Rocca di Montegrossi

Exemplary and perfect are the almost 10,000 bottles of Rosato di Toscana from Rocca di Montegrossi. Clean aromas of cherry and strawberry on the nose, lively, elegant and balanced on the palate with a nice freshness, long-lasting finish of berries and spices. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Rosato Toscana is a vibrant pink color, with a display of sweet melon and spring flowers offset by a twang of zesty citrus and flint. It's silky-smooth, balancing a pleasant inner sweetness with brisk acids as notes of young strawberry and cherry cascade across the palate. This tapers off with admirable length, but it's also completely refreshing, as red fruits slowly fade under an air of rosy florals. Rocca di Montegrossi really nailed it with this varietal Sangiovese Rosato. Well done." Vinous

Lively ruby with light violet reflections, rich fruity aromas on the nose, very typical of wild berries and sour cherries. Fresh, balanced and well-structured on the palate, with silky tannins and spicy accents. A classic of the appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby with a slight violet shimmer. Opens with wild-spicy notes, after dark bread crust, then beetroot, some blueberries and plums. Blooms fully on the palate, lots of present fruit, juicy, after dark cherry, grippy tannin, has firm pressure." Falstaff

"Lustrous crimson. Concentrated cherry fruit with a hint of leather, saline minerally notes and a suggestion of oak. Racy concentrated cherry fruit layered with fine, grainy tannins. Mouth-watering and almost a little tart and with a long fragrant raspberry and dark-spice finish." Jancis Robinson

"Plums, spices, mushrooms and dried herbs on the nose. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy and textured with tangy acidity and spicy character. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

"Owner Marco Ricasoli recalls the harvest of 2019 as unusually calm – one of the few in which he didn’t have to base his picking strategy on the weather forecast. While his wines never lack freshness, the 2019 is positively racy! Scents of blackberry and fennel are interlaced with smoke, and the palate brings together brambly fruit with fleshy red plum. This is mouthfilling and clean, with ripe, smooth tannins that are chalky textured - plus all of that vibrant acidity." Decanter

"The 2019 Chianti Classico is an elegant, polished wine. Lifted aromatics, silky tannins and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its gracious personality. In 2019, the Chianti Classico is a bit restrained and less overt than it can be. That means it needs time in bottle to truly blossom. I would cellar the 2019 for at least a few years. The 2019 is so distinctive." Vinous

Sparkling ruby red. Complex and enveloping bouquet of rich cherry, black forest berries, violets and tobacco. The single-vineyard Chianti Classico San Marcellino is excellently structured, interwoven with lively, elegant tannins, of exemplary harmony and a savoury, slightly salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful ruby with fine violet shimmer. Somewhat cloudy nose of black truffle, elderberry, some red beet. Shows a lot of power on the palate, dense, hearty tannin, but also seems quite edgy." Falstaff

"Lustrous, youthful mid crimson. A lifted embracing nose of sweet oak and intense cherry fruit. Bags of tangy juicy cherry fruit laced with sweet oak. An absolute super-charmer with finely ground tannins and a vibrant finish." Jancis Robinson

"Black cherry, wet earth and crushed stone on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with firm, tight tannins and a linear, finely chewy finish. Fresh and tight." James Suckling

"Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish." Decanter

"A meaty, muscular version, this red displays black cherry, blackberry, tar, leather and iron aromas and flavors. There is beam of fruit, along with a tightly-wound, vibrant structure. Fine length too." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is a dense, packed wine. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is an infant. Super-ripe blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol build in the glass. The 2016 is dense and opulent, and yet the acids pulse with energy, lending a feeling of translucence that becomes especially apparent on the finish. That combination makes for a compelling Gran Selezione that should age well for 15-20 years or more." Vinous

Intense scent of currants and black cherries, leather, spices and liquorice. Lush and flowing on the palate, all elements merge into a big, striking wine. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich garnet. Elegant and finely fragrant nose of ripe blackberries, cassis as well as a pinch of wild berries, in the reverberation noble spicy notes. Compact and complex on the palate, showing presence and clarity with a long course, juicy finish." Falstaff

"Blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry, spice, sliced mushroom and dark chocolate on the nose. It's full-bodied with firm tannins. Firm and focused with a succulent, flavorful palate. Long finish." James Suckling

"There is a beam of pure, saturated black cherry underneath leather, woodsy, iron, sanguine and rust notes. Bright and firmly structured, with dense tannins. The finish is long and complex." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Geremia is even better than it was last year. Fresh, vibrant and full of energy, the 2016 is so wonderfully alive in the glass. The flavors are remarkably intense, and yet there is a feeling of lightness that keeps the wine brilliant. Crushed rocks, menthol, licorice, sage and gravel wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit. There is something about the 2016 that is magical, many things, actually. Geremia is one of the most distinctive and unique wines in Chianti Classico. The 2016 is absolutely stellar." Vinous

Intense scent of currants and black cherries, leather, spices and liquorice. Lush and flowing on the palate, all elements merge into a big, striking wine. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Geremia is a revelation. It might be even better than the 2015 or 2016, which is saying a lot. Soaring aromatics make a strong first impression. In 2017, the fruit profile leans more into the red fruit end of the spectrum. The warm, dry year yielded a Geremia that is unusually open. I doubt too many of the estate's fans will have a problem with that given how long these wines usually take to open. Today, the 2017 Geremia is a total pleasure bomb. Don't miss it." Vinous

Only 2,500 bottles are bottled per vintage: Amber-coloured Vin Santo, incredibly full, with notes of almonds, honey, dates and candied oranges; it is made from white dried Malvasia grapes and a small part Canaiolo. With its pleasant and very balanced sweetness, it is a wonderful accompaniment to desserts, foie gras or soft cheeses. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich amber, slightly opaque. Complex nose with notes of dark caramel, chestnut rice, chocolate, figs and salted almonds. Exceedingly concentrated on the palate, oily texture, after dried dates, lasting for minutes, after noble chocolate in the finish." Falstaff

"The 2010 Vin Santo intensely aromatic and perfumed. In 2010, the Vin Santo is especially perfumed and light on its feet. Spice, dried flowers, coconut, ginger and light caramel accents all open in the glass. The 462 grams of residual sugar is not especially evident. In fact, the 2010 comes across as lighter (in a good way) than some previous editions. It offers dazzling purity and stunning balance. Its a Vin Santo I want to drink." Vinous

"This Vin Santo is reminiscent of Eszencia from Tokaj, with its thick texture, fresh fruitiness and barely fermented character, showing apricot, caramel and honey aromas and flavors, enhanced by a strong mineral element. The finish is superlong." Wine Spectator

Geremia from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon smells intensely of currants and black cherries, leather, spices and liquorice. On the palate lush and flowing, all elements merge to a great, distinctive wine. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich ruby with violet shimmer. Opened in the nose with an intense cloud of rich cassis, raspberries and blackberries, very memorable, some cedar wood. On the palate much gripping, dense tannin, builds up full, substance and firm, looks still very young, has a long life before itself! Falstaff

"Lots of blackberry, black currant and mineral aromas that follow through to a full body, that's tight and silky. Shows pretty length and texture. Very finely crafted." James Suckling

"Shows more finesse than power, featuring well-defined flavors of black cherry, currant, tobacco and tea. The finish is beefy, with tealike tannins holding court." Wine Spectator

"The 2012 Geremia is the highlight in this range, and also one of the best wines I tasted during my recent trip through Chianti Classico. Deep, dense and brooding, the 2012 is another wine that will require considerable time to come into focus. Today it possesses exceptional depth, power and intensity, all of which will allow it to age effortlessly for many years. With time in the glass, scents of lavender, sage, menthol and licorice start to open up, but the 2012 needs time. This is an absolutely stellar wine from Rocca di Montegrossi and proprietor Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi." Antonio Galloni

Sparkling ruby red. Complex and enveloping bouquet of rich cherry, black forest berries, violets and tobacco. The single-vineyard Chianti Classico San Marcellino is excellently structured, interwoven with lively, elegant tannins, of exemplary harmony and a savoury, slightly salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful ruby with fine violet shimmer. Somewhat cloudy nose of black truffle, elderberry, some red beet. Shows a lot of power on the palate, dense, hearty tannin, but also seems quite edgy." Falstaff

"Lustrous, youthful mid crimson. A lifted embracing nose of sweet oak and intense cherry fruit. Bags of tangy juicy cherry fruit laced with sweet oak. An absolute super-charmer with finely ground tannins and a vibrant finish." Jancis Robinson

"Black cherry, wet earth and crushed stone on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with firm, tight tannins and a linear, finely chewy finish. Fresh and tight." James Suckling

"Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish." Decanter

"A meaty, muscular version, this red displays black cherry, blackberry, tar, leather and iron aromas and flavors. There is beam of fruit, along with a tightly-wound, vibrant structure. Fine length too." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is a dense, packed wine. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is an infant. Super-ripe blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol build in the glass. The 2016 is dense and opulent, and yet the acids pulse with energy, lending a feeling of translucence that becomes especially apparent on the finish. That combination makes for a compelling Gran Selezione that should age well for 15-20 years or more." Vinous

Intense scent of currants and black cherries, leather, spices and liquorice. Lush and flowing on the palate, all elements merge into a big, striking wine. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Geremia is a revelation. It might be even better than the 2015 or 2016, which is saying a lot. Soaring aromatics make a strong first impression. In 2017, the fruit profile leans more into the red fruit end of the spectrum. The warm, dry year yielded a Geremia that is unusually open. I doubt too many of the estate's fans will have a problem with that given how long these wines usually take to open. Today, the 2017 Geremia is a total pleasure bomb. Don't miss it." Vinous

Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi's latest and strictly limited creation (only 1,659 magnum bottles were filled) was named after Ridolfo, an ancestor of the family. The deliberate composition of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Pugnitello symbolises the combination of tradition and modernity and at the same time impressively represents the terroir of the Chianti hills.

Dark ruby red, refined bouquet of blackberry, dried plum and eucalyptus. On the palate then with a firm, taut core, layers of sour cherry, spicy notes such as pepper and liquorice, as it progresses powerful and at the same time slightly balsamic. The well-proportioned acidity and the characteristic tannins lead this fleshy, muscular red into a furious, long-lasting final. A wine full of character and very independent! SUPERIORE.DE

"This red is a beautiful expression of varietal character, with pure cherry and strawberry fruit. Firmly structured, with accents of menthol, earth, iron and tobacco, ending in a long aftertaste emphasizing the fruit." Wine Spectator

"The 2015 Ridolfo is a new Cabernet Sauvignon/Pugnitello blend from Marco Ricasoli bottled only in magnum. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2015 impresses right out of the gate. A whole range of savory aromatics, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha open with time in the glass. Sweet rose petal and cinnamon appear later, adding brightness and lift. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello are not obvious varieties to blend, as they are, on paper, more similar than complementary. Even so, the combination works so well. I can't wait to see how this ages. The 2015 is a total knock-out!" Vinous

Sparkling ruby red. Complex and enveloping bouquet of rich cherry, black forest berries, violets and tobacco. The single-vineyard Chianti Classico San Marcellino is excellently structured, interwoven with lively, elegant tannins, of exemplary harmony and a savoury, slightly salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful ruby with fine violet shimmer. Somewhat cloudy nose of black truffle, elderberry, some red beet. Shows a lot of power on the palate, dense, hearty tannin, but also seems quite edgy." Falstaff

"Lustrous, youthful mid crimson. A lifted embracing nose of sweet oak and intense cherry fruit. Bags of tangy juicy cherry fruit laced with sweet oak. An absolute super-charmer with finely ground tannins and a vibrant finish." Jancis Robinson

"Black cherry, wet earth and crushed stone on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with firm, tight tannins and a linear, finely chewy finish. Fresh and tight." James Suckling

"Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish." Decanter

"A meaty, muscular version, this red displays black cherry, blackberry, tar, leather and iron aromas and flavors. There is beam of fruit, along with a tightly-wound, vibrant structure. Fine length too." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is a dense, packed wine. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is an infant. Super-ripe blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol build in the glass. The 2016 is dense and opulent, and yet the acids pulse with energy, lending a feeling of translucence that becomes especially apparent on the finish. That combination makes for a compelling Gran Selezione that should age well for 15-20 years or more." Vinous