James Suckling

The eruption of 1614 is legendary in the history of Etna, as it lasted ten years, making it the longest recorded eruption of the active volcano to date. A very impressive and fitting name for Planeta's Etna series of equally impressive wines.

Tavignano's complex top product Misco Riserva represents the synthesis of the winery's Verdicchio expertise and is its most refined interpretation of the terroir. Starting with the grapes from the Cru Misco vineyard, those grapes are selected that can best develop first in steel and then in the bottle. This ageing process emphasises the richness of the grape variety, its spicy and mineral notes and provides the ideal conditions for long ageing, while retaining its aromatic vibrancy at all times. SUPERIORE.DE

The Sauvignon Blanc vines for this complex Riserva in small quantities (approx. 3,000 bottles) grow on grey porphyry and sandy-limestone rock flour in the "Kathreinerfelder" vineyard in Fiè allo Sciliar. Lemon yellow in colour with warm reflections. Complex bouquet of flint, preserved lemon, passion fruit, ripe apricot and melon. On the palate, the top Sauvignon of the house presents itself with depth, precision, minerality and a long, ripe finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The 2020 edition of Col d'Orcia's Brunello di Montalcino wows with its brilliant ruby red colour in the glass and beguiles the nose with a cornucopia of crushed black cherries with hints of brown spices and sage - finesse complemented by notes of white smoke, cedar and dried roses. On the palate, it is seductive and supple; sweet red fruits are contrasted by a fresh and lively acidity and savoury spice, and its finely knit tannins rise slowly towards the end. The finish is long, structured and very balanced with a lingering aftertaste of tart wild berries, a hint of red liquorice and pretty flowers. SUPERIORE.DE

High-quality and rare Vermentino with a straw-yellow colour and a bouquet of white fruit and hazelnut. Fresh and floral on the palate, round and ripe. The well-dosed use of wood gives the wine a fine, creamy texture. A persistent, highly elegant Bolgheri Bianco with fine mineral notes for special occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright ruby red colour, open-hearted notes of cherry, raspberry and violet, paired with green pepper and cloves. Delicate on the palate, with a nice tang. Delicate, fine tannins, vivaciously supported by a fresh acidity structure with subtle extract sweetness, round off this incredibly authentic and juicy Tuscan experience. SUPERIORE.DE

Antonio Bragato, born in Germany but with an absolute Friulian identity, joined forces 20 years ago with Gianni Maccari, who was cellar master at Livio Felluga for many years and founded his own winery Ronco della Rocca at the beginning of the millennium. Maccari, who has a degree in agronomy and Oenologist, is considered one of the best-trained viticultural experts in Friuli. The profound knowledge of his own 12 hectares of vineyards as well as the leased plots and the radical precision in the execution of every operation characterise the clear style and the reliable quality of the wines that Antonio Bragato creates there together with him.

Pinot Nero Revei, which means clock in the local dialect, is linked to the history of the medieval tower that dominates the vineyard in Aymavilles. The tower was once home to a reclusive clockmaker, whose profession brought back the theme of time and its value in nature and for mankind.

Altrovino is a fine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Intense, rich ruby red colour. Opulent aroma of black fruit, leather and tobacco. Graceful and very charming on the palate, multi-layered flavours, velvety and long. Already a harmonious pleasure today, this wine will enjoy a continuous career. SUPERIORE.DE

The Nobile Riserva, a cru from the historic Sotto Casa vineyard, deserves a place in the list of the best wines, with delicate aromas of cherries and spices that set the mood for intense, flavoursome drinking pleasure. It is a powerful and complex wine, youthfully dense and balanced, with a silky texture and an abundance of tart wild berries, emphasised by salty minerals and spices. On the final, it flexes its tannic muscles, structuring and enveloping the entire palate, while a beguiling, acidic citrus note provides the contrast. The Sotto Casa is the only Nobile from Boscarelli that blends international grape varieties with Sangiovese. SUPERIORE.DE

Wonderful single-vineyard Nerello from the north side of Etna at an altitude of 750 metres. Cherry and small wild strawberries on the nose. Very clearly accentuated and fresh flavour, acidity and tannin in perfect harmony and well integrated. Long finish with impressive elegance and freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

The "Fracia" vineyard has belonged to Nino Negri since it was founded in 1897. It lies at the confluence of several alpine valleys and the vegetation in this area is almost Mediterranean with lavender and rosemary. The result is a wine that is flavoursome and flowery with a characteristic, spicy aroma.

