0.75 liter

While the Barbaresco Costa Russi expresses itself more discreetly with purity and grace, the Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo struts in the front row. It has a firmer texture and is not as timid or restrained as the Costa Russi. The Sorì San Lorenzo site is closest to the warm air currents that flow down the Tanaro river valley, and this vineyard site is always the first to ripen and be harvested. There is a stronger mineral note here, with iron rust, pencil shavings and potting soil intermingling with the primary fruit and showing an astonishing complexity and depth. SUPERIORE.DE

"Not yet on the market at the time of tasting, but already exudes an aroma of red berries and leather, with a delicate hint of meadow flowers; excellent structure with accentuated acidity and characterful, promising tannins, the finish is complex and persistent. Put it in the cellar and wait." Vinum

"Bright ruby colour with a broad garnet rim. Exciting nose with aromas of roses and cranberries, then lots of ripe wild raspberry, underpinned by fine spice components. Textured, very well-distributed tannins in many layers, characterises the palate, coated in fine enamel, currently similarly closed as Tildin, but has great potential that can be enjoyed for decades to come." Falstaff

"This rich, juicy version is packed with aromas and flavours of ripe cherries, raspberries, roses, graphite and menthol. The lush, supple texture is balanced by a dense line of chalky tannins that build on the finish. It shows excellent balance and length, seducing with its upfront fruit before tightening up - a taster of its potential." Wine Spectator

"A rather exotic and wild Sori San Lorenzo. Even extravagant. Dried flowers and spices with bark, mushroom and dried dark cherry. Perfumed and primarily with earth. Full-bodied and juicy with fine, velvety tannins that are multi-layered and magnificent. So classic and soft on the palate with great length. Give this wine four to five years, but it will become a classic." James Suckling

"Transparent ruby red with a crimson fading rim. Spicy notes of cloves, allspice, mace and pepper mingle with cherries, bay and raspberry jelly, currant leaves and floral top notes of orange blossom complete the delight. On the palate, Crichët Pajé presents itself with great calm in a steady flow. Nothing is brash or exuberant here, but shines with distinguished elegance - an equilibrium in perfect balance. The aromatically exuberant nose is disciplined on the palate by the long, calm flow of focused, cool acidity, on whose shores fully ripe and fine-grained tannins entwine. Silky with an almost aristocratic nobility, its enormous complexity is revealed in the second sip when the flavors begin to unravel in the epic finish like a massive Win-Zip file. A wine for today, for tomorrow and for many, many more years to come. Undisputedly world class." Sebastian Bordthäuser (Sommelier und Wein-Journalist)

"Made with extremely old vines, the youngest of which are over 60 years old and most much older, this opens with aromas of new leather, scorched earth, underbrush and balsamic notes of camphor. Concentrated and boasting a great depth of flavors, the structured, full-bodied palate delivers raspberry compote, dried black cherry, carob and hazelnut alongside firm, enveloping tannins. Another compelling wine from the estate." Wine Enthusiast

"This red is full of mulled plum, cherry, menthol, stone and spice flavors. Concentrated yet fluid, with a tightly packed finish. Well-balanced and approachable now if decanted." Wine Spectator

"It's easy to fall into the cult of Crichët Pajé. The wine's name means "little hill" in Piemontese dialect, and the winemaking process is carefully weighed and contemplated. The Roagna 2011 Barbaresco Crichët Pajé is fermented with indigenous yeasts, with submerged cap and sees eight long years of aging in both oak and cement. Fruit is drawn from a half-hectare, south-facing parcel high on the Pajé slope that has been farmed by this family since 1953. The bouquet reveals wild berry fruit, rose hip, cedar, crushed stone, smoke and licorice. This expression is lightweight in texture, yet it expertly balances a full load of aromas and flavors on that small frame. The heat of the vintage has not hurt the freshness or the sharpness that you perceive here." Wine Advocate

