Doctor Wine | 95-100 points

Stylistically balanced, very finesse-rich Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from a small single vineyard (vineyard no. 7) in the Castelnuovo-Berardenga area, where the temperatures are always somewhat higher than in the rest of Chianti Classico. Dark, bright ruby colour. Elegant bouquet of pure Sangiovese of red berries with a very delicate hint of tobacco. Salty on the palate, shows a lot of pressure, very clear, compact fruit, builds up with tightly woven tannins, very intense and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sensual notes of blackberries, subtly floral and spicy; juicy in the mouth, the tannins are fine-grained and well integrated, final is still somewhat characterised by wood." Vinum

"Sparkling ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Clear and inviting nose, with aromas of blackberries, blueberries and some cloves. Pithy, well-placed tannins on the palate, embedded in lots of cherry fruit, describes a wide arc, savoury and with vigour." Falstaff

"The nose is sweet and earthy, with aromas of vanilla, cherry and orange peel, as well as topsoil and crushed stones. The palate is a fruit basket of strawberries, raspberries and cherries, with a hint of orange peel. The acidity plays around soft but dense tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"This red wine is bursting with energy, offering flavours of cherry, raspberry, iron, tobacco and black pepper. It finishes long and balanced, with a range of dusty tannins girding the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette is magnificent. Sweet pipe tobacco, incense, leather, spices and dried flowers give this deceptively medium-bodied Gran Selezione a great aromatic presence. The time it spends in the glass helps to develop the wine's texture. There's a lot of wine here." Vinous

"A juicy and exciting red with a fresh character of red and dark berries and a hint of dried orange peel and liquorice. Medium-bodied, firm and concentrated, with chalky tannins and bright acidity. Balanced and beautifully moulded." James Suckling

"The Tolaini 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette shows great intensity and focus in the warm season and represents a deep immersion in Sangiovese. This elegant expression of the grape variety shows a powerful fruit profile with perfect ripeness and strong cherry flavours. This is complemented by a slightly creamy texture. Delicate mineral tones and lightly toasted spices add depth. The result is balanced and elegant." Wine Advocate

Chardonnay - at home all over the world - thrives for the Sanct Valentin in the best single vineyards in the municipality of Eppan and develops into splendid grape material here. Strong straw yellow colour with green reflections. Powerful, fruity bouquet of ripe fruit, yeast and vanilla notes, with a hazelnut aftertaste. Very memorable, powerful, racy and mineral flavour. One of the house's most important wines with outstanding balance, well-integrated acidity and excellent Storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Strong, shiny golden yellow colour. Yellow-fruity nose of ripe plums, pears and dried fruit, roasted hazelnuts and butter. Well-integrated wood, good balance between acidity and ripe fruit, long finish." Falstaff

"Wood spices, vanilla, creamy citrus and stone fruit on the nose. Flavourful and quite full-bodied on the palate, with a fine texture and a long, toasty finish." James Suckling

Cellole Gran Selezione impresses with its usual elegance and sophistication. Its masterfully balanced flavour profile of wild berry and blackberry with cassis, blueberry and candied rose is fantastic. On closer inspection, the wine reveals orange peel, rosemary and iron ore. It is a silky and elegant wine with some firm tannin, lots of bright fruit and a hint of crisp acidity. Undoubtedly a great wine with great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Walnuts, cloves, sandalwood, plums and cherry stones on the nose. It is medium-bodied, creamy and beautifully polished, with firm yet silky tannins and elegant layers of spiced fruit. Long and supple." James Suckling

"A nose that sticks on notes of blueberry, then rhubarb and juniper. Intense sip, closed on notes of undergrowth." Luca Gardini

The grapes from vines over 35 years old give this dense Primitivo strength and finesse. Deep dark in colour, the bouquet has strong nuances of sour cherry, ripe plum and dark jam, with chocolate and coffee aromas in the background. The pronounced fruity flavours continue in the full-bodied taste. Soft and sweetly melting, balanced and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red colour. Fragrant on the nose with fine hints of milk chocolate and malt, dried rose petal, rich cherry fruit and strawberry, tobacco. On the palate with grippy tannins, deep and rich." Falstaff

The Riserva Poggio Lombrone is produced according to traditional winemaking methods and organically. Distinctive bouquet of red fruits, roses, violets and sweet spices. Polished, rich texture on the palate, full of finesse, juicy and with balanced tannins. A great Sangiovese full of character with good ageing Storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Multi-layered bouquet of raspberries, flowers, cloves and pepper; combines polish and character, acidity and tightly woven tannins in perfect harmony, precise development with a complex, elegant finish. Also convincing in this vintage." Vinum

