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Poggio Landi's top growth Chiuso del Lupo comes from a plot of one hectare at 550 m altitude. Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, ageing is in 30 hl French oak barrels. Deep dark ruby red. On the nose, dark, earthy forest and undergrowth, plus ripe forest berries with menthol and floral accents. The sweet, lush fruit is accompanied by a salty note, the tannins are expansive but not aggressive, but youthful and chewy. A wine that is made for the long haul and whose future will be great. SUPERIORE.DE

"A juicy and succulent red with plum and berry character, along with orange peel and spice. Full-bodied with creamy tannins that coat the mouth. Lots of fruit, but attractive firmness and brightness." James Suckling

"This red wine is rich, round and fruity, offering aromas of black cherries, blackberries, blackcurrants and spices. It shows a solid tannin structure, yet remains balanced and leaves the impression of ripe fruit." Wine Spectator

"Here is a new addition to the Poggio Landi portfolio, representing a small production of 6,000 bottles. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Chiuso del Lupo is pressed from a one hectare parcel at an altitude of 550 metres above sea level and is a true delight and the proverbial diamond in the rough. The high altitude vines on the silty, clay-limestone Alberese soils really make the difference. The wine opens with a rich ruby colour that is vibrant and bright. The bouquet offers candied cherry, lilac, blood orange, cola and sweet earth. It stays true to the grape variety and offers added concentration, depth and complexity as it progresses. The wine finishes with soft, silky tannins. This wine is one of the great discoveries of the vintage." Wine Advocate

Here comes the second vintage of Tua Rita's new wine from the Alta Maremma. Just 2,500 bottles of this 100% Syrah will be bottled, aged (on the skins) for half a year in amphorae, then filtered and matured in small French oak barrels.

Radiant ruby red. On the nose, a seductive mix of cherry with hints of chocolate, herbs and a subtle liquorice note. On the palate, cherry again, complemented by a kaleidoscope of chocolate, coffee and a subtle juniper note. A fabulous acid structure and fine-grained tannins guide the precisely composed wine into a furious final. Keir complements the winery's high-class portfolio in a very independent and emphatic way. Great! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with brightening rim. Very clear and inviting note with hints of raspberry and clove, some Szechuan pepper, also spicy rosemary. Lots of present fruit, also lots of raspberry on the palate, firm tannin, grippy on the final." Falstaff

"The 2018 Keir very much stands out in this set of new releases from Tua Rita. A passion project and something of an intellectual challenge accepted mutually by Stefano Frascolla and Luca D'Attoma, this is Syrah fermented in Tuscan amphorae with six months of skin contact. This vintage is especially delicate and pure, and one important reason for this is the growing season that was extended by 15 days in this 2018 vintage. That extra time allowed the fruit to mature slowly according to its own time table. This is a luxury that is appreciated by Syrah in particular. The wine emerges with delicate, almost fragile aromas of wild rose, wet earth, violets and crushed black pepper. Syrah is very expressive of territory and vintage, and this wine speak of classic Tuscany. It is naked in its purity." Wine Advocate

"The first vintage of Keir in 2016 signalled a new style of wine for Tua Rita: 100% Syrah fermented and macerated on the skins for six months in terracotta amphorae. This 2018 has mineral, gun-flinty aromas but with lively, pure flavours of brambles, smoke and liquorice. It has a beautifully elegant, gossamer palate with very fine-textured tannins." Decanter

Syrah Suisassi is rich and expressive. The bouquet convinces with aromas of sage, rosemary, wild flowers, liquorice, violets and plums. On the palate very full and round with memories of berries, chocolate and nuts. Elegant and intellectual. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, dark ruby-violet, impenetrable. Opened in the nose with notes of elderberries, very clear, much juicy and precisely worked out fruit. Vibrating on the palate, with spices and dark fruit, juicy, with fine-meshed tannins, a wide arch, very long aftertaste, high elegance." Falstaff

"The 2013 Syrah Suisassi is faithful to the grape and shows abundant notes of blackberry, cured meat, exotic spice and grilled herb. Luca D’Attoma has been experimenting with increased stem inclusion. In the 2012 vintage, 30% of the mass saw stem inclusion, but that figure rises to 100% with the 2016 vintage. This Syrah is an extremely well integrated and smoothly textured. The oak still needs time to integrate, but past tasting experiences with Suisassi give excellent promise for its age-worthiness. Luca believes stem inclusion provokes a slightly reduced effect when the wine is young. For this reason, you should wait before popping the cork. The 2013 vintage in particular boasts an all-Rhône approach." Wine Advocate

"This is setting a new benchmark for syrah with so much intensity yet it remains refined and velvety textured. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. So much licorice, smoked meat and spice. Light berry. Green apple skin. What a wine." James Suckling

"Duemani's 2013 Syrah Suisassi is impressive. The inclusion of a third of whole clusters adds considerable aromatic lift and nuance to the dark fruit flavors. Lavender, mint, sage, licorice and plum are all pushed forward. Beams of underlying acidity shape the expressive, saline finish." Antonio Galloni

If you stumble across a vineyard qua fate, then you might as well move on. Luca Roagna, however, did what he had to do. He inherited this old vineyard, which was completely planted with Timorasso, and since it immediately became clear to him to do something useful with it, and he did not know anything about this historic grape variety, he asked Walter Massa, who has been dedicated to this rare variety for decades, without further ado. And so, after a few years, he succeeded in making a wine from it that can more than compete with those of his teacher!