"Just bottled, the 2011 Barbaresco Crichët Pajè is unbelievably refined. Sweet red cherry, rosewater, mint, dried flowers, pine and kirsch give the 2011 an upper register of perfume that is utterly beguiling. Silky and classy to the core, the 2011 is the most sensual Crichët Pajè I can remember tasting. There is plenty of tannin, that is clear, but it is also pretty much buried by the sheer luxuriousness of the fruit. This is such a gorgeous and complete wine. There is just an unreal amount of freshness for this dry, torrid year. Wow!!" Vinous

Masseto 2020 combines all the special features of the vintage. Its colour and aromas show optimal concentration both visually and olfactorily and are characterised by a constant liveliness in the glass that does not diminish over time. On the palate, the power of this wine is expressed with a beautiful length and balsamic notes. Its solid tannin structure reveals the ageing potential typical of Masseto. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, transparent colour. Generously matured, chocolaty sweet and profound, the complex, finesse-rich nose presents itself with fine wood in it. Very dense and melting, it is extremely fine and balanced on the palate, with a large, broad structure. It carries a lot of energy and vibrancy, its dense, melting tannins are very fine-grained and clearly arranged. A great, full-bodied Masseto with plenty of flesh and richness, very harmonious, perfectly balanced and long. It always remains fresh, with exceptional presence and great depth, which it also owes to the Cabernet Franc. Noble polish, impressive perfection." Weinwisser

"The monolith - Merlot, recently also with some Cabernet Franc - of the Tuscan coast: beguiling perfume of blackberry, lilac and Mediterranean macchia, subtle notes of spices; the precise tannin-acid structure combines fullness and pressure with a light-footed evolution, leading to a smooth spicy-fruity final." Vinum

"Rich, deep dark ruby colour with a fine violet sheen. Intense and dense nose, opens with notes of cold smoke, then lots of dark redcurrant, blackberry and graphite. Full-bodied and dense in attack and finish, opens with densely woven tannins, fine spice, appears very compact, slightly earthy components on the final." Falstaff

"The Masseto 2020 features new DNA by adding a touch of Cabernet Franc to this famous Merlot-based iconic wine. This is a vintage of tremendous richness and density, and everything about this wine is a notch or two higher. But Axel Heinz and his team are well prepared for hot vintages like 2020, and changes in vineyard and canopy management ensure even ripening. This wine is always difficult to analyse in its youth. It still needs many years to soften and develop. Give it time." Wine Advocate

"Complex, with a lush texture and saturated aromas and flavours of plum, blackberry, black olive, iron, tobacco and toasted spices, this red wine has a full, rich timbre. It offers a lively, well-integrated structure, with a long aftertaste of fruit and spice and a pleasant chalky feel." Wine Spectator

"The Masseto 2020 is great. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2020 offers an exciting blend of dark fruit, mocha, spice, leather, tobacco, cedar and a hint of French oak. Lively acidity and Franc flavours add vibrancy. Franc is so evident today. This wine is exceptionally polished and refined, if a little lean compared to most years. In 2020, the Masseto is more finesse than power." Vinous

"Intense aromas of ripe herbs, plums, green coffee beans and hazelnuts. Then again crushed berries and orange peel. Full-bodied with excellent concentration and fine, velvety tannins that extend over the entire length of the wine. It is big, but agile and beautiful. Merlot. What a wine!" James Suckling

"A hedge maze of aromas greets the nose, from blackberries and black cherries to crushed stones and crumpled petals, before a gentle addition of vanilla and toasted coconut. The palate is drenched in mixed berries with vanilla and cardamom, followed by notes of freshly ploughed earth and flint and finally a tart, brooding spice on the finish. The tannins carpet the palate and the acrobatic acidity emphasises the finish with salt and pepper. A wine that speaks volumes without shouting." Wine Enthusiast

"Intense and full on the nose, redolent of ripe black fruits, floral aspects and gentle spice. The palate is round and full, rich and muscular, yet tightly and cleanly wound, with hints of liquorice, graphite, pepper, cinnamon and cloves adding an immediate but pleasing spice. It feels well-crafted, juicy with a high acidity that lifts the palate and gives it freshness and brightness, along with really delicious strawberry and raspberry fruit that captivates with dried flowers and bitter orange peel. The tannins are very fine and well integrated, yet the wine remains grippy from the start and persistent on the finish. It is nuanced and complex and still has plenty of power, but it comes across as refined, supple, purposeful and controlled. It's not elegant, more like an animal in a cage that has yet to realise its full potential, but it's stylish. A truly delicious wine with so much purity and sense of place." Decanter

