James Suckling

"Only the best grapes." adorns the label. Expressive, intense white wine made from the indigenous Grillo grape, which began its quiet and steep career as the exclusive house wine of the Moretti family and is still only available in small quantities today. Strong, bright straw yellow colour. An expansive bouquet of exotic fruits, flowers and flint, fruity and soft with a fresh, mineral note in the long and energetic final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium shiny straw yellow with silver-coloured reflections. Intense aroma of ripe peach, mango and candied citrus fruit on the nose, spicy with a hint of vanilla pod. Juicy and tense on the palate, very balanced and with a slightly noticeable use of wood, final with a citrus flavour." Falstaff

"Fresh aromas of honeysuckle, lemon rind, sea salt and green melon. Medium-bodied, crisp and focused, with notes of apples, honey and minerals. Focused and creamy texture." James Suckling

Strong golden yellow, the bouquet intensely of fresh apricots, underlaid with a fine honey tone. Juicy on the palate, elegant texture with well-integrated flavours of yellow peach fruit and a delicate acidity. Lemony and slightly bitter nuances in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Perfumed nose with lots of honeyed peaches, stones and chamomile. Textured, broad and full-bodied on the palate with a bone-dry and floral finish." James Suckling

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

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

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

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

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

Ghiaia, a pure Nerello Mascalese from the slopes of Mount Etna, exudes sweet aromas of cherries and flowers. A refined, very detailed and seductive wine with great charm, character and personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium-light red colour; reductive red-fruity, appealing; powerful, fruit-deep, subtly tart tannin, long." Merum

"Medium, bright cherry red colour with a slightly brightening rim. Fine bouquet of raspberries, redcurrants, some pomegranate, underlaid with eucalyptus and fine spice. Vibrant freshness and pleasant juiciness on the palate, the tannins still somewhat youthful and ending on herbs in the medium final." Falstaff

"Attractive bouquet of chestnuts, violets and crisp strawberries, fresh and crisp with attractive acidity and a savoury finish." Decanter

"Sweet berries and orange peel with undertones of peach and lemon blossom. Medium-bodied, with crisp fruit and a fresh and slightly chewy finish. Delicious wine, now showing volcanic character with ashy and smoky undertones." James Suckling

"The Etna Rosso Ghiaia Nera 2021 is intense, smoky and ashy. It opens with a burst of crushed strawberries accompanied by notes of blood orange and clove. This wine is a model of purity, with savoury red berry fruit and a core of salty minerality that emerges towards the end. The lively acidity provides a fantastic balance. A web of fine tannins lingers, creating a classic dry feel and youthful tension as the sour cherry tones fade." Vinous

Delicate old pink with shimmering reflections, elegant bouquet with notes of wild strawberries and light currants, plus restrained, spicy tones. On the palate with creamy freshness and lively acidity, fine and distinguished. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of grapefruit peel and raspberries. Medium body. Balanced acidity. Vivid citrus aftertaste with a slightly smoky edge to it." James Suckling

"A blend of young peach and nectarine is complemented by hints of crushed rock and dried flowers as the 2022 Rosato Etna blossoms in the glass. It has a soft texture and a mineral style. It quickly gains traction with a stimulating blend of lively acidity and a lemon astringency. The 2022 lasts a long time, with a saline concentration and mandarin notes that keep the taster coming back to the glass. The 2022 is another fantastic Rosato Etna from Graci." Vinous

Livio Felluga's Friulano is very fresh and tropical, with nuances of sour melon, young mango and white smoke forming its attractive bouquet. It impresses with a lively acidity that balances the silky texture and ripe fruit, and with a spicy herbal note that gives it unexpected depth. Perfumed and fresh to the final, leaving a pleasant mouthfeel, with hints of bitter almond but also a gentle streak of residual tension. Very nice. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant straw yellow with green-golden nuances. Fragrant, inviting bouquet of ripe citrus fruit, with a hint of banana and meadow herbs. Delicately creamy on entry, then quickly spreads across the palate with pleasant freshness and cheeky fruit." Falstaff

"A light, elegant wine with flavours of mandarins, sage, peaches and mirabelle plums. Also very floral. Medium-bodied with a silky, almost oily texture, moderate but refreshing acidity and a good, polished aftertaste." James Suckling

