James Suckling

Schioppettino is an old Friulian grape variety from which this wonderful, medium-bodied wine is made. Smells of red berries, herbs and liquorice. Fresh, floral and fruity notes on the palate, mineral and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Attractive aromas of dark cherries, licorice, dried rosemary and wet stones, following through to a medium body with a solid and velvety tannin structure. Smooth and balanced." James Suckling

Pergolaia consists mainly of Sangiovese with smaller proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine opens with a medium-bodied attack and a bright bouquet characterised by notes of cherry, wild plum, ploughed earth and pressed blue flowers. This very Mediterranean-style red with a strong personality envelops the palate with a delicate, silky intensity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Attractive red fruit character with orange peel, cured meat and wet stones on offer. Medium to full-bodied, firm and straightforward with fine tannins and juicy acidity that gives it freshness and crispness. Bright and velvety finish." James Suckling

"Aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, black olive tapenade, violets and cedar dominate this red wine, which is characterised by purity and precision, while densely woven tannins contribute to a velvety texture. Balanced and long." Wine Spectator

"On the nose, aromas of rose petals soften a bold, tart fruitiness, while savoury notes of earth and ash lead to a palate that starts fleshy and spicy before a gentle, tempering sweetness emerges, providing a sense of comfort. Intentional and satisfying." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2020 Pergolaia, the winery's Sangiovese blend, is a beautiful, exotic wine. Ripe red cherry fruit, white pepper, mint, rose petals and cinnamon bring out the racy side of the Sangiovese. Small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon round off the blend. All the elements are so beautifully balanced." Vinous

"Only the best grapes" adorns the label. Dark ruby red, in the bouquet fine notes of dark fruits, herbal spice and delicately toasted wood. Impressive elegance and clarity on the palate, the fruit is always fresh and present, the polished tannins lead this almost Burgundian red into a wonderful final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark, elegant ruby red. In the nose elegant fragrance, many ripe forest berries, delicate spice, noble. Shows itself compact on the palate and with elegant melting, beautiful density, clear fruit, slightly salty in the final with a rich aftertaste, can mature well." Falstaff

"A layered, flavorful red, showing ripe fruit and a linear tannin structure. Medium to full body. Slightly cooked fruit at the finish. A juicy, lightly tannic red." James Suckling

A well-proportioned, highly elegant red with a fresh bouquet reminiscent of raspberries, wild strawberries and peppers. Extremely interesting fruit on the palate and silky tannins on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A youthful and fruity red showing orange peel, blueberries, raspberries and chopped herbs on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, bright and crunchy with a fresh, straightforward and very clean finish." James Suckling

Deep ruby red colour. Bright, fresh and savoury aromas and flavours of blueberries, flint, coffee and fresh herbs. Long and clean with soft tannins and very good clarity on the bright finish. A beautiful, very refined wine, characterised by its early attractiveness, but also by its velvet-pawed concentration and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rivarossa, a blend of Cabernet and Merlot, takes its time to evolve in the glass. It's coy at first, with hints of dried black cherry. Swirling slowly unlocks depths of sage and exotic spice. This displays silky textures as a polished wave of red and black fruits swirls across a stream of zesty acidity. The 2019 slowly saturates the palate in youthful concentration, along with fine-grained tannins, while finishing long, structured and leaving a pleasant bitter tinge. There is potential here, yet it will require serious patience to unlock." Vinous

"Raspberry, blackcurrant bush and bark on the nose. Also some pencil. Full-bodied, but not overwhelming, with linear and polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Very solid and structured, but with a certain openness on the finish." James Suckling

Authentic interpretation of the Sangiovese grape. Medium garnet red, bright aromas of sour cherry, redcurrant, blue flowers and a hint of bitter almond. Firm and lively on the palate, with present acidity and well-structured tannins. A wonderfully compact, authentic Tuscan and for us the ideal accompaniment to strong pasta dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

"I like the juiciness and tension of this Rosso, which also shows the ripeness of the berry and cherry fruit. At the same time, a hint of iron and spice. The palate is fine-grained, with a medium to full body and a fairly long finish. The tannins have a certain heaviness." James Suckling

"The 2022 Rosso di Montalcino entices with a whiff of mint leaf and sage before giving way to crushed black cherries, clove and white smoke. This shows the ripeness of the vintage in a beautifully balanced package, with mineral-laced red and blue fruits that swirl across textures of pure silk. It finishes incredibly long, repeating its mineral strength. Sweet tannins linger through the violet-tinged finale. The 2022 is an understated beauty." Vinous