So much verve and purity, integration and harmony can be found in the Masseto 2021. Black raspberry, mulberry, a hint of toasted brioche. A beautiful natural sweetness, plus a delicacy and subtlety that is simply beautiful and tantalising. Black biros ink and more and more cedar wood with gentle aeration. Creamy. Essences of petals - with a little more lilac, lily and hyacinth than rose. Then graphite again. A wonderful texture on the finish, as soft and caressing as a million layers (milles feuilles plus!) of silk, but actually with a deeper and richer texture - so more cashmere perhaps than silk. Lively, flowing, dynamic and incredibly juicy. Radiant in its incredible dynamism and energy. Very special and above all endless on the finish. Wow! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, intense ruby colour with violet shimmer. Very appealing and rich nose of cassis, blackberry, dark tobacco and graphite. Dense, very concentrated tannins, builds up powerfully, lots of dark berry fruit, savoury and with great length on the final." Falstaff

"Probably the flagship of the Merlot grape variety in Italy: with a harmonious bouquet of mulberries, herbal notes, including rosemary, the wood perfectly integrated; powerful on the palate and yet elegant, powdery, fine-grained tannins, beautiful progression towards flavours of dark berries, undergrowth and chocolate. Despite the fullness of this vintage, it also has a great deal of finesse." Vinum

"The Masseto 2021 is once again 100% Merlot. The last vintages contained a tiny proportion of Cabernet Franc. It is a very rich and elaborate wine with corresponding extract, firm tannins and a high alcohol content of 15.5%. The wine smells of confit blackberries and cooked cherries, with a broad palette of sweet oak spices to finish. There is dark chocolate with a thin layer of creamy mint flavour. Given this richness and generous fruit weight, the Masseto is quite a commitment in terms of price and further cellaring. Further bottle ageing is an absolute must." Wine Advocate

"Blueberries and black olives with violets and hints of sage and rosemary flowers. Full and powerful with lots of fruit and vanilla on the palate. A rich and flavourful red wine that is nevertheless beautifully held together. Muscular and powerful. Needs five or six years to develop. Give it time." James Suckling

"After a mild and wet winter, the spring was dry and the summer was characterised by above-average temperatures and periods of drought. Fortunately, the vines were able to be quenched by the water reserves built up at the beginning of the year. The Masseto 2021 really has it all: a vertical shape and savoury character, juicy fruit, a fresh profile and finesse of tannins. Mediterranean herbs accompany ripe, dark fruit aromas and flavours that have yet to develop their full depth and charm." Decanter

"Plum and blackberry flavours are wrapped in an embrace of toasted oak, with vanilla, resin and iron accents. Dense tannins coat the gums, while bright acidity keeps this wine focused and drives the savoury aftertaste. This fluid and long, silky red wine impresses with its finesse. A great success in a great vintage." Wine Spectator

"The Masseto 2021 is a real eye-catcher. It also shows how much the winery has developed in recent years. I was reminded of this recently when I drank the 2001, which is considered by many observers, including this one, to be one of the greatest wines ever made here. The 2021 represents a move towards a more refined style. It has less of the bombastic intensity and extraction that was once the norm here. The 2021 is an absolute delight. Crushed flowers, spices, blood orange and bright, red-coloured fruit adorn the palate. The harvestwill find a Masseto based more on linear energy than volume. The 2021 is quite simply the most exquisite, refined young Masseto I have ever tasted." Vinous

An impressive and unforgettable Merlot from the sun-drenched vineyards of the Bolgheri zone near the Mediterranean Sea. It has received lavish praise in the trade press from all over the world. The bouquet combines dark, very ripe fruit and tobacco. Velvety tannins, an ingratiatingly alcoholic character and tremendous persistence are part of its soft taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Strong ruby garnet, good depth of colour, violet reflections, delicate rim brightening. Attractive heart cherry fruit, delicate notes of blackberries and liquorice, a hint of violets, lime zest, nuances of sea salt and nougat. Complex, elegant, fine wood spice, delicate hints of caramel, present tannins, good freshness, already accessible, mineral finish, discreet toasty tones in the aftertaste, sure future potential, already amazingly accessible, can be enjoyed right off the bat." Falstaff