Radiant, clear stagnant yellow. In the nose quince, citrus and a potpourri of yellow fruits. On the palate, this saltiness is paired with a well-dosed wood spice. The long maceration time gives this great white wine power and endurance. Fine astringency is paired with a pressure that gives this wine - paired with well-dosed acidity and always very present fruit - the uniqueness that makes it at least equal to the great whites of the Loire or Burgundy, even in direct comparison. And yet it bears the individual Roagna signature: a style that cannot be found in France or in other Piedmont vineyards. And that really means something, since the white wines of this noble Italian region are getting better from year to year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Timorasso Derthona Montemarzino is bright, transparent and super-expressive. Luca Roagna's Timorasso is one of the most refined versions I have tasted of Timorasso, which is usually a much more rustic white wine." Vinous

A few years ago, Pio Boffa, who has unfortunately passed away in the meantime, bought himself a "small" present for his 60th birthday. Not a new set of golf clubs, a picture hanging in the hall, a holiday for him and the family. No. Just a vineyard called Mosconi in Monforte d'Alba, a region of Piedmont where four generations of the Pio Cesare dynasty never gained a foothold. Originally, the grapes from the 10-hectare vineyard were to enhance the quality of his classic Barolo, but after the first barrel samples, it was unmistakably clear to Pio Boffa that this would be at least an equal - if stylistically different - counterpart to the hitherto undisputed flagship Ornato.

Mosconi is more light-footed than Ornato, with red rather than black fruits dominating the nose, along with irresistible liquorice and a juiciness that will immediately earn it a top place in the entire appellation. On the palate, it has a precision that is unparalleled, less punchy than Ornato, but more elegant and subtle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Another transparent ruby red with garnet reflections. Exciting bouquet with distinct notes of blood oranges and candied orange peel, plus finest Dominican tobacco and leather, dazzling and individual. Elegant palate with fresh, cherry-influenced fruit, grippy, punchy, finely chiselled style with silky firm tannin, plus salty mineral nuances in the long finish." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby garnet with brightening rim. Very inviting and clear nose of sweet wild raspberries, cherry and rose petals, some cardamom in the background. Gripping, gripping tannin, shows discreet earthy notes, after truffle and tobacco, very grippy on the final, salty, needs a few more years." Falstaff

"Medium ruby red with orange reflections. Almost explosive minerality on the nose with a hint of sour cherry and a hint of spicy oak. Complex but still restrained on the nose. Wonderfully supple fruit with polished, finely honed but firm tannins almost a little reminiscent of Serralunga. Plenty of stuff to chew on and spectacular, layered flavours on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Rich, with plum and cherry aromas, this Barolo also shows a spicy side of eucalyptus, liquorice and clove. Shows viscosity in texture as well as excellent balance. It finishes with dense, refined tannins and lingering notes of macerated fruit and savory." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Barolo Mosconi is magnificent. It offers a complex blend of rose petals, dried herbs, iron, graphite, smoke, incense, scorched earth and blood orange, capturing all the complexity that makes the best Barolos from this site so compelling. Powerful and profound, but also very elegant, the 2018 is another fine Barolo from a winery that has made a pretty significant stylistic shift in recent years." Vinous

"Very compact on the nose and palate, with notes of dried red berries, truffle, sous-bois and dried flowers. Full-bodied with a fine tannin structure and a very long finish. Compact and solid. This wine still needs a lot of time to open up, but already shows real class. Try it from 2025." James Suckling

"Compared to the Ornato, the 2018 Barolo Mosconi (with fruit from Monforte d'Alba) shows a tighter and more compact quality with a direct, linear and powerful approach. The bouquet builds vertical intensity, starting with tart fruit aromas and culminating in tar, rusty nails and camphor ash. This aromatic ascent is swift and the wine finishes with a very broad, all-encompassing performance." Wine Advocate

"From soils with a combination of silt, clay and, to a small extent, sandstone, a perfect photo of the terroir of Monforte. Cornel on the nose, with notes of pink grapefruit and clove, mouth with iodine-spicy tannins, crispness and tension, nice persistence." Luca Gardini

This dry Gewürztraminer from the Pirchschrait single vineyard at Kolbenhof is a tribute to Konrad Oberhofer, who was the first to vinify the grapes from individual vineyards separately in the 1930s. Martin Foradori Hofstätter's grandfather was a pioneer of vineyard thinking. His goal was to make the special character of each site tangible in the wine.

After ten years of maturation on the fine yeast in 500-litre barrels, the Gewürztraminer develops a dense texture without losing freshness. The fine yeast also gives it a charming aroma of toasted bread, medlars, blossom honey and dried fruits. In contrast, the already low fruit sweetness recedes discreetly in the years of ageing, while the minerality gains in expression. In the glass, the top-quality Pirchschrait impresses with a subtle interplay of flavours. SUPERIORE.DE

"Perfumed nose of rose petals, dried mango, passion fruit, Turkish delight, beeswax and brioche. Rounded, soft palate with cumin and curry." Decanter

Campo del Drago is a single vineyard of just 1.5 ha and is situated on a high plateau in the Montalcino appellation with a view of the Thyrrenian Sea. The grapes from here are only vinified separately in the best years to produce the Brunello of the same name, and the result is then eagerly awaited about 5 years later.

