Wine

The already very well-balanced and classic 2018 vintage can gain again with Fuligni, because no Riserva was produced. Ruby red with orange reflections. On the nose, after some aeration, ripe morello cherries, violets, roses and lots of Mediterranean scrub. Powerful on the palate, the silky tannins give it elegance and the necessary balance, its complexity comes to the fore with every sip. This very authentic and strongly focused Brunello can be counted among the best of the vintage, its wonderfully balanced proportions and its juiciness will give it further impetus in the coming years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Clear, quite firm, a touch floral aroma of ripe red and also black berries with nutty aromas, a little tobacco, cigar ash, dried herbs and dried meat. Firmly woven, tart and juicy, quite noble fruit, present, fine, youthful tannin, some acid bite, peppery and ethereal herbal nuances on the palate, persistent, good depth, salt in the background, a little cocoa and coffee, complex, still undeveloped but already impressive, has tension and finesse, very good, tight finish with coffee notes and ethereal, also slightly resinous spice." Wein-Plus

"Sparkling, medium dense ruby with a broad garnet rim. Very fragrant and inviting nose, shows lots of fresh fruit, of fresh plum and cherry, fine herbal spice in the background. Compact and present in attack and course, shows itself very balanced and clear, very well integrated tannin, spreads out in long waves, nice juiciness in the drink." Falstaff

"Medium to deep ruby red with orange reflections. There is a kinship with the Rosso 2020 in the oak notes, but here it is a bit more complex and less exotic. Iron, cherry, raspberry with complex oak notes in the background. Cardamom and cumin. A good mouthful of juicy red fruits with fine but persistent tannins. Refreshing, transparent and elegant. Quite amazing balance and lovely bite." Jancis Robinson

"It takes quite a while for the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino to open in the glass. A cloud of white smoke gives way to a sweet-smelling blend of dried roses, sugared cherries and a hint of exotic spices. This is a round and supple 2018 that conveys elegance through its velvety texture, polished ripe red fruits and cascading florals of violets. The 2018 is opulent but also has the acidity to keep it balanced, as it finishes long with classically refined tannins but leaves the palate perfectly poised for another sip. Honestly, it's hard to put this glass down. No Riserva will be produced in 2018, so all the juice has been used to support this open and seductive Brunello." Vinous

"A fine Brunello with aromas and flavours of black cherries, hazelnuts and chocolate. Very perfumed. Medium body with a nice texture and delicious finish. Nice, fine tannins. Not the best structured red wine, but it will improve with age and is a wonderful treat right now." James Suckling

"The Fuligni 2018 Brunello di Montalcino stands out for its supple integration of aromas and the carefully balanced intensity achieved here, which shows verve but also remains very fine and nuanced. The bouquet is multi-layered and reminiscent of wild fruits, cassis, rock gravel, candied oranges and fresh herbs or rosemary. A floral note also emerges, reminiscent of rose or orris root. The tannins are very well integrated and silky. You hardly feel them, and yet the wine has a firm structure throughout." Wine Advocate

"An elegant, juicy red wine with pure cherry and rosehip flavours. Nice balance of fruit, acidity, tannins and texture, with accents of earth, tobacco and wild herbs adding detail. The long finish suggests great potential." Wine Spectator

"Under the direction of Maria Flora Fuligni since 1971, along with her long-time right-hand woman Dr Daniela Perino - now CEO of the winery - Fuligni is one of the denomination's most consistent performers. The 2018 does not disappoint: it embodies the elegance of the vintage. The nose is a captivating synthesis of flowers and earth, exuding pressed violets, lavender and roses with accents of truffle and tobacco. In the mouth, it unfolds with flavour rather than weight or power. Redcurrants and oranges are enhanced by piercing acidity, and the shapely, gorgeously textured tannins are chalky and appropriately cushioned, adding layers and depth. This wine, which is not beyond its capacity, will drink beautifully over the next decade." Decanter

The Fuligni winery offers an "evergreen" at its best with this version of the traditional-style Brunello. Blackcurrant and juniper on the nose, with a hint of pepper leaf on the finish. Salty and taut tannins on the palate, fruity-balsamic return on the finish." Luca Gardini