"Black olive, liquorice, dark chocolate, and plenty of furry tannic substance on the palate. Lovely bright acid too, giving a lift to the finish. Not a shy wine, but not brash either – this has subtlety and contrast." Jancis Robinson

"The 2014 Masseto has developed beautifully over the past few years of its oak and bottle evolution. This is a very distinctive edition of the iconic Italian Merlot that delivers a silky and streamlined approach. As bold and opulent as Masseto is in the warm vintages, I personally find those wines difficult to finish because the extract, concentration and intensity are so over the top. The best vintages of Masseto usually overpower any food dish you put before them. This is a subdued and downplayed expression instead. The cool summer season has shaped fresh berry notes of wild blackberry and cassis with drying mineral, tobacco, licorice and tar. There is evident sweetness here in terms of the wine's fruit flavors and its tannins, but there also is a cooling vein of acidity that makes the difference. The alcohol feels integrated and light. If you are hankering for a less massive and less muscular Masseto, this vintage is for you." Wine Advocate

"A rich, powerful version, featuring cherry, strawberry, cedar, coffee and mocha flavors, this red opens up to reveal a polished feel and fine-grained yet muscular tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Beautiful aromas of violets and blackberry with hints of spice. Some sweet tobacco. Full body, yet refined and polished with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. The texture and intensity are exceptional. Fantastic for the vintage." James Suckling

"Transparent ruby red with a crimson rim. Spicy notes of cloves, allspice, mace and pepper mingle with cherries, laurel and raspberry jelly, currant leaves and floral top notes of orange blossom complete the delight. On the palate, Crichët Pajé presents itself with great calm in a steady flow. Nothing is cheeky or exuberant here, but shines with distinguished elegance - an equilibrium in perfect balance. The aromatically exuberant nose is disciplined on the palate by the long, calm flow of the focussed, cool acidity, on whose shores fully ripe and fine-grained tannins entwine. Silky with an almost aristocratic nobility, its enormous complexity is revealed in the second sip, when the flavours begin to unfold in the epic finish like a massive Win-Zip file. A wine for today, for tomorrow and for many, many years to come. Undisputed world class." Sebastian Bordthäuser (Sommelier und Wein-Journalist)

"The 2012 Barbaresco Crichët Pajè is tight and not especially expressive today. In this vintage, the Crichët Pajè is a bit more floral and lighter in structure than it can be. Imagine Burgundy with Nebbiolo acids and tannins. Among other things, that means the 2012 will drink well with minimal cellaring, in relative terms for this bottling. Despite its reticence, the 2012 is also restrained and so nuanced. I can't wait to see how it develops in bottle." Vinous

"The 2012 Barbaresco Crichët Pajé is a beauty, and I am delighted to see that this hot and dry vintage has held up so well. These results are outstanding, as the wine continues to showcase tight berry nuances and an extra sharp level of primary fruit and general focus. This is a cult wine for collectors, and what they seek in this bottle is the deft hand of Roagna, especially when it comes to crafting a wine of important Piedmont culture and tradition. To the palate, you taste ripe cherry and dried raspberry, along with iron ore and camphor ash. This is an impressive bottle." Wine Advocate

"Camphor, truffle, wild berry and new leather are just some of the aromas you'll encounter on this riveting red. The enveloping, delicious palate shows both power and finesse, featuring dried cherry, pomegranate, star anise and tobacco framed in noble tannins. Surprisingly bright acidity for the warm vintage lends balance and even more intensity." Wine Enthusiast

Harvested a little later than usual, the 2019 Masseto benefited from the sunny, mild climate at the beginning of September, which gave it richness and balance at the same time. Its youthful colour foreshadows a rich and intense wine. On the nose, brave notes of ripe cherries, violets, liquorice and bitter chocolate. On the palate, it spans a large peacock's wheel around the voluminous fruit core; as it progresses, it shows itself envelopingly lush with its velvety and fine tannins. The long final is fresh and very elegant. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"A potpourri of deep berry-earthy, but also pleasantly tart aromas fills the nose after some aeration; on the palate, the wine is opulent, but also polished and with a lot of enigmatic character, the finish a symbiosis between finesse and structure. Already great in the previous year, but even a touch more intriguing in 2019, a splendid specimen of a great Merlot with a touch of Toscanità!" Vinum

"Shiny, intense ruby violet. Intense and inviting nose, first some smoke and liquorice, then lots of blackberry, prunes and black cherry, fine spice in the background. Blooms grandly on the palate, lots of juicy fruit, opens up in many layers, reverberates for a very long time, precise and fine." Falstaff

"Aromas of iris, raspberry, camphor and Mediterranean scrub mingle with oak-driven spice on this 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Enveloping and concentrated, it also possess remarkable, almost weightless finesse, delivering black currant, Morello cherry, fruitcake and star anise alongside smooth, velvety tannins. Fresh acidity lifts the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"The Masseto 2019 has two main themes at heart: concentration and elegance. And managing those two seemingly contrasting elements requires a little bit of magic. That's the Masseto magic we look for. The 2019 vintage delivers it in spades with lovely concentrated fruit, blackberry, integrated spice, tobacco, crushed slate, pencil shaving and lots of texture and fiber to push a lasting mouthfeel. The wine's richness translates into density and power to the palate, meanwhile the bouquet reveals fluidity and new sides as the wine opens in the glass. The finish is tapered and focused." Wine Advocate

"Tightly wound now, with blackberry, black currant, iron, rosemary, cedar and toasty oak spice aromas and flavors. Though firm and compact, this has plenty of fruit that persists on the vibrant, lingering and complex finish. Reveals very refined tannins." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Masseto is fabulous. Silky, gracious and super-refined, the 2019 is a total knock-out. So often Masseto is a powerhouse at this stage, but the 2019 is so elegant, so precise. This is the first year that includes Cabernet Franc, 10% in this case. I can’t say I am at all surprised given how much Franc has added to Massetino. Red berry fruit, mocha, cinnamon and blood orange lend freshness throughout." Vinous

"Intense aromas of blackberries and black olives, together with hints of rosemary bush and lavender. Perfumed and nuanced. Full-bodied, yet so tight and integrated, with weightless tannins that frame the wine in a precise and curated fashion. Very structured and built for aging. It’s rather shy now, but will reward those who are patient. A kind of stealth in its nature. A more thought-provoking edition of Masseto. Needs time to show its true self. Try after 2027." James Suckling

"Masseto 2019 will be remembered as the first release with a bracing 10% of Cabernet Franc. Nevertheless, its poised wild fennel aroma with restrained bramble fruit, straw, graphite and balmy Mediterranean depth continues to finely represent the terroir of Bolgheri more than simply its grape varieties. The blue clay gives to the wine density - this year with a larger shoulder - grainy, ripe tannins and great fruit concentration sustained by enticing acidity and a sweet tobacco aftertaste. A sleek wine chiselled to perfection. It will keep going strong for decades." Decanter

Every year, Crichët Pajé is one of the most captivating and striking wines you will ever discover in Piedmont. It has a ripe, savoury style with a fruit profile that tends towards cherry and plum compote flavours, accented by coffee, soy, tar and mineral notes, all supported by a dense layer of massive tannins. Despite the ripe fruit profile, this wine is surprisingly fresh on the finish and has excellent length. This still young wine should age for decades. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Barbaresco Crichët Pajé is hauntingly beautiful. Light on its feet and deceptive in its medium-bodied feel, the 2016 is a mere infant. Scents of macerated red cherry, blood orange, leather, sweet spice and pipe tobacco open gradually. The 2016 is a stunning, riveting Barbaresco in every way, not to mention a highlight in a range full of compelling wines. All it needs is time in bottle to shed some tannin. The long, dynamic finish is breathtaking." Vinous