Podere Le Ripi

Don't expect the typical Syrah, because this wine will surprise you with its liveliness and freshness, although it has the spiciness and drinkability typical of Syrah. The name (Love and Madness) expresses all the love for this grape, but also the courage to grow it in the Montalcino area. Despite its unusualness, this wine is a real crowd pleaser and one of the winery's trademarks.

Deep ruby red with violet reflections, on the nose black fruits, forest floor, pine wood with a hint of white rose and jasmine. On the palate, a distinct texture with well-integrated tannins, paired with a great minerality, a delicate bitter note in the respectable aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with garnet glints. In the nose after pickled plums and sour cherry, in the reverberation some spice and roasted aromas from the wood ageing. Very juicy on the palate, with strong tannin, pleasant acidity, long final." Falstaff

"Lots of bright, very ripe red-berry character to this medium-bodied red with a light but firm tannin framework to the palate. But the fresh fruit pushes through to the end. Turns savory just at the end. Needs a year for better overall integration." James Suckling

"Complex and intense aromas of dark forest fruits, sweet cherries and tea leaves. Elegant, with a firm slightly grainy tannic structure and leathery finish." Decanter

Located on the western side of Montalcino's hills, the vineyard is so secluded that one can fully enjoy the starry sky undisturbed. So it is not surprising that this supple, very classic Brunello bears the name "Heaven of Ulysses". As is well known, Odysseus had the ability to navigate through the seas without a compass and by simply looking at the stars.

According to oenologist Sebastian Nasello, 2016 is the best vintage of this Brunello the winery has ever produced. Deep dark ruby with light inclusions. On the nose, a potpourri of scents that unfold almost endlessly, bringing forth floral notes of light roses and white flowers in addition to black and red fruits. On the palate, power, spice and a freshness that exactly reflects the top vintage and, together with the well-proportioned tannins, foreshadows a harmonious and exciting development! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with a slight garnet shimmer. Multi-layered nose with notes of ripe plums and lily flowers, in the background of fresh leather and dried porcini mushrooms. Lots of polished tannin on the palate, juicy cherry on the final." Falstaff

"Lustrous mid ruby. Complex, spice-laden nose with touches of fruit cake, orange skin and aged balsamic vinegar. Tangy, still tight, dark cherry and cranberry palate with firm tannins that keep clinging to the fruit. Very long, seductive and succulent." Jancis Robinson

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse is a jovial and rich wine. The bouquet mixes the purest expression of clove that I've ever encountered in a wine, with black cherries, sage and mocha to create an autumnal feel. It's silky in texture, with fleshy red and black fruits balanced by savory exotic spices and vibrant acidity. You can feel its grippy tannins mounting, and yet there's so much primary intensity here that they hardly get in the way; and while the finish may be structured, it's also juicy and flat-out delicious, with hints of cherry pit and sweet herbs lingering long." Vinous

"Ripe-berry, cedar, dried-flower and dried orange-peel aromas follow through to a full body, yet it's very tight and reserved with very fine, intense tannins that give focus and length to the wine. Really long and focused. Hints of dried mushroom and citrus rind at the end. Best ever." James Suckling

"Podere le Ripi farms vines on both the eastern and the western flanks of the appellation. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse comes from the warmer, western flank in a spot not too far away from Camigliano with vines planted in 1990. This offers dark cherry fruit at its core with sweet spice, cedar smoke and pretty herbal renderings. You get lots of deep, complex and dark fruit rendering nonetheless. The personality of this wine is soft, rich and fruity." Wine Advocate

"New leather, truffle, ripe berry and camphor aromas form the nose along with a whiff of pressed rose and game. Full bodied and delicious, the enveloping palate doles out mouthfuls of cherry marinated in spirits, crushed raspberry, licorice and hints of seasoned meats alongside velvety tannins. It's concentrated but also boasts an almost weightless elegance." Wine Enthusiast

Located on the western side of Montalcino's hills, the vineyard is so secluded that one can fully enjoy the starry sky undisturbed. So it is not surprising that this supple, very classic Brunello bears the name "Heaven of Ulysses". As is well known, Odysseus had the ability to navigate through the seas without a compass and by simply looking at the stars.

