wine classics

Crichët Pajé 2015 is one of the most captivating and striking wines anyone can discover in Piedmont. It possesses a ripe, savoury style with a fruit profile that tends towards cherry and plum compote flavours, accented by coffee, soy, tar and mineral notes, all supported by a dense layer of massive tannins. Despite the ripe fruit profile, this wine is surprisingly fresh on the finish and has excellent length. This still young wine should age for decades. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, sparkling ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Multi-layered and inviting nose, plays with notes of fresh raspberries, plums and cranberries, plus rose petals, some cold smoke and damp stones. Radiant on the palate, present, very well-developed fruit with a fine mellowness, opens up with fine-meshed tannins in many layers, terrific length, a wine that you will want to drink again and again!" Falstaff

"The Barbaresco Crichet Paje 2015 is a wine of extreme elegance and seduction. Bright red fruit, rose petals, tobacco, incense and spices give it a striking inner perfume. The 2015 is a wine of great aromatic presence and exceptional balance, which impresses above all with its balance between exoticism and classicism. Here, too, the balance is simply stunning." Vinous

"This opulent red wine offers notes of cherry, plum, rose, fresh herbs, liquorice, tar and minerals that unfold in layers of flavours and textures, leading to a long and nuanced aftertaste that lingers with a stony mineral component. It's so fresh that it's hard to believe it's already a decade old." Wine Spectator

Rare vertical in high quality wooden box of 6: Exclusive and strictly limited selection of the historic vintages 2010, 2011 and 2012 of one of Bolgheri's most famous wines. Also included is the anniversary vintage 2010 with special label "25 anni".

2 bottles à 0,75l | "Ornellaia" Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2010

Elegant, finesse-rich 2010 and thus the 25th edition of this cult classic with anniversary label: Complex, racy and delicately floral aroma of fully ripe cherries and black berries with noble, excellently integrated wood aromas. The tremendously harmonious taste reveals an impeccable fruit, dense, juicy and powerful, with melting, present tannins and ends in a decidedly powerful, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, impenetrable ruby with violet glints. Opens with discreet spicy notes, after tobacco, then lots of rich cassis notes, some elderberries. Shows a lot of fine, sturdy tannin on the palate, builds up in layers, deep and salty, long final and rich pressure, lots of tobacco." Falstaff

"The Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 2010 bottled from the anniversary bottle is a truly outstanding wine that leaves a lasting memory for those lucky enough to enjoy it. What stands out is the absolutely seamless, seamless, seamless (yes, it's worth repeating three times) integration of its many moving parts. The wine magically shifts between cherry, spice, chocolate and espresso in a melodic and continuous loop. It exudes balance and elegance over long, delicious minutes. It is deeply impressive." Wine Advocate

"One of the highlights of the vintage on the Tuscan coast, the 2010 Ornellaia is stunning. The 2010 is a tightly wound, powerful wine that will need a few more years in the cellar to show the full range of its potential and class. Yet it is impossible to miss the pure pedigree and class of this wine. Fresh cut flowers, mocha, tobacco, grilled herbs and plums pour from the glass in this wonderfully layered, polished Ornellaia. The 2010 is vibrant, nuanced and precise from start to finish. I am curious to see how it will develop over the next few years. Today, the 2010 is all about precision, liveliness and saline energy. I really like how the wine continues to open up in the glass." Vinous

Gambero Rosso: 3 glasses
Robert Parker: 97+ points
Vinous: 97 points
Falstaff: 95 points
Alcohol content: 14,50 %vol
Storage potential: 2033+

2 bottles à 0,75l | "Ornellaia" Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2011

