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

"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

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." Robert Parker

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." Robert Parker

"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

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." Robert Parker

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 salinity and the wonderfully integrated acidity provide vital freshness and the solidly woven tannin builds up energetically and flanks every sip until the dramatic, extremely multi-layered final. A great wine from an equally great vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Seductive raspberry violet fruit nose; full and juicy on the palate, the tannins and tannins well integrated, persistently multi-faceted. Also very reliable in this vintage." Vinum

"Bright, intense ruby with a fine garnet shimmer. Very intense and complex nose with pronounced notes of ripe plums and wild raspberries, plus some leather and dried porcini mushrooms. Shows wonderfully silky, polished tannin on the palate, builds for a long time, juicy fruit, firm pressure on the final, extremely juicy, still presents itself very young." Falstaff

"Healthy mid ruby. Captivating savoury spice and mineral nose. Succulent, suave cherry palate with rich powdery tannins. Plenty of fruit of real depth but at the same time has a lightness of touch about it." Jancis Robinson

"A focused, polished red with dark-berry, cherry, walnut and dried-flower aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and firm, caressing tannins. Lovely finesse and polish to this. Dusty texture. Needs a year or two to soften, but already pretty." James Suckling

"Aromas of underbrush, leather, baked plum and camphor meld together on this full-boded red. On the fleshy, already approachable palate, enveloping, fine-grained tannins surround raspberry jam, vanilla, tobacco and licorice. Tangy acidity keeps it balanced." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia is more backward and darkly intense than usual. Black currants, cherry, smoky minerals, incense and savory herbs all come together to form a beguiling display. It’s velvety in texture with a display of polished purple-tinged fruits, which travels across the palate with admirable density, leaving minerals and a saturation of fine tannins in its wake. Youthfully monolithic and folded in upon itself, the Amore e Magia finishes on structure with only echoes of tart berries, plum and tobacco in the background. This is not for the faint of heart or Sangiovese purist, yet it is balanced for the cellar and overdelivers in every other way. It bears mentioning that this was tasted over two days and held firm to these notes." Vinous

"From a vineyard site not too far away from the winery near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the eastern and cooler side of the appellation, this wine was once a Rosso di Montalcino recently upgraded to Brunello status. With vines planted in 2000, the fruit now renders the complexity and depth to represent this celebrated Tuscan appellation. This is a tight and compact wine, with a nervous quality of fruit that will unwind and settle with more bottle age. This vineyard site produces fruit poised for long-term aging, and these 2016 results follow that mandate. There is a lot of crisp fruit, sour cherry and cranberry in this tonic, lively Brunello." Robert Parker

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

"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." Robert Parker

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." Robert Parker

The label of the 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 to be heard at night. Bright delicate ruby red, beautifully interpreting 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

"Sparkling ruby with a fine garnet rim. Opens with slightly smoky-earthy notes, then lots of blackberry, dark cherry, some tar. On the palate plump, sweet fruit, raspberry dominates, grippy, gripping tannin that builds up in many layers, fine melting in the long final." Falstaff

"An enticing mix of exotic spice, crushed violets, medicinal black cherries and sweet mint wafts up from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene. Its textures are silky and rich, nicely matched by depths of ripe red and blue berries, plus an enriching hint of almond paste. This stops just short of decadence, as salty minerals and bright acidity add a more savory twang, and fine-grained tannins slowly take hold. While structured, the long, dramatic finale is packed full of dark primary fruits, savory herbs and hints of mocha. I expect the 2016 Riserva Lupi e Sirene to be firing on all cylinders after only a short stay in the cellar." Vinous

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene emerges from the bottle with lots of pretty aromatic intensity and purity. The bouquet is laced with bold cherry, sweet raspberry, red rose, earth, balsam herb and sweet almond. It boasts a beautiful appearance in the glass with a dark, shiny ruby color. On the palate, it produces a silky, glossy texture that lasts long and is fueled by the fresh acidity you always get with Sangiovese." Robert Parker

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 salinity and the wonderfully integrated acidity provide vital freshness and the solidly woven tannin builds energetically, flanking every sip until the dramatic, extremely multi-layered final. A great wine from an equally great vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Seductive raspberry violet fruit nose; full and juicy on the palate, the tannins and tannins well integrated, persistently multi-faceted. Also very reliable in this vintage." Vinum

"Bright, intense ruby with a fine garnet shimmer. Very intense and complex nose with pronounced notes of ripe plums and wild raspberries, plus some leather and dried porcini mushrooms. Shows wonderfully silky, polished tannin on the palate, builds for a long time, juicy fruit, firm pressure on the final, extremely juicy, still presents itself very young." Falstaff