Deep dark ruby with light inclusions. On the nose, a potpourri of scents that unfold almost endlessly, bringing forth floral notes of light roses and white flowers in addition to black and red fruits. On the palate, power, spice and a freshness that, together with the well-proportioned tannins, foreshadows a harmonious and exciting development! SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, rich ruby with a fine garnet shimmer. Opens on the nose with intense, quite mature fruit notes of dried plums, pickled cherries, liquorice and some leather. Also shows itself on the palate with clearly matured tones, grippy tannin, then clear malty components in the final, already seems very ripe." Falstaff

"Deep, youthful ruby red. Deep raspberry fruit nose with mineral hints. Lots of concentrated, juicy fruit, yet complex, multilayered and with gripping tannins. Has everything going for it, yet retains an elegant weight on the palate. Impeccably balanced. Irresistible." Jancis Robinson

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse smells of violets and roses in the glass, as well as dried blueberries and a hint of smoke. It feels silky and cool, with racy acidity accompanying the tart wild berry fruit. Blue and purple flowers, liquorice and chalky tannins accompany the 2018, which finishes lightly structured and long. Podere Le Ripi has managed to maintain balance and energy in this wine. The Cielo d'Ulisse comes from Podere Le Ripi's vineyards in the southwest of Montalcino, but the vines are surrounded by woods that balance the warmth of the site." Vinous

"The Podere le Ripi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse shows a spicy character with clove and white pepper. These notes are faint but help support the dark layers of dried cherries and blackcurrants. There is a hint of sour fruit on the finish of this medium-bodied Brunello. The structure of the wine is lean and fine." Wine Advocate

At Podere le Ripi, the grapes for Rosso di Montalcino are given more time in the cellar than elsewhere, giving the wine more similarities to a Brunello than a Rosso. Deep ruby red with orange reflections. On the nose, a rousing symphony of aromas, spanning the olfactory arc from cherry, strawberry and violet to fresh balsamic herbs. On the palate, an impressive, broad structure, beautifully interwoven primary and secondary notes, plus a fine minerality and a remarkably long finish. The longer ageing time really pays off! SUPERIORE.DE

"Masses of spunky wild berries, gingery spice, crushed stone, peppery herbs and florals burst up from the 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Sogni e Follia. This is deeply textural with a plush feel on the palate, as fleshy red and blue fruits wash across the senses, leaving a staining of liquid violets and minerals in their wake. There’s a pleasant inner sweetness that counterbalances its fine tannic structure, as hints of sour citrus and tart cherry slowly taper off. This is an exotic rendition of the 2018 vintage that will also excel over short-term cellaring. However, if pulling the cork today, give it some time, open in-bottle, to unlock its aromatics." Vinous

"The Podere le Ripi 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Sogni e Follia definitely shows an offbeat personality with punchy fruit and slightly carbonic or natural wine tendencies that are all intentional. There is bright cherry, cola, grilled herb, toasted cinnamon and fresh cherry. It is important to push the boundaries on a wine like Rosso di Montalcino, and this bottle does exactly that." Wine Advocate

The grapes for Le Ripi's top Brunello come from a 4 ha vineyard near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the east side of Montalcino, not far from the Lupi e Sirene vineyard. Amore e Magia inspires first of all by the beauty in the glass: a deep ruby with violet, fuchsia accents. On the nose, a very clear, concise bouquet with a disarming openness that immediately captivates. We detect candied fruits, raspberries, roasted nuts and Christmas spices, then notes of leather. The first impression on the palate is rather silky and floral, the fine saltiness and the wonderfully integrated acidity provide vital freshness and the solidly woven tannin builds up energetically and flanks every sip until the dramatic, extremely multilayered final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Still marked by clear toasty notes with ripe plums and dark cherries, spicy cedar and liquorice notes in the background. On the palate with polished richness, stylish and wonderfully melting, seems a bit modern in style but nicely balanced and lively, the tannin is quite polished and still a bit rough-gripped, still needs to complete itself." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby garnet with a rich core. Very fragrant and inviting nose, of ripe, fleshy plums, some pickled cherries, plus liquorice in the background. Round and balanced on the palate, opens with beautiful forest fruit, grippy, dense tannin, fine melting in between, firm pressure in the final." Falstaff