The Pinot Grigio Zuc di Volpe impresses with seductive aromas of ripe pears and apricots, accompanied by sweet white flowers and a hint of buttercream. It is silky and round, with a certain heaviness, yet perfectly balanced. Then on the palate, notes of ripe melon underlined by zesty lime and a salty note towards the spicy, smoky final. For all its complexity, very bright and fresh and full of personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intensely perfumed and rich in the glass, the 2021 Pinot Grigio Zuc di Volpe wafts up with notes of dried peaches and apricots complemented by a whiff of chamomile. It’s silky, nearly oily in texture, with tart green apple fruits and zesty lime tones complicated by a salty core of minerality. The 2021 lingers incredibly long and savory yet fresh with rosemary and liquid stone nuances. This characterful Pinot Grigio communicates importance and refinement from the first tilt of the glass. Fans of the variety should seek it out." Vinous

"A terrific and serious pinot grigio with lime, apple-pie and lemon-zest character throughout. Full-bodied and driven, with so much fruit flavor and intensity in the finish." James Suckling

Classic Franciacorta made from Chardonnay with aromas of ripe, tropical fruit and a hint of brioche. Fresh, dry and fine-sparkling on the palate, the ideal aperitif. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with a fine perlage. Inviting and subtly spicy on the nose, with flavours of juicy apple, meadow herbs and a hint of brioche and honey. Creamy mousse on the palate, very juicy and with invigorating acidity through to the finish." Falstaff

"Tight nose, but a complex wine. Strawberries, complemented by cheese notes, acacia honey and roasted walnuts. The mousse is fine and long with crisp acidity and a lean body. Long, savoury finish with citrus fruits and chalk." James Suckling

Single-varietal Aglianico whose grapes come from Pietradefusi and S. Angelo all'Esca. Brilliant ruby red with garnet reflections, an enveloping bouquet of morello cherries and marasca cherries in harmony with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, vanilla and aniseed. The full, balanced flavour with sweet, silky tannins ends in an aromatic, lasting final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Black fruit on the nose, such as blackberries and black cherries, followed by walnut, tobacco and bitter-chocolate notes. It’s full-bodied, mellow and supple on the palate, with excellent freshness and drinkability." James Suckling

Pushing the limits!

"Comets light up, follow their path and burn up. Some last for years, others only for a few moments. They leave an impression and can point to a certain direction that guides us in our everyday work. Experimentation, innovation and playing with components are at the forefront of comets. Each of our comets is unique, like a fingerprint. The labels of each bottle are individually designed: A comet tail, painted on with a finger." Clemens Lageder

Tannat thrives excellently under warm temperatures and retains a lively acidity. Already planted 30 years ago by Alois Lageder, it is still a puzzle, experiment and challenge at the same time for the winery. In the 2018 vintage, the grapes were harvested extremely early to particularly emphasise the lightness and freshness of the grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh, linear red with dried-cherry, stone and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium body, fine and tight tannins and a clean finish. Not the biggest wine, but shows energy." James Suckling

Pine wood, smoke and pale blue violets on the nose, along with red cherry, flint and herbal aromas. Very fresh and juicy on the palate, with a fine sweetness of red fruit and herbal flavours, which are really given momentum by a peppery component in the long, lively, youthful and crisp finish. Made from over 20-year-old Sangiovese vines, this is a beautiful cherry-accentuated and also surprisingly spicy and powerful, very grippy Rosso di Montalcino with a desire for more - it still needs a little time for the final development. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark ruby violet colour. Blackberry jelly, violets, mint, liquorice, lots of dark berry fruit and precious wood on the nose. Hearty on the palate with lots of structure and fruit, slightly alcoholic, grippy tannins on the finish, for lovers of full-bodied fruit bombs." Falstaff

"Lots of wood spice and tannins with lush, ripe black cherries, blackberries, chocolate and walnuts. Quite full-bodied, modern and polished, with a good amount of tannins merging into a long, flavoursome finish." James Suckling

"Dark and rich in the glass, the 2022 Rosso di Montalcino reminds me of Christmas, when allspice and cloves come together with dark chocolate and cherries soaked in rum. It is also velvety and polished on the palate, with an abundance of ripe red and blue fruits accompanied by juicy acidity. The 2022 is powerful and dense, yet fresh with notes of cocoa and brown spices. Siro Pacenti's style is not for everyone, but the quality in the bottle is undeniable." Vinous

Brilliant, rich yellow with silver-green reflections. The bouquet has pronounced smoky, mineral notes, full flavours of mango, citrus fruit, sage and asparagus. It shows its true class on the palate: wonderfully complex structure, lots of naturally sweet flavour, refreshing acidity and a juiciness, strength and length that can only be achieved through long contact with the lees and simultaneous agitation. Very convincing, downright captivating! SUPERIORE.DE