"Bright garnet with ruby red nuances. Complex on the nose, plum compote, iodine, tobacco, cocoa, slightly animal. Soft fruit on the palate, tightly woven tannins, very juicy until the lingering final." Falstaff

"The 2017 Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva Poggio Lombrone is dark and rich in the glass, with sweet sage and hints of basil giving way to black cherries and savory spice. It's silky and round on the palate, with depths of ripe, fleshy red and blue fruits that slowly saturate under an air of violet inner florals. Clove and dark chocolate linger as the 2017 finishes grippy and tannic, all while a bump of residual acidity keeps the mouth watering for more. This warm vintage interpretation of Poggio Lombrone has maintained lovely balance and is already showing quite well." Vinous

"This wine has an attractive bouquet of dried flowers, blackberries, grilled herbs, walnuts, orange peel and spices. Medium-bodied, firm and structured with a range of savoury herb and spice notes. Rich and flavourful finish." James Suckling

"The Riserva Poggio Lombrone is an emblem of Sangiovese from the Maremma and has been at the forefront of the quality of this variety for years. A refined bouquet, notes of marasca cherries under alcohol, a hint of wild iris, a hint of cinnamon and finally mentholation. On the palate, it is juicy and savoury, with a fruity finish." Luca Gardini

Proud single-vineyard Sicilian in a small edition made from 100% Carricante. Fine bouquet of citrus fruits and apricots. Wonderfully juicy fruit on the palate paired with good structure, balanced acidity, fine minerality and appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shows beautiful fruit on the nose with young stone fruit, light peach, sage, sweet herbs and mineral notes. In the mouth with a soft, almost silky texture, citrus fruit and herbs, rather round with balanced acidity." Weinwisser

"The 2022 Etna Bianco Calderara opens slowly with a nuanced blend of young peaches, grated sage, stone dust and sweet spices, keeping the glass constantly moving. The medium body is silky smooth, revealing mineral fruit lifted by a hint of sour citrus. The 2022 finishes long and youthfully tense. A tart finish of lime and savoury herbs rounds off the whole." Vinous

Intense ruby garnet colour. Powerful nose of savoury cherries, spicy notes, light leather, orange and plum. Equally powerful, juicy and multi-layered on the palate, with finely characterised fruit and present, fine-grained tannins. The tension of this polished wine extends into the long, elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Slightly developed, quite clearly tobacco-like aroma of predominantly dark berries with somewhat roasted barrel tones, fleshy and earthy notes, hints of butter and a hint of wild mushrooms. Ripe, again slightly developed fruit, noticeably gaining juice with air, with clear, smoky and somewhat tobacco-like oak notes and lots of sandy, still somewhat drying tannins, persistent on the palate, earthy, dried-vegetable to herbaceous and undergrowth notes, a hint of butter, dark ethereal spice, certain minerality, meaty tones, very good, only slightly drying and woody finish with some milk chocolate, which also becomes firmer and juicier with time." Wein-Plus

"Refreshing bouquet of fresh stone fruit and lavender; the attack is fresh, the acidity well integrated and in balance with the powerful tannins, the finish is spicy and fruity. Reliable style." Vinum

"Sparkling ruby colour with a pronounced garnet rim. Fragrant nose, presents itself with notes of blackberry and dark cherry, very clear, some cardamom in the background. Fine-meshed, grippy tannins on the palate, unfolds beautifully over the course, firm pressure on the final, savoury, still needs some time." Falstaff

Dense, deep red, in the nose forest fruits, ripe red berries and sweet-spicy notes. On the palate elegant, soft, almost creamy, rich, with fine tannin, pronounced body and an optimal balance between alcoholic potency, freshness and fruit and with a furious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Bellovedere is dark yet elegant, with an inviting bouquet of blackberries, crushed violets, exotic spice and hints of camphor. This is silky in texture with a savory, almost-salty display of wild berries and minerals, all balanced by brisk acids. You can hardly feel its fine-grained tannins settling in until the very end, as the palate aches under the Bellovedere’s youthful structure, with echoes of licorice and black fruits lingering long. That said, the balance here is on point, and all the 2016 needs is a few more years of cellaring to really shine." Vinous

"Aromas of dark fruit, mushrooms, flowers and spices. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. Chalky texture in the mouth. Juicy and spicy. Flavorful finish with some length." James Suckling

"This rich red offers a cohesive mix of cigar box spice, menthol, hoisin sauce and brandy-soaked blackberries. It's densely packed in fruit and spice flavors on the full-bodied palate, yet balanced well by a polished sheen of tannins and plenty of fresh acidity. Showing ample power and concentration, this would hold well in the cellar." Wine Enthusiast

"Lovely nose, fragrant with a great purity, showing notes of dark cherries, cinnamon and hints of tobacco with leathery undertones. Very elegant and complex palate." Decanter

As always, the Cerviolo is excellent: concentrated, with the aroma of red cherry, sweet tobacco, walnut and wild mushroom. Silky and multi-layered on the palate, with balsamic and spicy notes, dense and soft, with absolutely harmonious tannins. A marvellous wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"An organic blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Petit Verdot, the San Fabiano Calcinaia 2019 Cerviolo opens to dark concentration and bold aromatic intensity with plummy dark fruit, dried blackberry and chalky white mineral. The wine shows a clean approach with lots of textural heft on the medium to full-bodied close." Wine Advocate

The first 1,850 Pinot Noir vines were brought to Italy from Burgundy by Count Vistarino back in 1865. Since then, the vinification of this demanding grape variety has been continuously refined over the generations. Today, the Pinot Noirs from the winegrowing dynasty can even outshine much more expensive Pinot Noirs from Burgundy at international tastings. The grapes for the winery's top crus are grown at an altitude of 400 metres, and the high temperature fluctuations between day and night ensure a complexity, precision and elegance that is rarely found even in Burgundy.

Brilliant ruby red colour. Delicately fruity nose of small red berries, coffee and hints of damp forest floor. Subtle and precise fruit on the palate, extremely fine tannins and a long, never-ending mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The Nebbiolo grapes for this archetypal Barbaresco come from marl soils at an altitude of about 250 metres. After two years of ageing in large wood and a further 6-7 (!) years of bottle maturity, here comes a wine on the market which, with its perfectly matured tannins and fine sweet melting, is already giving even the most impatient Nebbiolo fan a lot of pleasure.

Ruby red with garnet reflections, convincing, spicy bouquet of violets, moss, rose petals and small red fruits. Nice pressure on the palate, yet open-hearted, fresh and full-bodied, with well-dosed extract-sweet notes of maraschino cherry and a beautiful fruit that promises another great future in combination with the fine-meshed tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich bright cherry red with dark reflections. Inviting bouquet of juicy wild raspberries, blackberries, also something of cardamom and delicate bourbon vanilla. Pleasant on the nose, winds gracefully through the palate, powerful in body with a sparse structure, yet clear, goes into the lingering final with good pressure." Falstaff

"Lustrous maturing ruby with orange tinges. Sweetly scented ripe cherry nose with the merest suggestion of fruit cake and hugely appealing. A succulent mouthful of marasca-cherry fruit with coating tannins. Long, concentrated and highly enjoyable and still not at its peak." Jancis Robinson

"Rich and broad with a fleshy opulence to the wine. Blackberries touched by truffle oil, smoked meats, and dried herb perfume." Decanter

"A solid 2015 Barbaresco with spice, cedar and plum character. Full body, lots of fruit and chewy tannins. This needs time to soften and come together." James Suckling

L'Albereta is Alessio Logi's top wine from the single vineyard of the same name, which is also organically farmed. It owes its unmistakable identity to its rich, full-bodied texture, among other things. Matured for 12 months in oak barrels, it is rich in apricots, honey, cedar wood and roasted almonds. L'Albereta is a ripe and fleshy sun wine with a long, creamy finish flanked by smoke, spices and a delicate hint of cinnamon. It is already pleasant, but will become much richer and more complex over the next five to 12 years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy-fruity bouquet, notes of peach and acacia blossom; the attack is mineral and compact, the acidity well integrated, notes of white pepper and plenty of fruit on the final." Vinum

"A fresh, juicy and lively white wine with aromas of lemons, dried herbs and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Crisp green apple character on the palate with a lively citrus influence. Full-bodied and full of flavour." James Suckling

The world-famous Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer has been a real benchmark for years and is also a convincing wine in terms of longevity. Bright yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Typically perfect, complex and deep, but also agile and fresh with beautiful nuances. A broad bouquet of rose petals, smoke and oriental spices. On the palate it flows silky smooth, velvety and spicy, lingers for a long time, great! SUPERIORE.DE

"Quite a fine, somewhat nutty, floral and herbaceous-vegetable citrus nose with pome and stone fruit notes, a hint of lychee, some yellow spice and orange zest. Ripe, juicy, tightly knit fruit with yellow spice, nutty flavours and floral tones, very fine acidity and a certain sweetness, power and melting on the palate, but also bite, fine vegetal notes, a hint of caramel, moderate grip, persistent, restrained power, certain depth, quite complex, a hint of vanilla and smoke, very good, firm, juicy and spicy finish." Wein-Plus

"Bright and aromatic, with rich notes of lychee, melon, rose petals, peach skin and tangerine as well as savoury hints of blood orange, white pepper and cardamom. This silky, delicious version has a pleasant hint of pink grapefruit peel on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Intense aromas of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, spiced tropical fruit and lychees. Off-dry and full-bodied on the palate, with creamy flavors and a long, composed finish. Moderate acidity with a subtle saline smack at the end. A delicious gewurztraminer to enjoy now." James Suckling

The "Sassorosso" vineyard is located on a rocky promontory that is separated from the rest of the mountain and has been almost completely eroded by the glacier over the centuries. It is visually distinguished by the unmistakable red colour of the ferruginous inclusions in the rock. The overlying shallow soil layer consists of clay and sand and lies on friable, metamorphic rock into which the roots can penetrate. The unmistakably elegant and mineral character of the terroir is thus particularly strongly expressed in this Nebbiolo.

Bright, transparent ruby red with a fine garnet hue. On the nose, small red fruits such as blackberry, redcurrant, cherry and raspberry complemented by fresh, floral notes of violets and roses. The palate is dense with a very tasty attack, silky tannins and a seemingly endless finish. A wine of great austerity and purity with considerable ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of cut plum, red liquorice, roasted thyme and hibiscus. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Straightforward with real freshness and juicy red fruits." James Suckling

"The 2019 Grumello Sassorosso is a potent wine laced with strong mineral and savory notes that lend nuance as well as energy. Sweet dried cherry, crushed rocks, sage, mint and pipe tobacco open in the bouquet, but the Sassorosso remains a bit stern and unyielding in feel." Vinous

"Spicy at first, with notes of tarry smoke, loamy earth and grilled herbs evolving into a more subtle thread that winds through flavours of plum sauce, cherry reduction, anise and graphite. Long and slightly juicy overall, with a creamy edge to the otherwise chewy tannins that firm up the spicy finish." Wine Spectator

Rive Alte Sauvignon Blanc Piere is the lighter coloured of the estate's two Sauvignons, but both wines are beautiful in their own right. Piere shows earthy notes of green olive, garden tomato leaf and sage on the palate, rounded off with lively and zesty flavours of citrus orange peel and some crushed mineral and white pepper. All the elements are in the right place and, like all Vie di Romans whites, Piere needs time in the glass to find its centre and minerality. And if you have the patience to give it this, then it's great. SUPERIORE.DE

"Elegant, open-knit and fresh, with juicy white peach and grapefruit sorbet flavors enriched by hints of lime peel, ground white pepper, smoke and herbs. Creamy and aromatic on the lively finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Piere is very fresh, with a vibrant blend of crushed nectarine and lime zest, complemented by hints of rosemary and crushed stone. It is silky smooth yet full of savoury tension, with an abundance of mineral green apples and a hint of spice carried by lively acidity. The 2022 leaves the palate with primary concentration, youthful intensity and soft tannins that leave a savoury sensation that lingers. The balance of this wine is exceptional, as is its drinkability." Vinous

The name says it all: Marne means marl soil, on which the vines for this marvellous Amarone grow. They are over 20 years old and lie in an ideal 180° direction, from south-west to south-east. Rich, shiny ruby red colour, compact bouquet with intense aromas of plum, black cherry, green tea and tobacco, with a fine chocolate note in the background. The body, coated in fine berry fruit, develops a dynamic flavour experience on the palate with a sweet fruit melt, firm tannins and a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense, bright ruby red with garnet reflections. A complex nose of dried red fruits, liquorice and forest floor, with a balsamic finish. Powerful on the palate with intense fruit and length as well as a fine tannin structure." Falstaff

"Dried flowers, plums, red berries, beautifully combined with leather, oak, figs and dates, lively freshness with a beautiful tannin structure." Decanter

"The wines from this reliable producer are consistently delicious, in a modern style without ever slipping too far into excess. Cherry, alpine spruce, candied orange zest, violets and camphor. The oak combines with the refined tannins of the grapes, condensing the fruit with a welcome restraint. The vintage has a hint of sweetness. The age and accompanying complexity will serve this wine well. Lasting." James Suckling

"The 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella Marne 180 is wonderfully floral, with dusty, dried roses and violets accompanied by notes of crushed chalk and spiced blackberries. It has a silky texture and a pleasant inner sweetness with crisp forest fruits contrasted by candied orange notes. The Marne 180 finishes structured and remarkably fresh with a hint of dark chocolate that lingers. It is fantastic." Vinous

The grapes for the Vigna Pedale come from vines that are over 30 years old. The vines are planted in a sapling system, which allows only a few grapes per vine. The harvest does not begin until mid-October, which is very unusual for this location so far south. Purple dark red colour. Spicy aroma of cherries, thyme, wild mushrooms and earth, the typical, unadulterated flavour is strong and concentrated with a subtle sweetness. This wine is already a great pleasure today, but still has potential for the coming years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a drop of violet. On the nose with nuances of Amarena cherries, beetroot, also with great spice, like mustard seed, after a little time then on noble wood nuances, appears stony. Clear juiciness on the palate, with plenty of fruit at the core, cool finish, balanced and with race, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"The nose is warm, sweet and savory, as aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie waft above a foundation of fresh brewed coffee and earth. The palate leans into that subtle sweetness, with milk chocolate and more coffee grounding wild cherry and strawberry flavors, against flexible tannins and a persistent stream of acid." Wine Enthusiast

"On the nose, smoky spice notes to the ripe raspberries with hints of roasted chestnuts and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with fine, slightly dry tannins and a bright bead of plum skin and raspberry fruit that combine for a tight, fruity finish. Lasting. Flavourful and entertaining." James Suckling

Sangioveto, which consists of 100% organic Sangiovese, is grown in cool locations at an altitude of 260 to 370 metres with a south-westerly exposure. In the past, Sangiovese was called "Sangioveto" or "San Zoveto". It represents a refined expression from this particular part of the appellation and a very faithful interpretation of the Tuscan grape.

Bright ruby red in colour, the broad aroma spectrum of Sangiovese ranges from sweet vanilla notes to hints of raspberries and blackberries. The relaxed flavour is dense and creamy-soft, offering a harmonious blend of tannins and alcohol with a precisely adjusted acidity level. The finish is long-lasting and impressive. SUPERIORE.DE

"On the nose, it has notes of plums, olives, cloves and tomato leaves. It is spicy and slightly chewy with a medium body and piquant acidity. A strong finish." James Suckling

"La Firma" - "The signature". The names of Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti's wines are reminiscent of his father's world as a notary.

La Firma, a single-varietal Aglianico that matures in natural caves of volcanic tuff, carat and French oak barrels. Beautiful ruby red colour with bright violet reflections. Complex bouquet with aromas of small black berries, liquorice and hay. Powerful and very harmonious on the palate, characterised by velvety tannins and a long, balsamic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark and moody, the 2017 Aglianico del Vulture La Firma smolders up with a seductive bouquet of plum sauce, medicinal black cherries, cocoa and incense. This sweeps across the palate like liquid velvet, ushering in a cool-toned blend of crisp red and black fruits. It finishes dramatically long and intensely mineral, leaving behind a tart tinge of blackberries and a sour citrus resonance. The 2017 is complex and loaded with personality, but it’s currently in a youthfully backward state. Bury this is the cellar for the best results." Vinous

Lis is a mixed blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and is one of the house's top wines. It has a wonderfully complex aroma of citrus and passion fruit, yellow apple and an initially barely perceptible flavour lead from the Sauvignon Bianco. All elements of this cuvée are equally and masterfully married on the palate, the mouthfeel is soft and round. This complex and at the same time elegant white wine, with its subtle pressure, whets the appetite for more and inevitably casts a spell over every Friuli fan. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light golden yellow with straw-yellow reflections. Slightly reductive nose at first, then ripe stone fruit, flint, citrus fruit and fresh herbs in the background. Pleasant and lively acidity on the palate, salty, with a long finish." Falstaff

"Honeysuckle, guava, papaya and lime curd on the nose. Some dried spice, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a creamy, oily texture. Ripe, tropical style. Finishes fresh." James Suckling

"The 2018 Lis is coy in the glass, with a nuanced bouquet that shows young peach, dusty florals and white smoke. This is pure elegance on the palate, pleasantly soothing and soft, with ripe white pit fruits and hints of sweet spice that smooth over the palate. It finishes with a tug of tannin and a concentration of residual fruits, as hazelnut traces embellish the style." Vinous

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

Riesling from Etna? Initially an experiment, admittedly. But it can truly be called successful and great: the latest offspring of Planeta's Etna family with a delicate pale colour with green reflections; on the nose with a great variety of aromas such as white apple, plum, lemon and yellow flowers. Perfectly dry on the palate, with mild acidity, fine minerality and (especially with increasing maturity) pronounced fruitiness and beguiling depth and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has plenty of citrus zest, orange blossom, acacia honey and pomelo. Medium-bodied with sharp acidity and a citrusy, floral palate. Dry yet honeyed character. Delicious finish." James Suckling