James Suckling

Barbera d'Asti Riserva from the noble DOCG Nizza opens with dark red fruit, followed by smoke, spices and flowers. Dense, intense fruit with a pleasantly salty, mineral note on the palate. Impressive Barbera presentation with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of macerated black cherries and ripe raspberries combine with star anise, cedar and violets that pour out of the glass. The palate is loaded with notes of ripe plum, blackberries, fresh thyme and fine oak spices. Structured tannins give the wine heft, finishing with enough acidity to balance each component." Wine Enthusiast

"This wine has a red fruity character with notes of tea leaves, dried herbs and ground cloves. Medium-bodied with bright and lively fruit, crisp acidity and firm, polished tannins. Fresh and spicy." James Suckling

"A pure nose of cherry and other ripe red fruits. With sour cherry, plums and dried cranberries. Freshness and balance, precision and intensity, the oak is well integrated." Decanter

"The 2019 Nizza Riserva is packed with dark fruits, graphite, cured meat, cloves, leather and lavender. Deep and layered, with enormous stature, the Riserva is a wonderfully complete wine that just needs a few years in the bottle to round itself out. It is another impressive wine in this range from Olim Bauda." Vinous

Passorosso is a single-varietal Nerello Mascalese with a bright ruby red colour and fine garnet reflections. Proud and fascinating, it has an intense aroma of red berries, coffee and olives. Its captivating flavour convinces with clear, well-defined fruit and pronounced minerality. Graceful and special. SUPERIORE.DE

"Earthy, mineral notes on the nose, ripe red berries, black pepper and delicate tertiary flavours. Very full of character on the palate, open-hearted, already on point." Weinwisser

"Bright, light ruby red colour. Finely characterised nose, with notes of redcurrants, juniper and cloves, plus light medicinal notes. Very juicy on the palate, with ripe fruit, slightly smoky, tight-knit, slightly drying tannins." Falstaff

"The Passorosso is a blend of fruit from the estate's various vineyards. Crisp, herbal and slightly smoky aromas of red berries are followed by a ripe, sweet, red-fruited palate full of balsamic intrigue and subtle stoniness. Bright strawberries, cherries and raspberries are supported by taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity, ending with a juicy finish. Delicious!" Decanter

"The 2021 Passorosso is shy in the glass, opening slowly with hints of dusty rose and dried strawberry accompanied by a touch of sweet Indian curry. It is silky yet racy, with a salty minerality that quickly emerges, perfectly balanced by a core of juicy red fruit and autumnal spice. The Passorosso leaves a youthful concentration on the palate, while a hint of residual acidity maintains a great freshness and the liquorice notes fade away. What a beauty. This is a first-class Etna Rosso. It is important to note that the Passorosso is not a second wine or a wine from younger vines, but a blend of old vines from all of Passopisciaro's crus. If there is one wine from this portfolio that should be considered every year, it is this one." Vinous

"Made from Nerello Mascalese, which comes from all the vineyards. The aromas show lots of strawberries and cherries with wrought iron and pumice. Medium bodied with creamy and polished tannins with hints of cedar and light nutmeg. Spicy and slightly tannic, giving it tension and beauty." James Suckling

The grapes for Carluccio "Carlo" Negri, named after the winery's authoritative pioneer, come from vineyards in the DOC and DOCG areas of Valtellina on the slopes of the Rhaetian Alps along the right bank of the Adda River. The sfursat, world-famous for the region, is produced by the natural drying of the grapes, favoured by the cool and dry winds from the mountains. In the "fruttaio", the fruit shed, they lose almost 30% of their weight during this process. The result is therefore a unique Nebbiolo: rich and intense, with the typical mineral and fresh character of Alpine wines.

Medium ruby red. Concentrated, complex bouquet with notes of ripe berry fruits, cyclamen and spices like black pepper and cinnamon. Dry on the palate, with beautiful dark primary fruit with firm tannins that are tart when young. Further on, full-bodied, persistent, with a long finish and subtle hints of cloves and liquorice. Harmonious, too, its fresh acidity, which will make it vibrant and exciting, especially after further years of ageing, one of the best wines of the appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"A energetic Valtellina with cherry and floral aromas and flavors that are highlighted with hints of vanilla and bitter citrus. Full-bodied with round tannins that are soft and velvety and plenty of ripe fruit that remains fresh, focused and intense." James Suckling

In 2012, the Pecchenino family started to invest in the small but fine sparkling wine DOCG Alta Langa. The altitudes and soil conditions are ideal for fresh and fragrant sparkling wines that are not only very rare but also highly sought after internationally. Psea is named after the small village of Pezzea, where the winery's Chardonnay and Pinot Nero sites are located.