Marked by sunshine, the early 2011 vintage expresses its characteristics at the highest level. It presents itself to the eye with a young and intense colour. The nose registers intense, fully ripe and at the same time fresh and vibrant fruit aromas, which are underpinned by delicate balsamic hints and toasted notes. On the palate, its great concentration is striking, accompanied by an impressive but also velvety and polished tannic structure, allowing it to fully expand in the mouth without leaving a feeling of heaviness. On the finish, balsamic and spicy tones and a welcome note of freshness linger for a long time. Ornellaia 2011 is an awe-inspiring masterpiece. Depth, richness, elegance, ultra-fine tannins, lots of potential, but already a great drinking pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, impenetrable ruby violet. Initially shows emphatic mineral notes, then lots of ripe dark currants, some blueberries, behind that rich liquorice and dark chocolate. Fills the palate powerfully, very dense, compact tannin, lots of tobacco, cassis full, profound, reverberates like noble cigars, very long." Falstaff

"This wine shows incredible concentration with aromas of dark berries, dark chocolate, mint and rosemary. Full-bodied with excellent depth of fruit and polished tannins. It is chewy but flattering. This wine needs at least four or five years to mature. Powerful and intense. Yet it remains fresh and bright." James Suckling

"The 2011 Ornellaia is another great wine. Mocha, plums, tobacco and liquorice blossom in the glass in a rich, seamless wine that has amazing depth. Later, spicy notes develop, giving it depth and resonance." Vinous

"A dark, inky red with aromas and flavours of violets, blackcurrants, cedar, sandalwood and iron. Yet it comes across as elegant, even if the tannins on the finish prove to be substantial. A great young wine in development." Wine Spectator

Robert Parker: 94 points
Vinous: 96+ points
James Suckling: 96 points
Wine Spectator: 96 points
Falstaff: 97 points
Alcohol content: 14.50 %vol
Storage potential: 2035+

2 bottles à 0,75l | "Ornellaia" Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2012

The 2012 vintage is an awe-inspiring masterpiece. Depth, richness, elegance, ultra-fine tannins, lots of potential, but already a great drinking pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"2012 was a sunny and predominantly dry year. The rains came just in time before the harvest, allowing the vines to recover wonderfully from the drought and excessive heat and to ripen homogeneously. The wines are wide and generous, their character highly seductive and flattering, not to say enchanting. Ornellaia 2012 presents itself in a rich ruby red, the intense nose is wonderfully fruity and spicy. On the palate, it reveals itself to be wide and round, without rough edges, with smooth tannins. Of course, 2012 does not lack the proverbial concentration that characterises all great Ornellaia vintages; but this vintage hides it behind a generous and lush structure and finishes with a long final." Axel Heinz, Kellermeister

"Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate water edge. Black berries, cassis and liquorice, candied violets, mineral touch, fine noble wood note. Complex, taut, fine nougat, present, carrying tannin that still needs a lot of time, dark berry fruit in the finish, mineral, please wait ..." Falstaff

"This seamless blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petit Verdot (7%) shows some of the roundness and softness of this summer heat. The density and extraction of the wine are spot on and the bouquet is beautifully characterised by dark cherry nuances with spices, leather and tobacco in the background. There is a lovely sense of richness and fullness here." Wine Advocate

"The 2012 Ornellaia has gained quite a bit of weight since I first tasted it from the bottle a few months ago. Rich, powerful and concentrated, the 2012 offers plenty of depth and intensity, with expressive fruit and striking intensity on the mid-palate. Aromas of dark red cherry jam, wild flowers, liquorice, smoke, tobacco and mint blossom emerge in the glass. The tannin is slightly dry, a sign of a year in which the maturation took place in spurts. It will be interesting to see if this note softens with time." Vinous

"A dense and silky red wine with a compact fruit and tannin structure reminiscent of blackcurrants, mushrooms and bark. Full body, firm tannins and a mineral finish. Excellent structure and mouthfeel. A cooler style of Ornellaia that takes it back to the classics of this famous region." James Suckling

Gambero Rosso: 3 glasses
Robert Parker: 94 points
Vinous: 94+ points
James Suckling: 97 points
Falstaff: 95 points
Dr. Wine: 96 points
Alcohol content: 14.50 %vol
Storage potential: 2038+