An accessible, fruit-accentuated classic at a high level. A clear aroma of wild berries and flowers, with a mix of dark berry notes, fine spices and light tannins on the palate. Flavour and depth give this noble Valpolicella its wonderful drinking flow. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red with a fine, brightening rim. Intense on the nose, cranberry compote, juniper and leather on the finish. Silky texture on the palate, with lots of ripe fruit, slightly spicy and with well-integrated tannins, long presence." Falstaff

"Aromas of dried fruit and nuts follow through to a medium-bodied palate with a dense bead of bright fruit and fine, slightly drying tannins. Very direct and concentrated with good forward acidity. Give this wine a little more time for the tannins to resolve further." James Suckling

"The 2020 Valpolicella Superiore Maternigo is wickedly fresh and floral, wafting up with suggestions of violet and lavender before giving way to crushed blackberries. This is a soft-textured mix of savory and sweet, with saline minerals complicating its tart wild berry fruits. It tapers off with tension, leaving a pleasantly tense sensation and hints of sour orange that pucker the cheeks. Don’t be afraid to lose the 2020 Maternigo in the cellar for a number of years." Vinous

Ampeleias Cabernet Franc is a rare and Demeter-certified wine that opens with a bright, dark ruby-red colour. The wine is made with 20% whole bunches and the fruit comes from the high altitude Vigna dell'Asina, characterised by local soils known as Galestro and Palombino with elements of schist and limestone. This wine is very varietal with dark fruits and blackberries, spices and a green note of grilled rosemary or wild sage. SUPERIORE.DE

"A juicy, bright and pure Cabernet Franc with flavours of wild berries, sour cherries, wild herbs and crushed white pepper. It is medium-bodied with silky tannins. Velvety and subtle, with balance and a refined, flawless texture. Bright and seductive, with a lively, juicy finish. Made from biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification." James Suckling

"The 2022 Cabernet Franc is a real powerhouse. Black cherry, leather, plum, mocha, lavender and spice race across the palate. Although this year's Franc is not as expressive as it could be, it is still compelling. harvestshould expect a rare wine from the estate that packs a punch. This extroverted, wild red wine is a beauty." Vinous

Medium pale straw yellow in colour. Livio Felluga's Sauvignon Bianco impresses with its elegance, the typical varietal bouquet of pear and gooseberry, elderflower and garden herbs and a fascinating minerality. The flavour is soft and fruity, with a beautiful melting texture and a fresh, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale golden yellow with greenish reflections. Opens slowly on the nose to nettle, gooseberry, then hints of tropical fruit. Flows silky over the palate, yet very fresh with a medium body and good length." Falstaff

"A tight and restrained wine. The nose is focused on tuberose, melon and a bit of sage. Light- to medium-bodied, full of tension, with almost zesty acidity in the finish." James Suckling

Etna Bianco is smoky in the glass and excites the senses with a burst of crushed rock and raw almonds before fading into a citrus-influenced peach. It is pleasantly soft and enveloping, with weighty textures supported by lively acidity. Mineral fruits and sweet spices meet on the palate. Finishes remarkably fresh yet grippy and long, leaving the mouth wanting more. The complexity of this wine is unrivalled for an entry-level Etna Bianco. SUPERIORE.DE

"Honey blossom, candied ginger, hints of fennel and crushed green apples form a savoury and inviting bouquet when the 2023 Etna Bianco opens in the glass. Ripe fruit meets a core of salty minerals and savoury spices, while a stimulating wave of acidity completely redefines the palate. The 2023 finishes perfumed and long, leaving a pleasantly tart hint of citrus that tickles the cheeks." Vinous

"This has a restrained white-pepper and mineral character, lemon bush and pulp. On the palate, the acidity is firmly integrated with citrus, flint, concentrated fruit and a medium to full body. The finish is supersavory and tense. Drinkable now but will improve with age." James Suckling

Brilliant ruby red colour with a slightly brightening rim. Impressive aroma of red berries, smoke, roasted almonds and dark spices. Taut, straightforward, expressive and beautifully long on the palate. With its classic understatement, Boscarelli's Nobile di Montepulciano is a wonderfully precise example of its growing region every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Smells of small stone fruit, tobacco and blossoms; fresh attack, vivid acidity, compact structure with melting, juice and length. Convinces with its fresh and elegant style." Vinum

"Bright, sparkling ruby red with a brightening rim. Fine spice and cherry on the nose, with a woody aftertaste. Beautiful juiciness and clear, fresh fruit on the palate, compact, noble, classic in the best sense of the word, with a fine salty finish." Falstaff