"Healthy mid ruby. Captivating savoury spice and mineral nose. Succulent, suave cherry palate with rich powdery tannins. Plenty of fruit of real depth but at the same time has a lightness of touch about it." Jancis Robinson

"A focused, polished red with dark-berry, cherry, walnut and dried-flower aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and firm, caressing tannins. Lovely finesse and polish to this. Dusty texture. Needs a year or two to soften, but already pretty." James Suckling

"Aromas of underbrush, leather, baked plum and camphor meld together on this full-boded red. On the fleshy, already approachable palate, enveloping, fine-grained tannins surround raspberry jam, vanilla, tobacco and licorice. Tangy acidity keeps it balanced." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia is more backward and darkly intense than usual. Black currants, cherry, smoky minerals, incense and savory herbs all come together to form a beguiling display. It's velvety in texture with a display of polished purple-tinged fruits, which travels across the palate with admirable density, leaving minerals and a saturation of fine tannins in its wake. Youthfully monolithic and folded in upon itself, the Amore e Magia finishes on structure with only echoes of tart berries, plum and tobacco in the background. This is not for the faint of heart or Sangiovese purist, yet it is balanced for the cellar and overdelivers in every other way. It bears mentioning that this was tasted over two days and held firm to these notes." Vinous

"From a vineyard site not too far away from the winery near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the eastern and cooler side of the appellation, this wine was once a Rosso di Montalcino recently upgraded to Brunello status. With vines planted in 2000, the fruit now renders the complexity and depth to represent this celebrated Tuscan appellation. This is a tight and compact wine, with a nervous quality of fruit that will unwind and settle with more bottle age. This vineyard site produces fruit poised for long-term aging, and these 2016 results follow that mandate. There is a lot of crisp fruit, sour cherry and cranberry in this tonic, lively Brunello." Robert Parker

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

"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." Robert Parker

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." Robert Parker

The label of the 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 to be heard at night. Bright delicate ruby red, beautifully interpreting 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

"Sparkling ruby with a fine garnet rim. Opens with slightly smoky-earthy notes, then lots of blackberry, dark cherry, some tar. On the palate plump, sweet fruit, raspberry dominates, grippy, gripping tannin that builds up in many layers, fine melting in the long final." Falstaff

"An enticing mix of exotic spice, crushed violets, medicinal black cherries and sweet mint wafts up from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene. Its textures are silky and rich, nicely matched by depths of ripe red and blue berries, plus an enriching hint of almond paste. This stops just short of decadence, as salty minerals and bright acidity add a more savory twang, and fine-grained tannins slowly take hold. While structured, the long, dramatic finale is packed full of dark primary fruits, savory herbs and hints of mocha. I expect the 2016 Riserva Lupi e Sirene to be firing on all cylinders after only a short stay in the cellar." Vinous

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene emerges from the bottle with lots of pretty aromatic intensity and purity. The bouquet is laced with bold cherry, sweet raspberry, red rose, earth, balsam herb and sweet almond. It boasts a beautiful appearance in the glass with a dark, shiny ruby color. On the palate, it produces a silky, glossy texture that lasts long and is fueled by the fresh acidity you always get with Sangiovese." Robert Parker

The label of the 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 to be heard at night. Bright delicate ruby red, beautifully interpreting 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

"Sparkling ruby with a fine garnet rim. Opens with slightly smoky-earthy notes, then lots of blackberry, dark cherry, some tar. On the palate plump, sweet fruit, raspberry dominates, grippy, gripping tannin that builds up in many layers, fine melting in the long final." Falstaff

"An enticing mix of exotic spice, crushed violets, medicinal black cherries and sweet mint wafts up from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene. Its textures are silky and rich, nicely matched by depths of ripe red and blue berries, plus an enriching hint of almond paste. This stops just short of decadence, as salty minerals and bright acidity add a more savory twang, and fine-grained tannins slowly take hold. While structured, the long, dramatic finale is packed full of dark primary fruits, savory herbs and hints of mocha. I expect the 2016 Riserva Lupi e Sirene to be firing on all cylinders after only a short stay in the cellar." Vinous

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene emerges from the bottle with lots of pretty aromatic intensity and purity. The bouquet is laced with bold cherry, sweet raspberry, red rose, earth, balsam herb and sweet almond. It boasts a beautiful appearance in the glass with a dark, shiny ruby color. On the palate, it produces a silky, glossy texture that lasts long and is fueled by the fresh acidity you always get with Sangiovese." Robert Parker