cult wines

Giacomo Neri's Pietradonice is Cabernet Sauvignon at the highest level and is now a legend, as there is hardly a wine in Montalcino that can even come close to equalling it. Monumental and very concentrated, with hints of sour cherries and a fine cedar wood and liquorice note. The exciting thing: Pietradonice is clearly recognisable as a Montalcino wine and yet, with its herbal and spicy character, it is as typical of Neri as it is of the grape variety and therefore seems to come from another larger world. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red in colour. Fine malty aromas on the nose, a hint of sardines, then very rich dark berry fruit. Very warm-hearted and powerful on the palate, opens on tightly woven, powerful tannins, blackcurrants and fine leather, firm pressure again on the final." Falstaff

"A distinctive red, with an opulent profile and complex, expressive flavors of black currant, blackberry, leather, mineral and spices, plus flashes of lavender and orange peel. Gains support from the muscular structure, with a long, spicy finish." Wine Spectator

"Blackcurrant, hints of chocolate and black liquorice with violet undertones. Full-bodied with linear, firm tannins that give the wine tension and structure. Needs time to open up and soften. Best after 2025." James Suckling

Batàr is undoubtedly reminiscent of Burgundy, but with unmistakable Tuscan authenticity. Vintage after vintage, Querciabella's forward-thinking winemaking has evolved beyond the hedonistic idea of growing foreign, albeit noble, white grapes in a stronghold of red wines to focus on expressing a particular sense of place. The Batàr's inherent vitality and classic minerality clearly come from the high-altitude vineyards of Ruffoli and the Galestro soils typical of the best sites in Chianti Classico.

Batàr's legendary ability to defy age and improve over time requires a careful combination of hand-picked Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes, punctual micro-vinification and patient ageing in barrels. The long period on the lees in high-quality French barriques allows the individual batches to develop their best expression. The final assemblage is only put together through extensive sampling once the optimal maturation process has been completed. Further maturation in the bottle before release seals the multi-layered texture that characterises the proverbial mouthfeel of Batàr.

Exudes elegant aromas of jasmine, peach and sweet tropical fruit and a lively minerality. Batàr secures its many admirers with great finesse and opulent diversity and has undoubtedly been one of the best white wines in Italy for decades! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright light gold colour. Delicate and elegant on the nose, reminiscent of cream meringue, including ripe apricot and vineyard peach, also hints of Mediterranean spices. Dense on the palate with rich fruit and a silky texture, with a gentle persistence on the slightly fruity, long finish." Falstaff

"The Batàr 2021 is bright and beautifully concentrated. Lemon confit, white flowers, chamomile and jasmine are all nicely delineated. Crisp and lively, the 2021 shows all the energy that has been the norm for this wine lately. Bottled just a month before this tasting, the 2021 is still showing very well." Vinous

"Fresh and creamy nose with lemon curd, star fruit, green pineapple, fine yeast sediment and wet stones. Clarity and mineral tension define the medium to full-bodied palate, which offers gastronomic quality with its long, beautifully savoury finish." James Suckling

Ai Suma offers great balance and tension. Intense ruby red with garnet-coloured reflections. There is a lot of black fruit on the nose and on the palate, along with spices, tar and leather. The wine finishes with a hint of sweetness, but the natural acidity of the grape comes in to add a pinch of freshness at the end, emphasising the class of this wine. Full, powerful, full of character, but at the same time elegant, harmonious and very persistent - a Barbera in a class of its own every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is quite ripe and spicy with dried cherries, moist bark and hints of undergrowth. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated with a juicy core of red and dark berries and velvety tannins. Lingering and flavorful." James Suckling

"The Braida 2020 Barbera d'Asti Ai Suma shows a very ripe bouquet featuring air-dried fruit, raisin and prune. There is a lot of muscle and power in this wine delivered in terms of texture, concentration and alcohol that in this vintage measures a whopping 16%. Think of this as the Amarone of Asti. The finish is creamy soft and slightly sweet." Wine Advocate

