5-Grappoli Wines Bibenda

Wonderful single-vineyard Nerello from the north side of Etna at an altitude of 750 metres. Cherry and small wild strawberries on the nose. Very clearly accentuated and fresh flavour, acidity and tannin in perfect harmony and well integrated. Long finish with impressive elegance and freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby red colour. On the nose, hints of mustard seeds, dried rose petals, raspberries, ripe cherries and delicately resinous tones, reminiscent of plaster on the finish. Hearty on the palate with tightly woven tannins, powerful, stony, with a polished red fruit final, currently still somewhat unbalanced." Falstaff

"Herbal and summer meadow scents accompany balsamic red and black cherries, while in the mouth it's earthy and floral, with a juicy sapidity of ripe red fruits, a soft, silky mid-palate and fine, integrated tannins. Vertical and elegant, it finishes with some lavender and milk chocolate on the finish." Decanter

"It has flavours of strawberry, orange peel, raspberry and chocolate orange, with some oyster shells. It is medium-bodied and flavoursome with firm, fine-grained tannins. Subliminal mineral restraint. It is just opening up." James Suckling

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is dense and concentrated with volcanic tones of scorched earth and dark fruit. The wine has a bright primary side of crushed cherries and blueberries, and it fills out nicely across the palate thanks to the mid-weight texture of this supple fruit. Floral notes of rose and iris are also evident. This vintage has something to offer now, and it will offer even more for those who choose to wait." 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

"Promising bouquet of blueberries and cherries, also sandalwood, liquorice and flowers; the tannins are powdery, the acidity skilfully integrated, combines race, juiciness and a lot of melting and at the same time not at all pretentious, but very drinkable." Vinum

"Dark and full ruby colour. Open, elegant bouquet of blackberry, underlaid with spicy notes of liquorice, leather and undergrowth. Powerful on the palate, round, juicy and easy to drink. The tannins are well integrated, retronasal black cherry and chocolate, long final." Falstaff

"A firm and compact red wine that shows walnuts, dried herbs, loam, black fruit and cedar on the nose. It is full-bodied, polished and compact, with firm but fine-grained tannins. Roasted walnut notes on the long finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Piastraia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. It's a great example of where the house style is heading under the direction of Giacomo Satta. Syrah is gone from the blend, and yet the wine offers plenty of textural depth and energy. Dark red cherry, spice, new leather, rose petal and dried flowers open gradually in the glass. This is beautifully done." Vinous

"The core flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry and pomegranate are overlaid with notes of mint, violet, iron and toasted oak. This red wine is dense and rich, with a matrix of polished tannins in support. The balance and finish are outstanding." Wine Spectator

Maestro Raro shines first with its lively colour and then impresses with a bouquet that reveals a wonderful blackberry scent after spices, leather and tobacco aromas. The concentrated taste spreads softly, in which a stable acid structure cooperates perfectly with the tannin structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with violet. In the nose noble spicy note, after cassis and elderberries, carried by cloves and a hint of red pepper. Spicy on the palate with a slight peppery-animal note, very warm, has tension throughout and comes back juicy on the final." Falstaff

"The currant character is supercharged with wood and bark highlights. It’s full-bodied with lots of blackberry and blackcurrant undertones. Chewy and firm. Needs time to open." James Suckling

"The 2018 Maestro Raro is dense, powerful and rich. As always, Maestro Raro is a decidedly Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon. Black fruit, leather, spice and smoke are front and center. This burly Cabernet is a bit angular, but it certainly has plenty of character." Vinous

"This is an exacting and powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from the heart of Tuscany. The Fèlsina 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro always stands out in a crowd, and it definitely stands apart in this portfolio. The wine is sultry and rich in personality, sporting tightly wrapped tannins that will need time to soften and unwind. At its core, the wine shows concentrated black fruit flavors, but there are hints of spice, baker's chocolate and smoky tobacco that add to the complexity and the aromatic lift of the bouquet." Wine Advocate

Anadûron is the Celtic name for Naturns, which means "settlement by the swamp". The selection is a tribute to the Pratzner family's home village of Naturns. 12 months of fermentation and ageing in tonneau, 5 months in stainless steel and a further 31 months of ageing in the bottle.

Pretty and slightly exotic aroma of crushed stones, green plants and nectarines. Silky and youthfully dense on the palate with a net of minerality that skilfully envelops the tart fruit. The bright acidity provides a beautiful balance, Anadûron finishes long and full of spicy tension. Great ageing potential, Falkenstein's new masterpiece is at the beginning of a long journey on which it will continue to develop. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright yellow-green colour. Impressive nose with lots of rich, ripe peach fruit, plus plenty of apricot, underpinned by notes of flint, some sage. Juicy and with great tension on the palate, fully ripe vineyard peach, good tension, long finish." Falstaff

"Intense smoky notes with candied lemon, pineapple and white peach aromas. Very juicy and crisp, with a light to medium body, chewy acidity and substance on the finish." James Suckling

Terre Brune is a Carignano, with a small proportion of Bovaleddu, of seductive balance and fruitiness and one of the best reds in Sardinia every year. Matured in barriques, it has a fresh but ripe fruit on the nose with a slight hint of cocoa. On the palate, it has a beautiful depth with present tannins. An exemplary wine vinified with love and full of regional typicity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, dense ruby red colour with a slightly brightening rim. Ripe aromas of blackberry and blueberry, herbal flavours and hints of liquorice on the nose. Dense and fruity on the palate, very fine tannins and a long, balanced final." Falstaff

"Fine and creamy, this elegant red wine offers fireworks of raspberry and strawberry fruit, as well as accents of lavender, incense, tea rose and thyme. Juicy and fresh, with supple, fine-grained tannins that are evident on the mineral, tarry and salty finish." Wine Spectator

"A savory nose features aromas of old leather, top soil, coffee and herbs, for an overall spicy, earthy feel. The palate is tangy and fresh, with black-cherry notes and a potent floral component, before a bitter-chocolate undertone sets up a finish of resurgent earth and spices. Tannins and acid are lithe, but anchored in that earthy depth." Wine Enthusiast

"I love the flavours of liquorice and herbs alongside chocolate cherries and plums. There's also a hint of vanilla and praline. It's creamy, slightly chewy and full-bodied, with berry-like tannins and a long and wonderfully smooth finish. Makes you want more." James Suckling

"Dark cherry, blueberry, followed by a hint of ink and graphite, classic aromatic garrigue herbs with fine and juicy tannins." Decanter

Fine grappa made from the marc of the Langhe Chardonnay Gaia & Rey: Crystal clear, freshly scented with tropical fruits and brioche with a slender body, intense berry aroma and noble fruit note in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Cleopatra Grappa, whose distillation is done with the so-called Crysopea method. An innovative, discontinuous method with negative pressure and the still in a water bath. Distinctive, very aromatic fragrance and wonderfully balanced, round and soft on the palate, pleasantly long and gentle finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cleopatra" does not refer to Caesar's gspusi in Egypt, but to an alchemist who invented revolutionary distillation processes in the ancient empire. At Poli, "Cleopatra" also alludes to an innovative chemical process, but in this case for the distillation of grappa. The Cleopatra Amarone is made from marc of the Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara varieties and smells of dirndl and beetroot. On the palate, there is a strong spiciness underpinned by herbs and white pepper." Falstaff

Only in the best vintages are a few parcels of Olim Bauda's vineyards in the Nizza DOCG selected for the Riserva Bauda to make one of the greatest wines of the entire, still very young appellation. The wait was clearly worth it. Deep purple red colour. Complex bouquet of red fruits with an almost tactile texture and a terrificharmony of fruit, typicity and acidity that perfectly combines the winemaker's long proven Barbera expertise and the class of the Nizza DOCG. Not only for us an absolute archetype for grape variety and origin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, rich and dense ruby red colour tending towards violet. Intense nose, distinctly redcurrant, undergrowth, dark chocolate, with an aftertaste of stewed plum and coffee. Pronounced on the palate, full-bodied, spicy, multi-layered with mature, sweetish tannins, beautiful drinkability and medium length." Falstaff

"Slightly earthy with dark spices, crushed wild berries, dried violets and a hint of tar. Dry and polished, but at the same time juicy and agile, with bright acidity accompanied by polished, fine tannins. Lively, red-fruity finish." James Suckling

Ghiaie della Furba means "pebbles of the Furba stream" and there is a reason for this, as the vines for this wine grow on the river pebbles on the banks of this stream. It is one of the very first "Supertuscans". After an hour in the carafe, this extremely complex red reveals wonderfully clear, dark fruit, blackberries and cassis, as well as coffee notes, dark chocolate and spices. Its very good structure and personality are impressive. It is already very accessible today (with aeration), but is still hiding its great potential for the next decade. SUPERIORE.DE

"A lively, elegant red wine with aromas and flavours of black cherries, blackcurrants, violets, cedar and tobacco. Balanced, while a sweep of firm, dense tannins support the long, fruity and flavoursome finish." Wine Spectator

"The nose is like a garden after a storm, with aromas of fruit and flowers mixing with the stones crushed underfoot and the saltiness of still-wet air. Red plums, mission figs, roses and violets continue onto the palate, with umami undertones setting up a coffee and chili pepper finish." Wine Enthusiast

Just like its equally famous neighbour Fattoria Petrolo (with its Boggina A), Il Borro can also convince us with a red wine aged in amphorae. Petruna is a single-varietal Sangiovese that is fermented with 12 months of skin contact in hermetically sealed amphorae. The result is surprising, not in the sense of an "interesting" experimental wine, but because the typical character of Sangiovese is fully expressed in freshness, fruit and energy. The bouquet is dominated by cherry and small red berries, plus some orange zest. Its body is of medium weight, which makes it an excellent food companion. Its fresh acidity and a tangle of fine tannins increase the drinking pleasure enormously. We can say that the experiment was successful in an elegant way. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Valdarno di Sopra Petruna Sangiovese in Anfora is fresh and vibrant in the glass, with a wild display of zesty red berries, sweet spice and peppery herbs. On the palate, soft textures are firmed up by brisk acids, ushering in notes of raspberry and cherry, while tugging at the cheeks with grippy tannins, yet still so lively. The finish is medium in length with a salty twang of minerality, as inner florals slowly taper off. This 100% Sangiovese is aged in Anfora and really shows the worth of this revitalized yet ancient technique of winemaking. Very nice." Vinous

"This is another exciting wine from Il Borro that is now back in the Valdarno di Sopra appellation. The 2018 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese in Anfora Petruna is the Ferragamo family's amphorae-based wine, created as a way of showcasing the purity and sharpness of Sangiovese from this tiny, new and exciting appellation. This is a wine of character, showing the pure forest berry, bitter almond and earthy aromas that are associated with the grape. You also get some clay and terracotta from the hands-off winemaking process. You could pair this wine with a lasagna rich in cheese, because the acidity of the grape is ever-present to clean your palate." Wine Advocate

"Extremely floral with sweet cherries, as well as flowers and hints of mushrooms. Medium to full body with a lovely, creamy texture that seems so pinot noir-like. But this is sangiovese from a single vineyard, aged in amphora for one year. No wood here. Love the finish." James Suckling

Vulcaia Fumé is an immensely dense and aromatic wine that demonstrates its sense of balance in a unique way. Deep, sparkling golden yellow. Impressive richness and opulence of passion fruit and other exotic fruit aromas, then blood orange, elderflower, a touch of iodised salt, flint and a noble spiciness in the finish. Spreads out colossally on the palate, with beautiful melting and excellently integrated wood. The finish shows smoky notes with some sweet vanilla and caramel cream. A Sauvignon Bianco the likes of which cannot be found again in Italy. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant intense straw yellow with light reflections. In the nose fine and elegant aromas of flint, some salt stone, noble spice and toast aroma as well as hints of tropical fruit and sage. Creamy and rich on the palate, with well-integrated use of wood, lingers very long on the palate." Falstaff

Just like its equally famous neighbour Fattoria Petrolo (with its Boggina A), Il Borro can also convince us with a red wine aged in amphorae. Petruna is a single-varietal Sangiovese that is fermented with 12 months of skin contact in hermetically sealed amphorae. The result is surprising, not in the sense of an "interesting" experimental wine, but because the typical character of Sangiovese is fully expressed in freshness, fruit and energy. The bouquet is dominated by cherry and small red berries, with a hint of orange zest. Its body is of medium weight, which makes it an excellent accompaniment to food. Its fresh acidity and a network of fine tannins increase the drinking pleasure enormously. An elegantly successful experiment, we can say. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, light carmine red colour. Intense nose of pomegranate, oranges and fresh cherries, slightly spicy on the finish. Very fresh and juicy on the palate, with well-integrated tannins, mouth-filling and soft, has drinking flow, pleasant finish." Falstaff

"The 2019 Sangiovese Petruna in Anfora is savoury rather than sweet, with a lovely bouquet of fresh roses, wild strawberries and wet stone. The wine is pure and fine, with a light minerality that emphasises the tart fruits of the wild berries. The savoury acids provide an energetic feel. The 2019 is both bold and fresh, enveloping the palate with subtle, grippy tannins and a hint of liquorice. The Petruna in Anfora is so remarkably pretty and, despite its structure, already pleases with its undeniable feminine beauty." Vinous

"The Il Borro 2019 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese in Anfora Petruna comes from a vintage that naturally offers more concentrated fruit and a richer drinking style. These results are fleshed out and elegant with lots of dusty mineral shadings from aging in clay vessels. You also get notes of blue flower, cherry and dried mint leaf." Wine Advocate

"Fruity and juicy with cherries and berries, along with some orange zest and citrus. Also spices. Full-bodied, but lively and beautiful. Crisp. Structured." James Suckling

Maestro Raro shines first with its lively colour and then impresses with a bouquet that reveals a wonderful blackberry scent after spices, leather and tobacco aromas. The concentrated taste spreads softly, in which a stable acid structure cooperates perfectly with the tannin structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautiful aromas of currants and fresh herbs with some green coffee bean. Medium to full body with firm, chewy tannins and a flavourful finish. Needs time to mellow and come together." James Suckling

"The 2019 Maestro Raro is impressive. Dark, layered and striking in its completeness, the Maestro Raro is endowed with tremendous depth and sheer resonance. Black cherry, plum, menthol, liquorice, spice and grilled herbs give the 2019 considerable depth." Vinous

"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro is a lovely expression with deep layers of dark fruit and savory spice that are woven tightly together to form a solid core of primary and secondary flavors. This vintage is especially tight and concentrated, showing terrific balance and freshness and impeccable fruit ripeness that is generous and full. There are no green elements in this vintage. Instead, the fruit is beautifully rich and velvety." Wine Advocate

The top red Riserva from the Bolzano winery has been the undisputed Lagrein Taber for years, with a fine bouquet of wild berry fruit, herbal flavours and spicy notes. Taber is a dense, full-bodied wine with a pleasant acidity and silky tannins, finishing with notes of candied fruit. A top wine from over 80-year-old vines on the Taberhof farm near Gries and a contender for the "Tre Bicchieri" of the Gambero Rosso almost every year. The best Lagrein Riserva in South Tyrol? Find out for yourself! SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark purple colour. On the nose, rich heart cherry, blackberry juice, dried violets, with fragrant black bread notes and some precious wood. Very juicy on the palate, tightly woven, fruity, stretches over the tongue with great and fresh notes, savoury, complex and drinky at the same time, exciting and vibrant." Falstaff

"The 2021 Lagrein Riserva Taber opens with plummy and very ripe aromas of confit blackberries, pitted plums and a spicy note of suede or new leather. Lagrein usually has a pronounced creamy side, and this can be felt here, especially through the wine's dense texture and soft tannins. This 2021 vintage is very extracted and dense." Wine Advocate

"A dark and ripe red that impresses with aromas of liquorice, chocolate, cassis and mulberries. Full-bodied and fleshy, with chewy but soft tannins and generous, spicy oak that complements the ripe fruit. An intense Lagrein." James Suckling

"The classic, almost impenetrable, deep blackberry red colour that is so typical of this grape variety. Blackberry and sloe fruit dominate the nose and palate, with notes of dark chocolate and roasted spices. Full and round with ripe tannins, the wine is approaching an early peak but should keep well over the next five to seven years." Decanter

1919 is undisputedly the top product among Kettmeir's sparkling wines. Here, the entire expertise of the South Tyrolean company, which produces according to traditional bottle fermentation, unfolds. The Chardonnay base wine matures in wood, the Pinot Nero in stainless steel tanks. Both base wines are then blended and mature for at least 60 months in the bottle on the fine lees. The result is a concert for the senses: complex, multi-layered bouquet of citrus fruits, dried fruit and spices. Bread, smoke and minerals round off the exciting picture. On the palate, we are thrilled by this freshness and depth, which never give the impression that there is too much of everything here, but that everything is precisely dimensioned in its place. Tautness on the palate, a lively personality, fragrance, spice and sensuality are paired with a seriousness and room-filling presence that rightly places the 1919 among Italy's great Spumanti. SUPERIORE.DE

"Clean aromas of candied lemons and fragrant minerals follow through to the palate, where lively bubbles refresh the lemon character. Dry minerals form a pleasing base on the palate, leaving an aftertaste of Marsiglia." James Suckling

"Sparkling straw yellow with fine-grained perlage. A little reserved on the nose, then of white flowers and ripe peach, also reminiscent of grapefruit, reverberating on lemongrass. Very juicy on the palate, with fine fruit melting, fine-grained perlage and toasted hints, structured and with salty pressure, delicately bitter in the final." Falstaff

For Camalaione, owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Viganò blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, an approach that works very well here. The 2018 is wonderfully seductive, even if it is still very closed at first. Deep dark fruits, spices, new leather, liquorice, menthol and dried herbs emerge with a little time in the glass. Silky and smooth, with a medium-weight structure, it is absolutely stunning. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich cassis, dark cherries, some tapenade and dusty cocoa powder add a degree of richness and complexity to the subtle flavours of rhubarb and damp leaves. The palate is full-bodied and flavourful, with a salty note in the fruit and a long, complex finish. Lots of sea salt chocolate on the finish." James Suckling

"The 2018 Camalaione is a great wine, obviously quite atypical given the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Syrah blend, but compelling nonetheless. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather and grilled herbs saturate the palate in a wine of stunning depth and textural intensity. A real stunner." Vinous

Our customers had to do without Frescobaldi's Castelgiocondo for several years, as we felt that it did not sufficiently reflect the elegance and finesse of the Montalcino region. After the winery made some stylistic changes in recent years, it has evolved from a rather opulent wine into a very authentic and cool interpretation of the appellation and we would therefore not like to withhold the very successful 2019 edition from you.

Opens beautifully in the glass with sour cherries, spiced oranges and dried flowers. Creamy textures on the drink, contrasted by cool minerality and juicy acids, nicely accompanied by small red berries under a hint of sweet herbs and inner flowers. Castelgiocondo 2019 still needs some time to develop, but it has the necessary balance and structure to mature into a real beauty. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, light ruby with a granite-red rim. Deep and spicy nose of black pepper, damp earth, tobacco, cedar wood and cherry jam. Ripe fruit on the palate, finely woven tannins, lots of tension, a hint of menthol on the long finish." Falstaff

"Very dark ruby red with bright orange-coloured reflections. Rich, brooding cherry with a hint of eucalyptus. Supple fruit that is still quite curled up at the same time. Grainy, long tannins and plenty of juice on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"The Brunello comes from plots located between 350 and 450 metres above sea level on the predominantly slate-rich Galestro. Concentrated and expressive, the nose reveals an intriguing blend of red cherries, plums, nutmeg and mint. The layers of generous fruit are lush and the tannins have a suede-like texture. Undertones of sweet earth and forest permeate the wine. Well made, everything is effortlessly in place." Decanter

"The Frescobaldi 2019 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo shows notes of oak, dried spices, redwood and smoked tobacco. At its core, the wine shows dark fruit and a high level of extraction. The tannins are soft and dissolved, making this Brunello a wine that can be drunk immediately. The wine is exactly where you want it to be." Wine Advocate

"This powerful red wine is as spicy as it is fruity, with notes of cherry, plum, leather, wild thyme, woody undergrowth, iron and tobacco. Powerful, with dusty tannins that guard the long-lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"Black cherries, black bark, blackberries and lavender. Medium to full-bodied with juicy and polished tannins and a long, flavourful finish. Needs four to five years to open up and develop." James Suckling

"South-west quadrant of the appellation, a Brunello of spicy and balsamic elegance. Refined nose, black cherry, a hint of juniper, closing on cinnamon sensations. Dense and drinkable on the palate, with iodised tannins and recurring notes of black cherry, with citrus notes." Luca Gardini

Its dense, intense colour has a lush bouquet, whose fruity hints of blackberries, sour cherries and blueberries are given an elegant touch by the delicate, very subtle wood spice. In the rich, firm flavour, the smooth tannin is well fused with the structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Warm-scented nose with a potpourri of berry fruit and fine spice, floral aromas and orange zest; still very youthful in the mouth with accentuated acidity and racy, albeit tightly woven tannins, the finish becomes increasingly opulent with aeration. Excellently made, should definitely mature." Vinum

"The nose is floral and earthy, with aromas of rosewater, herbs, damp earth and black cherries, as well as hints of cola and fresh pepper. On the palate, tart blackberries accentuate a persistent interplay between black cherry, pepper and herbal notes. Taut tannins reinforce a latent warmth." Wine Enthusiast

"Fresh and balanced, this red wine shows flavours of cherries, raspberries, flowers, minerals and tobacco. It offers depth and a supple texture that is balanced by a base of grippy tannins. Overall elegant, with fine length." Wine Spectator

"A flavoursome, opulent Vino Nobile with roasted sesame seeds, spices, ripe plums and citrus fruits. A firm frame of tannins envelops the citrus fruit. Firm, long and still a little chewy. Needs at least another year to develop." James Suckling

The Biancosesto is a true Friulian made from equal parts of the local Ribolla Gialla and Friulano grape varieties. Fresh, citrus-fruity aroma with hints of apple and pear, accompanied by a full-bodied, harmonious and pleasantly dry flavour. A refined interpretation of down-to-earthness with a beautiful arc of tension. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright olive green with straw yellow colour. Juicy citrus fruit on the nose, elderberry, juicy pink peach, rose petal, grapefruit, pomegranate, inviting. Fresh, juicy, clear on the palate, with well-defined fruit, full of tension and accessible, pure drinking pleasure." Falstaff

"Perfumed, elegant nose with citrus blossom and menthol, rich on the palate with candied fruit." Decanter

"This bright white features juicy pineapple, passion fruit and lychee notes accented by hints of grated ginger, ground cardamom, vanilla and white blossoms. Well-knit and lightly chalky in texture, with a focused, mineral-driven finish." Wine Spectator

"I like the undertones of crushed stone in the grapefruit and gooseberry flavours. It's bright, creamy and citrusy, with a medium body and a lively, zesty finish." James Suckling

"The Tunella 2022 Friuli Colli Orientali Biancosesto emphasises its modernist style with a very rich and creamy texture that comes from ageing in large Slavonian oak barrels. The blend consists of equal parts Friulano and Ribolla Gialla, and the fruit benefits from marl and sandstone soils that develop freshness and sweet concentration. This wine is complex and rich with ripe fruit, apricots and pears. It is a 360-degree expression with an extra dose of opulence to finish." Wine Advocate