Campo del Drago 2018 is very closely linked to its terroir. Dark, concentrated colour with beautiful saturation and density. The bouquet reveals a unique minerality and complexity. The palate is intense, complex and deep. The tannins are present but remain very elegant thanks to the acidity. The finish with the sour almond note typical of Sangiovese is great proof of how characteristic the vintage was for this grape variety. Can still mature, but is already irresistible today. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby red. The nose really has the 'wow factor'. Still a little dense and closed, but with real purity of fruit on the nose and a hint of iodine. Pure fruit with lots of fresh acidity and rich, long, fine-grained tannins. Real elegance coupled with concentration. Not yet ripe." Jancis Robinson

"Although rich and focused on a core of bright cherry fruit, this vibrant red also evokes iron, wild herbs and Mediterranean scrub. It has visible but well-integrated tannins that remain juicy and carry through the long finish." Wine Spectator

"The Castiglion del Bosco 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago was born in one of the most beautiful panoramic vineyards in Tuscany. This wine is a tribute to this magical place. It offers a special intensity and power that you can perceive with all your senses. It has more fruit weight, more black and purple berries and more soft concentration that makes for a long finish. The tannins are still tight, so give the wine a few more years to integrate." Wine Advocate

"Dark fruits dominate the nose, but savory undertones of tar, soil and graphite emerge over time. On the palate, dried cherries and cranberries continue, before a balanced finish of dark chocolate and candied orange peel. Tannins keep things clean, while acidity contrasts the plush fruit." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago smells of an irresistible blend of gravel, spicy herbs, wild strawberries and rose tones. It is elegant yet refined, with silky texture and pure, ripe red and blue fruits that take on a crisp feel towards the finish, while inner violet and lavender tones arch across the palate. Long and savoury, the 2018 finishes with light tannins, packed with salty minerals and floral scents that refuse to end. The 2018 Campo del Drago is often dark and brooding to the extreme and impressed me greatly. It has a beautiful balance but also an admirable depth for this vintage. Well done." Vinous

"Fascinating nose with notes of spicy mushrooms, almost like truffles, along with ripe red berries and a hint of exotic dates. Full-bodied, with an excellent balance of ripe fruit, velvety but not chewy tannins and a long, tasty finish. This wine should be drunk now but will improve with age. Best from 2024." James Suckling

"Once again, Vigneto Capanna and slatey soils give power to this label of beautiful intensity. Blackcurrant on the nose, notes of liquorice and rhubarb, then citrus thyme. The mouthfeel is crisp and juicy, with a return of fruit and liquorice." Luca Gardini

"Powerful black cherry, red berry and earthy floral notes with a juicy underbelly of plum sauce and cola spice. Incredibly youthful and fervent with fine-grained tannins and a saline finish."Decanter

A study commissioned by Francesco Ricasoli has shown that there are 19 different types of soil on Brolio. This made it possible to precisely define the sites that are particularly good for Merlot, from which wines with a unique structure and unmistakable flavour emerge. With the 2018 vintage, Francesco Ricasoli is now presenting the "new" Casalferro, whose grapes come from the three different vineyards Vigna Casalferro, Vigna Pecchierino and Vigna Sodacci. The production volume has been drastically reduced, but the result is impressive!

A Tuscan Merlot as it is written in the book. On the nose, complex aromas of dark red fruit, delicate cedar wood, leather, very spicy. Initially taut and dense on the palate, it opens up as it progresses and expands with impressive elegance. The interplay between bouquet and complexity on the palate is perfectly balanced and its impressive size is already unmistakable. This Merlot will have a great future. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pure Merlot from (for the first time) three selected vineyards that are particularly suitable for the variety and a hit right from the start: complex nose with intriguing notes of blackcurrant, sandalwood, tobacco and pepper; harmony on the palate, which increases in fullness and density with aeration and yet retains its elegance." Vinum

"Noble, bright ruby red colour. The nose is barrel-spicy and reminiscent of precious woods, plum, blackberry, peppery-malty tones in the finish. Very fresh on the palate with crisp acidity, without missing its body, stretches out nicely, polished and with lots of juice, keeps coming back, put it down, will be a long-distance runner." Falstaff

"The 2018 Casalferro, Brolio's (Merlot) is a powerful, brooding wine, packed with dark fruit, espresso, dried herbs, menthol, liquorice, incense and cloves. This juicy, intensely flavoured red wine delivers a lot of impact, that much is clear." Vinous

"The secret of Casalferro is the fruit, which comes from different locations, including one that is 500 metres above sea level. It delivers vertical power and intensity with dark fruits, spices and dried mint. This wine is already drinking beautifully." Wine Advocate

"A very precise and beautiful Merlot with violets, spices and blackcurrants. Extremely perfumed. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and a long, polished finish that shows finesse and complexity. Delicious to drink now, but will get even better with age." James Suckling

"Beautiful intense ruby color, on the nose intense aromas of blueberry, currant and balsamic herbs. The taste is broad, elegant and of spectacular cleaning. Silky tannins, excellent drinkability." Luca Gardini

One of the best vintages of the last twenty years and San Polo's first single vineyard Brunello. Ruby red colour, not too deep, with light garnet reflections. In the nose floral aromas of violet, cyclamen and jasmine, notes of fresh fruit and spice. In the mouth it is round, full of harmony, with good structure and acidity and very soft tannins, which show an excellent persistence overall. A wine of almost endless length, depth and with a distinct character that will be remembered. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling ruby with garnet edge. Very dense and inviting nose, notes of ripe plums, liquorice and dried porcini mushrooms. Fills out the palate, but shows not only fullness, but also a lot of juice and elegance, a very polished, elegant Brunello, long finish." Falstaff

"Firmly structured, this opens with aromas of underbrush, exotic spice and whiffs of eucalyptus oil. The firm palate evokes black-cherry extract, orange zest, licorice and tobacco set against assertive, close-grained tannins that leave a rather austere, drying finish. Give it time to fully unwind." Wine Enthusiast

"San Polo's 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Podernovi is dark and earthy, with notes of moist soil, savory herbs, and minerals that wafting up from the glass. Mineral-encased ripe red fruits, propelled by vibrant acids with sweet spices and a hint of youthful tannin develop with air. The finish is long and buzzing with zesty acids and spice, along with a coating of fine tannin that tugs at the cheek. There’s a great blending of earth and fruit that makes the Podernovi quite attractive, yet a few years in the cellar should yield an even more balanced wine." Vinous

