Luca Maroni

Madoro is an elegant cuvée of dried grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Marzemino. Overwhelming bouquet with intense tones of ripe and dried fruits, nuts and almonds. Full-bodied on the palate with an exceedingly powerful body, a fine-nerved structure and a long finish. A beautiful nectar that matured for 13 months in barriques. SUPERIORE.DE

Mediterra with its inviting aromas of paprika, redcurrant, elderberry, sage and black pepper is round and harmonious on the palate with beautiful fruit and spice. With its well-proportioned tannins and well-balanced acidity, Mediterra is a perfect accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, dark ruby red colour. Aromas of dark plum, blueberries and black pepper on the nose. Soft and mouth-filling on the palate, with a noticeable woody note, slightly drying tannins, juicy fruit flavours and a hint of bitter almond." Falstaff

"This red is signaled by intense aromas of wild blackberry, black pepper, black olive and eucalyptus. Showing earth and underbrush accents that augment the fruity flavors, this firms up on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Mediterra is bright, effusive and wonderfully inviting. Crushed flowers, herbs, tobacco, spice and leather meld into a core of juicy dark blue/purplish fruit. The Mediterra offers all of the immediacy of Bolgheri but with tons of freshness more than opulence. It is a hugely appealing style, especially at this level, where wines are typically intended to be drunk essentially on release." Vinous

"Dark chocolate, toasted walnuts, mocha and ripe dark berries on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied and structured with firm but very fine tannins. Shows notes of toasted cedar and bitter spices yet very delicate with integration and balance. Smooth and polished finish." James Suckling

Vigna Ochera is the new name for the popular Vigne dei Piai and is a fantastic Prosecco Spumante di Valdobbiadene Superiore from the Rive di Rolle vineyard. Rich, shimmering green-yellow in colour. A pronounced aroma of white flowers, lime and white roses, followed by quince and fresh butter. Pleasantly soft, fine bubbles, with a fresh apple flavour and invigorating taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with light greenish reflections. Lemon zest, peach and green apple dominate the nose. Very fruity-sweet on the palate, delicate perlage, good balance between sweetness and acidity, juicy finish." Falstaff

Our team drinks this after work, our very special insider recommendation for purists: finely balanced and very elegant Prosecco Millesimato Spumante Superiore with a shiny golden colour and green reflections. Floral bouquet, fine perlage and elegant flavours of pear and white fruit, which lend the aristocratic, dry structure a great deal of elegance and length. This is not an everyday occurrence, even in the noble DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene! SUPERIORE.DE

"Inviting, fresh and fruity; smooth foam, dry, subtle apple, also length, very nice." (JLF) Merum

"Bright straw yellow with greenish reflections. Very fresh and fruity on the nose, citrus notes, green apple, some fresh grass, mint. On the palate with good pressure and tension, fresh, juicy, slightly salty with good length." Falstaff

Bright straw yellow colour. Beguiling aroma of fresh citrus and floral notes on the nose, with some light-coloured fruit. Taut on the palate with a beautiful acidity structure, then crisp fruit and an animating interplay of freshness and flavour. Very balanced on the palate, delicately salty and of great elegance and finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is clean and floral with subtle citrusy character, as well as hints of pears, elderflowers and fine herbs. Medium-bodied, crunchy and delicate on the palate with delicious fruit character. Refreshing, with attractive salinity at the end." James Suckling

Tenuta Missoj is a small winery in Mizzole with just 3.5 hectares of vineyards and is owned by the Campagnola family. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of 200 metres on a well-ventilated and exposed hill, where the grapes can reach perfect and complete ripeness. The new prestige wine Valpolicella Ripasso "Tenuta di Missoj" comes from these soils, which already impressively showcased the typical characteristics of the appellation in the 2019 debut vintage.