Straw yellow with copper reflections. Intense bouquet of bread crust, yeast, hazelnut and biscuits, accompanied by floral hints. Very firm and structured on the palate, creamy, fresh and of impressive persistence and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pecchenino's PSEA Pas Dosé is a bright and vibrant example of Alta Langa. A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, the wine shines with bright notes of lemon, tangerine and a touch of yeast. The wine is light on the palate with vibrant acidity - a great option for an apertivo." Wine Enthusiast

"Aromas of ripe apples and pears with leafy herbs, lemon rind and bread crust. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a round texture. Lively and energetic with a polished, chalky finish." James Suckling

The "Griesfeld" site in Neumarkt is one of the best and warmest Lagrein sites in South Tyrol. Strong purple red. Spicy bouquet with hints of blackberry, plum and cherry juice. Firmly packed on the palate, full-bodied with good freshness and primary fruit, vinous and delicately spicy; the warm tannins flank through to the very harmonious and deep final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby red. Fine spicy nose, lots of sour cherry and blackberry, a hint of ripe elderflower. On the palate some cardamom, already very open, fresh, juicy, vibrating acidity, ripe tannin, medium finish." Falstaff

"This is spicy and racy with crushed dark berries, toasted cloves and nut shell with moist earth undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, textured and chalky with a racy dark fruited character and hints of dried orange peel at the end. Polished tannins and juicy acidity. Lingering finish." James Suckling

Passorosso is a single-varietal Nerello Mascalese with a bright ruby red colour and fine garnet reflections. Proud and fascinating, it has an intense aroma of red berries, coffee and olives. Its captivating flavour convinces with clear, well-defined fruit and pronounced minerality. Graceful and special. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Passorosso 2022 is spicy in the glass with an herbal attack that leads into ginger-flavoured dried cherries and dusty sage. It is silky-smooth with ripe red and blue fruits. Lively acidity drives the mouthfeel, while it takes on a salty flavour towards the end. It finishes with excellent length and concentration, leaving a layer of fine tannins and a lingering liquorice aftertaste. This wine is anything but your average Etna Rosso, as almost 50% of the fruit comes from Contrada Guardiola." Vinous

"This 2022 is a true olfactory explosion of violets, lavender, wild herbs and black cherry. Intense, ripe and fleshy flavours of red and black fruits are accompanied by a hint of Parma violets, followed by a balanced finish that is both rich and fresh." Decanter

"Bright and luminous ruby red, with aromas of wild strawberries, almond paste and smoky minerality. It is firm on the palate, with the dusty texture of the Nerello Mascalese grape, but also with a fairly full body. The austerity on the finish is balanced by a crisp acidity." James Suckling

Deep dark violet colour. Tart black cherry and notes of violet candy, graphite and spicy herbs on the nose. Wonderfully velvety texture on the palate, powerful, savoury and with grippy tannins. Perfectly integrated wood, good structure and a justified hope for a long, mature life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Big, bold and beautiful, this wine states its case plainly with forward aromas of blackberry, violets, licorice and crushed stone. Seemingly hedonistic, the wine restrains itself on the palate with gamy and savory flavors that draw the attention deeper into the wine as it continues to develop with each minute in the glass finishing with a firm stamp of tannins on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"A fragrant version, with an expressive note of macerated boysenberries and a warm blend of baked cherry, fig cake, dried sage and cocoa powder. Fine, chalky tannins firm up the savoury finish with notes of olive, smoke and ground pepper." Wine Spectator

"It is very intense with flavours of tar, graphite, wet earth, mushrooms and bark, which develop into a full body with multi-layered tannins and a juicy finish." James Suckling

The Viognier and Chardonnay vines grow on Caiarossa's most calcareous terroir. The grapes are fermented separately in oak barrels, matured on the lees and blended at the end, with little or no decanting in order to produce the wine with as little oxygen contact as possible. The result is a precise and clean white wine that, with its beautiful volume, depth and smoothness with fragrant flavours of flowers and almonds, goes well with a delicate and fragrant pesto. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale straw yellow with green-yellow reflections. Still shy and reserved on the nose with hints of citrus fruit and melon. More present on the palate, soft, yet with animating acidity, fine fruit melting into the finish." Falstaff

"The 2022 Bianco is an unusual blend of Viognier and Chardonnay. Bright, floral and airy, the 2022 is all class. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and white pepper inflections all grace this expressive, nuanced coastal Bianco. This is nicely done." Vinous

"Flavours of sliced pear, yogurt, lemon and flint follow through to a medium body with a solid core of fruit like Meyer lemons and a fresh finish. Quite savoury on the finish." James Suckling