"The Poggio San Polo 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Podernovi offers great density and textural richness. I would say that this wine is most characterized by the quality of the mouthfeel that wraps smoothly and thickly over the palate. Dark cherry, tobacco, earth, plum and dark fruit add intensity and flavorful substance. The wine's full-bodied approach would match grilled meats or roasts." Wine Advocate

"Lush and fruity, featuring plum, cherry, strawberry and iron aromas and flavors. Bright acidity and dense tannins form the structure as this plays out on the long finish. The excellent youthful balance shows promise for the future." Wine Spectator

"A dense and layered red with plum, cherry and chocolate character. Full body. Dense and ripe tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Shows layers of fruit and rich tannins. New and exciting wine from here. Try after 2022." James Suckling

Serpico is an authentic, long-lasting wine made from Aglianico grapes, some of which come from vines that are over 100 years old. Intense, deep ruby red colour and an extremely complex bouquet with aromas of cherries, sweet spices, liquorice, coffee and cocoa. Its exceptional concentration and flavour as well as the enormously long-lasting finish are impressive. SUPERIORE.DE

"A beautiful nose of ripe red berries with sweet vanilla and chocolate. Medium body with firm tannins and good acidity that brightens the character of the black and red cherries. Good balance and length." James Suckling

"Firm and minerally, with a core of fine, dense tannins wrapped in flavours of crushed black and red cherries, iron, earth, tobacco and dark chocolate. Fresh and graceful on the palate despite its tight mesh, it opens slowly and lingers on the well-seasoned finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Aglianico Serpico is impossibly fresh, with an array of hauntingly dark florals, steeped plums and white smoke forming its inviting bouquet. This is racy and sleek, also intensely mineral, with silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits. Zesty acidity balances it all out, and hints of sour citrus add penetrating contrast. A wall of edgy tannins emerges through the dramatically long finish, leaving an air of balsamic spice and espresso bean to mingle under a waft of mentholated herbs. The 2016 will require a considerable amount of cellaring to come fully into balance." Vinous

"The Feudi di San Gregorio 2016 Irpinia Aglianico Serpico has taken the proverbial turn towards tertiary flavours, or at least a first turn, showing pressed blackberries and blackcurrants surrounded by tarry smoke, campfire ash and toasted spices. The 2016 vintage will be remembered for its power and inner elegance, and these are the very qualities that have carried this wine so far and will continue to define its journey in the bottle. The finish reveals dusty volcanic notes and dry tannins with a medium-heavy mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"The savoury bouquet shows the weathered sophistication of leather, cigars, earth and pepper, while undertones of oregano, tomatoes and cherries provide a burst of energy. On the lighter palate, the cherry element is emphasised by raspberry, but the spicy balance remains. The acidity plays around bright but firm tannins." Wine Enthusiast

The single-varietal Duemani is for us one of the best representatives of the West Tuscan coastal region. The bouquet of exceptional clarity of dark plum, coffee and wild roses. Rich and with perfectly integrated wood notes on the palate, its structure and elegance are particularly fascinating. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby-violet. Very intense and clear nose, full of ripe wild raspberries, blackberries, in the background some pickled beetroot, discreet earthy notes, also tobacco. Very juicy on the palate, ripe berry fruit, opens with fine-meshed tannin, great drinking flow, tobacco on the final." Falstaff

"The 2018 Duemani, 100% Cabernet Franc, is polished, classy and sensual. It is one of the most polished wines I have ever tasted here. Fine tannins frame a core of red fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice and blood orange. The 2018 is perhaps not as varietally expressive as in some editions, but it more than makes up for that with its grace. There is a feeling of youthful austerity that emerges with time in the glass." Vinous

"An organic and biodynamic wine, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Duemani presents a thick and nearly impenetrable wall of dark fruit, pressed blackberry, spice, smoky tar and tobacco. This wine shows impeccable aromatic integration with the high notes and the baritone notes delivered in beautiful synchronization. This wine outpaced my initial expectations following my first tasting of this vintage from barrel. The tannins are integrated and there is a sweet, fruity note on the full-bodied close." Wine Advocate

"This has an aromatic array of ripe red and black cherries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cloves, cedar, fresh herbs and licorice. It’s full-bodied, incredibly smooth and polished with layers of ripe fruit and chocolate, yet with lifting freshness. Fine, silky tannins and a long finish. Lingering chocolate and spices. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification." James Suckling

With the 2017 vintage, the third single-vineyard Brunello Le Ragnaies celebrates its debut. Only 3,000 bottles of this wine from Montalcino's highest vineyard will be bottled. The choice of the vineyard, situated over 600 metres above sea level, is also due to climate change, where winemakers are increasingly looking for cooler sites for Sangiovese - and the result is again a Brunello of the absolute special class: on the nose, leather, tobacco, small red berries and a surprisingly fresh, clearly mineral note. The wine, although it appears very graceful and bright, is punchy and long. Its grippy tannins and finely knit acidity underline our impression that this wine still has a long life ahead of it. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous and just mid ruby with orange tinges. Lots of concentration and yet not rich. Deep cherry aroma. Surprisingly high in acidity but melts into the fruit on the finish, which is layered with powdery tannins. Nervy and just escapes being tart, with long perfumed fruit." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Passo del Lume Spento opens with a delicate bouquet of sweet herbs and tobacco, incredibly airy yet spicy and a little exotic, while a hint of mineral grit fills the glass. It is silky smooth and tasty, with a pure presentation of wild berries, enlivened by bright acidity and a salty note. The finish is lean and mineral, with grippy tannins balanced by a hint of sour citrus. The Passo del Lume Spento comes from a vineyard that, according to Riccardo Campinoti, is currently the highest Brunello in the region at 621 metres. It found a very nice balance in the 2017 vintage." Vinous

