James Suckling

"Le Merle" is named after the Merlot-loving blackbirds that compete with the harvest workers during the grape harvest. Eleonora and Elena Charrère made a conscious decision to cultivate a variety of international origin, Merlot, which is very rare in the region, in order to challenge the terroir and create a wine of great consistency and richness.

Chianti Classico Vallenuova has the potential to become a favourite wine. It is an archetypal expression of Sangiovese from a single vineyard that could not be more typical and authentic. Vibrant, sparkling ruby in colour, with a hint of cedar wood and small wild berries on the nose, along with spices, beetroot and white pepper. Leather, tobacco and a hint of citrus fruit on the palate, the final is pleasantly lean with a convincing, drinkyfreshness. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this delightful red cuvée of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère come exclusively from the estate's own vineyards. Terre offers present notes of black cherry, spices and blackberry. It is a moody, lively and very fruit-accentuated red that will give a lot of pleasure over the next few years! SUPERIORE.DE

Feudi's Riserva Piano di Montevergine is only vinified in outstanding years. The wine has a very impressive concentration and great richness in every vintage. Dark and brooding on first impression, it slowly awakens in the glass with a captivating blend of menthol, mint and exotic spices that evolves with a lively note of cinnamon-dusted redcurrant. This velvety-smooth and elegant wine appears heavy at first, but is quickly enlivened by a core of vibrant acidity and zesty citrus notes that embellish the tart black fruits. The tannins on the finish are sweet and chalky, while notes of wild red plum and blood orange keep the tasterer coming back for more. SUPERIORE.DE

Pas Dosé - here the normally added dosage is omitted, which after disgorgement determines not only the sugar content but also the style of the sparkling wine fermented in the bottle. Instead, the volume naturally lost during the years of bottle ageing is replaced by other wines of the house, which, however, do not further influence the sugar content. Thus we have here an extremely dry sparkling wine, which, however, in no way lacks volume, character and finely modelled taste nuances. Straw yellow in the glass, bright fruits, herbs, citrus and wild flowers on the nose. In the drink, then, an impressively fine perlage and texture that reveals layers of spices, dried fruits and slightly salty components. Its creaminess and elegance is flanked by a well-proportioned, well-integrated and fresh acidity and delights into the full-bodied, lingering finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Complex aroma profile of dried apple, pear, camomile, exotic fruits and ash. Full of grace on the palate, dry, fruity and intense, a delicate acidity and fine minerality lend freshness. A very elegant and attractive white wine from Etna with good potential and a never-ending experience factor: every sip opens up new facets of this completely enchanting wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Stilèma project was born as a testimony of Antonio Mastroberardino's love for his land, his vines and his wines, for their original character." Piero Mastroberardino

"The Stilèma project was created as a testament to Antonio Mastroberardino's love for his land, his vines and his wines, and their original character." Piero Mastroberardino

Bright, radiant ruby colour with a drop of violet. Linticlarus Lagrein Riserva smells of ripe plum, smoke, tobacco, leather, mint, spices and liquorice. Opens up on the palate with sweet melting, lots of rich fruit, spans an elegant arc, the finish is currently characterised by the use of wood, but also beautiful juiciness, will mature well. Powerful and persistent through to the extended final, impresses with personality and class! SUPERIORE.DE

La Quinta is the fresher, lighter but no less elegant version of Carlo Ferrini's Sangiovese interpretation. The purist beauty of small red fruits, including raspberry and summer cherry, combined with floral undertones, pepper and a hint of Mediterranean maquis combine to create a cool, aristocratic Rosso that expresses the signature of the Oenologistoenologist like no other! SUPERIORE.DE

Sangioveto, which consists of 100% organic Sangiovese, is grown in cool locations at an altitude of 260 to 370 metres with a south-westerly exposure. In the past, Sangiovese was called "Sangioveto" or "San Zoveto". It represents a refined expression from this particular part of the appellation and a very faithful interpretation of the Tuscan grape.