Intense ruby red colour with violet reflections. Delicate, ethereal and spicy bouquet with an elegant balance and flavours of jam, black cherry and plum. Dry, harmonious, with a very complex flavour and soft, deep tannins. A sophisticated Ripasso with plenty of spicy character. SUPERIORE.DE

"A juicy Ripasso with notes of mocha, sultanas, lemons, chocolate and cherries. It is medium to full-bodied with a delicious dried fruit character, but remains dry, fresh and elegant." James Suckling

Deep dark Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva with a beguiling aroma of dark red cherries and berries, earthy notes, grilled hazelnuts, spices and liquorice. "A mouthful of wine" in an incredibly appealing style. Spelt has remarkable concentration and outstanding length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour. Nose of graphite, ripe cherries, wild berries, a hint of dried rose petal and rubber. Clear on the palate, with clear fruit and beautiful juiciness, shows compact tannins, drinks even better slightly chilled." Falstaff

"The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Spelt is dark and earthy in the glass, with undergrowth and crushed stones giving way to black cherries and spice. This is round and silky in feel, with ripe wild berry fruits and spices that cascade throughout. Plum and medicinal blackberry linger as the 2020 tapers off long, lightly structured, yet relatively fresh. Well done." Vinous

"Very cedary on the nose at first, so give it a swirl to allow the rich red fruit and floral notes to give you a proper introduction to this full-bodied and solid red. The cedary element is present throughout, but there’s plenty of fruit to counter it. Firm tannins kick in midway and give some astringency to finish, which will smoothen with some more time in bottle." James Suckling

Notes of pome fruit, citrus, saffron, honey and gravel on the nose. Fresh and powerful on the palate with notes of minerals, beeswax and dried fruit. Will continue to develop and increase in depth and complexity with further bottle ageing thanks to its present acid wire. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, light lemon yellow colour. Delicate notes of nectarines and rooibos tea on the nose, also a hint of pineapple and vanilla. Creamy on the palate, rolls along gently, slightly spicy and juicy with a lingering finish." Falstaff

"Spicy and citrusy nose with Amalfi lemons, pear drops, crushed herbs and flowers. Medium-bodied, bright and juicy with energetic acidity and a mineral finish." James Suckling

Cinquanta+ (fifty+) or in this case rather fifty/fifty, because it consists of equal parts of Primitivo and Negroamaro. Concentrated ruby garnet, opulent scent of overripe dark fruits and sweet oak barrel, very substantial texture on the palate. There is nothing subtle in this drop; simply full throttle from start to finish. And a powerful drinking pleasure! SUPERIORE.DE

Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore has a light ruby red colour and exudes a pretty bouquet of wild strawberries, roses and sweet smoke. The flavour is soft and round, with a stimulating acidity and a sweet-tart tension. The finish is long and structured and ends with a delicious final with hints of spiced citrus fruits. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, radiant cherry red colour. Inviting nose of juicy cherry, cassis and juniper berries. Very present on the palate, linear and direct in the drinking flow, invigoratingly fresh through to the lingering finish." Falstaff

"The 2023 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore Villa Gemma is a fine, delicately fruity, delicate wine. Raspberry, mint, sweet lavender, crushed rock and round, ripe red berry fruit run throughout the core. Refined and polished, this is a gorgeous Cerasuolo that reflects the beauty of the style. The 2023 has what it takes to improve with bottle age, as evidenced by an extremely fine structure and fine tannins that are still hidden behind the pure fruit concentration at the moment. Marvellous." Vinous

"A focused, tactile and delicious Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo with notes of redcurrants, forest berries and fresh raspberries. Medium-bodied with a well-driven, lively center-palate and a flavorful finish with excellent length." James Suckling

Bright ruby red colour. Fresh and fragrant of violets and rose petals. Fresh, aromatic berry fruit on the palate, very supple tannins, with a lot of fruit and grace on the finish. Very racy and cheerful at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Frappato Vittoria Bell'Assai wafts up with purity, displaying an array of violets, lavender, crushed blackberries and a complicating whiff of dusty earth. Round and juicy in style, it possesses cooling acidity and crisp wild berry fruits that cascade throughout. The 2022 finishes wickedly fresh and with medium length, leaving a pleasantly crunchy, mouthwatering sensation behind on the close. The Bell'Assai would make an excellent pairing for a wide variety of cuisine." Vinous

"Candied cherries and flowers with some dried orange follow through to a medium body, with watermelon and citrus undertones." James Suckling

"The warm, floral nose shows delicate notes of roses and cherry blossom, but also tantalisingly sweet aromas of strawberries and cream. On the palate, a bitter note is emphasised by a latent earthiness, while the acidity plays around polished, firm tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Rosso Falerno del Massico presents itself with an intense aroma of black raspberries, cloves, rosemary and a hint of camphor. It fills the palate with soft, fleshy textures and ripe red berries, contrasted by salty-mineral tones and nuanced tannins. The finish is long and lightly textured, with a hint of violet-coloured floral notes. This is yet another fine vintage of Villa Matilde's Falerno del Massico Rosso, made mainly from Aglianico with a small proportion of Piedirosso. SUPERIORE.DE

The Aleatico grape variety is of Greek origin and is mainly used in Tuscany and central Italy for the production of dessert wines. Complex and multi-layered on the nose and palate, it has an exceptional aromatic range and is the ideal accompaniment to desserts and pastries. Total production: 2,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

The world-famous Valpolicella Superiore from Zenato, produced using the Ripasso method, is a rich wine with the best value. It is peppery, with earthy tones and gravel giving way to black cherries and savoury herbs. It reveals deep, silky textures balanced by vibrant acids, while ripe red and black fruits resonate under a hint of lavender. Zenato's Ripassa is concentrated and intense, but at the same time conveys elegance and leaves a fresh note of violet candy on the palate that lingers for a long time. SUPERIORE.DE

"An aromatic, savory streak of tarry smoke and leather offers a subtle underpinning for the rich mesh of Amarena cherry, cured tobacco, licorice and warm spices on display in this harmonious red, with supple, well-knit tannins." Wine Spectator

"An excellent Ripasso. A full-bodied wine polished by a smooth veneer of winemaking. Liquorice root, violet, clove, sassafras and dark cherry accent the oak. The sweetness is in the cherry range, but the tannic clip ensures that it is not excessive. This is a wine for those who like power and polish." James Suckling

Core Rosso impresses with a blend of dark, rich fruit, exotic spices, boulders and peppery herbs. It is unexpectedly soft and airy, with a pure display of pure plums, complemented by nuances of sage and rosy flowers that develop towards the end. A layer of fine tannin leads into the lingering final, while hints of liquorice and blackcurrant linger. Great ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"A lighter expression of Aglianico, handled with aplomb. Juicy red cherry, lilac, a hint of tobacco, liquorice root and a touch of freshness. One of the better approaches to transforming this wiry variety into an earlier drinkable expression without losing integrity. Prosaic in the most delicious sense." James Suckling

Core" means "heart" in Italian dialect, and a heart-shaped drawing can be seen on the front label. The Montevetrano 2020 Core Rosso has a certain astringency of the hot vintage, but not much, with fine chalky tannins. The wine is made from 100% Aglianico and is very fruit-driven, with deep black cherries and ripe plums. It has a lovely spicy finish." Wine Advocate

"Dusty and floral, the 2020 Core Rosso wafts up with an alluring bouquet that blends cedar shavings with dried black cherries and lifting whiffs of sage. This is round and juicy in style yet still quite complex. A core of zesty acidity and hints of citrus offset depths of tart red and black fruits. The 2020 finishes long yet fresh, with rosy inner florals and notes of licorice that linger on and on." Vinous

Wonderful cuvée of Greco and Fiano. An opulent potpourri of passion fruit, peach and honeydew melon on the nose. Not too heavy on the palate, but rather prancing and elegant with a wonderfully fresh structure. Beautiful balance, complex and full-bodied finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Here's a fun and versatile non-carbonated white wine to bring chilled to an al fresco lunch. A blend of equal parts Fiano and Greco, the Montevetrano 2022 Core Bianco has a lean approach with enough texture to support fragrant apples, honey and white currants. The wine's flavour palette is very nice, and the best part is the salty or mineral end note that adds a spark of energy." Wine Advocate

"A beautiful blend of Fiano and Greco, offering rich flavours of ripe fruit salad as well as notes of pressed flowers and minerals. Medium-bodied with an intense palate, including a phenolic note that gives it a structured feel." James Suckling

"The 2022 Bianco Core wafts up from the glass with a rich blend of peach preserves and confectionary spice, complicated by a hint of candied lime. This is soothingly round with a core of saline minerality to balance, as a core of zesty acidity enlivens tart orchard fruits. The 2022 tapers off with a tart lemon-pith concentration yet is also remarkably fresh, leaving nuances of mint to fade slowly." Vinous

