2/3 bottles

Cerretalto 2018 is an expressive, exuberant and impressive wine that opens with a dark ruby red colour and a rich texture. The bouquet is endlessly intense, closely followed by finely tuned aromas of black cherries, spices, grilled herbs, cloves, tobacco, damp earth and white truffle. Over time, elegant mineral tones unfold, and later these flavours transition into cola, liquorice and tar. The mouthfeel is silky and supple, and there is enough power to move the wine seamlessly across the palate. Cerretalto continues to develop endlessly over 24 hours in the glass. Clear case: this is a bottle for the back of your cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. Beautiful, ripe, open nose, accessible, plums, wild raspberries, tobacco, liquorice in the finish. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, great fruit freshness, opens up with present, silky tannins, good tension, still a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"This intense red wine has a solid structure that emphasises the aromas of plums, cherries, eucalyptus and iron, with a solid mid-palate that develops into a lingering aftertaste of red fruits, hibiscus and minerals. It shows excellent length and freshness." Wine Spectator

"With dried blackberries, balsamic herbs and a hint of charred chilli spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very well suited to a vintage that experienced cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine with depth, dusty tannins and a slightly developed fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto alongside the winery's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more clarity and bite overall. The Neri family does a great job of handling the tannins, and although there is some chalkiness here, the structure of the wine is skilfully embedded in the fruit concentration." Wine Advocate

"Black cherries and dried cherries combine with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earth, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate, with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak notes. A hint of graphite on the polished finish. Very flavoursome." James Suckling

Dense ruby red. Elegant the articulate bouquet that reveals ripe dark berries, tobacco, liquorice and balsamic notes. Impressively persistent, the characterful and enveloping taste with silky tannins and a spicy-smoky impression. The perfect dosage of all components give this exceptional wine the complexity and harmony that makes it unforgettable. A magical wine of great class and with great potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with an opaque core. Fragrant and elegant nose, complex, of cassis and black currants, in addition finest precious wood, then again interplay of ripe blackberries and fine spicy components. On the palate enormously polished and finesse-rich, with clear, present fruit and well-integrated tannin, comes along in many layers, precise, very long." Falstaff

"The Marchesi Antinori 2019 Solaia is another blockbuster success from Tuscany's leading winery. This is a generous and highly expressive release with lots of dark fruits, spices and sweet tobacco. The tannins are wonderfully velvety and soft. This is a beautiful wine that collectors will love." Wine Advocate

"Wonderful nose of raspberries and black cherries, ripe, sweet and expressive, aromas pouring from the glass. Fleshy and sweet, sticky and full, this gives a whole load of ripe, plush tannins and powerful fruit but underpinned by bright acidity that keeps things lifted and alive. A very serious wine, brooding and confident. Right now it shows many elements - rich, generous, powerful and stylish with hints of red flowers, white pepper, ground coffee, herbs and chocolate. A dark horse waiting for its moment to shine fully." Decanter

"The 2019 Solaia is fabulous. Deep and layered, the 2019 is so expressive from the start. Juicy dark cherry, plum, liquorice, incense, pipe tobacco, chocolate and grilled herbs all take shape. Again, the aromatics are seductive. There is a slightly higher proportion of Cabernet Franc in the blend, and that works very well here. Solaia is often a bombastic, intense wine. The 2019 is incredibly refined and buttoned up. harvestwill have to be patient. The 2019 Solaia is the kind of wine I would love to spend an entire evening with." Vinous

"This wine has a deeply spicy nose with seaweed, soy sauce, olives, tobacco, black liquorice and a rich mix of cherries, blackberries and plums. The fruity, spicy palate brings more berries, dark chocolate and chilli peppers, underlined by noticeable spiciness and sticky but gentle tannins in a seemingly endless finish. It's exceptionally drinkable now, but a few more years would guarantee a commanding performance." Wine Enthusiast