"The aromas are shy and discreet, taking their time to reveal beautiful scents of cherry blossom and plum. This medium-bodied candidate offers plenty of freshness, its bright acidity and elegant sandy tannins supporting a core of ripe red cherries and blood oranges. Gracefully composed, it shows lovely balance and is one of the more immediately approachable offerings of the vintage." Decanter

"This red wine offers purity with aromas and flavours of cherry, pomegranate, earth and iron while remaining lively, supported by a dense tannic matrix. Balanced, with a finish of bitter almond, it needs a few years to integrate." Wine Spectator

"This wine has depth and seriousness with cedar, sandalwood, lavender, cherries and citrus. Medium body with fine tannins that pull on the finish. Racy and polished. Give this wine two or three years to develop." James Suckling

Pinot Gris with an intense straw-yellow colour with golden-copper reflections, which can be traced back to the historic Ramato process: Here, the mash remains in contact with the skins for approx. 10 hours. Broad, fruity bouquet with sweet notes of blackberry, pear and ripe apricot, delicate hints of almond blossom. Harmonious, dry and full-bodied on the palate. Medium-long, slightly mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has a pale copper color and hints of honey and white strawberries to the apple and peach aromas. It’s medium-bodied, creamy and fruity with plump, soft, ripe stone fruit." James Suckling

Tunella has packed a lot of character into this savoury white: ColMatiss is a Sauvignon Bianco from a cru vineyard planted in the 1980s, which is matured on the fine lees in Slavonian oak barrels. On the nose, it has diverse and detailed aromas of exotic fruits such as lychee and grapefruit, elegant herbal notes of sage and mint, as well as mineral hints that provide depth. A fascinatingly delicate spiciness on the palate, flavours full of character and a lively acidity that enlivens the compact structure and makes you want to drink the next glass. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with light green notes. Inviting nose with fine notes of grapefruit, sage and gooseberries, some pickled peach. Good weight on the palate, spreads out with fine fruit, beautiful sage flavour, grapefruit on the final." Falstaff

"The Tunella 2022 Friuli Colli Orientali Sauvignon Colmatìss offers a soft and creamy expression of the grape. Its broad textural base is accented by aromatic highlights of exotic fruit, papaya and tomato leaf. Indeed, the plump texture of the mouthfeel is what sets this Sauvignon Blanc apart." Wine Advocate

"A fragrant, creamy Sauvignon with flavours of guava, grapefruit, green mango and vanilla. It is medium to full-bodied, creamy and delicious, with rich lemon curd and guava notes on the finish." James Suckling

Fórra, an elegant small-batch white wine, is made purely from Manzoni Bianco and has an interesting history and an exciting development. Lageder's project with this grape variety began several years ago and resulted in the crossing of Rhine Riesling and Pinot Bianco. Traditional methods were used in the cellar to ensure freshness and vibrancy. Contact with the skins over several days sharpens the profile of the wine. After spontaneous fermentation, Fórra remains on its lees in wooden barrels for several months. Fórra exudes all this passion and love, all this experience and craftsmanship - a wonderful, great pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"This distinctive, medium-bodied white wine feels soft and silky. A tangy salinity and a slight chalkiness do more than the soft orange peel acidity to create a lively balance to the flavours of baked melon and pear, dried thyme, ground nutmeg, walnut skin and honeycomb." Wine Spectator

"Manzoni bianco is a super fresh grape variety, a valuable resource in view of the rising temperatures in this era of climate change. Aromas of pears, white peaches, lime peel and lemon leaves. It’s soft on the palate, with a silky texture, sharp acidity, peach flavors and a polished finish in spite of its citrus peel aftertaste." James Suckling

The wonderfully typical, very lively Ribolla Gialla has a bouquet of fresh citrus fruits and apples, with peach notes and flint in the background. The fruity taste is round, clean and very harmonious with a long, salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Ribolla Gialla Zuc di Volpe 2021 is delicate and unobtrusive. It smells of lime and green melon, underlined by sweet floral scents. The style is soft and mineral, with an echo of saline acidity that slowly dissipates to reveal crisp Granny Smith apple. The 2021 finishes clean but full of youthful tension and a crisp feel as nuances of sour citrus gradually fade. What a beauty. Two to three years of ageing should help it to develop fully." Vinous

"Lots of flint and smoke with aromas and flavours of green apple and lime. Tangy and bright. A linear and energetic Ribolla with a sorbet finish." James Suckling