"The bouquet on the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia is seriously impressive. A beguiling mix of dusty violets, exotic spices, cedar, clove and black cherries wafts up and holds my attention firm. The textures are soothingly plush yet lifted, featuring a sweet and sour display of tart wild berries contrasted by minerals, minty herbs and hints of candied citrus. The tannins arrive late, as this finishes structured and classically dry with nuances of blood orange and wild strawberries. The 2017 Amore e Magia has taken the warmth of the vintage in stride to deliver a Brunello packed full of balanced pleasures." Vinous

"The Podere le Ripi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia is emerging as this estate's top-shelf wine, even though it started its life as a Rosso di Montalcino some years ago. It sports a pretty dark ruby color with a nicely concentrated appearance. The bouquet is extremely elegant and finely tuned with sweet cherry, wild rose, lavender bud, candied orange and iron ore. The effect is graceful and delicate, with tart background notes of currant and forest fruit. The tannins are tight and still nervous, and I suggest giving this wine more time in bottle." Wine Advocate

The grapes for Le Ripi's top Brunello come from a 4 ha vineyard near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the east side of Montalcino, not far from the Lupi e Sirene vineyard.

Amore e Magia inspires first of all by the beauty in the glass: deep ruby with violet, fuchsia accents. On the nose, a very clear, concise bouquet with a disarming openness that immediately captivates. We detect candied fruits, raspberries, roasted nuts and Christmas spices, then notes of leather. The first impression on the palate is rather silky and floral, the fine saltiness and the wonderfully integrated acidity provide vital freshness and the solidly woven tannin builds up energetically and flanks every sip until the multi-layered final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, sparkling ruby with garnet glints. Very clear, present fruit, of dark plums and raspberries, plus some rose petals. Round and supple on the palate, showing lots of ripe raspberry fruit, opening up with fine-meshed tannin in many layers, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"A shade darker than the Cielo d'Ulisse and more mineral, with salty notes and a slight suggestion of oak. Brooding concentration with lots of ripe fruit on the palate and rich tannins. A brooding giant that is not yet ready to be awakened." Jancis Robinson

"The Podere le Ripi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia offers a blend of fresh fruit and spicy notes. Both sides of the wine help build its vertical intensity and brightness." Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia has a rich and spicy blend of clove, allspice and fresh mint before releasing its core of wild strawberry fruit. This is a round and silky style with polished red berries, sweet spices and mineral tones that slowly build tension towards the finish. Nothing is out of place here as the 2018 finishes with smooth tannins, mixing sour cherry with lavender tones and leaving the mouth wanting more. It will only take a short stay in the cellar for this remarkably beautiful version of Amore e Magia to be at its best." Vinous

The grapes for Le Ripi's top Brunello come from a 4 ha vineyard near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the east side of Montalcino, not far from the Lupi e Sirene vineyard. Amore e Magia inspires first of all by the beauty in the glass: a deep ruby with violet, fuchsia accents. On the nose, a very clear, concise bouquet with a disarming openness that immediately captivates. We detect candied fruits, raspberries, roasted nuts and Christmas spices, then notes of leather. The first impression on the palate is rather silky and floral, the fine saltiness and the wonderfully integrated acidity provide vital freshness and the solidly woven tannin builds up energetically and flanks every sip until the dramatic, extremely multilayered final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Still marked by distinct toasty notes, with ripe plums and dark cherries, plus spicy cedar and liquorice notes in the background. On the palate with polished richness, stylish and wonderfully melting, seems a bit modern in style but nicely balanced and lively, the tannin is quite polished and still a bit rough-gripped, still needs to complete itself." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby garnet with a rich core. Very fragrant and inviting nose, of ripe, fleshy plums, some pickled cherries, plus liquorice in the background. Round and balanced on the palate, opens with beautiful forest fruit, grippy, dense tannin, fine melting in between, firm pressure in the final." Falstaff

"The bouquet on the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia is seriously impressive. A beguiling mix of dusty violets, exotic spices, cedar, clove and black cherries wafts up and holds my attention firm. The textures are soothingly plush yet lifted, featuring a sweet and sour display of tart wild berries contrasted by minerals, minty herbs and hints of candied citrus. The tannins arrive late, as this finishes structured and classically dry with nuances of blood orange and wild strawberries. The 2017 Amore e Magia has taken the warmth of the vintage in stride to deliver a Brunello packed full of balanced pleasures." Vinous

"The Podere le Ripi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia is emerging as this estate's top-shelf wine, even though it started its life as a Rosso di Montalcino some years ago. It sports a pretty dark ruby color with a nicely concentrated appearance. The bouquet is extremely elegant and finely tuned with sweet cherry, wild rose, lavender bud, candied orange and iron ore. The effect is graceful and delicate, with tart background notes of currant and forest fruit. The tannins are tight and still nervous, and I suggest giving this wine more time in bottle." Wine Advocate

The label of Riserva Lupi e Sirene (Wolves and Mermaids) recalls the good old days when Podere le Ripi was so remote that the howling of wolves was the only sound you could hear at night.

Pale delicate ruby red that beautifully interprets the typical transparency of Brunello and Sangiovese Grosso. Fine bouquet of small red fruits skilfully surrounded by earthy and mineral notes. On the palate, it offers a fascinating purity and energy without ever being intemperate. Its linear body is so fluid and polished that it captures the attention of all the senses for a very long time. Lupi e Sirene is the most elegant and refined in the winery's impressive Brunello roster. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, intense ruby-garnet. Memorable nose with rich notes of ripe plums, raspberries and pickled cherries, plus some cardamom. Turns an impressive wheel on the palate, warm and intense, offering a bouquet of appealing ripe red fruits, opens with present, very well integrated tannin, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Floral aromas of rose and violet mingle with baked plum and espresso on this full-bodied red. Savory and rather immediate, the rounded palate features dried cherry, roasted coffee bean and star anise accompanied by polished tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Intoxicating aromas of dried violets, potpourri and lemon peel, evolving into porcini mushrooms and toasted oak. It's full-bodied with depth and purity of fruit on the palate. Lots of plum, blueberry and citrus peel. Delicious chocolatey and firm tannins." James Suckling

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Lupi e Sirene Riserva is a high-energy, spicy and lifted expression of the vintage. Bright cherry and strawberry notes are complemented by hints of sage, mint, cinnamon and white smoke. There are depths of silky texture contrasting brisk acids, while ripe red berries blend with tactile minerality to create a juicy expression, one which really plays with the senses. An air of balsamic and coffee grinds on the finish is the only revealing hint of oak, as this tapers off to fine tannins and echoes of black licorice. It's a thrill-ride of a Brunello Riserva." Vinous

"With alberello or bush-trained vines, the Podere le Ripi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene is the estate's benchmark vineyard located on the crest of a hill just beyond the winery. The philosophy follows that of Mastrojanni's celebrated Vigna Schiena d'Asino, to which this wine shares some fraternal DNA. It shows a savory, leathery, earthy, mushroomy and animal-like character (in a positive way) with dark fruit, spice and cedar smoke. Like the other wines in this portfolio, aging takes it through large oak casks for three years, capped by nine months in cement. That last phase does an excellent job of pulling out the elegance and balance of the wine." Wine Advocate