"From a single vineyard located on a sandstone plateau at an altitude of 621 metres, this first release of Passo del Lume Spento is of particular importance, not only for Le Ragnaie but for the entire region, especially because it coincides with the red-hot 2017 vintage. A harbinger of things to come? It shows fresh aromas of lavender and fennel with warm, fragrant earth and a subtle smoky note. Medium-bodied, crisp and sinewy, it tastes of red berries pressed from rocky soil, accompanied by tangy acidity." Decanter

"Le Ragnaie's Brunello di Montalcino Passo del Lume Spento 2017 draws its fruit from one of the appellation's highest sites, the "Pass of the extinguished lantern", as the wine is called in English. It is part of a general trend that Montalcino winemakers seem to be looking for cooler, higher altitude sites for Sangiovese. This wine proves beyond doubt that altitude is the key to elegance in warm years. This Brunello is particularly bright, powerful and energetic." Wine Advocate

Emanuele Pangrazi is probably Lazio's most ambitious winemaker at the moment. With his extreme planting density and radical yield restriction, he is following a path that is trend-setting for Lazio. After he had fundamentally analysed his terroir and also the climatic conditions, it was clear to him in 2006 that he would plant mainly French grape varieties here according to the principle of the great wines of the Rhone. In addition to his famous Cuvée Habemus (Etichetta Bianca) and the San Giovenale Rosso (assemblage from two vintages of Habemus), he also vinifies four single-varietal Habemus wines, but these are absolutely small.

Habemus Etichetta Rossa, with a production volume of approx. 1,000 bottles, is a pure Cabernet Franc of the absolute extra class. Deep dark ruby red. The bouquet is broad, complex and elegant with a balsamic carpet of graphite, cinchona bark, blood orange and rhubarb. As it progresses, notes of Mediterranean scrub, sweet spices and cherries open up. The palate is full, punchy and warm, the tannins are silky and the alcohol fully integrated. On the finish, those beguiling balsamic notes and sweet spices reappear. If you have patience, you will be richly rewarded with this rare exceptional wine! SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for Roberto's "entry-level Barolo" come from four of his best vineyards, which are harvested a few weeks earlier than those reserved for his Grand Crus. It is also the most balanced of his Barolo wines, even if the fruit and acidity are anything but restrained, but the proportions are just right here. The structure is great, its length and elegance inspiring - the refined layered components such as raspberry, cherry and its subtle salty vein make it without doubt one of the most serious wines of the entire appellation - a real Voerzio for comparatively little money. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fine and straightforward red with dark berries, bark, mushrooms and a hint of dried spices. Firm and racy tannins and a flavourful finish. Dried orange peel. Needs four or five years to mellow." James Suckling

"Refined nose, notes of red blackberry in jam, then star anise, touches of red orange and rosehip. The mouthfeel is taut, complex and intense, with salty tannins and a fruity-spicy return." Luca Gardini

Emanuele Pangrazi is probably Lazio's most ambitious winemaker at the moment. With his extreme planting density and radical yield restriction, he is following a path that is trend-setting for Lazio. After he had fundamentally analysed his terroir and also the climatic conditions, it was clear to him in 2006 that he would plant mainly French grape varieties here according to the principle of the great wines of the Rhone. In addition to his famous Cuvée Habemus (Etichetta Bianca) and the San Giovenale Rosso (assemblage from two vintages of Habemus), he also vinifies four single-varietal Habemus wines, but these are absolutely small.

Habemus Etichetta Rossa, with a production volume of approx. 1,000 bottles, is a pure Cabernet Franc of the absolute extra class. Deep dark ruby red. The bouquet is broad, complex and elegant with a balsamic carpet of graphite, cinchona bark, blood orange and rhubarb. As it progresses, notes of Mediterranean scrub, sweet spices and cherries open up. The palate is full, punchy and warm, the tannins are silky and the alcohol fully integrated. On the finish, those beguiling balsamic notes and sweet spices reappear. If you have patience, you will be richly rewarded with this rare exceptional wine! SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena is a beautiful wine from Elvio Cogno and, not surprisingly, as is so often the case, the best from the collection of the family-run winery from Novello. It is aged in large Slavonian oak barrels and produced only in selected vintages. It exudes delicate truffle notes and aromas of wild berries with a hint of exotic spice. The wine is soft, lush and well-structured, and it makes your mouth water. This Barolo shows the power and inner structure of the Ravera Cru and should age beautifully over the next two decades. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just medium ruby red with orange reflections. Still very backward and closed on the nose. Amazing depth and fine mineral notes coming out of the glass. Wonderful richness of cherry fruit, underpinned by long, velvety tannins. Juicy integrated acidity. Perfect balance. Hedonistic without sacrificing elegance." Jancis Robinson

"Needs some aeration, but then aromas of wild berries, pepper and flowers entice, well cushioned by the wood; in the mouth harmonious and yet with race, the tannins promising and well integrated, intense and yet of great elegance the final." Vinum

"The Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena 2017 is a very beautiful, aromatic wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, spices and mint give the Vigna Elena its characteristic aromas. The 2017 is a very nice medium-bodied Barolo and very graceful. I imagine it will drink well with minimal ageing." Vinous

"Notes of dried cherries and strawberries, ground spices, ripe orange peel, walnuts and sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied. The tannins are velvety and well integrated with a dusty texture. Complete and balanced with a polished finish." James Suckling