Medium, bright ruby red colour. The bouquet and flavour are dominated by interesting notes of fresh cut flowers, sweet red berries, liquorice, mint, pine and cedar wood. As the wine progresses, the Chianti Classico reveals a marvellous precision and spiciness, which is enveloped by a well-measured extract sweetness. The overall impression is one of grace and an open-hearted style, which impresses with all its components and not least with its typical Radda Sangiovese freshness from the high altitudes of the Chianti Classico. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour. Multi-faceted nose, pleasant cherry and blueberry fruit, followed by pepper and tobacco. The fruit also predominates on the palate, paired with stimulating acidity and a mineral finish." Falstaff

"The 2022 Chianti Classico is a lovely wine from Volpaia. Aromatic, light on its feet and gracious, the Chianti Classico here is a consistently fine example of Radda. Clean mineral notes shape this bright, taut offering. A burst of red fruit, chalk, white pepper and mint lingers on the finish." Vinous

"A delicious, well-rounded and velvety Chianti Classico with aromas of strawberries, raspberries and mild spices. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins and texture. Juicy and velvety with elegance and a pure character. Fresh and delicious finish." James Suckling

Negroamaro "F" stands for Falò (bonfire). And that's what it is! Black-red colour, surprising intensity of aromatic richness, ripe black berries, cherry jam, thyme, dark chocolate and cocoa. The flavour is also very dense and full-bodied with silky tannins and a very long, aromatic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Roasted mushrooms, olives, baked black fruit and gravy on the nose. It’s full-bodied, lightly jammy and sweet-savory in character with well-integrated tannins. Mushroom notes linger." James Suckling

Salcheto's garnet-red sparkling Vino Nobile delights us with a classic blend of dusty black cherries, cedar shavings, worn leather and sour citrus notes. On the palate, there is plenty of present fruit, a soft texture and a cool note, with savoury red fruits and cedar spice accompanied by lively acidity. Fine, sweet mellowness on the long finish. An authentic and pleasantly elegant organic wine from the heart of the Montepulciano region that is ready to drink when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Nobile di Montepulciano opens in the glass with a minty freshness, blending rose petals with dried strawberries and hints of cedar. It’s silky smooth and cool-toned in feel, with ripe wild berry fruit touches that wash across the palate, leaving a coating of chalky mineral notes in their wake. This tapers off with a tinge of sour citrus contrasting with sweet spice, long yet lively and wonderfully approachable." Vinous

"A fresh and structured red wine with aromas of black cherries, tea leaves and raw cocoa beans on the nose. Medium-bodied and chewy, but accessible, with purity." James Suckling

"A lively, well-defined red wine with aromas and flavours of cherry, raspberry, eucalyptus, iron and tobacco. Straightforward and intense, it develops into a long, flavoursome finish." Wine Spectator

The pure Nero d'Avola is bursting with dark aromas of berries, black cherry, liquorice and tobacco. Lush and distinctive on the palate with wonderful spicy notes of mint, aniseed and espresso. Juicy tannins, good length, fine pressure. A really great wine of impressive intensity at a still very reasonable price, incidentally certified organic since the 2020 vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with violet edges. Fine spicy notes on the nose, ripe plum and forest floor. Balanced on the palate with a fine tannin structure, fresh and fruity core, medium length." Falstaff

"The Saia 2021 exudes a captivating blend of crushed violets, lavender, blackberries and wet stones. A powerful core of ripe red and blue fruits forms the framework, while a juicy acidity provides freshness. A pleasantly bitter hint of tangerine develops towards the end. The 2021 is spotty and long, finishing with a layer of fine tannins and a saturation of primary concentration that creates a slight chewy sensation towards the end. This is a fantastic and energetic interpretation of Saia, a Nero d'Avola grape variety that I suspect will age very well." Vinous

"Lots of blackberries, mushrooms, bark and a hint of pumice. A hint of smoke. Mussel shells. Blue fruits. Medium-bodied with fine and silky tannins that add tension and focus. Black fruits on the finish with a hint of orange peel. Crisp and fruity with structure." James Suckling