Brilliant ruby red colour. Diciasettesalme offers a wonderful bouquet of dark fruit flavours, some flint and Cuban cigar tobacco. Balanced, elegant, full-bodied and salty fresh on the palate. Stylistically and qualitatively very successful. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium-light red; reductive-barrelled, plum cake, quite deep, arouses curiosity; dense, sweetness, depth of fruit, lots of beautiful tannin, length." Merum

"Brilliant ruby red colour. On the nose, hints of mustard seeds, dried rose petals, raspberries, ripe cherries and delicately resinous tones, reminiscent of plaster on the finish. Hearty on the palate with tightly woven tannins, powerful, stony, with a polished red fruit final, currently still somewhat unbalanced." Falstaff

"A flavoursome and lively red wine with notes of tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes, raspberries and cherry stones. Taut and firm, with a medium body and firm tannins. Excellent focus." James Suckling

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Diciassettesalme shows dusty minerals and dried fruit flavours. This wine generally has more muscle and dark fruit compared to the Zottorinoto, which tends to be floral and more delicate in character. The Diciassettesalme is fresh and straightforward and delivers all the fundamentals of Nerello Mascalese from this mighty Sicilian volcano. The vineyard is located directly below the Cottanera winery at 780 metres above sea level and is planted on light or grey lava rock. The soils are unique for this location." Wine Advocate

"Vivid ruby with garnet hues, this volcanic red boasts fresh black cherry and dried blackberry aromas. Toasty notes, liquorice, and minerality add complexity. Concentrated palate, supple tannins, refreshing acidity. Elegant yet robust, with a hint of heat on the finish." Decanter

"This wine comes from my family's historic vineyard. It is a wine that is the result of long reflection, study and experimentation, where nothing has been left to chance: Monte Grande is to be my great Soave wine." Graziano Prà

Monte Grande is the white cru of the house and a blend of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave of great complexity with ideal ageing potential. Deep bouquet of exotic fruits and rocks with a fine citrus note. Multi-layered and spicy on the palate, intense and sharply focussed, with mineral notes and a pretty salty core. Beautifully crafted acidity, with notes of orange zest and almonds on the long finish. A terrificmasterpiece! SUPERIORE.DE

"A riper iteration, suggestive of dried or later harvested fruit. Tangerines, kumquats and salted quince. There is ample poise, avoiding excess by virtue of a streak of saline freshness and a ripple of volcanic energy. A fine, mid-weighted Soave, showing drinkability over weight and ripeness. A welcome choice." James Suckling

"Opening with aromas of jasmine and white tea that lead to fresh, crisp apples and roasted almonds, this Soave is a wine that is hard to move past the nose. Mouthwatering acidity and a honeyed texture define the wine's palate as roasted orchard fruits, flint and pressed yellow flowers all weave in and out of focus. It is a complex and compelling wine that shows the greatness of this region in full." Wine Enthusiast

Avignonesi's aromatic classic has a lean to medium body, seamless tannins and a delicious flavour profile. Intense ruby red with garnet-coloured reflections. On the nose, aromas of red berries, cherry, eucalyptus and pomegranate and the unmistakable scent of violets so typical of the Sangiovese grape, with a hint of vanilla and Mediterranean herbal spice in the background. Well-balanced on the palate, with beautiful primary notes of ripe cherry and plum. The warm, ethereal body is embedded in a dense tannin structure and leads into a long, persistent finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A bright and lively Vino Nobile with aromas of cherry, violet and hibiscus and hints of peach and lemon that continue through to a medium body. Fine and integrated tannins and a lively finish with plenty of energy. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Needs another year or two to show its true excellence, but is already a beautiful and straightforward wine." James Suckling

Crognolo is a wonderfully balanced wine that offers the tangy freshness and acidity of Sangiovese, which is balanced and softened by the small proportion of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine smells of cherry, blackberry and plum. Its primary intensity is bright and cheerful. The finish shows a nice density, extraction and well-integrated tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Crognolo 2021 is a great entry-level wine from Sette Ponti. An explosion of red/purple fruits, blood orange, spices and rose petals race across the palate, lifted by bright acids that add energy. All elements are very well balanced. This is a very inviting wine." Vinous