Tasting the different lots of Il Marroneto from the barrel is a fascinating task. The vines are all similarly situated at high altitude, on coarse sand of marine origin, and predominantly north-facing. While they have subtle differences, the distinct character of Madonna delle Grazie often merits a separate bottling - as the 2018 proves. The aromas take on the darkest, most heady purple florals, tangled in allspice and smoky incense. The wine is muscular with firm tannins that grip it tightly and don't let go, though it is never beefy, heavy or angular. At the moment it is still developing, but the finish already reveals a refined balsamic core and a spicy, salted plum. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wonderfully clear-cut and multi-faceted on the nose, noble appearance, shows a lot of herbaceous-floral spice, white pepper, rose and violet blossoms, but also sour cherry and wild berries, behind it a dazzling peppery-spicy backdrop reminiscent of exotic spices. On the palate, enormously complex and finesse-rich with delicate, crisp fruit, carried by finely meshed tannin and a fantastically integrated acidity, wonderfully animating with beautiful spiciness and spice on the final. Once again belongs to the absolute top wines of the vintage." Weinwisser

"Sparkling, fine ruby red with a light rim. Extremely clear nose of ripe, dark cherries, rose petals and cloves, with some smoky notes in the background. On the palate, lots of sweet fruit, finely meshed tannin that is integrated into lots of melting, pithy and with firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Shiny, deep ruby red. A little closed, but with great purity of fruit on the nose. Waves of concentrated, intense fruit on the palate. Supple, elegant and generous at the same time, it shows true cru quality. Fantastic tannins following the fruit on the finish, chewy and tactile. Classic. Can be drunk now, but will continue to develop for some time." Jancis Robinson

"This wine has an array of red and dark fruits with coffee, dark chocolate, sweet spices and upturned earth. Medium to full-bodied with fine tannins and a distinct dark berry character on the palate. A little dense and textured, with a firm and long finish that leaves notes of nutshells and crushed stones. Taste after 2025." James Suckling

"The single vineyard bottling of Il Marroneto is a selection of small, loose grapes, which manifests itself in the density of the fruit and the secure structure. Next to the winery's "classic" Brunello, it often shows a more earthy, autumnal face. The 2018 corresponds with scents of chestnut and undergrowth that combine with the fruity sweetness of the vintage. Long, suede-like layers of tannin envelop the fleshy black cherry. As the wine progresses, subtle traces of pepper, leather and incense emerge, suggesting more to come. Above all, Madonna delle Grazie embodies the most positive qualities of the vintage as it flows with agility and grace." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie takes time to open up in the glass. It is complex and seductive with its musky redcurrants and savoury spices, but also with pretty pink tones. A hint of sweet smoke emerges and contrasts nicely. Its textures are like liquid velvet, with a chalky mineral tinge that comes on quickly and is perfectly balanced by a massive wave of dark red berries; yet the balance is expertly maintained by a streamlined acidity that creates a sense of total internal harmony. The 2018 leaves a structured impression, yet its tannins are silky and fine, coupled with a finish of violet pastille and lavender that I find very attractive. Remarkably, I have tasted this wine for the past two years and have accompanied this current bottle for 48 hours, never faltering and only increasing in depth and complexity. Il Marroneto's 2018 Madonna delle Grazie is undoubtedly one of the three best wines of the vintage. I take my hat off to Alessandro Mori and his team." Vinous

"The Il Marroneto 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie shows elegance and power in one go. The fruit quality is crisp and tangy, but the wine supports a medium-heavy concentration and a more elaborate style. This vintage of Il Marroneto has two personalities. On the one hand, you get a wine with beautiful primary fruit but a little more immediate, and on the other, a wine that promises good ageing thanks to its freshness and silky tannins that melt on the palate. It is young, but also mature. It is racy, but also complex." Wine Advocate

"Alessandro Mori's Brunello is more of a historical legacy than a vineyard. On the nose, notes of blackcurrant jam, with nuances of bay leaf and white pepper. The mouthfeel is dense and savoury, with a return of fruit and sweet spices. Persistent." Luca Gardini

This dazzling wine is something for Sangiovese purists and lovers of extreme finesse. It literally vibrates with electric energy and charm. Opening with enticing aromas of roses, violets, berries, ploughed earth and new leather, it is youthfully intense but already a classic at this stage. With its velvety texture, it envelops everything it touches with masses of dark red fruit, liquid violet blossom, notes of lavender and sage, plus a subtle savoury note. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity ensure a perfect balance and a promising, long ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby garnet colour. Appealing, compact nose of dark cherry and plum, then some tobacco and cigar box, with a background of molasses and balsamic flavours. Spreads out richly on the palate, hearty, pithy tannin that is very well integrated into the overall context, builds steadily towards the final, juicy and with firm pressure." Falstaff

"Deep, youthful ruby red colour. Compared to the estate wine from Il Marroneto from 2019, it is one step higher. Minerals infused with rich raspberry with hints of fresh garden herbs and mace. Wonderfully juicy fruit with enormous focus and amazing, fine, long, deep tannins." Jancis Robinson

"This is a racy wine with deep layers, infinite complexity and a wild, almost mischievous personality. I've noticed other Brunellos imitating this style, but none come close to this one and only. Il Marroneto 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie immediately exudes aromas that are lively, elegant and full of energy. This wine is light and powerful, especially when you consider that it has a unique vigour. Sweet cranberries, coriander seeds, cola, liquorice and white pepper stand out clearly. There is a hint of sweetness that feels like summer is singing from the glass. The mouthfeel is very lively, with great freshness and fine, dusty tannins that coat the whole mouth." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie seduces the imagination with a dark veil of exotic flowers and spices that slowly lifts to reveal dried blackberries and cherries enlivened by a hint of mint and a touch of clove. The silky texture and ripe red berry fruit soothe as a mix of savoury minerals and fine tannins slowly build towards the finish. Structured yet incredibly long and deep, it tapers like a black hole, inward facing and youthfully tense, mingling sweet tannins with soaked plums and balsamic herbs. The 2019 is one of the most energetic yet complex offerings from Madonna delle Grazie I've tasted. I could lose myself in this wine for days." Vinous

"The winery is located on the northern flank of Montalcino on a Jurassic soil, one of the oldest in Italy. An old "botte grande" gurgles, murmurs and bubbles slowly in the cellar. Fermentation here takes place naturally, including malolactic fermentation, exclusively in oak. This 2019 is supple and fresh on the nose, with redcurrants and dark cherries and a graceful depth of incense and smoky woods, sweet violet, cinnamon and orange peel. Vibrancy dominates the palate, with long, powerful acidity and dense, velvety tannins leading to a sweet, lingering aftertaste." Decanter

"Alessandro Mori's Brunello, which in the best sense resembles only himself. Notes of cranberry jam on the nose, with a hint of marjoram and star anise. The flavour is dense and salty, with a hint of freshness and balsamic vinegar. Very long-lasting, spicy finish." Luca Gardini

Cerretalto 2018 is an expressive, exuberant and impressive wine that opens with a dark ruby red colour and a rich texture. The bouquet is endlessly intense, closely followed by finely tuned aromas of black cherries, spices, grilled herbs, cloves, tobacco, damp earth and white truffle. Over time, elegant mineral tones unfold, and later these flavours transition into cola, liquorice and tar. The mouthfeel is silky and supple, and there is enough power to move the wine seamlessly across the palate. Cerretalto continues to develop endlessly over 24 hours in the glass. Clear case: this is a bottle for the back of your cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. Beautiful, ripe, open nose, accessible, plums, wild raspberries, tobacco, liquorice in the finish. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, great fruit freshness, opens up with present, silky tannins, good tension, still a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"This intense red wine has a solid structure that emphasises the aromas of plums, cherries, eucalyptus and iron, with a solid mid-palate that develops into a lingering aftertaste of red fruits, hibiscus and minerals. It shows excellent length and freshness." Wine Spectator

"With dried blackberries, balsamic herbs and a hint of charred chilli spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very well suited to a vintage that experienced cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine with depth, dusty tannins and a slightly developed fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto alongside the winery's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more clarity and bite overall. The Neri family does a great job of handling the tannins, and although there is some chalkiness here, the structure of the wine is skilfully embedded in the fruit concentration." Wine Advocate

"Black cherries and dried cherries combine with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earth, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate, with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak notes. A hint of graphite on the polished finish. Very flavoursome." James Suckling

Giacosa's Barolo Vigna Le Rocche is only vinified in the best vintages as a Riserva (red label) and has a magical attraction for Nebbiolo lovers all over the world.

Barolo Falletto Vigne Le Rocche Riserva demands attention and respect. The wine opens with a dark and penetrating colour and an immediately expressive bouquet from which rise dense layers of dark fruits, ferruginous earth, balsamic herbs, Darjeeling tea, dried ginger and cherry cola. The wine successfully and magically turns the tables on the over-exuberance of the warm 2017 vintage and the natural weight of the highest site in Serralunga d'Alba. It succeeds brilliantly in restraining all that power and transforming it instead into streamlined elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"This supple red wine is elegant and powerful, driven by an underlying mineral element. Aromas and flavours of strawberries, cherries, roses, iron and wild thyme linger and develop into a long aftertaste, while dense, refined tannins offer support. It offers excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"This year's top-end release from Bruno Giacosa is the 2017 Barolo Riserva Falletto Vigna Le Rocche (in the red label). Bottled in 2019, the wine stands apart thanks to a hot and dry growing season that Bruna Giacosa is very excited about. In fact, she prefers 2017 to 2015, although the two vintages do share similarities. This wine is very open-knit, and it reveals dark concentration in the form of ripe blackberry, candied cherry and spice. The tannins show a loose, granular quality that adds considerably to the textural impact of this Riserva." Wine Advocate

"Roses and lavender with other flowers. Peaches. Lovely fruit of dark plums and ripe strawberries. Dense and intense, but with layers of very fine tannins, like fine cashmere. Lasts for minutes. Opens up in the mouth. Almost endless. Give this wine at least five to six years." James Suckling

Cerretalto 2018 is an expressive, exuberant and impressive wine that opens with a dark ruby red colour and a rich texture. The bouquet is endlessly intense, closely followed by finely tuned aromas of black cherries, spices, grilled herbs, cloves, tobacco, damp earth and white truffle. Over time, elegant mineral tones unfold, and later these flavours transition into cola, liquorice and tar. The mouthfeel is silky and supple, and there is enough power to move the wine seamlessly across the palate. Cerretalto continues to develop endlessly over 24 hours in the glass. Clear case: this is a bottle for the back of your cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. Beautiful, ripe, open nose, accessible, plums, wild raspberries, tobacco, liquorice in the finish. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, great fruit freshness, opens up with present, silky tannins, good tension, still a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"This intense red wine has a solid structure that emphasises the aromas of plums, cherries, eucalyptus and iron, with a solid mid-palate that develops into a lingering aftertaste of red fruits, hibiscus and minerals. It shows excellent length and freshness." Wine Spectator

"With dried blackberries, balsamic herbs and a hint of charred chilli spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very well suited to a vintage that experienced cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine with depth, dusty tannins and a slightly developed fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto alongside the winery's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more clarity and bite overall. The Neri family does a great job of handling the tannins, and although there is some chalkiness here, the structure of the wine is skilfully embedded in the fruit concentration." Wine Advocate

"Black cherries and dried cherries combine with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earth, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate, with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak notes. A hint of graphite on the polished finish. Very flavoursome." James Suckling