The eruption of 1614 is legendary in the history of Etna, as it lasted ten years, making it the longest recorded eruption of the active volcano to date. A very impressive and fitting name for Planeta's Etna series of equally impressive wines.

Amarone Classico is made from grapes grown in the vineyards of the classic Valpolicella area at the entrance to the Marano Valley. The drying process of the carefully selected grapes takes around 120 days. After fermentation, the wine matures for at least 3 years in wooden barrels.

The name "retus" comes from "Rhaetia" or "Raetia", the name of the Roman province. In Celtic, "reit" refers to a mountain village.

Dark garnet red with beautiful reflections. Aromas of cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus, tobacco and spices. A wonderfully balanced wine of fruit, fine acidity and polished tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

Black-red and almost impenetrable in the glass. Blackberry, black cherry, some rum pot and tobacco on the nose. Generous and ripe on the palate, flanked by taut tannins, which are pleasantly flanked by the fleshy core. Once again, Marco Caprai has succeeded in taming the Sagrantino grape and raising it to the highest heights - a grape variety that demands a great deal of sensitivity every year, even from the "bedrock" from Montefalco. SUPERIORE.DE

Schulthaus Pinot Bianco is a true classic among South Tyrolean Pinot Blancs. Its success began in 1982, when it was first vinified and bottled. A perfect, delicately fruity and fresh wine that is a pleasure to savour with its creamy softness and racy acidity. Smells of fresh spring green, the generous palate is characterised by mirabelle plum, nectarine and a vibrant freshness that leads to a refreshing finish with lemon and minerals. SUPERIORE.DE

Cognos Barbaresco from the top Bordini vineyard is a centred and firm Nebbiolo that is one of the more powerful representatives of the appellation. However, it only reveals its great aromatic potential at second glance: Cherry, blackberry, hints of spice and a little freshly chopped mint. Then some speculoos, walnut, salty tones and tobacco. Acidity and tannin form a perfect symbiosis and at the same time the backbone of this impressive Barbaresco, which will give pleasure for many years to come. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep ruby red colour, lush notes of cherries, strawberries and sweet oak spice, vanilla and black pepper. The Sangiovese gives the blend great freshness and is in perfect balance with the silky and soft tannins of the Merlot. Overall rich, but always elegant and with great persistence. A complex, excellently structured red wine in absolute Super Tuscan quality and produced in a limited edition of just under 3,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

Here comes a great and completely underrated wine from the Tuscan coastal region. Tenuta Belguardo Riserva is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, with 70% of the wine aged for 18 months in new French oak. It is matured in cement barrels before being bottled. The bouquet is broad with dark fruits, spices and toasted oak that are well integrated and elegant. Fresh on the palate with still young but fine tannins, it opens up very well, with elegant, precise fruit and plenty of potential. Everything hits the right note here! SUPERIORE.DE

Barbera d'Alba Scarrone from the vineyard of the same name is a beautifully complex, rich Barbera cru. Aromas of dark, fragrant fruit, spices, liquorice and minerals. Opulent and impeccably balanced, silky tannins, sweet floral notes on the long, dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon - the creative and successful experiment of Count Tasca d'Almerita. Cygnus is a young, enchanting wine that smells of blackberries, cherries, vanilla and tobacco and has a wonderfully smooth, grapey-sweet taste. SUPERIORE.DE