"This wine has a complex palette of blackberries, black cherries, cocoa, dried herbs, slate, tobacco, olives and charred bark. Also some dried roses and iodine. Medium to full body with firm but refined tannins. Powerful but unobtrusive. Long. Try it in 2025." James Suckling

"This youthful version features intense blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped in cedar, Mediterranean scrub and toasty oak, with a mineral touch underlining it all. A solid backbone of tannins gives it support, while the dark fruit returns on the finish. It shows excellent balance, power and unbearable length, but it still needs time in bottle." Wine Spectator

"A historic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc with great refinement and magical balance. Blueberry on the nose, with a touch of eucalyptus and dogwood peel. Crisp-dense palate, iodine-salty tannins, great persistence." Luca Gardini

After many years of identifying the best Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot parcels within the boundaries of their Bolgheri vineyard with the help of the famous OenologistMichel Rolland, the Antinori family discovered in the early 2000s that there was an even more special microclimate and terroir in the middle of this microclimate, the results of which surpassed those of the larger area. Everyone involved immediately realised that this unique character had to be vinified and highlighted separately - this was the birth of today's cult wine Lodovico.

Connoisseurs know and appreciate the Biserno, the winery's second flagship. The grape composition is roughly the same, only here the grapes come from the Bellaria vineyard. As every year, Lodovico crowns the results of the Tenuta di Biserno. SUPERIORE.DE

"Majestic bouquet with lots of ripe, black berry fruit, forest floor, liquorice and ethereal-balsamic notes, already appears very noble and aristocratic, a touch of truffle resonates. In the mouth, it is deep and complex, yet incredibly polished and characterised by great harmony. Velvety, structure-giving tannins, the terroir aspects become increasingly apparent. An elegant Cabernet Franc of majestic quality." Weinwisser

After many years of identifying the best Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot parcels within the boundaries of their Bolgheri estate with the support of the famous oenologist Michel Rolland, the Antinori family discovered in the early 2000s that in the midst of this microclimate and terroir there was an even more special micro-vineyard whose results once again surpassed those of the larger area. It was immediately clear to all involved that this unique character had to be vinified and highlighted separately - this was the birth of today's cult wine Lodovico.

Strong ruby with a black core. Intense and dense nose, opens with blackberry, mulberry and dark currant, tobacco and dark pepper in the background. Polished and velvety in attack and course, shows lots of juicy fruit, dark berries, fine-meshed, very polished tannin, radiates for a long time with a rich finish. Just 7,000 bottles were produced in 2017 from the single vineyard Vigna Lodovico of Tenuta di Biserno. Every year, the wine is a true icon of western Tuscany in terms of expression and complexity and is only allocated to a hand-picked number of importers each year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, sparkling ruby violet. Opens with notes of graphite and tobacco, lots of dark berries, especially blueberry and elderberry, some eucalyptus. Also shows a lot of tobacco on the palate, unfolds with grippy tannin, deep earthy components, some tomato paste, firm pressure on the final, but also drying, additional storage is certainly beneficial." Falstaff

"This has a polished nose of mulberries, cassis, cloves, cedar and lavender. It’s full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Plush and creamy with a velvety texture. Layered, rich and intense, with lingering spice and chocolate on a long finish. Very focused. Polished." James Suckling

"This is the headline wine from Lodovico Antinori's Tenuta di Biserno. The hot vintage 2017 Lodovico shows a rich and deeply saturated color with elegant tones of dark fruit, spice, rum cake, dried plum, jerky, charred meat and cured tobacco. Like the Biserno, this special vineyard selection reveals slightly less depth and dimension in terms of mouthfeel. That more compact palate is a common feature of the 2017 vintage in which hard work and severe fruit selection was achieved in order to counter the jammy concentration of the berries. This remains a big wine, however, with the balanced and bright acidity that is a crucial indicator of the wine's undeniable quality and pedigree." Wine Advocate

For Biondi Santis Riserva, the fruits of the oldest vines of Il Greppo (30 years and older) are used, the wine matures for three years in traditional oak barrels. On the nose, initially fine aromas of wild berries, blue flowers, eucalyptus and lightly grilled smoke. The intensity increases in small steps. With time, the wine is magnificent and focused, with a very direct and impressive presentation of its aromas. The wine leaves a lasting impression in the mouth, thanks to the textural tautness of its tannins and the refreshing crispness of the acidity, finally showing more power, volume and persistence than expected on the long final. Subtle and big! SUPERIORE.DE

"Ruby garnet red colour. The nose is very dense and youthful, with a brilliant purity of bright cherry fruit and tobacco leaf. The palate is similarly taut and difficult to penetrate. The fruit is ripe, but the energy of acidity and tannins provides harmony. With plenty of air, the nose begins to open up, revealing layers of flowers, herbs and savoury spices. It remains a little difficult to see how this concentrated, refined and tightly wound wine will develop into the edgy and characterful wines of the 1970s and 1980s, but there is no doubting its ageing potential and quality." Jancis Robinson

"Savory, red currants, underbrush, dried roses, worn leather, hints of iodine and cedar - these are the aromas that shimmer from the seductive Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016. It impresses first with its purity, then with its energy, seamlessly silky and refined, but almost racy in style, with salty wild berries and nuances of sour citrus drenching the palate, lifted by a hint of mint. The 2016 finishes with crystalline tannins that create an almost crisp sensation as the tart red fruits and nuances of liquorice slowly fade away. The 2016 Riserva has an invigorating feel unlike anything I have ever experienced in a bottle of Biondi Santi Brunello, which combined with a depth of wonderfully pure and delineated fruit makes it an absolute delight. That said, the 2016 is structured and set up for a long and successful ageing." Vinous

"The 2016 Riserva is the last vintage harvested and vinified by the Biondi Santi family and was subsequently blended by technical director Federico Radi under the new ownership of EPI. It is seamless but difficult to deconstruct in its youth. Eventually the dark and earthy personality reveals itself, exuding liquorice root, moss, damp earth and heather. The tannins are compact and tight-knit, but with a gentle texture of fine chalk. They give just enough to let the inner fruit sweetness shine through. Think red cherries and a hint of tarragon; then a hint of blood orange that fades effortlessly into a bright beam of racy acidity." Decanter

"The classic convinces already with its fine spicy bouquet with aromas of red forest fruits, cherry blossoms and tobacco; excellent course, the fine-grained tannins and the acid perfectly integrated, shows a lot of polish and elegance until the ellong finish. Can and should age." Vinum

"Medium crimson garnet, violet reflections, broad ochre rim brightening. Hints of dark berries, fresh plums, red currants, fine fruit sweetness, a hint of orange zest and figs, nuances of nougat. Complex, substantial, silky tannins, salty on the finish, pleasant extract sweetness, delicate and fresh, gripping minerality on the finish, lingers for minutes, red berry on the back palate, an immensely multifaceted food companion, sure further ageing potential that will fill many decades." Falstaff

"A harmonious, balanced red wine that perfectly showcases the aromas of cherry, strawberry, flowers, iron and tobacco. Fresh and detailed, with a linear profile and a refined structure that drives the seemingly endless finish. Outstanding." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of strawberries, flowers, fresh mushrooms, forest flowers, sandalwood and a hint of balsamic. Full-bodied and dense on the finish. A straightforward red wine with fine tannins. Needs about five more years to develop its full potential. New classic. Better after 2026." James Suckling

"Wow, this is a vintage I have been eagerly waiting for. The 2016 growing season was one of the best in recent times in Montalcino, and if we look back in time, this vintage marks the year Biondi-Santi was sold to a French group. The prestigious Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 proves to be a powerful collector's bottle that will undoubtedly gain in complexity and depth with careful bottle ageing. The wine offers wild nuances of wild berries and sour cherries, and there are herbal notes as well as floral tones of dried violets and lilac. The tannins are soft, powdery and feel like they are melting on the palate." Wine Advocate

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

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