"Dusty, perfumed aromas of spiced plums with sour cherries and dried cherries are followed in the mouth by a vertical palate full of fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and juicy fruit. It feels balanced and upright, ready to spring into action as soon as the cork is pulled. Vibrant red and black fruits intermingle, punctuated by a certain saltiness and supported by those tannins. The finish is long, juicy and flavoursome and leaves you wanting another sip." Decanter

"This young red wine shows all its components in the right place, but needs time to integrate. It offers flavours of cherry, violet, earth, iron and mint, which fade into powerful tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Bright ruby violet colour. Expressive flavours of blackberries and rich cherries, with fine spicy components in the background. Compact, concentrated on the palate, with grippy tannins that also become juicy, salty on the finish." Falstaff

"The wine shows dark concentration, certainly more than you'd expect from Sangiovese, with lots of cherry, spice and blue flower that ties directly into the Merlot. It offers a medium to full-bodied texture with fine, chalky tannins." Wine Advocate

"Ultra-fresh, juicy cherries with more delicate aromas of violets and rose petals on the nose roll onto a palate rich with more cherries and berries balanced by earthy, tart notes of earth, branches and roots and a finish of bitter cocoa and aniseed." Wine Enthusiast

"The purity of the fruit in this wine is impressive, with redcurrants, orange peel, peaches and lemon on the nose and palate. Full-bodied yet compressed and agile. Tasty finish. Restrained now, but given a year or two it will come into its own." James Suckling

The Fèlsina Metodo Classico brut is a crisp and lively sparkling wine with lots of citrus fruit, white peach and crushed limestone or minerals. After 22 months on the lees, it is beautifully round and balanced, with good acidity, clean and commendable persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spiced and minty nose of dried citrus fruit, currant bush, wild strawberries and crushed stones. Medium- to full-bodied, racy and juicy, with fine bubbles and sharp acidity. Very attractive and fragrant." James Suckling

Scent of lemon, white flowers and crushed rock. A desire for more. This southern drop from Etna does not disappoint on the palate either. Lively acidity and a long mineral finish make this white wine a perfect accompaniment to food. Structure, elegance and pure white class from Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has a purity and focus with dried-apple and pear character as well as stone. Some flint undertones. Medium-bodied, it has tension and a solid core of fruit. Tight and precise. Lovely finish." James Suckling

Schiopetto's Pinot Grigio seduces with a nuanced and noble blend of yellow apples, spring flowers, wet stone and sweet smoke. On the entry, it is soft with an echo of green citrus and salty minerals that add tension, while lively notes of pear and inner flowers build towards the finish. It finishes with a pleasant inner sweetness, while a hint of spice and ginger lingers. This understated beauty is full of character and promises good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich, carpeted ginger-pear wine that starts pretty, perky, floral and green. It spreads out like liquid silk, filling every corner with a kind of golden, silvery sheen that hints at honey and baked puff pastry to come, then returns to sweet peas and sugar snap peas." Jancis Robinson

"Delicate aromas of green apple, citrus, and fresh white flowers mingle in this expressive wine. The palate pops with vibrant flavors of ripe pear and lemon, complemented by a crisp acidity and a refreshing, clean finish." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2022 Pinot Grigio is remarkably pretty, with hints of sweet spice and white flowers emphasising freshly cut nectarines. The Pinot Grigio is incredibly fresh, with zesty acidity and a hint of green citrus to the ripe fruit. The finish is clean and of medium length, leaving a hint of young peach and chamomile. The balance of this wine is excellent and makes it easy to return to the glass again and again." Vinous

"Aromas of quince fruit, glazed lemons, peaches and a hint of praline. Also some wet stones. Medium to full-bodied with depth and a delicate phenolic note in the texture. Long and taut with a lively, nervy acidity that goes on and on. Lots of crushed stones and spices. Attractive." James Suckling

Brilliant ruby red with orange-coloured reflections. Sublime, almost aromatic cherry fruit on the nose with hints of gingerbread and caraway. Lush cherry fruit on the palate, interspersed with plenty of tangy acidity and crisp tannins. Long, juicy cherry flavour with plenty of fullness on the finish. A well-made wine from an excellent vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby colour with a garnet-red rim. Dense nose of cold smoke, cherry, juniper berries, cloves and pickled violets. Silky on the palate, juicy and with invigorating acidity, firm tannins, persistent into the fruity-fresh final, with a racy acidity at the end." Falstaff

"A medium- to full-bodied, savory and chewy red that has aromas and flavors of mint, sour cherries, walnuts, cloves and tomato leaves. Plenty of tannin, but nicely integrated." James Suckling