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

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

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

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

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

Brilliant golden yellow colour. Complex notes of light peach, fresh pineapple and poached apricot on the nose. Rich and creamy on the palate with accents of smoke and toasted almonds. The finish is long-lasting, mineral and herb-accentuated. This very focussed and complex white paints a beautiful portrait of the refined side of the Trebbiano di Lugana grape, which is becoming increasingly popular. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, bright straw yellow with a golden centre. Complex nose with notes of pickled peach and camomile, delicate smoky notes in the background. Taut on the palate, ripe fruit and crisp acidity, unfortunately a noticeable use of wood on the final, still needs to age." Falstaff

"Aromas of toast and pineapple fruit. The attack is soft and smooth, with a silky texture, a glycerine layer, refreshing acidity and a light to medium body. Cedar that is lean on the finish. Drinkable now, but it has potential for aging." James Suckling

"Rich flavors of toasted hazelnut, patisserie apple and pear, lemon curd and vanilla are chiseled by well-honed acidity and a streak of salinity in this white, which shows focus and tension. Tightly meshed today, this will unfurl nicely with some bottle age or in the glass." Wine Spectator

Powerful, concentrated Montepulciano with an elegant woody note and multi-layered fruit flavours, true to the terroir and modern. Impressive richness that offers further palate pleasures with every sip. Equally impressive is the long and complex finish. One of the most emphatic Montepulciano wines in the region every year, it requires a little patience, but this is handsomely rewarded. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, dark purple red with a fine rim. Complex, spicy bouquet of juniper berries and black cherry, saddle leather, mocha and some iodine in the finish. Silky and persistent on the tongue, firm tannins, concentrated fruit and dark chocolate." Falstaff

"The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva San Martino Rosso is a dark, floral wine with a forest-inspired bouquet that blends floral undergrowth with crushed ash stones and dried black cherries. It is round and supple with ripe red and blue fruits accompanied by a hint of pepper. Purple flowers swirl around inside. The wine finishes pleasantly, long and colourful. Strong tannins give it a youthful tension without slowing down the momentum." Vinous

"Complex notes of cocoa, rose petals, mulberries and dried mint on the nose, followed by a layered, full-bodied and meaty palate. The tannins are resolving nicely." James Suckling

A true champion is the Lodano, an unusual cuvée of Chardonnay with Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Powerful, dense and soft with flavours of stone fruit, apricot, honey and candied orange peel. Then it moves on to delicate mineral nuances with crushed granite and shells. Excellent length, depth and floral freshness. The cleansing acidity comes through at the end with attractive brightness. This exceptional and sophisticated white perfectly embodies Stefano Frascolla's excellent signature. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is always an interesting white blend of co-fermented riesling, gewurztraminer and chardonnay. So much blossom honey, stone and flint on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with lots of bitter lemon and lemon blossom character. Flinty at the end. Electric." James Suckling

Metodo Classico Chiaro di Bolle matures on the lees for 18 months. Bright, pale straw yellow in colour. A Blanc de Noir made from 100% Sangiovese with an elegant verticality of citrus fruit, with a hint of fresh flowers and bread crust that play around the delicate bouquet. Very fine and delicate perlage, crisp and fresh with a very appealing length. Refined and delicate. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh and crunchy sparkling wine with hints of brioche and sliced green apples. Medium-bodied, crisp and lively. First time made. Bottle fermented." James Suckling

Straw yellow with greenish reflections. A lovely floral nose with hints of peach and banana. The flavour is clear, fresh and pure with spicy aromas of lemon, mandarin and crushed gravel. Roero Arneis is also known as Barolo Bianco, which is entirely appropriate for this excellent white wine from Neive's noble forge. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh and crisp white with light lemon, mango and bitter lime flavours. It is medium to full-bodied with lots of fruit. The hot vintage is noticeable, but it remains fresh on the finish." James Suckling

Convincing selection of "La Luna e i Falò" from grapes harvested exclusively in the DOCG area of Nizza Monferrato. Its colour is deep red and as dense as its bouquet of wild berries, plums and tobacco with a fine toasty vanilla note from the barrique. The soft, spicy taste lingers long and with great elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Exudes a promising aroma of black cherries, nougat and herbs; juicy in the mouth, the tannins close-meshed, well supported by the acidity, elegant lingering final. Can still mature." Vinum

"Aromas of bark, sap, blackberry and blueberry. Medium-to full-bodied with some salty-mineral notes. Juicy. A little savory, with vanilla and ground clove coming through at the end. Nicely structured." James Suckling