"This is Cogno's top wine, a micro-vinification of the rosé Nebbiolo clone from an even more tightly defined parcel. The 2017 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena is a hot-season expression with a broad and rich personality that matches the character of the growing season. In addition to this textural support, this wine is also more approachable and ready to go. Blackberries mingle with liquorice roots, cola and spices." Wine Advocate

"Bright, medium dense garnet red. Finely marked nose with rich notes of raspberry, some pickled peach, fresh plum in the background. Shows very interwoven on the palate, pithy tannin, well integrated as it progresses, has rich pressure, fine spice in the finish, lots of tobacco." Falstaff

"This 2017 shines with its elegance of Parma violets combined with cinnamon spice, an understated soapy rosewater scent and a spicy depth of camphor and subtle balsam. The attack is velvety, full, smooth and refreshing. The palate is dominant, and the finish shows a glycerine layer and lifted acidity with extremely elegant tannins." Decanter

"Supple and with aromas of cherries, raspberries, roses, liquorice and minerals, this Barolo is complex, harmonious and long. The silky texture is as important as all the other elements that make this wine so compelling. Excellent length on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Though it was a very dry year, this vintage still managed to keep its impressive elegance. The wine opens with enticing aromas of wild cherry, fresh and dried roses, incense, wild herbs and savory spice. The palate is an example of thoughtfulness and craft with a core of deep wild berries, black tea, and crushed stones that are all supported by supple tannins and lifted acidity." Wine Enthusiast

Graci's third vintage, Sopra il Pozzo, is a "selection from the selection" and comes from the Arcurìa vineyard. It is the red archetype of an Etna Rosso, a Nerello cru with the clear DNA of the volcanic-stony terroir. Pale ruby with orange highlights, the nose has candied fruit, cooling firewood, some aniseed and herbs. On the palate, it is silky without being slippery, its subtle wood and delicate acid wire harmonising perfectly with the flanking tannin into an unforgettable, mineral-salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Graci's top-shelf red, the 2017 Etna Rosso Arcurìa Sopra il Pozzo has started to embrace the complexity that comes with bottle aging, and there are hints of spice, leather, dried fruit and more tertiary definition overall. The 2017 vintage was also very hot and dry, and the wine's open-knit presentation is surely due to those conditions. It offers accessible drinking. It wraps thickly over the palate with fine, dry tannin and lots of dried cherry and cassis. Production is 2,300 bottles." Wine Advocate

"Bright, sparkling cherry red. In the nose of dried roses, raspberries, cherries, gentle orange blossom, in addition fine cold smoke, distantly reminiscent of red peach. Very polished and round on the palate, taut with salt, energetic and with fine pressure, everything is in its place, spicy on the final, drinks very well." Falstaff

"Sweet berry and cherry flavours with a creamy texture and plenty of berry and spice notes on the finish. Medium to full body. Soy, oyster shell and salt." James Suckling

"The 2017 Etna Rosso Arcuria Sopra il Pozzo captivates with a blend of rich cherry sauce and sage with dusty rose and a hint of smoke. It is silky smooth, contrasted by bright acids and mineral tones and continues to gain grip as a saturation of tart wild berries sets in. The finish is long with subtle hints of spiced citrus, wild herbs and sweet, sweet tannins. What a great expression of Arcuria, a vineyard on the northern slope of Mount Etna, at an altitude of about 700 metres. The Sopra il Pozzo is a selection from the vineyard, refined for two years in perfectly integrated Stockinger barrels." Vinous

"Sopra il Pozzo" in Contrada Arcuria was identified after research in 2004 as a vineyard that differs from all the other vineyards in the area in its soil composition: alternating layers of stone and coarse sand. This wine, produced only in the best years, is traditionally fermented in oak barrels with a very long maceration period. Ageing takes place for 18 months in large oak barrels, followed by 12 months in bottle. The 2017 vintage was a difficult year and the team had to do a green harvest. The resulting wine is full of fragrant and tangy red fruits. Grainy tannins on a structured palate lead to a mineral, stony finish with hints of black cherry and balsamic. Tense, delicious and long. Very impressive." Decanter

Bright and radiant, with lots of Nebbiolo character, it is a successful interpretation of the terroir and shows the great class of the winery. On the nose, sweet red cherries, tobacco, mint, anise and white pepper. Medium-bodied and graceful on the palate with a good balance of perfume, acidity and structure. With further bottle ageing, it looks forward to a great evolution. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium-light red; fruity-smoky, also barrel, caramel, rubber, inviting; fruit, medium-bodied, powerful, lots of round tannin, length." Merum

"Sparkling, medium-dense ruby garnet. Inviting, very finely marked nose with pronounced notes of wild raspberry, rosehip and black tea. Substantial, with pithy tannin on the palate, showing lots of pressure, savoury, lingers long." Falstaff

"Straight medium ruby. Perfumed cherry fruit with subtle oak and a hint of cumin. Fresh, supple cherry fruit with a spicy note and firm but ripe and crisp tannins. Great length and juiciness." Jancis Robinson

"A rich, earthy style that evokes aromas of cherry, raspberry, iron and tobacco. Broad tannins announce the finish, but it remains balanced and long." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Barbaresco Pio is noble, elegant and wonderfully polished. Sweet spices, cedar, tobacco, leather and dried cherries open up effortlessly. This graceful, medium-bodied Barbaresco has a lot going for it and is very drinkable from the start. The silky, ethereal qualities of the Nebbiolo are evident." Vinous

"Pio Cesare stands out for its classics, and this wine is one of them. The 2018 Barbaresco (released a year later than its competitors) offers a light ripeness of candied raspberry with lilac, tarry smoke, cedar and spice. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with gently integrated tannins." Wine Advocate

"Strawberries with notes of walnuts, asphalt and bark. Also dried flowers. Full-bodied with fine, racy tannins and a very long, beautiful finish. Fine tannins. Shows excellent length for the vintage." James Suckling

"The Barbaresco of Pio Cesare, always a certainty, from the Treiso and San Rocco sub-areas. On the nose, red currants in jam, with nuances of star anise and rhubarb. The mouthfeel is crisp, dense, with spicy tannins and a fruity finish." Luca Gardini

Eucalyptus and red berries on the nose. Energetic, deep and elegant Barbaresco with a cornucopia of fruit, plus some rose petals and spices. Wonderfully polished style, one of Pelissero's great wines. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Barbaresco Tulin strikes a compelling middle ground in Giorgio Pelissero's range. It has the richness usually found in his wines, but a good bit of freshness too. Floral and spice overtones weave into a core of red/purplish berry fruit, lending striking inner perfume and energy throughout. Nicely delineated and impeccable in its balance, the Tulin is impressive today." Vinous

After a hot August and a relatively early harvest at the end of September, owner Christoph Künzli was more than surprised by the first barrel samples. Instead of a rather ripe, muscular red, he had a wine in his glass that could hardly be surpassed in elegance. Therefore, he opted for a longer ageing and the bottling took place only after 4 years of barrel ageing. The result is a soft, extremely complex wine with a drinkability that is further enhanced by its great texture.

Powerful nose with aromas of fine spices and small red berries. On the palate, very complex and forward: The red fruits, plums and cherries furiously play around all the taste buds. A hint of liquorice, the perfectly balanced interplay of tannin and acidity flank the aromatic charge with finesse and freshness into an almost endless final. Majestic and excellently structured.

The grapes for Christoph Künzli's top wine come from the best small vineyards of the Boca DOC. The soils there consist of humus-poor porphyry of vucan origin with a light red colour and are rich in salts and minerals. This minerality of the soils and the distinctive structure and class of the Nebbiolo grape combine in the winery's flagship to create an expressive, brilliant dream of a wine that has long enjoyed cult status among connoisseurs. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Piane's 2011 Boca is simply dazzling. Rich, translucent and remarkably vivid, the 2011 encapsulates all the reasons the wines from Alto Piemonte are so compelling. Sweet red cherry, rose petal, chalk, blood orange and mint are front and center, but it is the wine's superb textural polish that elevates it among some pretty lofty company among the great wines of Italy. The flavors are bold and pungent, but there is also striking depth to the fruit that ensures the savory notes aren't overpowering. This is simply a magical bottle. That's all there is to it." Vinous

Luigi Moio is one of the most famous professors of viticulture and oenology in Italy and the Cru Vigna Quintodecimo is his showpiece in the stable. This wine has a unique and seductive class, richness and elegance that outshines the entire volcanic appellation. The initially restrained bouquet only gradually opens up in layers, releasing new impressions every minute. Violets, ripe blackberries, blueberry skins, plums and white smoke unfold like a magic bag and are found in the energetic mouthfeel together with finely knit tannin and a fresh fruit-acid interplay. The texture is impressively silky and underlines the tremendous elegance and harmony of this exceptional Aglianico, which will reach its most exciting phase in 10-15 years at the earliest. SUPERIORE.DE

"Really dense, crushed, ripe red berries and red plums on the nose, together with a pestle and mortar melange of fresh herbs. The fruit concentration is quite something. But then the full-bodied palate disperses the heavily concentrated fruit into a superb balance of fluid fruit and tannin that offers great drinkability even now. This will only improve with some bottle age. Try from 2023." James Suckling

"The 2016 Taurasi Vigna Quintodecimo is incredibly primary and intense. A massive wave of black currants, plums, exotic spice, roses, leather, wet stone and underbrush blasts up from the glass. It enters the palate with fleshy ripe dark fruits offset by hints of tangerine under pretty violet florals; yet throughout the entire experience, grippy tannins slowly saturate. Bright acids create a surprisingly juicy impression through the finale, even as the 2016 flexes its structural muscle, tapering off persistent and impeccably balanced with hints of licorice that linger long. It’s amazing how approachable the 2016 comes across today, yet it also possesses all of the necessary components to excel over the next two decades in a cold cellar." Vinous

"The 2016 Taurasi Riserva Vigna Quintodecimo reveals a rich and silky texture. Any rough edges have been adequately softened and ironed out with barrique age. The management of the tannins is superb with this vintage of Aglianico. The wine's steady presence offers a taut sounding board for dark fruit aromas, oak spice, campfire ash and sweet, earthy afternoons. The aromas are presented with spicy and vertical intensity. This lovely wine would cozy up nicely to a classic steak with green pepper sauce." Wine Advocate

Barolo Prapò comes from Serralunga d'Alba and is, as expected, the most powerful and structured of the various single-vineyard wines from this ambitious winery. At the same time, it is also the most closed at the beginning and, with its introverted nature, made for a long maturing period. This site is one of the last where the grapes ripen, so they have plenty of time to develop slowly and carefully each year.