"Firm and quite deep, yeasty, very delicately nutty and smoky aroma with citrus flavours, some white berries, spring onions, broccoli, white pepper and crab meat. Ripe, juicy, dense fruit, very fine acidity and some grip, vegetal spice, blackcurrant leaves, some smoke and nutty-yeasty traces, blackcurrants and gooseberries in the background, mineral foundation, good depth, very good, firm, juicy, mineral and somewhat herbal-spicy finish with blackberry and floral nuances." Wein-Plus

"Intense straw yellow with a green tinge. Aromatic nose, lots of gooseberry and nettle, some passion fruit in the background. Straightforward and precise on the palate, animating, mouthwatering, delicately melting, lingering, salty final." Falstaff

"On the nose, cooked lemons, savoury herbs, pepper and a hint of flinty minerality. Medium-bodied, juicy and citrusy with lively acidity and a flavourful finish." James Suckling

"The Sauvignon Blanc Picol 2021 is flavoursome and incredibly fresh. In the glass, it unfolds aromas of nectarine, rosemary and sage, accompanied by candied lime. It is full of zesty tension with sharp yellow citrus fruits and salty mineral notes that tantalise the senses. Its brilliant acidity is the real highlight of the show, as the Picol finishes long and powerful with a mix of sour melon and young kiwi that makes the taster return to the glass." Vinous

"Inviting, smoky nose of gooseberry aromatics; palate of tropical notes and a neat, bright acidity." Decanter

Foscarino from vines over 40 years old is matured for 12 months on the fine lees in used barrique barrels and stainless steel and is probably one of the most complex Soave Classico wines we have ever tasted. Bright straw yellow in colour with golden reflections. Elegant, inviting bouquet of light honey, dried citrus fruit, exotic flowers and a hint of ginger. Juicy and straightforward on the palate of layered stone fruit, precise and with piquant acidity, all proportions are impressively right here. Complex and multi-layered, it reveals new impressions with every glass and increasing aeration and ends in a salty finish, very exciting! SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant straw yellow colour with greenish-gold reflections. Elegant and inviting on the nose of ripe stone fruit, with notes of camomile and fine fumé. Almost creamy on entry, glides gently over the palate with a juicy fruit centre and great harmony on the long finish." Falstaff

"This wine is very intense with electric acidity. Dried apples, lemons and minerals with a salty undertone. Full-bodied, with phenolic tension and an extremely long finish. Hints of oysters. It needs another two or three years to show its greatness, but it's already fantastic." James Suckling

The Pecorari family's passion for single-varietal wines is best represented by the Pinot Grigio Gris, which is matured for 11 months on the fine lees with bâtonnage. This Pinot Grigio fermented in oak offers an exciting and complex bouquet of white peach, citrus, flint, crushed oyster shells, white rose petals and notes of acacia honey. The well-proportioned acidity, the fresh flavour and the wonderful depth and tension make it easy to see that the Pinot Grigio at Lis Neris occupies an absolutely special position every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Firm, somewhat nutty, planty to herbaceous and hints of mushroomy aromas of yellow fruit with slightly smoky and vanilla wood notes and nuances reminiscent of mussel shells. Polished, firm fruit with melting and some light wood notes, fine acidity, has a grip of ripe tannin, good substance and persistence, certain depth, salty minerality, tobacco, butter and hints of crab meat in the background, very good, animating finish with bite." Wein-Plus

"Bright straw yellow colour. Fine reduction on the nose, subtle flint, precious wood and stone fruit. Full-bodied and radiant on the palate, with great juiciness and salinity, powerful, savoury, lingers for a long time, great Pinot Grigio!" Falstaff

"It is fresh and mineral with notes of white peaches, flowers and stones. Crisp and juicy with a medium body and a polished, mineral backbone. Tasty finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Pinot Grigio Gris tantalises the senses with an opulent blend of vanilla pods, sweet spices and whole butter complementing ripe apples and pears. It is pleasantly round and silky in flavour, with a core of juicy acidity that balances it out and ripe fruit that plays around it. The balance on the inside is fantastic. The 2021 rejuvenates with a saline mineral note and sour citrus, leaving a youthful inner tension. The oak will need to be integrated a little over the coming years, but I expect that with a little patience an absolutely stunning interpretation will develop." Vinous

"Inviting, with a nose of orange blossom, smoky fruit and yellow spring flowers; lemon, apricot cake and spiced pear on the palate." Decanter

L'Arcione Rosso, an elegant Friulian cuvée of Pignolo and Schiopettino, reveals a variety of aromas ranging from earthy to exotic on the nose. It is a highly expressive wine full of lively fruit and extraordinary complexity, its purity and race are breathtaking. This selection should be savoured at leisure! SUPERIORE.DE

"Grilled herbs, sour cherries, toasted bark and nutmeg on the nose. Toasty and ripe with a medium to full body and chewy tannins. Spicy finish." James Suckling

Bright yellow-green in colour. Intense nose of orchard fruits, ripe peach, roasted nuts and some lemon mousse, rounded off with creamy vanilla. Very juicy on the palate, not too heavy, with salty elements and warm yellow fruit flavours. Chardonnay made by Lis Neris is always a complete pleasure and a lasting memory. Very elegant and with good ageing and maturation potential thanks to 11 months of ageing on the fine lees. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, light golden yellow in colour. Slightly reductive on the nose, flint and gunpowder, fine roasted flavours, tropical fruit and vanilla on the finish. Fresh and juicy on the palate, the use of wood is noticeable, well-balanced, with a long final." Falstaff

"Notes of cooked apples, walnuts, bread crust and stones on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and textured with a juicy stone fruit character. Zesty and refreshing finish." James Suckling

Brilliant light straw yellow colour. Elegant aromas of gooseberry, smoke, some flint and lemon followed by a full body with powerful fruit and mineral nuances, very balanced, savoury and unmistakably high-class. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh and flavoursome on the nose with crushed apples, spicy herbs, mussels and citrus leaves. Medium-bodied, bright and lively with citrusy freshness, mouthwatering acidity and chalky minerality. Some salty undertones." James Suckling

"The 2022 Sauvignon is perfumed, casting a delicate array of wildflowers, tangerine and hints of incense from the glass. Seductively smooth and soothing upon entry, this quickly gains tension as zesty acidity and sour citrus tones collide over a core of tart green apple. Crisp and nearly crunchy in feel, the 2022 keeps the mouth watering for more while leaving a minty herbal tinge and salty flourish to linger on. Simply stunning." Vinous

"A Sauvignon of complexity and completeness, representative of the Capriva terroir. On the nose, notes of white apricot, then rosemary, bergamot and jasmine. Spicy and sweet on the palate, with a fruity note and a citrus finish." Luca Gardini

Cultus is a modern-style Chianti Classico Riserva and a dark, elaborate interpretation of the terroir of the somewhat cooler and wilder municipality of Gaiole in Chianti. It delights with a generous mineral and graphite-tinged berry bouquet, tones of tobacco, dark spice and a soft, juicy, primary fruity flavour. The fine tannins and well-proportioned acidity give this Riserva a harmonious grip and an undisputed class for this price. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe red berries with hints of dried orange peel, cocoa and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied, juicy and nicely filled with fruit and fine, smooth tannins. Tense and racy on the palate, with a spiced, zesty aftertaste." James Suckling

Complex and rich bouquet of citrus fruit and sage flavours. Excellently structured and consistent on the palate with a fresh acid wire. This wonderful Sauvignon offers multi-layered fruit notes and great harmony with a delightful grapefruit flavour on the long finish. Good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Sauvignon Zuc di Volpe blossoms slowly in the glass with a lovely blend of nectarine and wildflowers complicated by tangerine zest. This opens with a pretty inner sweetness as tart orchard fruits and ginger hints sweep across the palate. Residual acidity maintains a gorgeous balance as the 2022 finishes spicy and wickedly fresh, leaving the mouth watering for more. The combination of energy, vividly ripe fruit and power is stunning and promises many years of positive evolution." Vinous

"A very pure and chalky Sauvignon blanc, tangy but not herbaceous. Mineral, green apples and very gastronomic style. Ripe green apples, wet stones and nice and dry. Strict, but not demanding. Straightforward, quite long and mineral." James Suckling

Deep, dark red, fresh, vegetal notes on the nose, delicate smoky aromas and red berry fruit. The flavour is elegant and dense. A wonderfully juicy cuvée for sophisticated drinking pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, dark ruby red colour. Initially ripe cherry fruit on the nose, then leather, pepper spice, cassis. On the palate with pithy tannins, rich pressure and beautiful juiciness, shows a full-bodied, long finish, turns in the middle section, then slightly drying on the finish." Falstaff

"Classic bold aromas of dark plums, macerated cherries laced with star anise and clove lift from the glass of this Bordeaux Blend, with Italian style. Well structured with fine tannins, the sublime palate balances between concentrated fruits and savory earthiness." Wine Enthusiast

"This is showing aromas of olives, dried herbs, walnuts, sour cherries and cedar. Spicy, chewy and tasty, with a medium body and firm, fine-grained tannins. Excellent balance." James Suckling