and white peaches with undertones of dried sage, walnuts and crushed stone. Medium to full-bodied, fresh and juicy with clean, penetrating acidity. Crisp. Notes of citrus blossom and lemon pith with a mineral finish." James Suckling

"Michele Satta is one of Italy's greatest ambassadors for the Viognier grape, which he has all but single-handedly brought to this part of the Tuscan coast. His 2022 Giovin Re is immediately generous and rich with honey, baked apple, a hint of spicy saffron and an elegant mineral note in the background. The acidity is very pleasant with tart lemon and whitecurrant flavours that blend into the wine's very silky finish. The wine is matured in a combination of barriques, amphorae and cement. Production is limited to 4,000 bottles. This vintage is particularly delicious." Wine Advocate

Piastraia fully lives up to the classic image of a great and delicate Bolgheri Rosso Superiore. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller portions of Merlot and Sangiovese, it fills the glass with its intense aroma of fruit and a hint of leather flavours. The flavour is powerful, concentrated and pure. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant dark ruby colour, intense and inviting nose with a pronounced aroma of dark fruit, especially blackberry, followed by some liquorice. Firm and gripping on the palate with taut tannins, the Cavaliere shows its animating (Sangiovese) character over the course of the wine and maintains good pressure until the long final. SUPERIORE.DE

Dark ruby purple in colour, with a blackcurrant aroma and an excellent length, firm tannins, fine extract sweetness and a pronounced spicy note on the final. We are excited to see what elegant heights this great Tuscan Merlot will reach in the coming years. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Cont'Ugo 2021 is packed with dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, liquorice and cloves. This luscious Merlot will drink well right from the start. It is the archetype of a Maremma red wine." Vinous

"Fresh and varietally expressive, this red bursts with cherry, black currant, olive, tobacco and sweet spice flavors. Balanced and open, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit and spices." Wine Spectator

"Ripe plums and blackberries with sweet spices, violets and chocolate on the nose. Full and structured with fine tannins. Compact and broad-shouldered, ripe, but with tension and energy. Impressive depth and concentration. Long." James Suckling

"Brilliant, medium ruby red colour. Intense nose of ripe cherries and juniper, with a fine woody spice and dark chocolate aftertaste. Balanced on the palate, with a concentrated fruit centre, fine-grained tannins and plenty of pressure right into the long finish." Falstaff

Satta's almost black-violet Syrah with an extraordinary bouquet of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, tar and graphite shines with richness and intensity. Not a flatterer, but not an edgy representative either - a sensational wine for today and the years to come. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, brightening ruby red colour. Fragrant, appealing and clear nose of fresh cherries, ripe raspberries, some wild strawberries, rose hips and blood oranges, very fragrant, with elegant floral notes. On the palate with a savoury melt and great freshness, very lively and with a great nerve, accessible, best enjoyed a few degrees cooler, very elegant." Falstaff

"Showing some of the tin can, or almost rusty qualities that the grape can produce, the Michele Satta 2021 Syrah also has a hint of cracked peppercorn and spice. It is lean for a Syrah from Tuscany, and this is a welcome characteristic. It offers delicate aromas with dusty rose, spice and powdery tannins. This expression is elegant and restrained. Only 3,300 bottles were made." Wine Advocate

Pagus Camilla comes from a small parcel called "Camilla" near the Sondraia vineyards. Here, the Vermentino grape experiences a higher concentration during ripening with delicate hints of Riesling. This micro-produced "project wine" is a unique example of the grape variety's potential in Bolgheri. Pure, deep and beautiful, citrus aroma, salt, minerality and with full fruit, balanced, long and with very good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Vermentino Solosole Pagus Camilla, is a dense, powerful white - qualities that are accentuated by the warm, dry year. Rich and creamy in the glass, the Pagus Camilla shows the more extroverted side of Vermentino off to great effect. It is a terrific effort for a year that was not easy for whites." Vinous

"Baked apples, mango stones, praline, waxed lemon and chamomile on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with crisp acidity and a waxy texture. Concentrated, complex and textured. Long." James Suckling

Since Guidalberto has been vinified from its own grapes, most of which also grow in the Sassicaia DOC monopoly position, San Guido's "second wine" has grown beyond itself. Spicy, earthy bouquet with hints of tobacco, clove and lavender, dense and juicy on the palate with fresh red and black berry fruit. The tannins are well balanced and the finish is complex with a majestic elegance that will become even more refined with years of ageing in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Concentrated and dense, with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, blueberry and black currant, this red also reveals black olive and iron accents. The tannins clamp down for now, yet this is balanced overall, with everything well-proportioned." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of blackcurrants, dark cherries, chocolate, ground spices and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied with compact but supple and polished tannins. Spicy notes with hints of dried mushrooms and chocolate. Attractive with a lingering finish." James Suckling

"The Guidalberto 2021, an assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from San Guido, is soft, juicy and seductive right from the start. The supple contours of the Merlot lend fleshiness to this medium-bodied, racy Maremma blend. Ripe red cherry fruit, spice, leather and tobacco are beautifully brought to the fore. Best of all, the 2021 will be easy to drink right from the start." Vinous

"The Tenuta San Guido 2021 Guidalberto, a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, shows tart cherry fruit with dark blackberry and plum tones. This vintage delivers particularly edgy and focussed fruit characteristics, elegantly framed by light spice, cola and earth. This vintage shows a heightened sense of intensity and territorial identity that is the hallmark of this storied winery." Wine Advocate

"Sparkling, intense ruby-purple colour. Opens with appealing notes of mint, blackberry and mulberry, with spicy cedar wood in the background. Fine-meshed, polished tannins characterise the palate, present, clear fruit, beautiful drinking flow." Falstaff

"According to Carlo Paoli, the winemaking director of Tenuta San Guido, the 2021 is the best Guidalberto he has ever produced. The proportion of Merlot was reduced to the typical 40% this year because the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon was so good. The Guidalberto 2021 has a very deep colour, almost black with a narrow purple rim. It took about an hour to really open up, but then it had a wonderful range of aromas and flavours. Notes of cassis and blueberries, blue flowers, violets and iris are followed by a palate full of perfectly ripe blackberries and blueberries enveloped in smooth, creamy flavours. A wine of velvety richness balanced by vibrant acidity, with very pure, concentrated aromas and flavours. Delicious!" Decanter

"This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which has now undergone a refined stylistic redesign, also stands out: a wine with a nose of blackberries, with notes of Mediterranean scrub and rhubarb, then nuances of eucalyptus. Taut and crisp, with spicy tannins, juicy and beautifully persistent." Luca Gardini

Tenuta le Colonne Bolgheri Superiore comes from a beautiful vineyard just a stone's throw from the pine-lined coast. Intense, impenetrable ruby red. On the complex bouquet, dark fruits with distinct notes of blackcurrants and blueberries, accompanied by spicy notes, coffee and graphite. On the palate, energetic and refined at the same time, concentrated and powerful, just as complex yet beautifully balanced as on the nose and very long-lasting as it progresses. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ruby red and leafy-scented, full of fresh notes of rosemary and lavender, pipe tobacco and a balsamic touch. Multifaceted and complex, dense and fresh, it shows a delicate rose aroma with dense, youthful and crisp cassis and red cherry. It's edgy, but the toasty flavours make for a lovely finish." Decanter

"An elegant, lively red wine characterised by aromas of mint, wild rosemary and eucalyptus. It offers flavours of blackcurrants, blackberries, violets and minerals that unfold on the palate in a lingering finish. Balanced and will be even better in a year or two." Wine Spectator

"The Tenuta le Colonne 2019 Bolgheri Superiore is a small production of 6,000 bottles from a site with sandy, gravelly soils. It shows pure aromas of black fruits, dried blueberries, toasted oak, cherry and gravel. Soft-textured and medium to full-bodied, this red also shows lovely hints of earth, forest floor and delicate blue flowers." Wine Advocate

Excellent clarity and typical aromas of ripe fruit, notes of smoke, liquorice and tar. Continually reveals new nuances of its personality on the palate. Elegant and refined in every way. SUPERIORE.DE

"Homely aroma of blueberries, chocolate and leather; polished in the mouth, the tannins tight, lively fresh acidity, long red berry final. Fun to drink." Vinum

"Cabernet-related aromas come through well with dark fruits, blackberries and exotic spices. The wine is full-bodied in texture and structure, although it has a little more richness on the mid-palate. This gives Il Pino a more approachable appeal. It finishes on a bright note of sweet cherry." Wine Advocate

"Rich, intense ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. On the nose of rich Amarena cherries and ripe plums, then leather, chocolate and coffee grounds. Mouth-filling on the palate, with elegant tannin, harmonious, juicy and with a long final." Falstaff

Volpolo is the highly elegant second wine from the up-and-coming Bolgheri winery Podere Sapaio. Spicy notes on the nose, full, long and intense flavour with silky tannins and restrained refinement. A more than respectable representative of the noble Tuscan region with an excellent value. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, intense ruby red colour with dark reflections. Slightly reductive on the nose, then flavours of crisp cherries, blackberries and violets. Sweet and rich on the palate, fine, still quite young tannins, juicy through to the finish." Falstaff

"A taut, elegant red with a pure stream of black cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral flavours. Overall balanced, with tannins that unfold on the finish." Wine Spectator

"A superb Bolgheri that offers both freshness and excellent depth and complexity. Lots of dark cherries and fresh blackberries on the nose with some cocoa powder, dark olives, stones and peppercorn spices. The palate is full-bodied with fine, dusty tannins, a juicy, broad centre and a long, concentrated finish. Bravo!" James Suckling

"Showing a decisive primary note with generous fruit, the Podere Sapaio 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Volpolo has dark berries and black cherry, with hints of pie crust, a strong theme of purple fruits and a sharper note that is not completely mineral but flinty. Spice appears with more time in the glass with hints of light cinnamon and nutmeg. The wine has great length with powdery tannins." Wine Advocate

Rich ruby red. On the nose, a lively potpourri of spices, dark, fleshy fruits, cherries, blackberries and tar. On the palate firm tannin, a wonderful full fruit and lots of persistence, intensity and depth. SUPERIORE.DE

After careful distillation in small copper vats, the grappa matures for at least three years in used Ornellaia barrels (twice as long as prescribed), before being blended with grappas from older stocks to give it an additional depth and character.

Eligo dell'Ornellaia Grappa Riserva, with its soft aromas, silky texture and golden colour, is of noble style and unique origin. Warm, enveloping bouquet of ripe grapes and roasted oak. Very pleasant and full on the palate with a long, harmonious aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE