Bibenda

The Monferrato Rosso Il Bacialè is a blend of Barbera, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Merlot. Black cherry, gravel, chocolate, liquorice and dried herbs give this powerful, lush Monferrato red wine a lot of character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense ruby red with brightening edges. Open nose of plums, cherries and pepper, forest floor and leather on the finish. Powerful on the palate with elegant tannins, the final is persistent and slightly drying." Falstaff

Light straw yellow in colour and intensely fruity with a banana, apple and citrus aroma. Beautifully aromatic and yet not too heavy in flavour, the wine shows excellent persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spiced lemons and blossoms on the nose. Simple and crisp on the palate, with fresh, bright acidity and a light, crunchy finish. Drink now." James Suckling

Dievole's new Chianti Classico Catignano, just released with the debut 2020 vintage, is the result of the effort to highlight the identity characteristics of particularly suitable vineyards, leading to ever more precise expressions of Sangiovese. Catignano is a plateau at 370 metres above sea level, with vineyards of different ages and a large proportion of Alberese. The exposure is west and southeast, which means plenty of sun during the day, but also cold temperatures at night, with a good temperature range that favours the aromatic development of the grapes.

On the nose, notes of red fruits, then a tertiary complexity of tobacco leather, graphite and liquorice. Warm and juicy on the palate, with notes of ripe red fruits. A juicy, sun-drenched cru. SUPERIORE.DE

"Made with 100% organic Sangiovese, the 2020 Chianti Classico Catignano sees fruit from a plateau of vines that are fully exposed to the bright luminosity of the Tuscan sun. This wine offers more fruit weight as a result, with dark cherry aromas, wet stone and dusty mineral." Wine Advocate

"A balanced red with a perfumed nose of cherries, red currants, wafers and dried flowers. Also lemon peel. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and lively with a flattering texture. A fresh and flavourful long finish." James Suckling

"A round red with aromas of cherry, raspberry, iron and tobacco. Firm and dense, also compact on the finish, but still needs time to fully develop. All the elements are there, so be patient." Wine Spectator

A very well-balanced Chardonnay with a strong personality and the clarity and depth you expect from Maculan. A summery, warm fruit bouquet of apricot and peach, with an appetising hint of fresh bread and very delicate vanilla. Uninhibitedly juicy, yet fine, creamy and elegant in flavour with a pleasant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The name of this fresh and aromatic Malvasia is dedicated to the former owner Paola Lantieri, who cultivated the 4.5 hectare vineyard with great dedication. The vines grow on mineral soils of ash, fine brown sand, pumice and silicate.

A fresh bouquet of spicy yellow flowers, lime zest, nectarines and crushed stones. On the palate, we find an attractive bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, tropical citrus fruits and a cooling minerality. The long and very delicious final is accompanied by kiwi and sage - very successful! SUPERIORE.DE

"White stone fruit, citrus fruit, fresh sage and chalky earth on offer. Fresh and crisp on the palate with juicy acidity and a chalky mineral backbone. Medium-bodied with a refreshing finish." James Suckling

"Tasca's Tenuta Capofaro is situated on the Aeolian Islands off the northeast tip of Sicily. Here, on the island of Vulcano, Malvasia is grown on its loose, sandy volcanic soils. Very soft with good saline, its peachy aroma with green fruit hints is reflected in the mouth, with a pithy character and a long, fresh and juicy finish." Decanter

Maximo is a Sauvignon Bianco made from grapes grafted with Botrytis cinerea and smells and tastes incredibly complex. Golden with amber highlights, distinct aromas of honey, apricot and peach, followed by notes of ripe figs and candied citrus. Rich and balanced with crisp fresh persistence and wonderful length. SUPERIORE.DE

The Villa di Chiesa from Vermentino and Chardonnay is very distinctive. It is aged for about eight months in barriques. Smelling of ripe fruit and a delicate vanilla note, the taste is characterised by power and elegance, velvety, spicy and long-lasting. SUPERIORE.DE

Donnafugata's impressive declaration of love to Etna, currently the hottest wine hotspot, began with the Sul Vulcano line. Light ruby red in colour, with a bouquet of wild strawberry and delicate hints of black cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg. The corresponding, fresh flavour and subtle elegance lead to a harmonious and energetic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Open-hearted bouquet with delicate oxidation, lilac, juniper and tobacco. Earthy and mineral on the palate with fine tannins and spicy notes." Weinwisser

"Medium, bright garnet red with a brightening rim. Fine aromas of strawberries and raspberries and a hint of cherry syrup on the nose. Crisp, fresh and juicy on the palate with a fruity finish and fine-grained tannins." Falstaff

"It impresses with its ripe core of black cherry and plum and offers pretty accents of violets, aniseed and dried herbs. This red wine is light-footed, with taut tannins that round off the mineral finish." Wine Spectator

"A soft and open red with plum and spice character as well as floral undertones. Some fresh herbs too. Medium body. Lightly chewy." James Suckling

"Hints of sweet spice and dusty rose give way to crushed cherries and cloves as the 2021 Etna Rosso Sul Vulcano blossoms in the glass. On the palate, it displays a texture of pure silk with ripe red fruits accompanied by lively acidity, while floral notes unfold on the inside. Fine tannins and a primary concentration saturate towards the end, while the 2021 finishes long. Traces of liquorice fade towards the end. This is a fantastic offering, especially at this price point." Vinous

Torcolato is made from botrytised Vespaiola grapes and matures in French oak barrels, a third of which are new. It has been one of the best sweet wines in Italy for decades. Aromas of dried apricots, white truffle, honey and sage on the nose, virtuoso and exotic on the palate. Class and elegance with a great value and outstanding ageing potential. A monument in the Italian wine world every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Silky and sweet, but also delicious and clear, with notes of lemon wax and toasted almonds accenting flavours of baked persimmons, singed orange peel, dried mint and toffee. A tight-knit dessert wine, with well-integrated acidity and light, taut tannins." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Torcolato has a deep golden colour and impresses with a bouquet that combines richness with sophistication. Dried apricots and mangoes meet notes of almond paste, cinnamon and fresh mint, which complement each other. This wine is surprisingly lively and energetic, with a racy acidity and tart fruit balanced by a core of sour citrus and spice. The 2021 leaves you wanting more and finishes dramatically long but incredibly fresh, with notes of green melon and lime slowly fading away. This is dangerously delicious." Vinous

Beautiful Sauvignon Bianco from Maculan's famous Ferrata white wine vineyard on volcanic and tufaceous soils. Clear, fresh bouquet of citrus and gooseberry, then ripe tropical fruit, peach with a hint of saffron. Full and multi-layered on the palate with seductive flavours of lemon, orange blossom and mint. The finish is complex and long - a white full of character with a high recognition value. SUPERIORE.DE

Here comes one of the probably least known charmers from the noble region around Montalcino. An exciting nose of barbecue smoke, onion and paprika. Very juicy and well-structured on the palate, the dark fruit flanked by rosemary and forest floor. Very accessible and yet independent in character and personality. Long and exciting. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour with a rich core. Hints of blackberry and dark cherry on the nose, reminiscent of plaster and candle wax on the finish. Juicy on the palate, flavours of wild berries and iron, firm tannins, balanced final." Falstaff

"Very pure dark- and blue-fruited nose with hints of violets, dried orange peel and graphite. Polished, almost silky on the medium-bodied palate, with very attractive juicy acidity. Savory and spiced at the end." James Suckling

Light yellow with green reflections. Strong aroma with grapefruit, peach and some lime. Good balance of pineapple, apple and tropical fruits on the palate. A very complex yet fresh white from the house of Rallo, which rightly ranks among the best whites in Sicily every year. Good storage and ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

A solid wine that excels every year is the exciting Nobile from Poliziano, which smells of dark red cherries, blackberries and roasted notes. Juicy, compact and polished on the palate, soft and balanced with silky tannins and a long, elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark fruity perfume of black cherries and plums, peppery notes; pithy on the palate, robust tannins, beautiful character and good length." Vinum

"Rich and dense, this red wine shows flavours of black cherries, blackberries and blueberries, accentuated by earth and iron. All of this is supported by a lively acidity and strong tannins that are fresh and long-lasting on the finish." Wine Spectator

"A modern Vino Nobile with dark chocolate and some lush spices. Flavours of plums, roasted red peppers, berries and pine cones follow through to a dense, medium to full-bodied palate. It is firm and long." James Suckling

Rich, beautifully balanced bouquet with notes of kumquats. Yellow stone fruit, graphite, minerals and a delicate vanilla note on the palate. This fresh and incredibly charming Chardonnay is already elegant, balanced, full-bodied and persistent on the palate, and further bottle ageing will round it off perfectly. SUPERIORE.DE

"A hint of roasted nuts on the nose enriches the vibrant palette of soaked apricot, tangerine peel, pastry cream and chamomile notes on the palate. The racy acidity lends fine definition to the complex profile and carries it into the well-spiced finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2023 is toasty and slightly tropical, with a mineral, stony quality running through the core and lovely bright acidity. It finishes with a zesty lemon zest and Mediterranean herbs. Beautifully balanced and very fresh." Decanter

"The Bramìto della Sala 2023 is youthfully shy in the glass, opening with fleeting aromas of raw almonds, white flowers, vanilla pods and spices. On the palate, it is much more enticing, silky and round, with a core of zesty acidity for contrast. Ripe fruit trees and minty herbal notes swirl together. Crisp mineral notes and sour citrus fruit characterise the finish. The 2023 finishes long and delicious, leaving a lingering aftertaste of lemon custard. Aromatically, it still needs time to develop, but with such wonderful balance on the inside, it will be time well spent." Vinous

Donnafugata's impressive declaration of love to Etna, currently the hottest wine hotspot, began with the Sul Vulcano line. Carricante is one of the most exciting grape varieties in southern Italy, capable of complexity and terroir-driven expression in the right soils. The vines for Donnafugata's only white wine from Etna grow on volcanic soils rich in minerals at an altitude of 700-750 metres. The wine is fermented in steel tanks before maturing partly in concrete tanks and partly in second and third choice barriques for 10 months and then a further nine months in the bottle.

Straw yellow with golden reflections. Bouquet of white flowers and notes of wild herbs and citrus. On the palate, it is full, fresh and flavoursome and finishes with impressive freshness, elegance and an exciting mineral vein. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose reveals chiselled notes of pink grapefruit, herbs and citrus blossom. In the mouth, it is tightly woven, with a very fine woody touch, melting contours, mineral and salty." Weinwisser

"Straw yellow in colour. Attractive nose of fresh lemon peel, but still somewhat restrained. Mineral lemon fruit with salty hints on the finish. Can mature." Jancis Robinson

"A well-dried white wine with lush vanilla, baking spice and lime blossom accents to the flavours of glazed apple and tangerine fruit. The mouthwatering acidity is well integrated, providing definition and carrying the rich flavours through the lingering, slightly salty finish." Wine Spectator

"The Etna Bianco Sul Vulcano 2021 is intense, with a blend of flint, sweet mint, apricot and a hint of sage. It is soft and round, with a lively acidity and mineral fruit that pours over the palate and takes on a hint of sour citrus towards the end. The Sul Vulcano is a fantastic option for an entry-level Etna Bianco, and having tasted the 2016 in parallel, I can confirm that it will age beautifully." Vinous

"Juicy fruit character, delicate white flowers, ripe melon and pineapple, elegant and mineral with generous fruit." Decanter

"A gourmet wine with structure. Intense and smoky, this shows jasmine, green apples and yellow peaches. The palate is vibrant, electric and fresh with an almost tannic texture. Zesty and mineral, it’s just a bit leaner on the finish." James Suckling

Wonderfully fragrant, fruity and floral bouquet. The flavour is reminiscent of plums and cherries with a fine vanilla-spicy component and clear, very pleasant acidity and polished tannins. Clear fruit flavours, enormous velvety texture and a long finish emphasise the harmony of this Nobile Riserva. SUPERIORE.DE

"Raspberry-fruity attack with balsamic nuances; elegant style with polish and character, impresses with its balanced texture, finesse and length." Vinum

"A spicy and fragrant red that has aromas of pine needles, incense, walnuts and spiced plums. It’s full-bodied with ripe, creamy tannins that are well-integrated into the plum and berry fruit. Excellent concentration." James Suckling

This Vermentino cru is the result of a study project in the vineyard and in the winery and comes from two clones each from Corsica and Sardinia. "Belguardo V" (formerly "Codice V") displays the most distinctive characteristics of Tyrrhenian Vermentino and thus epitomises the typical Vermentino as the Mazzei family understands it. Fresh and bright citrus flavours with white flowers, honeysuckle and cut grass. Sunny, savoury and very mineral on the palate with the typical Vermentino structure. Taut on the final and with promising ageing potential. 30% of the wine is matured on the fine lees in amphorae. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, light golden yellow colour. Smoky on the nose with notes of melted butter, ripe citrus fruit and a hint of cinchona bark. Very juicy on the palate with a velvety texture, rich fruit on fresh acidity and good length." Falstaff

"Fresh and mineral Vermentino with flavours of white fruits, lemons and flowers. Very polished and supple, with a medium body and clean acidity. Silky and structured, but crisp and nervy at the same time. Focussed and balanced." James Suckling

The eruption of 1614 is legendary in the history of Etna, as it lasted ten years, making it the longest recorded eruption of the active volcano to date. A very impressive and fitting name for Planeta's Etna series of equally impressive wines.

It could hardly be more autochthonous: this excellent wine from the Nerello Mascalese grape comes from the hotspot on the east coast of Sicily, from the slopes of Mount Etna. Bright cherry red in colour, a fine aroma of raspberry and blood orange, gripping, taut acidity, silky tannins and a lively elegance with beautiful minerality. Great, long and unique! SUPERIORE.DE

"Impressive aromas of mulberries and flowers; juicy on the palate, beautifully polished, balanced and elegant through to the final, red berry flavours, soft, honey notes and yet the acidity is in balance. A lovely accompaniment to food." Vinum

"Burgundy-inspired bouquet with red berries, light strawberries, red cherries and balsamic notes, sage. Well-structured on the palate with gripping red berry fruit, sandy tannins and a savoury, peppery acidity structure that lingers into the final." Weinwisser

"It shows aromas of ripe cherries and grilled plums, with fragrant flavours of cigar box spices, broom and wild rosemary that linger on the fine, taut finish." Wine Spectator

"Cherries and cranberries with some candied watermelon both on the nose and on the palate. Medium body, creamy tannins and a tangy finish. Juicy." James Suckling

"The 2020 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese Eruzione 1614 opens in a medium dark ruby red colour with lively primary fruit. Wild berries and cassis are underpinned by gently rendered oak tones of cinnamon and campfire ash. Although technically outside the DOC area (just a few metres), this is one of the finest sites on Etna. The tannins are firm but silky, which means you can drink this bottle straight away without ageing." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 is decidedly savoury, exuding hints of grilled rosemary and sage, ashen stones and crushed blackberries. On the palate, it is characterised by juicy forest fruits, underscored by a hint of blood orange and zesty acidity. It tapers off long and gently tannic, closing on a pleasantly bitter note as the minty herbal tones fade. Wow." Vinous

"The nose begins spicy and herbaceous with notes of stone, salt, pepper, oregano and fennel before lighter flavours of cherry blossom, hibiscus and strawberry emerge. On the palate, the cherry and strawberry flavours sparkle, while a lingering, salty stoniness balances a silky smooth texture with an intense, salty freshness." Wine Enthusiast

Intensely bright golden yellow in colour. An elegant Pinot Grigio with the scent of wild roses and fine, tropical pineapple, apricot, peach and orange flavours. Rich and with a fresh mineral flavour that finishes very harmoniously and elegantly. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pronounced, sparkling golden yellow colour. Inviting bouquet with notes of juicy peaches and nectarines, plus hints of pineapple and mango. On the palate with a silky fruit melt, very juicy and stimulating on vibrant acidity, persistent." Falstaff

"A simple but precise wine with a good finish. Salty and peppery minerality with notes of pear and citrus. Light bodied with a silky texture, crisp acidity and a fruity finish." James Suckling

Sensual bouquet of ripe raspberry and sour cherry flavours, with earthy and spicy nuances, coffee, chocolate and tobacco. Plump and full-bodied flavour, perfectly structured with silky tannins and a long final. Excellent price/quality ratio in small quantities. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep dark ruby colour. Opens with notes of cedar wood and roasted hazelnuts, then lots of juicy cherry, some dark chocolate. Blossoms beautifully on the palate, juicy and savoury, well-integrated, dense tannins, spans a wide range." Falstaff

"This is spicy with notes of walnut, cedar, black raspberries and cherries with some nutmeg undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with compact tannins and velvety texture. Broad and rich but fresh and attractive." James Suckling

Giuseppe Russo produces just 5,000 bottles of this extremely elegant rosato every year. Fine, complex aromas of red fruit and mineral stone on the youthfully fresh nose. The energetic and very precise impressions on the palate correspond beautifully with the flavour. Delicate melting, fine minerality, harmonious and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sweet roses, stone dust and orange sherbet make the 2022 Etna Rosato a real delight on the nose. Soothingly round and with a pleasant inner sweetness, it flows across the palate with crisp, mineral-tinged orchard fruits punctuated by a hint of sour citrus. The 2022 finishes intensely mineral and leaves a pleasant mouthfeel as the notes of sour melon gradually fade away." Vinous

"Hints of white peach and green and red fruit aromas accompany some spice and minerals in the mouth, with a touch of creaminess in the background. Fresh, succulent strawberry and raspberry flavours linger on a saline finish." Decanter

"The Etna Rosato 2022 has a floral bouquet with wild flowers, peach blossom and a hint of zagara, the Sicilian lemon blossom. It offers subtle support in the background thanks to a particularly fine and crisp mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"This wine shows subtle notes of pink cherry, peach skin, dried orange peel and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, delicate and supple, with freshness and crisp acidity. Delicious with a structured, polished finish." James Suckling