Felluga's Picolit is a perfect example and explains the popularity and reputation of this rare and traditional sweet wine. Golden yellow in colour, it has a wonderful aroma of honey, white flowers and ripe tropical fruit. The sweet and rich flavour is characterised by a pleasant viscosity and impeccable balance. SUPERIORE.DE

Batàr is undoubtedly reminiscent of Burgundy, but with unmistakable Tuscan authenticity. Vintage after vintage, Querciabella's forward-thinking winemaking has evolved beyond the hedonistic idea of growing foreign, albeit noble, white grapes in a stronghold of red wines to focus on expressing a particular sense of place. The Batàr's inherent vitality and classic minerality clearly come from the high-altitude vineyards of Ruffoli and the Galestro soils typical of the best sites in Chianti Classico.

Batàr's legendary ability to defy age and improve over time requires a careful combination of hand-picked Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes, punctual micro-vinification and patient ageing in barrels. The long period on the lees in high-quality French barriques allows the individual batches to develop their best expression. The final assemblage is only put together through extensive sampling once the optimal maturation process has been completed. Further maturation in the bottle before release seals the multi-layered texture that characterises the proverbial mouthfeel of Batàr.

Exudes elegant aromas of jasmine, peach and sweet tropical fruit and a lively minerality. Batàr secures its many admirers with great finesse and opulent diversity and has undoubtedly been one of the best white wines in Italy for decades! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Batàr is airy, fresh and nuanced. Hints of tangerine oil, mint, lemon peel, almond and dried flowers are all nicely lifted in this aromatic, refreshing white. The style continues to move in the direction of energy and vibrancy. These days, there's minimal lees-stirring and just a hint of new oak, a response to changing climate conditions and stylistic preferences. This is beautifully done and also quite expressive, especially for a wine that was just bottled." Vinous

Since its debut in 1988, Il Blu has been the result of constant striving for perfection. With ultra-fine tannins and a smooth and full finish, this full-bodied wine captivates with its complexity and elegance. Il Blu is made from only the best hand-picked and selected grapes from the two vineyards in the Chianti region. Although Sangiovese plays a leading role in the blend, its influence and signature contribute significantly to the overall identity of this special wine.

Rich, unfathomable ruby red. Explosive aromas of black cherries and blackberries on the nose. The texture is wonderfully balanced, on the palate Il Blu presents itself fresh, persistently powerful and with wonderfully articulated tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with a subtly lightening rim. Spicy, noble nose of ripe sour cherries, blackcurrants and elegant use of wood. Juicy on the palate, with clear, well-developed fruit, with still young tannin, still needs some time, salty and punchy on the final." Falstaff

"This is an organic blend that enjoys near iconic status here in Tuscany. Thanks to its long track record, you can count on this Tuscan blended red to deliver top quality. The Brancaia 2020 Il Blu is a full-bodied red with sweet fruit flavors and a rich, velvety texture." Wine Advocate

"Shows a resinous note from the oak that envelops ripe black cherry, plum, leather, mineral and tobacco flavors. This red just keeps building in intensity and fruit on the palate, ending with a succulent, fruit- and spice-infused aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Il Blu is superb. Dark and mysterious at first, the Blu offers up an exotic mélange of blue fruits, mocha, new leather, licorice and lavender. Bright acids play off some of the more over leanings beautifully. Il Blu has long been one of the most distinctive wines in Chianti Classico. The 2020 is another fine edition of Il Blu." Vinous

"Attractive blueberries, brambles and cherries with spiced orange peel and lilac blossom, as well as some smoky dark spices and cocoa. Full, concentrated and very tense, with tightly packed but very polished and fine tannins. Shows a succulence and vibrancy to the fruit with a mineral, slightly chalky finish." James Suckling

Vernaccia di Oristano Antico Gregori Riserva was not only named dessert wine of the year in Gambero Rosso 2021, but was also given a vintage for the first time in this edition. Since this year it was possible to fill a little more than in other years, this year they did without the normally undertaken assemblage of the best vintages of the last century. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, it became a breathtaking wine that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of intensity, ripeness and depth! SUPERIORE.DE

"A", as it is called in the winery, represents the qualitative peak of Schiopetto. This wine is made from Chardonnay grapes and a small part of Friulano, which come from a historic single vineyard site of the winery in the Colli Orientali and achieve a unique expression. A perfect synthesis between the expressiveness of Chardonnay and the aromatic complexity of Friulano, this white wine shows the quintessence and full personality of the Friulian territory and is dedicated to Mario Schiopetto. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a very serious chardonnay with subtle aromas of apple pie, flint and lemon curd. Holding back, but enticing you with every scent. Full-bodied with density and energy and lots of flavors, yet it’s dry and racy at the end." James Suckling

Sauvignon Bianco Rachtl comes from a small micro-location of just 0.4 hectares. It gets its fine flint and graphite nose from the porphyry soils near Unteraicha in the municipality of Völs. Very subtle on the palate with fine saline acidity, fresh fruit and a long-lasting finish. If you can call one of the 2,000 bottles of this vintage your own, you can count yourself lucky! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale straw yellow with light green notes. Opens with notes of sage and flint, green asparagus and some smoke. Salty on the palate, shows very good tension, finely elaborated fruit, lingers beautifully." Falstaff

"The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Riserva Rachtl shows aromas of candied lemon peel, preserved pineapple and a hint of ripe apricot. The wine has a medium-bodied texture with a certain heaviness of the warm vintage, but also a much-needed acidity. Only 2,000 bottles were produced." Wine Advocate

"Bright flavours of lemon, satsuma and smoky minerals with clean, precise acidity and nice concentration; long and fresh." Decanter

The vineyards of the Löwengang estate in Margreid have been owned by the Lageder family since 1934. Here, on the rubble cone of ancient dolomite rock below steep cliffs, grape varieties such as Carménère and Cabernet find ideal conditions in the mild climate of the valley.

Löwengang emphasises the unique DNA of the grapes from which this wine is made. Parts of the vineyard are around 145 years old and the vines are among the oldest vineyards in South Tyrol. Count Melchiori, the former owner, planted the plots in Margreid with Cabernet around 1875. At least that's what he thought - because a large proportion of the vines planted at that time were actually Carménère vines. Through intensive study of the vineyard and extensive genetic analyses, the Alois Lageder winery discovered that the vineyard was in fact a mixed set of Carménère, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. In order to emphasise the special origin of the grapes, the wine will be offered as the "Löwengang Historischer gemischter Satz" from the 2018 vintage onwards.

Complex, concentrated bouquet with fruity hints of cherries and blackcurrants, spicy aromas of tobacco, floral notes of violets and mint and a very elegant woody note. Powerful, straightforward attack, concentrated and dense on the palate. Long-lasting, fresh and fruity final with powerful but by no means aggressive tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"The plot planted with Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the heart of the Löwengang vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in South Tyrol with vines up to 140 years old. Wild nose with lots of vegetal freshness, mint and floral notes, light-footed and slender on the palate, but with a strong structure, crisp acidity, leafy and earthy notes, raspberry and blackberry jelly, candied violets, tomato spice, traces of dark chocolate, youthfully rough and impetuous tannins, stubborn and exciting." Weinwisser

"Cool, polished, firm and very fine aroma of black and red berries with tobacco and fleshy-animal nuances as well as a little juniper and tobacco. Tart, firm and again quite cool in the mouth, fine juicy fruit with nutty, juniper and herbaceous tones, noticeable acid bite and youthful, yet fine tannin, persistent and dense on the palate, yet slender, good depth, restrained, somewhat cedary wood spice, a little tomato paste, iron and blood, plenty of salt, very good, firm, tart, gripping finish. The absolute opposite of a heavyweight and yet dense, complex and deep - that is an art in itself." Wein-Plus

"Aromas of earth, leather, chocolate and licorice, very spicy and smoky. The attack is soft, with ripe, velvety, almost silky tannins that are chewier on the refreshing, medium-bodied finish." James Suckling

The vineyards of the Löwengang estate in Margreid have been owned by the Lageder family since 1934. Here, on the rubble cone of ancient dolomite rock below steep cliffs, grape varieties such as Carménère and Cabernet find ideal conditions in the mild climate of the valley.

Löwengang emphasises the unique DNA of the grapes from which this wine is made. Parts of the vineyard are around 145 years old and the vines are among the oldest vineyards in South Tyrol. Count Melchiori, the former owner, planted the plots in Margreid with Cabernet around 1875. At least that's what he thought - because a large proportion of the vines planted at that time were actually Carménère vines. Through intensive study of the vineyard and extensive genetic analyses, the Alois Lageder winery discovered that the vineyard was actually a mixed set of Carménère, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. In order to emphasise the special origin of the grapes, the wine will be offered as the "Löwengang Historischer gemischter Satz" from the 2018 vintage onwards.

Complex, concentrated bouquet with fruity hints of cherries and blackcurrants, spicy aromas of tobacco, floral notes of violets and mint and a very elegant woody note. Powerful, straightforward attack, concentrated and dense on the palate. Long-lasting, fresh and fruity final with powerful but by no means aggressive tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Made from Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Alois Lageder 2019 Alto Adige Löwengang Uvaggio Storico shows dark fruit with a healthy pinch of white pepper and exotic spice. It is a full-bodied red wine with rich concentration and dark fruit, followed by dried mint. With an edition of 3,500 bottles, this is a selection of the best fruit from Tenuta Löwengang in Magrè." Wine Advocate

"Super restrained and fresh yet with bright cassis fruit character, showing rosemary, licorice, leaf and pepper aromas. Soft attack with dense, velvety tannins, crisp acidity, a medium to full body and a savory finish. Intended for the long haul." James Suckling

In 1991, Turriga was one of the first bottled wines ever to be exported from the island. Turriga has a 100% Sardinian soul - the famous blend of four red autochthonous grape varieties was once created by the famous OenologistGiacomo Tachis and is continued today by his "heir" Mariano Murru, technical director and Oenologist at Argiolas. The DNA of this exceptional wine sounds as simple as it is perfect: its refined blend of grape varieties gives it its unique structure, roundness, fullness, fruit and a perfectly balanced portion of tannins.

Mariano goes into raptures and describes his top wine as follows: "It has a deep ruby red colour and an enveloping taste of almost spherical softness, with tannins of great finesse that support and accompany the drink. The lively fruit is supported by a balanced acidity and spiciness that refreshes the palate and prolongs an indescribable finish of rare elegance."

We have loved the elegant bouquet of plums, the opulent dark fruit, the finely balanced vanilla note and the subtle hint of tobacco for decades. Excellently structured and long-lasting on the finish. A masterpiece every year! SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich and layered red wine with lots of berry, cedar, chocolate and bark character. It is medium to full-bodied with a tight centre and a flavourful finish. It starts intense and then finishes very fine and concentrated. Better in three or four years, but already great now." James Suckling

The Rosso di Montalcino comes from slightly younger Brunello vines and is matured for 12 months in large oak barrels. It undoubtedly bears the signature of the top winery Biondi Santi: delicately sweet, open flavours of red berries, flowers and cloves. Like all of the winery's other wines, the Rosso is classic and firm in style, with a bombastic structure and a brilliant, long finish. True to the house, it also has a long ageing and maturation potential and can compete with some of the Brunello wines of the appellation today and in the future. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale ruby red colour. Slightly restrained nose. Structured, sweet fruit on the palate, with real drive and grip on the finish. Admirably long. Really very exciting! Pure, fully ripe Sangiovese. Powerful and a great balance between fruit and the natural tannin and acidity of the grape. Simply marvellous! Already a great drink, but with enough ripe tannin to go on and on." Jancis Robinson

"Generous aromas of ripe strawberries and cherries that develop into flowers and stones with some crushed cement. Medium-bodied with firm tannins that fill the mouth, as well as lively acidity and depth of fruit. Spicy and almost salty on the finish." James Suckling

"The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino is simply stunning. It emerges from the glass with vibrant raspberry and cherry notes complemented by sweet roses, cloves and cedar. This model of purity is silky and refined, with a dusty feel to its ripe red berry fruit. Orange notes provide contrast on the finish. It ends structured and long, still remarkably pure, with a slightly bitter hint that slowly fades. This fabulous Rosso from Biondi-Santi shows the work that has been done in recent years." Vinous

"The Biondi-Santi 2020 Rosso di Montalcino is a very expressive and generous wine with perfumed aromas of softly fragrant heritage rose, violet, redcurrant and rosemary essence. Those herbal notes come out nicely in this vintage, and there is elegantly chalky tannin to close. This vintage saw rain in June and higher temperatures later in the summer. This wine is drinking beautifully now and offers a pleasantly immediate drinking style." Wine Advocate

"The nose is floral and sweet, but refreshing thanks to the clean, balancing flavours of mint and dirt. On the palate, this freshness goes a step further, to a light, bouncy, almost astringent level. The precocious tannins are young but dense and supportive, while the jubilant acidity sings." Wine Enthusiast

Deep, dark ruby red in colour, with a rich fruit concentrate of cherry, elderberries, wild berries and a pinch of pepper on the nose. Wonderful harmony of supple tannins and fine acidity on the palate, with subtle notes of maraschino cherry and spices. Fine toasted flavours on the long, very elegant finish. One of the most complex and underrated top wines in the region to date. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy cherry and berry flavours, also tobacco notes; rich in structure, the powdery tannins and the brittle acidity in balance, persistent and with its spicy fruit and balsamic nuances very complex final." Vinum

"Bright, radiant ruby violet colour. Fragrant and elegant nose, clearly plums, wild berries, undergrowth, later cold smoke. Opens full-bodied and soft on the palate, opens wide, round acidity, powerful and juicy, retronasal cool fruit with eucalyptus, elegant, long final." Falstaff

"The purity of the blackcurrant and lavender is highly appreciated. On the palate, it is concentrated and very polished, with substance and a touch of excellence. Medium-bodied with integrated tannins and a light aftertaste of tomato leaves and blackcurrants." James Suckling

Pietradonice 2020 is so easy and pleasant to drink that it is almost dangerous: the bottle is finished much quicker than you would like. In Montalcino, there are few alternatives to the local Sangiovese grape, and wines of this quality made from Cabernet Sauvignon can be counted on one hand. Rich, dark ruby red in colour, followed by ripe aromas of blackberries, plums, spices and sweet tobacco. Complex and multi-layered on the palate, with wonderfully polished tannins and already a beautiful accessibility. Juicy on the attack and on the palate, very well-developed fruit, monumentally long final. Giacomo Neri's Pietradonice is Cabernet Sauvignon at the highest level and has become a legend, as there is hardly a wine in Montalcino that can even come close to equalling it. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby red colour with slightly brightening edges. Subtle rum pot aromas on the nose, then earthy notes and a touch of redcurrant and Amarena cherry. Well balanced on the palate, juicy, still needs time." Falstaff

"The Casanova di Neri 2020 Pietradonice holds an immense bouquet with generous cherry and dark fruit that shows a nicely ripened phase without feeling overtly mature. There is a sweet note that recalls high-end raspberry jelly, exotic spice, perfumed redwood, cypress and black olive. There is definitely no varietal greenness, and the wine delivers a firm and compact build that covers the whole palate." Wine Advocate

TAL 1930 recalls the beginnings of the Santa Maddalena winery in 1930: a year of particular significance for the history of viticulture in South Tyrol and for the Bolzano winery. The contrast between mountain and valley - Alpine and Mediterranean - defines the character of this exceptional cuvée. The vineyards for the white varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio lie between the valley floor and the sometimes gentle, sometimes steep slopes of the famous Renon near Bolzano. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of 400 to 700 metres and vary greatly in location and temperature, due to the sun from the Dolomites and the sometimes strong winds of the Isarco Valley.

Grapes from the best terroirs and vines that are 30 years old and older are rigorously selected and the knowledge of the climate and microclimate, which is the result of many years of experience, ultimately determines this powerful yet elegant cuvée. TAL 1930 is aged for 12 months in small oak barrels and then matures for 14 months in stainless steel tanks before resting in the bottle on its way to perfection. 1,897 numbered bottles were bottled.

Pale straw yellow with golden reflections, cool and seductive. Intense yet elegant notes of exotic fruits such as mango, pineapple and melon on the nose, combined with fresh hints of grapefruit and lime. Flavours of apple, pear and lychee are accompanied by hints of elderflower, jasmine and a feather-light, caramelly sweetness. A stimulating and very supple freshness on the palate, plus an almost exuberant generosity. Every sip is invigorating and persistent, with a mineral finesse and wonderful length: a South Tyrolean white wine monument! SUPERIORE.DE

Sauvignon Bianco Rachtl comes from a small micro-location of just 0.4 hectares. It gets its fine flint and graphite nose from the porphyry soils near Unteraicha in the municipality of Völs. Very subtle on the palate with fine saline acidity, fresh fruit and a long-lasting finish. If you can call one of the 2,000 bottles of this vintage your own, you can count yourself lucky! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale straw yellow with a silver sheen. Intense and clear nose with notes of basil, lemon balm, green asparagus and some flint. Shows very good tension on the palate, emphasised salty components, green notes at the back, somewhat rough on the final." Falstaff

"Rich nose with notes of cooked lemons, sliced apples, savoury herbs and flowers. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture. Smooth and juicy with lively acidity. A well-made, multi-layered and complex Sauvignon Blanc." James Suckling

"A lovely, well-knit white wine, creamy but lively with vibrant acidity and a racy saline flavour, offering aromas of baked white peach, grapefruit zest, wild strawberry and fresh tarragon that spread out and linger on the long, supple finish." Wine Spectator

"Full of flavours of white peach and floral notes that pour over the juicy acidity of lemon peel and the glossy, silky texture. Wonderfully elegant and very long." Decanter

Vernaccia di Oristano Antico Gregori Riserva was not only named dessert wine of the year in Gambero Rosso 2021 (1976 vintage), but was also bottled in this 1979 vintage edition. As it was possible to bottle a little more this year than in other years, the usual assemblage of the best vintages of the last century was dispensed with this year. Nonetheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, it is, as always, a breathtaking wine that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of intensity, maturity and depth! SUPERIORE.DE

"Lots of nutty undertones with dried fruit, chocolate and aged orange peel aromas and flavors. Hints of dried mushrooms and a touch of volatility, just enough to enhance its character and add some brightness and tension to the dry and refined palate. Characterful and long. Impressive condition." James Suckling

"A unique Vernaccia di Oristano from a winery that has written its own history. A refined, everlasting method that starts from a base vintage and includes lots that are a hundred years old. Apricot in syrup, almond, turmeric and ginger on the nose. The flavour is salty, fruity, spicy and restrained." Luca Gardini

Crosara Breganze 2017 is a textbook Merlot: full of ripe dark fruits, blackberry pie, liquorice, chocolate, toasted oak and grilled herbs. Offering superb inner sweetness, it is both powerful and elegant, with a lush, super-soft mouthfeel. Pleasingly, a wonderfully focused mineral component saves the wine from ever being overdone. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep nose with tapenade and olives on top of the minty blackberries, tar and black spices. Very compact and dense on the palate, with very firm tannins and fresh, medium acidity. A little tight and chewy, with a hint of bitter chocolate in the finish. Give it some time. Try in 2024." James Suckling

"The 2017 Crosara is deep and sweetly scented with violet and lavender perfumes giving way to black currants. This is textural and velvety in feel, with ripe red and black berries complemented by sweet spice and vibrant acidity. It tapers off long and floral with grippy tannins framing the expression nicely, and a twang of sour citrus perfectly completes the expression. The Crosara is a varietal Merlot from partially dried grapes." Vinous

Floral, structured and deep - the Riserva Franciacorta Extra Brut Vittorio Moretti, one of the absolute best spumante Italy has to offer. Juicy peaches, apricots, mint and flowers in the opulent bouquet. Very lively and pure on the palate with balanced notes from the oak. A warm, soft wine with great development potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with light gold and persistent perlage. On the nose, fragrant and inviting of buttered pastries, honeycomb, candied citrus zest and noble salty, iodine tones, even white truffle, reverberating with cream and delicate bourbon vanilla. Noble and clear on the palate, stretches precisely over the tongue, with a magnificent course, round perlage and salty play, long final." Falstaff

"Chamomile, yellow-pear, citrus-zest and bread-crust aromas shape the nose on this blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Nero. On the elegantly structured, creamy palate, a refined perlage accompanies mature yellow apple, orange rind, walnut and vanilla. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors." Wine Enthusiast

Troy is no ordinary Chardonnay. Rather, it is the archetype of a Chardonnay, as Wolfgang Klotz, managing director of what is probably the most successful winegrowers' cooperative in South Tyrol, sees it. The grapes come from two selected vineyards in Söll, near Tramin. The climate there is not only Mediterranean, but the vegetation is also characterised by rather cold downdraughts at night. Both factors guarantee optimal development of the plants and fruit. The berries are hand-picked one by one, so it is clear to any wine connoisseur that this is an absolutely prestigious project for the co-operative. It is therefore not surprising that only 3,000 bottles of this grape variety are sold in selected specialist shops and top restaurants.

Intense straw to golden yellow in colour. On the nose, tropical fruit, a hint of camomile and mint, then fine roasted notes and a subtle nutty flavour. On the palate, you can almost taste the proximity of the mountains, its clarity, freshness and intensity: exotic notes of ripe yellow fruit, then some nutty flavours and again a beguiling liveliness and minerality that ends in an equally long final. Chardonnay can be like this, chapeau! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fine toast, spice, lemon zest, pie crust and roasted pineapple aromas. Flavorful and concentrated on the palate, with a full body. This is quite textural, broad and long. A serious, substantial chardonnay that went through adequate wood cultivation for refinement." James Suckling

Deep, dark ruby red colour. Floral nose with lots of red, warm fruit and delicate herbal notes. Smooth and elegant on the palate with wonderful depth and complexity with notes of black cherry, herbs, violets, plums and a hint of tar and leather. Saffredi literally sneaks up on you until it fades into a very long and harmonious finish with an impressive presence and finesse. One of Italy's great wines, full of elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Still slightly closed. Very multi-faceted on the nose, despite the hot and dry vintage with cool accents, balsamic and herbal-spicy notes, liquorice and pencil lead, certain Bordeaux allure. Quite linear on the palate with a juicy, intense attack, still very youthful fruit, healthy, polished tannin structure, finely arranged and detailed, this will be another great Saffredi." Weinwisser

"Well structured and linear, this red frames a core of black currant and black cherry fruit with accents of toasty oak, sweet spices, tobacco and iron. Refined and harmonious, with the stuffing to develop over the next decade." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Saffredi shows a very ripe and rich interpretation of this iconic wine made by Elisabetta Geppetti and her family. The blend of fruit is the same, but 2020 actually has less oak use to allow the dark fruit to shine through. You'll find blackberries, fragrant roses, dried apricots, spices and sweet cinnamon. All in all, the wine offers immediate fruit and a vertical delivery of flavours." Wine Advocate

"A rich, juicy nose presents a handful of cherries and mulberries, along with slices of passion fruit, but a fresh spice keeps the sweetness in check. On the palate, dark chocolate adds depth to the wine, while tannins and acidity attack in tandem. Bold and confident - a precise wine." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2020 Saffredi is compelling. Deep yet quite structured, the 2020 is unlike any other Saffredi I can recall tasting because of its balance of intense dark fruit and vertical structure. Plum, blackberry, pencil shavings, lavender and spice saturate the palate." Vinous

"Grand Cru from the coast made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Multi-faceted, dynamic nose with notes of blackcurrant, undergrowth, rosemary and liquorice; full-bodied structure with perfectly structured, tightly woven tannins, balanced by plenty of freshness, also mineral salinity, long and full of esprit." Vinum

"Impressive aromas of fresh herbs from the Tuscan coast, such as sage, mint, rosemary and thyme. Also blackcurrants. Full-bodied with fine, chewy tannins that have lovely length and texture. Racy and beautiful, with plenty of subtle and refined character. There is a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in this year, which adds class to the wine. Give this wine about three or four years of bottle age." James Suckling

"Bright ruby red colour. Initially a nose of freshly baked black bread, cranberries, fine earthy notes, a hint of dark chocolate, fragrant precious wood in the aftertaste. Juicy, clear, radiant, present on the palate, with tightly woven tannins, comes back continuously juicy, great length!" Falstaff

A wine of remarkable aromatic complexity. Amarone aficionados know how many allusions these wines are capable of evoking, and it is not difficult to discern mushrooms, forest undergrowth, truffles, Havana leaves and even wild violets in this wine's aromatic profile, as well as the usual confit cherries and plums. In the mouth, the wine is remarkably concentrated yet elegant, carrying this bundle of allusions effortlessly and seamlessly through the palate. The fine pearly tannins give it support and the concentration of fruit is so great that the acidity almost fades into the background. A dense, polished and stately wine of the highest calibre. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, dark ruby red colour with a violet core. Very complex on the nose, dark cherry and plum, leather, cocoa and a hint of black tea, underlaid with bay leaf. Very dense and elegant on the palate with a great fruity centre and a beautiful melting texture, the tannins are grippy and end on a spicy note in the long final." Falstaff

"The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Sergio Zenato 2018 takes the finesse and airy vigour of the vintage and combines it with the opulence of the Zenato style. Sweet spices, incense, sugared cherries, cloves and mint form a seductive bouquet. The character is surprisingly feminine and juicy, with a core of tart forest fruits complemented by a hint of cedar and rosy flowers that develop towards the end. The 2018 finishes savoury and long, with just a hint of fine tannins and a pleasantly acidic sensation that tickles the cheeks." Vinous

"Flavours of baked black cherries, macerated strawberries, singed orange peel and medicinal herbs are concentrated and expressive in this rich red wine, nicely tamed by fine-grained tannins and fresh plum skin acidity. Long and fragrant, with notes of dried flowers, spices, cocoa powder and more dried herbs on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Dense garnet red in colour, with a nose of walnut shells, roasted black pepper, sour cherries and ash. Soft and supple on the palate, with a full body and ripe, silky tannins balanced by zesty acidity. Beautiful fruit with a very long, nutty aftertaste. Very attractive." James Suckling

"Rich fruit flavours of black cherry jam, black berries, tobacco, mint. Rich, elegant, fine, very delicate tannins, intense and long final." Decanter