Guardiola, a cru from Nerello Mascalese, shows the typical elegant flavour of volcanic soils. Fine raspberry fruit, gentle acidity and silky tannins, full and ripe, but never too full-bodied. A modern wine from a traditional vine. SUPERIORE.DE

Confini can justifiably be described as one of Friuli's best white wines. This crescendo is an exciting blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, with the strong flavours of Traminer clearly leading the way. Medium-bodied on the palate, with a creamy fullness and silky intensity, with hints of tropical fruit, gingerbread and exotic flowers. In the final third, the palate is then again wide-ranging, full of freshness, juicy acidity and grace - and with the lasting, deep impression that more than does justice to a top wine from this appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

Donnafugata's "Dolce & Gabbana" Limited Edition represents the collaboration between two iconic brands that are recognised beyond the country's borders as ambassadors of Sicilian culture and Italian excellence. The joint commitment of these two companies to elegance, craftsmanship and creativity brilliantly reinterprets this historic cuvée of the winery. To mark the occasion, Tancredi has been given an exclusive Dolce & Gabbana label since the 2018 vintage, with an aesthetic that pays homage to both Italy's baroque-aristocratic tradition and the revolutionary values that emerged in Sicily after the country's unification.

The top wine Cavalli Rosso comes from loose marl soils at an altitude of 400 metres facing south. It reveals a dark and lush fruit profile with intense blackberry, sour cherry, plum and graphite. On the palate, it has a high primary intensity and medium weight, finishing with a very crisp acidity. It is polished and deep, balanced and supple with plenty of fruity power, weight and length. SUPERIORE.DE

The area around the small town of Milo is the only vineyard site on Etna where an Etna Bianco is allowed to be bottled as Superiore - and for good reason: only Carricante may be planted on the steep vineyard, which consists of dozens of small terraces. The vines are trained like a small tree on poles made of chestnut wood. The eastern exposure and the proximity of the sea allow the grapes to ripen late, resulting in very consistent acidity levels and a white wine with an aromatic finesse and freshness that is unrivalled even on Etna.

Sparkling ruby red colour, fine aroma of honey, pickled cherries, gingerbread spices and plums. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, with lots of ripe fruit, a rich flavour, noticeable tannin on the finish - and great potential. SUPERIORE.DE

This Carricante from vines up to 100 years old from a small single vineyard gives no indication of its varietal and terroir origins. Fine fruity aroma, mineral and with a fresh sea breeze. Powerful, well-structured, a fine woody note, balanced and long flavour. SUPERIORE.DE

Dark ruby red in colour. The bouquet is a furious indication of what this opulent long-distance runner is capable of: full-flavoured heart cherry fruit, blue flowers, damp forest soil, elegant spice and a well-dosed use of wood alternate impressively. The attack is just as complex and multi-layered, followed by beguiling wild berries, precisely polished tannins and an extraordinarily elegant long final. Wow, this is pure fruit! SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for Villa Donoratico, like those for Bolgheri Superiore, have recently been sourced from the estate's very best vineyards. Immediately after manual harvesting, they are rigorously selected by 12 employees at 2 sorting tables and the ageing in 500 litre tonneaux ensures even more elegance and finesse. The qualitative gap to Argentiera, the winery's flagship, has thus been noticeably reduced and the wine sets new standards in the entire Bolgheri DOC.

Laura Brunelli's Rosso is a blend of Sangiovese grapes from Podernovone - 500 metres above sea level on the south-eastern slope of Montalcino with a south-western exposure - and Canalicchio on the northern side of the village. The vines for the first vineyard were planted in 1998, those for the second in 1989. "Our Rosso is made from the same grapes as the Brunello," says Laura Brunelli. The wine is traditionally aged for a year in large oak barrels. It is extremely fresh every year and not without complexity. The aromas of redcurrants, wild strawberries, black pepper and juniper are followed by a bright bouquet of red fruits on the medium-bodied palate. It has velvety tannins and a refreshing, integrated acidity. A really great interpretation of the terroir and, as every year, a little Brunello. SUPERIORE.DE

Beautiful red Etna, reminiscent of raspberry tea, lilac, rose petals and cherry blossom. Medium-bodied but deep in flavours, ranging from herbs to orange peel, supported by a firm but velvety and fine-grained structure. Lasting pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE