Wine Spectator | 95–100 Points

"This is our flagship wine, a Barolo recognised the world over, which we have always nourished and cared for with greatest respect. Nothing will change. This is why I will dedicate this special wine to my grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. From now on, it will carry their names." Luciano Sandrone on his intention to rename his world-famous Barolo Cannubi Boschis "Aleste" with the 2013 vintage. This Barolo is a masterpiece from Luciano Sandrone in every respect. Not only a historic product but also the only cru of the house from the renowned Cannubi area in Barolo. Rich ruby colour, balsamic bouquet, ripe and sweet. Great suppleness on the palate, lots of fruit, dense tannins, very persistent final with Burgundian elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby colour with a fine garnet shimmer. Opens with notes of plums, rose petals and pickled peach. Polished on the palate, shows layers of tannin, juicy strawberry fruit, flows calmly, very elegant and long." Falstaff

"This wine captivates with aromas of oil-infused rose petals and Maresca cherries overlaid with notes of incense that rise from the glass. The palate is intense, dark and rich, offering a mouth-filling experience of dark plums and an abundance of mixed sweet spices accompanied by dried bay leaves and black tea. The wine finishes with elegant tannins and a powerful acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"This red wine shows broad flavours of cherry, plum, tar, eucalyptus and sweet spices, with an accent of liquorice. It walks a fine line between power and elegance, with a well-integrated structure, refined tannins and a racy, resonant finish." Wine Spectator

"The Barolo Aleste 2020 is a noble, elegant wine that is easy to drink right from the start. Black cherry, plum, mocha, liquorice and dark spices resonate beautifully. Soft and juicy, with silky tannins, the 2020 Aleste is an absolute charmer." Vinous

"The 2020 Barolo Aleste is multi-layered with sweet earth and drunken cherry. It shows seamless integration and a crescendo of intensity that starts with ripe fruit and moves into oak elements, liquorice, spice and balanced acidity. This wine has a beautiful mouthfeel, with length and complexity. The Aleste is made from the fruit of Cannubi Boschis in the commune of Barolo. This is the full programme." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of cherries and hibiscus with hints of tar and dried flowers such as roses. Full-bodied and complex, with lots of juicy and rich fruit that shows the warmth of the vintage but is framed by creamy and chewy tannins that give it shape and intensity. A very serious and structured 2020." James Suckling

When a Brunello that is exceptional almost every year comes from an exceptional vintage, then this is what you can expect: classic Sangiovese interpretation with a wonderful balance of elegance and power. Very firm, dark fruit, fine-grained tannin and a well-dosed acid wire. As it progresses, it opens up with a wealth of aromas of wild berries, violets and freshly ploughed earth. A magical wine with a long life and great potential that is already apparent. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, intense garnet red. Opens with notes of cranberries, juicy red cherries, some sealing wax in the background. Lots of fine-meshed tannin on the palate, spreads out well, clear and straightforward, shows many layers, long final, a long runner." Falstaff

"A little shy and understated on the nose now, with savory red plums, ash, pretty red berries, new leather and minerals. Very nimble, juicy and polished on the palate with medium body and a mouthful of seamless and evenly enveloped tannins. A linear and refined expression with an austere edge. Lay it down until 2026, to allow it to unfurl more complexity." James Suckling

"Comparing 2015 with 2016, technical director Federico Radi says that the latter is more balanced and aromatic owing to overall cooler temperatures in July and August. It is certainly more in line with Biondi Santi’s angular, austere style and unmistakable in its class and potential. With the utmost restraint, flinty mineral notes make way for scents of dried leaves, forest wildflowers and fresh mint. Perfectly poised on the palate, this is midweight yet plumbs great depths, expressing pomegranate, fennel and orange peel. While its tannins have a certain rigidity and are decidedly linear in direction, they are not massive. It is a rather sneaky wine that needs a few more years in the cellar. Brilliantly succulent finish." Decanter

"This features a well of blackberry and black cherry flavors, along with iron, licorice and fresh herb aromas and flavors. The dense tannins are easily matched by the concentrated flavors, and this shows fine potential, despite the compact finish now." Wine Spectator

"From a benchmark vintage, the Biondi-Santi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a gorgeous appearance with medium concentration highlighted by shiny hues of garnet and dark ruby. The first thing you notice is the compact dark fruit and rather robust textural fiber and power presented here. You almost bite into this wine, and you taste some fine grain linked to the young tannins. That, with the fresh acidity that is the hallmark signature of this estate, guarantees long cellar aging, and I would put my money on this vintage for long-long-term longevity. The fruit is compact and supple with dried cherry, blue flower, iron ore and candied orange peel. There is tobacco, balsam herb and gardening soil in a supporting role, and the wine is beautifully fleshed out but also rich in this balanced growing season. It surely needs more time to come together with pinpoint precision, but the wine's elegance is a certainty." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of rose petal, dark spice, woodland berries and camphor form the nose on this fragrant, elegant wine. Loaded with finesse, the linear, savory palate features red cherry, orange zest, star anise and black tea alongside tightly wound, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. It's still youthfully austere, with fantastic aging potential." Wine Enthusiast

Barolo Sperss 2020 shows the power, determination and strength you would expect from Serralunga d'Alba. Dark cherry fruit with cassis and wild plum, rounded off by floral aromas that lean more towards red rose than violet or blue flowers. It is a great wine on the palate, with lots of compact, dense tannins, coated in sweet enamel, multi-layered and dense, with a long build-up. Plums and liquorice on the finish with a delicate, mineral iron vein, as we know it from the Sperss. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Finely characterised nose with a fresh fruit component, of cranberries and crisp cherries, some cardamom. Plucky, full-bodied tannins characterise the palate, dark fruit component, full-bodied and salty final." Falstaff

"The Sperss comes from the Marenca and Rivette MGAs, both in the heart of Serralunga. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and the wine is aged in barriques and large oak barrels. The 2020 presents floral and restrained aromas of wild strawberries with mineral notes of tobacco and graphite. The tannins are dense, taut but ripe, infused with orange peel on the refreshing finish." Decanter

"The reduced aromas are earthy, with hints of cherry and raspberry. The flavours are fresh and lively, with fine precision and a tightly wound structure that emphasises the notes of cherry, raspberry, iron, tobacco and undergrowth. The excellent length of the mineral finish hints at the future potential of this wine." Wine Spectator

"Very spicy with deep, dark earth and forest flavours of black truffles, bark, mushrooms, liquorice and iodine. Full-bodied and very restrained, with a linear and racy palate that lingers for minutes. Gunpowder emphasises the character of the dark fruits and the forest floor. Structured. Try it after 2028." James Suckling

"Showing the power and the contoured definition that is typical of Serralunga d'Alba, the Gaja 2020 Barolo Sperss is a wine of greater brawn and intensity. Yet its power remains elegantly in line with the character of the vintage. It offers a complete photograph of its territory with rusty ferrous notes, orange peel, dark fruit and licorice. There is a fun end note of dark Amarena cherry to conclude. That hint of sweetness ties into elegantly chalky tannins." Wine Advocate

Rare, exceptional Merlot from the west of Tuscany: deep ruby red with violet reflections. The bouquet is multi-layered with hints of wild berries and blackberries, ripe cherries, but also liquorice and tobacco notes. Very structured and lively on the palate. The silky tannins emphasise the delicate minerality right through to the almost endless finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This lush, silky red wine is introduced by deep flavours of black cherry and blackberry, with hints of chocolate, coffee, vanilla and minerals that develop into a long, complex aftertaste. Despite its richness, it also has finesse and detail." Wine Spectator

"Bright, rich ruby colour, intense and fine nose with notes of blackberry, wild raspberry, then mint and Mediterranean herbs. Characterised by hearty, dense tannins on the palate, interwoven with a lot of sweet melting, fine spice on the finish, ends on sweet tobacco, but still needs some time." Falstaff

"The 2020 Redigaffi offers up dark red cherry, spice, leather, menthol, licorice and espresso. There is a bit of angularity in the tannins, a reminder of some of the challenges of the year. Even so, the 2020 possesses good energy and plenty of stylishness to match." Vinous

"Aromas of cigar box, black plums, cherries, mocha and roasted walnuts. Full-bodied with firm, taut and chewy tannins. Structured and deep with a sophisticated oak spice character. Still taut at the moment. Yet very fine and elegant. Finesse for Redigaffi. Give it a few years to show even more. Try it in the year 2026." James Suckling

"The nose starts sweet and classic, like berries dipped in vanilla and chocolate, then expands to include a variety of wild herbs. On the palate, the interplay between chocolaty berries and savoury undertones continues before the acidity and tannins, so fine-grained and supple as to be almost ethereal, burst forth. It's already magical now, but will undoubtedly be even better with time." Wine Enthusiast

"The Tua Rita 2020 Redigaffi is the winery's top wine, made from Merlot. The bouquet smells of dark fruits, dried apricots, spices, leather and ashes from the campfire. You can taste the special fullness and concentration in this full-bodied red wine. On the palate, the Redigaffi is soft and accessible with rich layering and texture." Wine Advocate

If there's one thing Giacomo Neri has mastered, it's harvesting at optimal ripeness: he knows his property and his vines better than most, and it shows all the more in the top 2016 vintage. The bouquet goes far beyond the standard cherry and blackberry and includes plum cake, spice bread and plum wrapped in bacon. Nothing about this wine is obvious or monochromatic. Everything is nuanced and ethereal. Tenuta Nuova 2016 also features the linear mineral and saline notes that are characteristic of this single vineyard. The perfectly formed tannins achieve a suppleness that is second to none. Collectors will want to put this wine aside for ten years or more. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby. Impressive nose with rich notes of wild raspberry, ripe plum fresh from the tree, plus some liquorice, exciting. Salty and juicy on the palate, showing lots of red berry fruit, then opens up with fine-meshed tannin, polished and exceedingly long." Falstaff

"A bright, pure version, boasting raspberry, black cherry and blackberry flavors married to a fluid profile. The structure is present, yet both the lively acidity and fine-grained tannins are in harmony. The focus is really on the fruit here, with accents of graphite, earth, tobacco and underbrush." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova drawing you in with a display of exotic brown spice, mint and cedar dust. Further coaxing unlocks depths of cherry, plum, hints of dark chocolate and roses. It coasts along a medium-bodied frame with velvety richness, complemented by polished red and black fruits while contrasted by brisk acids and hints of sour citrus. This coats the teeth in concentration, as if you can feel the pulp, seeds and skins of its fruit, while a layer of fine tannin slowly grounds you back to earth. The Tenuta Nuova already has so much to give, yet it will be many years before it reaches its apex. Wow." Vinous

"Tenuta Nuova is Casanova di Neri's southern expression of Brunello. Vines were planted in 1989 and Gianlorenzo Neri says they are now hitting their stride, giving wines with more persistence and depth than earlier vintages. The 2016 clearly demonstrates both of these attributes. It is not as immediate as the white label but unfolds decorously with earth, tar, leather, black currants and cinnamon. The tannins are refined, clinging to the palate with a clayey texture. Pristine and polished with masses of personality, the briny undertow cleanses the mouth brilliantly. Balsam and orange carry the finish." Decanter

"This is one of my sweetheart wines from Montalcino. The Casanova di Neri 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova offers a long list of aromas on an ever-shifting and fluid bouquet. You get bright cherry, rose potpourri, black truffle, caramel, butterscotch, sandalwood, road pavement and chalky mineral. In fact, each time I come back to this wine, that mineral element seemed to grow in intensity and scope. The wine offers a grounded fruit side that is contrasted nicely against a grounded oak component. The mouthfeel is creamy and long, and the wine shows terrific tannic integration. When you come back hours later, you might find black olive, bresaola and licorice." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of blackberries, cherries, violets and bark with mahogany. It's full-bodied and chewy with intense tannins that are layered and focused. The fruit is pure and purposeful, yet not over done. Wonderful strength and purity to this. Class is the word." James Suckling

Camarcanda is a rich Bolgheri Rosso Superiore with a dark bouquet of black fruit, espresso, chocolate, liquorice and tar. The palate is extremely full-bodied, with outstanding depth, dense structure and a firm body. Opulent and long, this wine already shows a wide range of personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Warm-scented aromas of black cherries, herbs, spiced up with liquorice and smoke; has a lot of pressure, but also a lot of polish, the tightly woven, grippy tannins and the supporting acidity guarantee a long life, finishes long on opulent fruit flavours." Vinum

"Elegant, bright ruby red colour. Intense nose with notes of cassis and blackberry, clear and concise, fine herbal spice in the background. On the palate with savoury juiciness and dark berry fruit, opens with grippy tannins in many layers, pithy, with lots of juicy fruit, firm pressure and notes of graphite on the final." Falstaff

"The 2021 is an impressive effort with fragrant aromas of dried cherries, sous bois and minty black fruits that continue on the palate with intensity and vibrancy. Hints of balsamic herbs, raspberries and floral notes are also evident. It is powerful and minty-fresh and a real eye-catcher." Decanter

"A tasty and juicy young red wine with flavours of currants, raspberries and boysenberries that develop into a medium to full body with creamy and polished tannins and a nice finish. It is fresh and concentrated." James Suckling

"The Ca' Marcanda 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in a supporting role. This is a bold and beautifully concentrated wine with a brilliant character that is best described as Rubenesque. It exhibits a supple texture and deep richness supported by sweet fruit and raspberry flavours. The ripe, well-structured tannins give way to a sparkling freshness that gives it energy and life." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Camarcanda is a fabulous wine from the Gaja family, the best they have ever made from their estate in Bolgheri. Silky, aromatic and wonderfully pure, the 2021 Camarcanda is a superb, contemporary expression of Bolgheri with plenty of coastal sunshine and warmth, but not overdone. Silky tannins frame the exceptionally polished, nuanced finish. The 2021 is so seductive." Vinous

"Pure and elegant, with saturated flavours of violets, blackcurrants, blackberries, liquorice and iron. This wine is so beautifully balanced that even at this young stage it feels almost seamless, offering a lean profile and an endless aftertaste that mirrors the fruit. The oak is very well integrated, with polished tannins." Wine Spectator

Just 2,100 bottles of this 1.5 ha single vineyard Cabernet Franc "Campo di Magnacosta" (a former riverbed with mainly clay, gravel and crushed stone soil) reach the specialised trade and the menus of the best restaurants worldwide. The vines were planted in the mid-1990s and come from Pomerol. In terms of aromatic intensity, Magnacosta is probably the most sensually elegant representative of the house's three great site cabernets. It has great straightness, but somewhat less power and intensity. It subtly combines black fruit aromas with spicy notes, tar and antique leather. It is already silky and elegant and will certainly gain in finesse over the years. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Campo di Magnacosta 2020 is one of three Cabernet Francs from a single vineyard at Tenuta di Trinoro. It comes from a warm climate and has an almost milky flavour with a creamy texture accompanied by cocoa, roasted espresso beans, sweet earth and lots of extracted dark fruits. This vintage doesn't deliver the chiselled pencil flavours usually found in Cabernet Franc, but it shows plenty of richness and powdery tannins." Wine Advocate

"Single vineyard Cabernet Franc that smells beguilingly of ripe wild berries, cherries, tobacco, chocolate and spices; mouth-filling with depth, character and powerful and elegant tannins, the final then surprisingly light-footed, with great length." Vinum

"The Campo di Magnacosta 2020 is a wine with depth and gravitas. Dark cherry, lavender, spices, sage and leather fill out the layers. There's great breadth and volume here, but also a good bit of tannin that needs time to soften. I wouldn't be in a hurry. This is a particularly virile expression of Franc." Vinous

"This red shows breadth and flesh to its profile, encapsulating flavors of cherry, black currant, tapenade, mineral and wild thyme and rosemary. Offers a solid structure, with dense yet refined tannins and a lingering finish. Delivers excellent length." Wine Spectator

"Bright ruby red. The nose shows distinct spicy notes of cinnamon, blood orange, bitter orange, cloves and lots of ripe red fruit with a hint of sweet spice. The palate is rich and has soft tannins. The wine is full-bodied and finishes juicy, persistent and elegant." Falstaff

Sugarille is always a little darker, richer and more opulent than Rennina. Bouquet of remarkable richness. In the drink, dark red cherry, plum, smoke, liquorice and cloves fill out the wine's broad-shouldered frame well. Hints of mocha, chocolate, spices and black-fleshed fruit add the final layers of nuance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, medium-dense ruby garnet. Smells of fresh, crisp cherries, blood orange and Mediterranean herbs on the nose. Spreads out very richly on the attack, juicy, crisp cherry fruit and some blackberry characterise the palate, shows grippy, savoury tannin on the back end, long final." Falstaff

"Deep ruby with orange tinges. Savoury and slightly reductive on the nose with pure cherry underneath. Pure and focused on the palate, if slow to unfurl, and with complex oak notes slowly revealing themselves. Right now, the powdery tannins take the lead on the finish, but this needs much more time." Jancis Robinson

"First produced in 1995, Sugarille is not made every vintage - after skipping 2017, this single-vineyard bottling returns. Dark cherry and black plum are spiked with bitter herbs, tobacco and wet stone. Sturdy tannins form a solid framework and tantalising acidity soars. Sweet oak nuances melt into the liquorice root finish. A great contender for the cellar." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille keeps me coming back to the glass again and again to take in its spicy yet also wonderfully lifted bouquet, as shavings of cedar and pine evolve to reveal mentholated herbs, flinty stone and dried black cherries. This is deeply textural, soothing with its combination of ripe red fruits and juicy acidity, as sweet spices and mint nuances resonate toward the close. The Sugarille doesn’t miss a beat, tapering off with impeccable balance and regal structure, while allowing remnants of ripe wild berries and plum to linger on and on. The Gaja family has really outdone themselves in this idiosyncratic vintage." Vinous

"A dark, brooding 2018, with accents of smoke, vanilla, iron and tar surrounding a core of cherry and plum flavors. Reveals balsamic elements of eucalyptus and wild herbs on the lingering finish. On the austere side now, with a core of fruit and mineral." Wine Spectator

"Showing extra richness and textural weight, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille is structured, rich and intense. This wine represents fruit from a single site that is characterized by schistous galestro soils. These conditions give Sugarille its heavier center of gravity and its distinguished power and heft. Dark fruit, balsam herb and pencil shavings shape a beautiful and precise bouquet. Give this wine more time to age." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of red plums, sour cherries, spice box, oranges, cloves and capers. Moss and porcini, too. Beautifully open, with a medium to full body and very fine, silky tannins. Lovely purity of fruit here, with a long, seamless finish. Ethereal and transparent." James Suckling

The grapes of UnoPerUno come from the cru vineyards Arborina in La Morra, Cannubi in Barolo, Pernanno in Castiglione Falletto, Sarmassa in Barolo and Cerretta in Serralunga d'Alba and are individually destemmed. As a result of this intensive manual work, only 1,300 bottles of this exceptional wine are sold in well-stocked specialist shops, and only in the best vintages. Due to the manual destemming, no green overtones of the stems get into the mash, making the tannins silkier and creamier than in the conventional process. The result is something to be savoured: UnoPerUno is of high fruit intensity, has an incredible depth and structure and is a benchmark of the appellation every year in its purity and clarity on the nose and palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just medium ruby red. Deeper and more complex than the pure Barolo and a little more closed. Raspberry and the scent of cardamom. Still youthful and compact with an endless finish. Very elegant and very tannic, but beautifully precise." Jancis Robinson

"A beam of cherry highlights this supple red, along with aromas of iron and wet hay, and a hint of eucalyptus. The texture is impressive until the tannins flex their muscles. Firm yet open, with a lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"A crisp and bright Barolo with aromas and flavours of oranges, flowers and crab apples. Medium body. Very crisp and fresh. Fine and polished tannins. Already bright and delicious. But give it time to develop in the bottle. It is destemmed by hand. Better after 2025." James Suckling

"The 2019 Barolo Unoperuno is a wine of absolute class and elegance. Bright and translucent, with compelling inner sweetness, the 2019 is simply beautiful. Crushed red berry fruit, orange peel, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are all finely brought out. The wine has fantastic energy and resilience. Give it a few years to develop." Vinous

"Silvia Altare calls her 2019 Barolo Unoperuno, made from a blend of fruit from Arborina (in La Morra), Cannubi (in Barolo) and Badarina and Ceretta (in Serralunga d'Alba), a "super mega blend from classic single vineyards". The berries are selected by hand and with the utmost care. Unoperuno actually means "one at a time" in Italian, and this gives you an idea of the demanding work required to make this wine in a very limited production (about 1,200 bottles are released annually in autumn). The result is a gently elegant wine with ripe tannins and lots of dark fruit and black cherry in the background. There are also mild mineral tones and a hint of earth or rust." Wine Advocate

"Shiny ruby red. Inviting nose, of ripe raspberries, peppermint, white pepper, balsamic, of precious wood and minimally of cold smoke, very inviting. Shows very polished on the palate, with pronounced fruit and perfectly integrated tannin, powerful, with pressure, lingers long." Falstaff

In the exceptional year of 2016, Filippo Chia decided to vinify a Riserva for the first time. The Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta Riserva comes from a unique vineyard site characterised by a greater presence of slate or slate-like shards in the soils. These conditions contribute to the very typical, sharp and concentrated aromas that are offered here on a silver platter. One automatically thinks of pencil shavings and granite rock. However, the wine is equally impressive when it comes to its rich fruit and floral profile, and there is enough spice and soft leather or tobacco to bring it all together in one happy package. A magnificent masterpiece! SUPERIORE.DE

"The first ever Riserva from Castello Romitorio’s Filo di Seta plot, this is crafted from a handful of selected tonneaux – mostly used but a couple new. Significantly, it comes predominantly from early-picked grapes. Still in its infancy, the 2016 is not ready to divulge everything. Weighty with depths of wild, spicy, dark fruit, yet radiant in its acidity, a sturdy framework of tannins sticks to the palate with a pulverised, chalky texture giving immense grip. Anise, mint and clove show up on the finish." Decanter

"This red is linear, dense and concentrated, both for its black cherry, black currant and blueberry fruit and its fine-grained, dusty tannins. Lively and balanced, yet needs time to unwind and gain more of the complexity that's buried within. The fresh, lingering finish reveals mineral, soy and spice accents." Wine Spectator

"Here's a new wine from Castello Romitorio, and it makes perfect sense that the Filo di Seta project should also be presented as a Riserva. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Filo di Seta is elongated and silky. It wraps smoothly over the palate with well-dosed fruit, tannic structure and brilliant acidity. It should be exciting to follow this wine over the cooler and the warmer vintages of the future. Only 3,900 bottles were created." Wine Advocate

"This is really powerful and intense with a full body, yet it remains agile and vivid. Chewy, but polished and classy. Persistent, yet weightless and floating. Black-cherry and dark-plum flavors with pine-cone and mushroom undertones. Give it at least five years to soften. Best after 2025." James Suckling

"I had high expectations for the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta Riserva. This is youthfully restrained and grumbling in the glass, but it’s worth waiting for, as a captivating display of mentholated herbs, dusty rose, lavender, black cherries, hints of animal musk and crushed ashen stone evolves before your eyes. It’s deeply textural and polished in feel, but also full of zesty, cooling acidity that enlivens the sultry core of dark fruits and exotic spices. A saturation of tannin coats the palate, creating a massively structured and long finale with lingering remnants of salted licorice and inner violet tones. The 2016 Riserva Filo di Seta may be a masterpiece in the making, though it will be many years before it shows all of its hidden beauty." Vinous

Sugarille 2019 is certainly one of the greats of its vintage. A crescendo of dark berries, Amarena cherries, tar, liquorice and smoky notes on the nose. The intensity continues on the palate: Sugarille is uncompromisingly powerful, with multi-layered fruit, striking tannins and wonderful acid wire. With increasing aeration, the impressiveness and opulence give way to a wonderful finesse that will continue to refine and develop with further years of bottle ageing. A wine as beautiful today as it is today - and guaranteed to be even better tomorrow! SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium to deep ruby red with orange-coloured reflections. Much more closed and sleepy than the Rennina and with an undertone of oak. There is also a little more fullness. Restrained on the palate, with marvellous cherry, cranberry and raspberry fruit. Superfine, deep tannins. Polished and long, with a hint of tannin on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"To complete Angelo Gaja's comparison with his Langhe wines, he compares Sugarille with Barolo (as opposed to Rennina, which he equates with Barbaresco). This powerful wine will appeal to anyone looking for a powerful Brunello. Sweet oak spices and plums are accompanied by earthy forest tones. It is rich and fruity, but austere and firm in structure: dark cherry and plum hang on steely, vertical grape tannins. Thicker wood tannins build at the core, but crisp acidity balances the dense structure, and medicinal herbs are embedded in the layers. This wine is firming up in the glass and still needs plenty of time." Decanter

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille is dark and youthfully closed, forcing the taster to engage with its brooding blend of blackberry, sage and crushed stone. It displays textures of pure silk, polished and refined, with a dense textural wave of tart red and black fruits underscored by savoury minerals and exotic spices. Orange notes provide contrast on the finish, which is tannic and long, with a pleasant chew and angular tannins that pinch the cheeks. The 2019 is a dark Brunello stallion with plenty of muscle and flesh that will need many more years in the cellar to show its best side. But it will be worth the wait." Vinous

"An elegant version, this red exhibits cherry, graphite, earth, blood and eucalyptus aromas and flavors, turning darker and more brooding as it evolves in the mouth, with both savory and mineral elements. Yet this remains very Sangiovese, with a firm, peppery aftertaste that echoes fruit, iron and underbrush accents." Wine Spectator

"Extremely perfumed and intense with lilac, violets, violet fruit and black cherries. Full-bodied and very structured with powerful tannins that give it great length and intensity. A great wine for the cellar. Try it after 2027." James Suckling

"The Pieve Santa Restituta 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille displays a finely chiselled quality with direct and lifted fruit that gives this wine an edgy or delineated personality. This impression is reinforced by delicate mineral notes of crushed stone that give way to dark fruits, sweet plums, black cherries and earthy orris roots. The wine is elegant, but also very flavoursome and structured thanks to the natural ripeness and concentration of the fruit. Give this wine more time in the bottle." Wine Advocate

The cult wine Antinoris, harvested and vinified on the Tignanello estate, shows the unmistakable Tuscan identity. A very intense, highly complex red wine that expresses the character of its grape varieties in a wonderfully balanced way. Its irresistible softness on the palate is the result of perfectly ripe grapes, with notes of coffee, chocolate, peppermint and liquorice as it progresses. A complex wine of great structure, finesse and elegance with supple, velvety tannins. A classic for lovers and collectors with potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark, impenetrable ruby violet. Dense and intense nose, smells of ripe, dark currants, blackberries and black bread crust, some liquorice in the background. Very clear and precise on the palate, opens with lots of fine-meshed, densely laid tannins, builds up richly, nice game, very long final." Falstaff

"Granite, black cherry, iodine, burnt meat and dark chocolate. Complete and satisfying, although the alcohol runs hot on the finish. Rich and syrupy texture. Divine complexity." Jancis Robinson

"A Solaia with lots of currants, berries and milk chocolate yet reserved and focused. Full body, with refined tannins and an alluring finish. Needs at least two or three years to come together." James Suckling

"The 2009 Solaia is one of the clear standouts of the vintage. Freshly cut flowers, raspberries, spices, mint and licorice burst from the glass as this fabulous, viscerally thrilling wine shows off its pure class. Today the oak is a bit prominent, but that won't be an issue by the time the wine is ready to drink. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 Solaia was flat–out great. There is no shortage of pedigree here. The 2009 has calmed down a little from its youth, when it was a much more exuberant wine, and has now begun to close down in bottle." Wine Advocate

"A pretty red, boasting floral, cherry, black currant, chocolate and spice aromas and flavors. The firm structure is assertive now, both acidity and tannins, but the sweet fruit and spice flavors persist and grace the long finish." Wine Spectator

"Like its sunshine–inspired name suggests, Solaia is an opulent and generous achievement that represents the highest pedigree in Italian wine. The intensity is mind–blowing and the wine peels back slowly to reveal thick layers of blackberry, chocolate fudge, spice and general fruit decadence. The mouthfeel is super smooth yet powerful, delivered in the most elegant fashion." Wine Enthusiast

Schiena d'Asino is a small vineyard from which this fabulous Brunello is produced exclusively in excellent years. Schiena captivates with its richness and overall intensity and is endowed with a lot of energy and varietal purity. Sage, rosemary and a host of Mediterranean herbs open up first, followed by graphite, smoke, incense, dark spices and black stone fruits. Wild, intensely mineral notes underpin the fruit and capture the essence of the great site. For an exceptional wine, this Brunello remains remarkably light on its feet, yet it is an introspective, brooding wine that will need at least a few years to show all it has to offer. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich ruby garnet. Finely marked nose with notes of rose petals, some raspberry, fine spice in the background. Builds up richly on the palate, dark berry fruit, opens with grippy, dense tannin, still shows itself very young." Falstaff

"Developing mid ruby. Brooding and intense on the nose with hints of graphite and filled out by oak. Full mouth of juicy, spicy cherry fruit framed by bags of delicious, chewy tannins. Very long and deep and gorgeously balanced. Tactile fireworks. Ready now but will hold." Jancis Robinson

"A historic vineyard for the denomination and for the winery, which returns in a version of great concentration, aged in Alliers oak. Nose of wild plum, with touches of Mediterranean scrub and chinotto. Mouth with savory-salty tannins, finish with fruity return." Luca Gardini

"This is structured and muscular, yet in a toned and polished way. It’s full-bodied with a linear and racy nature, showing focused black-cherry, orange-peel and berry character. Flavorful and extremely long. Better after 2024." James Suckling

"Forest floor, violet and camphor aromas come to the forefront along with whiffs of toasted nut on this full-bodied red. It's elegant and structured, featuring dried cherry, tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit, fine-grained tannins, while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"A lithe, focused red, evoking strawberry, cherry, currant, spice and tobacco flavors. Shows intensity and grip, with accents of leather and licorice chiming in on the finish. Well-structured and lingers on the chalky, mineral aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Planted in 1978, the 1.2ha Schiena d’Asino plot boasts a southeast to southwest exposition reaching almost 400 metres above sea level on stony, clay soil. Long ageing in 16-hectolitre French oak casks is followed by a year in bottle before release. The 2016 surfaces from its shell slowly and beguilingly, bestowing dried lavender, sage blossom and mint with a heady suggestion of truffles. The rich, dark red-fruited palate is framed by sandy, dusty tannins. Some heat rises on the mid-palate but is soaked up by plush layers, finishing on a salty liquorice note." Decanter

"The late-release 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino captivates with a display of sweet smoke and crushed stone giving way to dusty black raspberry and savory herbs. It’s silky-smooth and cool-toned, peppering the senses with mineral-tinged woodland berries and hints of spice. Grippy tannins build toward the close, saturating the palate beneath red inner florals. This tapers off with heroic structure but also the primary fruits to balance. The 2016 Vigna Schiena d’Aine is a dark stallion of a Brunello that's packed full of potential." Vinous

"The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino (with only 6,000 bottles made) is a joy. This classic 2016 vintage was extremely kind to Sangiovese, but not all producers were able to harness this level of varietal purity, elegance and sheer energy. This soulful wine is indeed best characterized by its inner electricity. The "donkey's back," or Schiena d'Asino, is a special vineyard site where grapes enjoy long sun hours and cool nighttime temperatures." Wine Advocate

Rich, deep dark ruby red colour. The bouquet opens with dark cherries, blue flowers and earth. The tannins are taut, almost crisp, and the wine offers a deep pedigree and persistence that is carried by the distinct acidity. This depth is what stands out the most. Since 2016, a small part of the wine has been aged in clay amphorae, which has resulted in an even more elegant and refined Flaccianello. As always, it deserves a top place among the pure Sangiovese from central Tuscany and connoisseurs are giving it time to develop further. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red in colour. Opens the nose with rich earthy tones of ripe plum and ripe Amarena cherry, slightly reminiscent of rum pot, with a walnut and mint finish. In the mouth with balsamic-earthy tones, shows a lot of tannin and grip, then great juiciness in the back, still needs to come together, put it away and forget about it for a few years." Falstaff

"Classic Supertuscan from the Conca d'Oro of Panzano: Enchanting with notes of stone fruit, undergrowth and leather; the entry is dense and yet with finesse, the tannins powdery, the acidity invigorating, also mineral-salty in the further development, in the aftertaste multi-faceted and noble." Vinum

"The Flaccianello della Pieve 2020 is a blend from the Fontodi vineyards, especially from the three main vineyards planted on sites with very dense and heavy rock. Dark, supple and inviting, the 2020 is so expressive today. Black cherry, plum, spice, lavender, liquorice and mocha merge seamlessly in the glass. The 2020 is a fine Flaccianello with a bright future. The majority of this assemblage comes from three parcels on the upper slopes near the town centre." Vinous

"This pure red is sophisticated, complex and balanced, permeated with black cherry, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice aromas and flavors, with tannins that are present yet refined and well-integrated. The fruit persists from beginning to end, defining the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Flaccianello della Pieve 2020 is the complete package. This becomes clear when you taste all the other wines in the Fontodi portfolio and finish with this bottle. This organic Sangiovese shows a beautiful intensity and remains balanced throughout with dark fruits, gravel, spices and wild roses. It picks up on the themes of elegance, depth and maturity that run throughout the vintage. The wine gently envelops the palate with considerable fruit richness and sweet tannins. This expression of a warm vintage can be cellared or savoured straight away." Wine Advocate

"Very floral with sage and liquorice in the berry and dark cherry aromas, leading to a medium body with fine and silky tannins that run the length of the wine. Very crisp for a Flaccianello. Lively on the palate." James Suckling

Giacomo Neri's new top Brunello was born with the purchase of a very special vineyard. True to the winery's philosophy of making wines only from the best terroirs around Montalcino, a small 7-hectare parcel with over 45 years of vines was purchased a few years ago. This was preceded by a friendship of over 40 years with the previous owners, with whom Giacomo's father Giovanni Neri planted the vines and nurtured them over the past decades.

And the 2018 vintage is now the premiere for a wine that radiates all the outstanding qualities of the source material and the winemaker's craft. Man and nature unite here in perfect precision and harmony. Its balance is exquisite. Powerful cherry and blackberry notes are followed by crushed minerals, liquorice, smoke and lightly scented cedar. The wine spreads evenly and powerfully across the palate, and its flavour intensity can be counted on for many long minutes. Giovanni Neri Brunello is wonderfully concentrated and rich, but never too heavy or dense. 2018 is the birth of a new Italian icon that will take us on an exciting journey in the years to come - patience and further bottle ageing will be princely rewarded here, we are sure! SUPERIORE.DE

"Casanova di Neri's latest Brunello comes from a 7 ha parcel acquired in 2017. The vineyard is located in the somewhat untamed area of Sesta, in the south-east of Montalcino, and has vines that are over 50 years old. The wine is extremely multi-faceted, exuding aromas of herbs and blood oranges. Velvety layers of fleshy persimmons and ample supple tannins are countered by a citrusy acidity. There's a crisp pomegranate as well as chocolaty depths of exotic carob. Lots of drive and vibration here." Decanter

"I have waited a long time for the first release of Giovanni Neri Brunello di Montalcino, and the 2018 does not disappoint. Here I find a beguiling blend of lavender, white pepper and crushed stone giving way to dried black cherries and foreign spices. The palate is washed by a smooth wave of ripe red berries, carried by lively acidity, while nuances of sour citrus and clove resonate. The tannins are crisp, almost chiselled, but with a primary concentration that lingers under a hint of purple flowers, tapering off with tremendous length and structure for long and balanced ageing. The Giovanni Neri comes from 50-year-old vines from a vineyard acquired in the south-east of Montalcino. This is a fabulous first bottling." Vinous

"This red is finely woven, with cherry and blackcurrant fruits shadowed by floral, mineral and black pepper aromas and flavours. Smooth and fluid, with excellent balance and lively acidity driving the fruity aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Sparkling ruby-garnet with brightening rim. Very clear, ripe fruit, of blackberries, dark plums and black cherries, in the background slightly of molasses. Presents itself on the palate with lots of sweet fruit, very clear, opens with fine, slightly grippy tannin, polished, juicy and long." Falstaff

"Here is an exciting and important new addition to the Casanova di Neri portfolio. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is shapely and enriched in an extremely pleasing way. The Neri family has perfected their approach to concentration and fruit weight over the many years they have been making excellent wines. This wine gives the impression of being full-bodied, but ultimately shows a very elegant side. Ripe cherry and blackberry are offset by oak spice, toast and white stones. The tannins are supple and sweet. 5,400 bottles of this first release were made." Wine Advocate

"Beautiful ripe fruit on the nose, with cranberries, plums, sour cherries, white truffle, red tea and white pepper. The tannins are very fine, creamy and expansive. Enveloping and generous, yet fresh. Wonderful length and depth. From a 7 hectare plot with 50 year old vines. Try this wine from 2025." James Suckling

"An impeccable interpretation, the result of excellent work both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Intense aromas of sour cherries and bay leaves on the nose, with salty and iodine notes on the finish. On the palate, it opens juicy and taut, then gains breadth and depth. Spicy tannins and a hint of hiel herbs characterise the long finish." Luca Gardini

Millecento Riserva from the dream vintage 2016 unfolds in the glass with hints of mocha, sweet cherry and plum, tobacco and a touch of fresh mint. There is a sense of opulence, but also of sophistication, as the texture of ripe red fruits with salty mineral notes glides across the palate, taking on a sweet herbal note towards the end. It finishes with a layer of fine tannins and acidic citrus, while tart wild berries and a hint of exotic spices linger. This wine still has several years of development ahead of it, but its refined blend of richness and elegance can already be experienced today. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. In the nose of ripe cherries, a hint of marzipan, dried roses, then strawberries in the aftertaste, noble resinous tones round off the bouquet. On the palate with great fruit sweetness and hearty course, shows dancing play, builds up in many layers, independent and long." Falstaff

"Cecilia Leoneschi has been the winemaker at Castiglion del Bosco since Massimo Ferragamo purchased the estate in 2003. She has been instrumental in converting the estate to organic practices, with official certification achieved in 2016. Grilled nut, cedar and vanilla permeate the wild strawberry-soaked nose. The palate is concentrated and confidently extracted. Dry, grippy tannins clutch the mouth, followed closely by a wash of lip-smacking acidity. Savoury with compelling underbrush accents, there is plenty brewing here." Decanter

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Millecento is dark and animalistic with musky black currants, mocha, rosemary and underbrush lifted by a hint of camphor. This is decidedly salty and mineral in character, offsetting its silky textures with tart wild berries tinged with sour citrus, as grippy tannins mount toward the close. Balsam herbs, cocoa and hints of licorice linger incredibly long over a coating of fine-grained tannins through the heroically structured finale. There’s already so much going on here, but with cellaring, I expect even more." Vinous

"The Castiglion del Bosco 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Millecento 1100 is the aspirational wine in this portfolio. It aims high and showcases the carefully manicured approach of the winemaking team in both the vineyard and the winery. This is a grand vintage with firm structure, lots of fruit brightness, depth and freshness. You should expect balanced intensity at this price point, and you get it." Wine Advocate

"Blueberries and cherries with hints of cedar and spice, as well as plenty of mixed dried flowers, including violets. Some graphite and stone, too. Medium-to full-bodied with racy tannins and a long, long finish. It’s linear and complete, with lovely elegance and structure. Try after 2024." James Suckling

"This red reveals both power and finesse, with intense aromas of truffle, black currant, violet and iron leading off, backed by saturated dark berry fruit, floral, leather and tobacco flavors. Big, muscular tannins grab hold of the finish, with ample fruit in reserve. Best from 2026 through 2046." Wine Spectator

There was no Montosoli for two years due to quality reasons, but now it is back in its peak year and for the first time in a 0.Liters bottle. Irresistible bouquet of orange peel, cherries and herbs, plus floral undergrowth, white smoke and wild berries. The attack is fascinatingly soft and pure, infused with salty minerals, while sweet notes of cherry and raspberry slowly emerge and increase the pressure. The whole is flanked and completed in its complexity by tannins that still have a youthful grip. What could be more high-class than a perfectly proportioned (and extremely limited) Brunello from one of Montalcino's most famous vineyards? SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 shows an intense ruby red colour and a virile personality that packs a punch. The aroma of oily herbs, iron, incense and game is pervasive, and mineral nuances are repeated on the palate, where bitter chocolate tones lie in wait. The full, velvety, dark-skinned fruit is framed by crisp, vertical tannins and infused with energetic acidity. As voluminous as this wine is now, its structure demands time." Decanter

"This red wine is characterised by intensity, breadth and depth. It displays expressive aromas and flavours of cherry, raspberry, iron, eucalyptus and tobacco, which combine with a supple texture and refined structure. It strikes a balance between elegance and power, with a lingering aftertaste of fresh red fruit." Wine Spectator

"The nose is so pure and subtle, with a hint of sophistication and ethereality. You can just sit back and think about the world. It's like sitting in a mountain meadow. Medium to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are endless and glorious in every way. It's like being connected to a unique piece of earth when you taste this wine. Just ripe berries with dried flowers, mussel shells and subtle mushroom and bark notes. Lasts so long on the palate. Endless. It's already drinkable because it's perfectly balanced, but it will be even better in three to six years and beyond." James Suckling

For Biondi Santis Riserva, the fruits of the oldest vines of Il Greppo (30 years and older) are used, the wine matures for three years in traditional oak barrels. On the nose, initially fine aromas of wild berries, blue flowers, eucalyptus and lightly grilled smoke. The intensity increases in small steps. With time, the wine is magnificent and focused, with a very direct and impressive presentation of its aromas. The wine leaves a lasting impression in the mouth, thanks to the textural tautness of its tannins and the refreshing crispness of the acidity, finally showing more power, volume and persistence than expected on the long final. Subtle and big! SUPERIORE.DE

"The classic appears with a year's delay compared to most other Riserve Montalcinos and is, as always, a fruit of the (also in this case excellent) vintage: fine garnet red; delicate bouquet of red forest fruits, violets, liquorice, also spice, which becomes increasingly complex with aeration; the attack finely chiselled with fine-grained tannin, then more and more character and yet above all much, much elegance." Vinum

"Fascinating dark spice, Assam tea, small red fruit, cranberry, subtle wood, light forest floor; tight tannin, bitter chocolate, has a long life ahead of it." Meiningers Sommelier

"Bright, elegant ruby red with a brightening rim. Finely marked nose of ripe raspberries and juicy plums, great cedar, reverberating with blood orange and delicate flint. Very juicy and balanced on the palate, with great tension, comes along in many layers, seems pure and precise, presses again on the palate in the finish, finesse-rich and endless." Falstaff

"Round and fruity, with an accent of white pepper against cherry, raspberry and floral aromas. Elegant and almost racy, with a firm, well-integrated structure and excellent length on the mineral finish." Wine Spectator

"Complex yet pure, subtle and refined nose that unfolds smoothly, with mossy red cherries, dried roses, chalk, tar and dried orange peel. Hints of clove and eucalyptus make it so distinctive. A powerful medium to full-bodied Brunello, yet seamless and bright, with a fine, transparent mid-palate and an understated, mineral austerity. An understated complexity that needs time to develop." James Suckling

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva seduces with a deep and seductive aroma of black raspberries complemented by sweet sage, dried roses and pipe tobacco. With further coaxing, it gains volume and lift, taking on hints of mint and camphor. On the palate, it presents with undeniable elegance, with velvety flavours of purple wild berries and sweet spices embraced by juicy acidity, while a fine coating of round tannins builds towards the finish. Although structured and incredibly long, the energy remains high as nuances of cherry pit finish with acidic citrus and a hint of cedar. It is amazing to experience such energy and purity in a young Biondi Santi Riserva. As beautiful as last year's Annata was, I was worried that the extended ageing of the Riserva would rob the wine of some of its fruit; instead, the complete opposite is true, as this wine contains the depth and complexity of the vintage's best wines. I can't wait to see how the 2015 matures over the next few decades." Vinous

"The Biondi-Santi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is initially a restrained wine that does not immediately join the exaggerated richness and exuberance of the vintage. Give it time. I have written this review after several tastings over several days to better reflect the elegant evolution of the wine. Thoughtful and extremely nuanced in personality, with wild berries, underbrush, ferruginous earth and candied orange peel, this wine has everything you could hope for from its future evolution in bottle. It shows a beautiful ruby colour bordering on garnet and polished copper. A silky, medium-bodied palate is underlined by beautifully managed and silky tannins (this aspect of the mouthfeel is exceptional), bright freshness and long-lasting fruit drive. The alcohol level is slightly higher in this wine (14.5%), but the effect is still supple and soft." Wine Advocate

Valter Fissore bottles less than 4,000 bottles of this incredibly classic Barolo every year. Dark cherries, menthol, flowers and tar are just some of the classic notes in the complex bouquet of the Bricco Pernice from the Ravera single vineyard. On the palate, the austere structure and great power are joined by a fine inner sweetness. In the long finish, memories of damp earth, dried herbs and wild flowers. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium ruby red with orange. A pretty, lifted, complex bouquet with spicy, mineral top notes and minty oak notes. Needs a lot of air. Cranberry and raspberry with crisp tannins. A Barolo of the cool climate. Its character is closer to the excellent 2019 vintage than 2018. Great length and precision." Jancis Robinson

"Very attractive, perfumed nose with cherries and raspberries, hints of spiced cedar, walnut and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied with grainy tannins and chalky texture. Fresh red fruits with racy, citrusy notes on the finish. Taste it from 2026." James Suckling

"Perfumed, it exudes aromas of rose, cherry, raspberry, anise and menthol, with berry fruit persisting on the palate along with mineral and herbal flavours. Although expressive and balanced, it shows tannin and should develop well." Wine Spectator

"Bright, shiny ruby garnet with brightening rim. Great, inviting nose of fresh mint, blackberries, liquorice, then raspberries and candied rose petal. Very polished and with a creamy texture on the palate, tightly woven salty tannin wraps the clear fruit, subtle notes of blood orange, very elegant and long." Falstaff

"This wine shows just how elegant Nebbiolo is with aromas of wild raspberries and cherry preserves giving way to wild herbs, rosebuds and earth. The palate is lifted and dances with vigor and energy showing its core of fruit but with all elements in harmony and balance." Wine Enthusiast

Energy and elegance are the hallmarks of the 2013 Brunello vintage. The top wines are stunning, with a vibrancy that is missing in many of the muscular, approachable and higher alcohol Brunellos from recent vintages. However, the 2013s will also require some patience to reach their maximum potential. In contrast to the extremely warm, dry years that have become the norm in Montalcino since the mid-1990s (the exceptions being 1998, 2002 and 2005), the 2013 vintage was a reminiscence of the past. It was a cool year with lots of rain in spring and the first half of summer.

So in 2013 in particular, it was especially important to find the right harvest. The 2013 Riserva presents itself multilayered, silky and translucent, but also with remarkable depth, power and the classic Biondi Santi austerity that will only reward the patient connoisseur. On the nose, which opens slowly with aeration, there are delicate hints of vibrant red cherry, underbrush and flint. Rich, dense and supple, with outstandingly precise red berry and mineral flavours accompanied by delicate notes of liquorice, chestnut and underbrush. The finish is very long and pure, with a seamless quality of classic Sangiovese flavours. Very promising and perfectly poised for the future! SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, intense ruby with a pronounced garnet tongue. Opens with slightly earthy notes, black truffle, also some anchovy, then lots of ripe plum, balsamic notes in the background. Very good volume in the attack, fills the palate immediately and full, lots of juicy cherry fruit, shows fine-meshed tannin in many layers, very good tension, spicy notes of coriander seeds in the final, salty." Falstaff

"Day one: Just mid ruby with orange tinges. Cool yet intense and complex on the nose. Contained yet deep. Minerally notes of cherry and blood orange. Compact transparent and with embryonic austerity. Reluctant to show it all, but the balance is sheer perfection. Finely powdered tannins and an elegant, medium palate weight. Furls up quickly on the finish into a dormant state. Needs at least half a decade more in bottle.
Day two: Just mid ruby with orange tinges. More brooding and introvert on the nose than yesterday, but no signs at all of oxidation. Great purity of fruit. Minerally peppery hints. Quite closed but exceedingly fine on the palate with finely chiselled tannins and succulent cherry and raspberry fruit. It's all a tad better integrated showing this wine needs a lot of bottle age. Transparent and long, but closes up on the finish.
Day three: Just mid ruby with broad orange rim. The nose is even more closed than the day before, but absolutely no signs of oxidation. Cool sour-cherry nose with a peppery tingle. Great depth, but brooding rather than expressive. Notes of iron. Racy, but stubborn palate firmly closed on the fruit and fine long powdery tannins. After having been open for over 72 hours it is still too young to approach." Jancis Robinson

"The 2013 vintage is the estate's latest Riserva to be released, the winery’s 40th Riserva since 1888 and the first vintage in over 40 years without the leadership of Franco Biondi-Santi. Due to rainstorms in September, the family delayed picking until the end of the month, making 2013 a relatively late harvest for Biondi-Santi. Classic sour red cherry notes are accented by orange, sandalwood and fennel. The palate charms with its savoury expression, finely textured sandy tannins and underlying minerality. Understated and refined, it flows gracefully but will nevertheless benefit from a couple of years in the cellar." Decanter

"Tense and elegant, this red evokes strawberry, cherry, floral, iron and rosemary aromas and flavors. Harmonious in its linear profile and smooth, yet with adequate tannins for a long life ahead. The fresh finish balances fruit and balsamic elements." Wine Spectator

"A fresh, linear 2013 with cherry, mushroom and cedar character. Lots of blue fruit as well. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, polished tannins and a creamy finish. Still very tight, this needs time to open if you want to drink it now, Try decanting two or three hours in advance." James Suckling

"The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva blossoms in the glass in a display of understated power mixed with purity. This unfolds more like a whisper than a shout, wafting up with a delicate bouquet of fresh violets, lavender and a dusting of shaved cedar and clove. With time, it deepens further, pulling you down to earth with aromas of wild strawberry and underbrush. The textures are like pure silk gently draped across the palate, but what they leave behind is a more engaging and classic mix of salty mineral tones and tart red berries, all lifted by juicy acidity. This then takes another turn, now toward the savory spectrum, as wild herbal and inner earth tones mix with a fine layer of sweet tannin to create a youthfully austere yet not overtly structured expression, leaving a nuance of tobacco to linger long. The 2013 presents an intriguing interpretation of the Biondi Santi Riserva, one that shrugs off the grippy, gruff, almost rustic tannins of the past in exchange for a more youthfully harmonious expression. Will it age? Maybe not for 50 years, but considering that this beauty was open and tasted over the course of three days, I'm convinced that it will be thrilling for the next few decades to come." Vinous

"Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this stunning red still shows the estate's hallmark of elegance and structure, opening with enticing scents of rose, iris, wild red berry and a whiff of new leather. The vibrant palate is dazzling and almost ethereal, delivering flavors of succulent red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and a hint of forest floor. Taut, polished tannins and bright acidity provide impeccable balance." Wine Enthusiast

"The Biondi-Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a stunning wine from all points of view. Seamless integration and elegant complexity are what stand out, and it's worth dedicating a few extra lines to the aromatic depth that is put so beautifully on display as the wine slowly unfolds. The bouquet starts off with wild cherry, earth, wet ash, crème de cassis and pruny chocolate. With extra time, there are hints of dried tobacco leaf, sandalwood and mossy forest floor. These lead to a fine tail of dried herb, bay leaf and a touch of rusty nail. The Riserva comes in numbered bottles, and I opened number 04277. To the palate, the wine is streamlined and silky with smooth tannins and a well-managed 13.5% alcohol content. The oak presence is reduced to a minimum, offering mild hints of spice and the delicate sandalwood or dried fig aroma I described above. Fresh acidity is the glue that gives the wine buoyancy and staying power. At this young stage, this 2013 vintage could be considered a bit shy or slow to start, but this will play out to great advantage in the long term as the wine continues its bottle evolution." Wine Advocate

Elisabetta Geppetti's Saffredi is one of Italy's great red wines every year, full of elegance! Dark, polished ruby red colour with purple-violet edges. The explosive aroma of blackcurrants, blackberries, plums, violets and oak spices is accompanied by fascinating spicy, ethereal and wonderfully floral accents with earthy tobacco notes. Dense and velvety on the palate, framed by firm tannins and a juicy freshness that leads the wine full of energy into an endless finish. The flavour profile, which is very typical of Saffredi, is wonderfully balanced, yet multi-layered and very focused with its spiciness. Saffredi 2021 is a genuine and multi-dimensional beauty that should mature for a few more years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Complex, elegant bouquet with fine concentration and precisely contoured fruit body, a basket of blue berries and ripe red cherries, plus a floral backdrop, violets, Mediterranean herbs and maquis as well as undergrowth. Polished, clear and radiant on the palate, juicy and tightly woven with velvety, super-fine tannins, a radiant and elegant Saffredi." Weinwisser

"Spicy-berry perfume, cassis, lots of dark fruit flavours, also nuances of black pepper; the attack is compact, the tannins fine-grained, carried by a soft acidity, finishes long and multi-faceted. Also very successful in this vintage." Vinum

"Dark ruby red core with purple nuances. Blackcurrant and mulberry on the nose, on damp earth, dark chocolate and alabaster. Dense on the palate, with tightly woven tannins, precise fear, comes in many layers, powerful, but with great finesse and incredibly long." Falstaff

"The Fattoria le Pupille 2021 Saffredi offers a seamless integration of dark fruit flavours that segue directly into spice, Tuscan cigar and earthy orris root. This vintage is compact and firm, especially in terms of mouthfeel, and there are graceful floral tones to close." Wine Advocate

"This pure, intense red wine displays aromas and flavours of blackcurrants, blackberries, blueberries and violets, underlined by graphite and wild herbs. Very tightly wound, even racy, with invigorating acidity and refined tannins, this noble red wine leans more towards the elegant side, with great harmony and length." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Saffredi is one of the most vivid, profoundly beautiful wines I have ever tasted from Elisabetta Geppetti. Dark, layered and resonant, the 2021 offers tons of depth and yet remains wonderfully light on its feet. There is a level of finesse here I have never seen before in Saffredi. Blackberry, espresso, lavender, new leather and incense build over time, but it is the wine’s total sense of harmony that leaves me speechless. The 2021 is not a powerhouse—not an obvious wine. For those who can give this time in the glass, it’s a total stunner." Vinous

"Fascinating aromas of sandalwood, lavender, sage and blackcurrant. Mint and spearmint. Pencil shavings. Also light coffee bean. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins. Lasts for minutes. Already so approachable now, but it will age beautifully. Best after 2026 and beyond." James Suckling

"The symbolic wine of the house, the first to put the winery and the region "on the map". Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, nose of small black fruits, notes of laurel, mint and Mediterranean herbs, taut and dense drink, with salty tannins, closes with a fruity and oily return." Luca Gardini

Complex and multi-layered classic from the old master of Nebbiolo from Piedmont. On the nose cedar, plum, red fruits, undergrowth and some rose scent. Balanced, spicy taste, the tannins firm and the finish precise and long. This muscular monument of a red wine definitely needs a few more years of bottle ageing, with a little patience it will transform into pure elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, brightening ruby garnet. Fragrant, finely marked nose, of raspberry, rose petals and ripe cherries, inviting. Polished, fine-meshed tannin characterises the wine on the palate, like a fine robe, salty, lots of ripe cherry, long final." Falstaff

"The 2019 Barbaresco from Gaja is magnificent. Bright and edgy, with fabulous balance, the 2019 captures all the best this difficult vintage had to offer. Gaja did not bottle any other Barbaresco crus, instead opting to use the best lots for this bottling. This decision has paid off in a 2019 that is bursting with excitement. The aromas alone are captivating. Bright acids add vibrancy to a core of beautifully pronounced Nebbiolo fruit." Vinous

"Aromas of iron, minerals, dark chocolate, wild strawberries, raw walnuts, orange peel and rotten roses. Medium to full-bodied, with supple and very chalky tannins. Lots of fruit on the palate with a fine, fresh and mineral finish. Pure and linear." James Suckling

"A complex red that reveals multi-dimensional aromas and flavours of rose, cherry, liquorice, minerals and spices. This is fused with a lively structure that gives a taut, almost racy profile at the moment. The wine combines power and grace and finishes on a long, floral and spicy aftertaste. Best from 2026 to 2045." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Barbaresco is striking and beautiful as a result, with tremendous depth and clarity. It is a generous wine with ample structure, plenty of lively acidity, sweet tannins and a bright core of primary fruit." Wine Advocate

Messorio has been undisputedly one of Italy's best and rarest Merlots since the mid-1990s. Soft, rich, elegant, refined and never overdone. On the nose, ripe fruit, coffee, graphite and French oak. Structured and balanced, Messorio fascinates the international wine world every year with a clarity and length that is unparalleled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with violet glints. Opens with notes of forest floor, cedar wood and pine needles, then blueberry and blackberry, inviting. Very juicy, lots of dark fruit, opens with fine-meshed, very well-placed tannin, shows good drinking flow, juicy, very long finish." Falstaff

"Bright cassis, straw and graphite on the nose - all are the more overt characters typical of Bolgheri's solar Merlot. The concentrated fruit is dense and fleshy on the palate, with an oaky, slightly chalky and austere character as well as velvety tannins and a graceful finish of cedar. Assertive yet integrated acidity balances the alcohol. Great ageing potential." Decanter

"Le Macchiole is always distinguished by its deadly balance, and the Messorio is no exception. Cherries, cranberries, wild herbs and earth on the nose continue on the palate before pepper, charred meat and a juicy spiciness emerge on the finish. Tannins that unwind with ease and a palpable spiciness keep things exciting; a pleasure in the moment, but seeing what happens next will be worth the wait." Wine Enthusiast

"Le Macchiole's great challenge on pure Merlot, obtained with a prophetic 'subtraction' work. Black raspberry, juniper and liquorice on the nose, with small touches of nutmeg, on the palate tense-dense and juicy-savoury, with a fruity and undergrowth return." Luca Gardini

"Blackberry, oyster shell, iodine and black olive. Also some caraway and thyme. Full-bodied with a very tight palate of firm tannins and fresh, mineral blue fruits. Needs time to open up and show its true potential. Try it after 2025." James Suckling

"At this stage it is strongly marked by new oak, with vanilla and toasted spices wrapped around a core of plum, black cherry, earth and cedar. Graceful and balanced, it firms up on the lingering finish. This is all about purity of fruit, finesse and length. Decant it now or let it age for 2-3 years." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Messorio combines the natural opulence of Merlot on the Tuscan coast with a finesse I have never seen here before. It has a lot of depth and resonance, but none of the heaviness that has been so en vogue for many years. Dark cherry, plum, spice, mocha and floral notes lead into a racy, exotic finish." Vinous

"The stunning Le Macchiole 2019 Messorio is a pure Merlot from a special 2.5 hectare parcel with a classic blend of Bolgheri soils with clay, silt, sandstone and limestone. The wine ferments in concrete and is aged in new barriques for 18 months. This beautiful wine exudes scents of cherries, blue flowers, iris roots, gravel and slate. Balanced oak tones add power and texture to the full-bodied finish." Wine Advocate

Flaccianello della Pieve has dispelled all doubts in recent decades and is the result of extremely skilful winemaking and not only for us one of the best single-varietal Sangiovese in central Tuscany. It has always been the result of an ingenious blend of organic grapes from the estate's best plots. The personality of the wine reveals a certain distance and austerity when young, these impressions are reinforced by spicy tones of cigar smoke and earthy leather. Its inner core is dense and richly concentrated with generous blackberry and plum flavours. The velvety tannins are integrated but still youthful and grippy. Like the Vigna del Sorbo, the Flaccianello is not a monumental and particularly opulent wine, but a very special growth that radiates liveliness, energy and lonely class from start to finish. You should definitely give this elegant wine a little more time in the bottle, if you have the patience ... SUPERIORE.DE

"Promising nose of wild berry jam, with a subtle hint of undergrowth and vanilla; youthful, tight-knit tannins, the acidity provides the underpinning, precise evolution, finishing on flavours of black cherries and hot stone. Timelessly elegant Sangiovese, superbly made." Vinum

"Powerful ruby colour with a slight violet hue. Very appealing and intense nose, showing notes of blackberry and mulberry, some orange peel, some milk chocolate and light tobacco in the background. Polished and precise on the palate, with plenty of fine tannins, savoury and a long finish." Falstaff

"A young red with black cherry, flint, matchstick, blackberry and bark aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and chewy tannins that show a slightly angular mouthfeel in the finish. Needs three or four years to soften." James Suckling

"Featuring a deep well of blackberry, black cherry, violet, mineral and spices on the nose, this red is rich and dense, saturated with dark fruit flavors, yet with a sense of gracefulness. A light dusting of tannins frames the finish, needing a few years to integrate with the other components. Shows the harmony, freshness and depth of the vintage." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve opens to a medium-dark inky appearance and solid aromas of black fruit and pressed blackberry. The Flaccianello is a touch more accessible at this early stage compared to the Vigna del Sorbo, but both wines are undoubtedly built to withstand ample cellar aging. Flaccianello is the more powerful or the two, and the Vigna del Sorbo is more delicate in comparison. These dueling character traits are especially evident in this classic vintage. This wine also boasts a more generous mouthfeel supported by softly integrated tannins." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve is another exceptional wine from Fontodi this year. Ripe, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark fruit as the 2021 makes its presence felt from the first taste. Sumptuous, racy and dense, this is just magnificent. As has been the case for some time, Flaccianello is a blend of mostly three parcels throughout the estate but closer to town. " Vinous