Bright, medium-bodied ruby garnet. A potpourri of floral and spicy notes on the nose, plus some peach and strawberry. Very firm on the palate with initially sinewy serralunga tannin and notes of iron, savory, menthol, licorice, lavender, preserved dark cherries and dried blackberries. With further aeration, there is a thrilling round and full mouthfeel with such precise Nebbiolo style that it is just a joy. Patience is required for this exceptional Barolo, which is guaranteed to be rewarded after further years of bottle ageing! SUPERIORE.DE

"A shade deeper than the rest, a lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Lots of concentration on the nose while poised at the same time. Much more brooding and slumbering on the palate with perfectly integrated oak and just the merest hint of cinnamon bark. A big impact of fruit on the palate without being heavy. Fantastic layer of coating tannins underneath the fruit adding structure and depth to the finish. Long tannins, enormously long strawberry flavours." Jancis Robinson

"The 2018 Barolo Prapò is a tightly wound bundle of energy. Today, the Prapò comes across as reticent, but there is enough depth beneath the tannins and acid to make me think all it needs is time to unwind. Sage, tobacco, dried leaves, licorice, leather and earthy tones add gravitas to this potent Serralunga Barolo from the Ceretto family." Vinous

"The 2018 Prapò comes across as surprisingly gracious. The floral verve that is typical of the 2018 vintage superimposes classic Serralunga aromas of forest floor and iron. Similar flavours echo on the palate along with mounting salinity and slightly powdery tannins. This is an early-drinking Barolo by Serralunga d’Alba standards." Decanter

"Star anise, camphor, rose and underbrush aromas shape the nose. On the palate, tightly wound, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity accompany cranberry, orange rind and oak-driven spice before a grippy, rather drying close." Wine Enthusiast

"Pleasant, fresh nose of raspberries and creamy minerals, colored with hints of sous-bois that verge on truffle character. Full-to medium-bodied and very silky, with a lighter framework of fine tannin this year. Long, balanced finish. Prapò is always a pretty Barolo and 2018 is no exception. Should be nicely approachable from 2024." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Prapò is firm, structured and built like a little tank. This organic wine showcases that distinctive power that is always part of the Serralunga d'Alba playlist and defies even this lower-intensity vintage. The bouquet shows dark fruit, ferrous earth and crushed stone. The mineral character is strong in this wine." Wine Advocate

Finely layered aroma of rose petals, red cherries, flowers, herbs and spices. Wonderful tension between primary aromas of fruit and secondary aromas of ageing in large oak. Elegant, full-bodied and muscular on the palate, impressive depth and silky tannins, long and intense. Excites already today and with a promising future. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere Riserva blends dusty ripe cherries and earth tones, with notes of sage and exotic spice to form a slightly extroverted yet gorgeous display. It boasts creamy textures cast across a medium-bodied frame, yet it's wonderfully balanced by zesty, mouthwatering acidity. Cherries, blackberries and currants can all be found here, along with salty minerals adding a tactile feel under an air of violet florals. This is tamed by fine tannins through the finish, ending with a youthfully restrained yet fresh display. The 2015 Riserva is packed full of character and fruit-forward, it's sure to have a lot of fans." Vinous

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva le Lucére reveals rich and well-concentrated fruit with blackberry, prune and plum. The bouquet also has a moment of scorched earth or toasted oak that is quite developed and, to my palate, subtracts from the purity of the fruit. It is only made in the best years, and this edition saw 4,000 bottles produced. There are soft cherry notes on the finish." Wine Advocate

"Floral, black cherry, black currant, spice, earth and mineral flavors abound in this appealing red. Smooth and lively, offers excellent balance and a lingering aftertaste, with a complex finish that is resonant and promising." Wine Spectator

"The opulence and decadence is really something here with dried fruit, figs, meat and black truffles on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied, layered and creamy with intense, round tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Best after 2022, but already a joy to taste." James Suckling

Gulfi's top Pinò is a pure expression of Pinot Nero from Etna. When the Etna appellation began its rise about ten years ago, many producers committed themselves to growing the Burgundian grape variety on the charred slopes of this mighty volcano. Significant plantings of Pinot Nero never occurred, however, as many winemakers opted instead for the autochthonous Nerello Mascalese grape variety. Gulfi remains faithful to Pinot Nero on Etna, the grapes for Pinò come from 800 metres above sea level on the northern slope of the volcano.

It opens with a dark saturated colour and heavy aromas of dried cherries and cassis, plus a hint of floral notes. Its mouthfeel is polished and fresh, on the palate Pinò shows all the characteristics of a lean, compact but very intense wine that has plenty of tension and energy. Its slightly bitter note, a combination of cherry pits and sour citrus fruits, lasts until the tense final. Ultimately, this wine is more an expression of the Etna than the grape variety, its proud yet joyful personality making it irresistible. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Pinò, or Pinot Noir, is much darker in the glass that you might anticipate. It delivers masses of ripe black cherries and sweet autumnal spice, all engulfed in an air of crushed-stone minerality. The textures are silky, cast upon a medium-bodied frame, with tart cherry and balsam herbs energized by brisk acidity. Notes of licorice and rich plum sauce linger as this tapers off with a delicate feel. The Pinò hails from the northern slope of Etna, with vines planted in 2008 at 800 meters of elevation." Vinous

"An excellent pinot noir from Sicily? Yes! The wild-strawberry and sour-cherry nose pulls you into this ripe yet elegant red that's very silky, in spite of the healthy tannins that anchor it at the deep, dark finish. Plenty of life ahead of it!" James Suckling

"The organic Gulfi 2016 Pinò gives us a good look at Pinot Noir cultivated on the volcanic soils of Etna at an impressive 850 meters above sea level where solar luminosity is aplenty but average temperatures are cooler. With a restrained 13% alcohol content, this wine delivers elegant and lean fruit weight with steady aromas of cassis, wild cherry and summer rose. The wine's overall personality remains subdued and true to the grape with plenty of fresh berry fruit spread over a lean and crisp mouthfeel. The results are terrific in this 3,000-bottle release that should hold firm to the 10-year mark and beyond. Despite these extreme growing conditions, this wine remains elegant and pure." Wine Advocate