The grapes for Gaglioles Riserva come from vineyards in Panzano that used to belong to Le Cinciole and neighbouring Gagliole. Dark and full-bodied in the glass, it shows the full range of the Conca d'Oro area of Panzano, but does so in a pleasantly restrained style that is typical of the elegant 2019. Currently still very young, in a few years it will be much more enjoyable. SUPERIORE.DE

"Harmony and depth in this version that bears the ancient name of this beautiful farm. Complex nose, blackberries and blueberries together with mentholated touches and floral nuances, of carnation, dense and taut mouth, savory tannins, juicy finish, with mentholated-floral return." Luca Gardini

"Beautiful aromas of roses and other flowers, together with fresh cherries and lemon rind, following through to a medium body with freshness and vivid intensity to the finish. Spicy at the end." James Suckling

"Only in its second vintage, the certified organic Gagliole 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva addresses the need for a category that sits between the entry-level reds and the high-end Gran Selezione wines. Fruit is sourced exclusively from Panzano for an intense ruby color shaded by elegant darkness. Aromas recall blackberry, graphite, flint and white pepper. This wine prizes freshness, a streamlined mouthfeel and those pretty mineral notes that drive a very long and polished finish." Wine Advocate

Cerretto is a fruit-driven wine of virile, explosive power that shows, among other things, how different the wines of Serralunga can be. Black cherry, plum, sage, menthol and liquorice hit the palate in a firm, tannic Barolo that will require some patience but already presents itself with remarkable freshness, purity and nuance. Cerretta is the embodiment of richness and structure of Serralunga. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Still quite tight and a little closed on the nose with an undertow of soft, perfumed red fruit. Youthful, elegant and juicy red fruit with a firm layer of chewy, lip-smacking tannins that add fireworks to the long finish. Super-elegant and at the same time very structured." Jancis Robinson

"Bright red fruit and a nut-cream note on the nose. Medium-bodied with very fine, firm tannins and a long, intense finish. Solid and focused." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Cerretta is a potent, searing wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. Scorching tannins wrap around a core of dark red/black fruit, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and game. The 2018 is going to need a number of years to come around and for those formidable tannins to soften." Vinous

"The 2018 Barolo Cerretta offers good focus with a sharp and linear style that gives way to forest berry, wild rose, rusty nail and crushed stone. The wine is extremely direct, and that's what sets it apart. In that sense, this wine is faithful to the characteristics of Serralunga d'Alba. The soils of Cerretta see a layer of white marl on the surface and red clay further down; that's where those rusty sensations must come from." Wine Advocate

Barolo Paesi Tuoi was named after Cesare Pavese's 1941 novel "Among Peasants". Dark shining ruby red. Wide, warm scent of sour cherries, forest fruits, leather and mint. In the expressive taste harmoniously engaging with clear fruit and silky tannins. A cleanly vinified, mature Barolo with potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"This opens with aromas of rose petal, scorched earth and tobacco. On the savory, solid palate, fine-grained tannins accompany ripe black cherry, star anise and clove." Wine Enthusiast

Barolo Baudana 2018 storms the glass with plenty of energy and intensity. Black cherry fruit, smoke, wild herbs, liquorice and tar form a compelling backdrop of aromas, flavours and textures as this dazzling, powerhouse Barolo opens in the glass. The intense final is accompanied by delicate rose petals, lavender and a subtle mineral-salty vein. Its stable tannin framework awaits a few more years of bottle ageing, as is typically the case with a classic Serralunga Barolo. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautifully open-knit, minerally red-fruit nose. Notes of strawberries and raspberries. Succulent fruit palate with long chewy tannins. Closes up on the finish. Elegant constitution. Long and youthful. Promising." Jancis Robinson

"Ripe, musty fruit on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins and good drive on the finish." James Suckling

"The Luigi Baudana 2018 Barolo Baudana is a full and generous wine, somewhat surprisingly so considering the understated personality of this vintage. That volume makes this bottle stand out in a crowd of 2018 releases. Dark cherry, plum, spice, rust and crushed flowers make for a soft and readily accessible wine." Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Barolo Baudana offers lovely creaminess and depth in the mid-weight style of the year. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, plum, pomegranate and sweet floral notes all meld together in this racy, inviting Barolo. There's lovely depth and texture throughout. The Baudana is the most forward and immediate of the Baudana Barolos." Vinous

"Rich, exuding cherry, raspberry, plum and floral notes, with iron, tobacco and tar accents lending complexity. Shows terrific balance and depth, with a tightly wound structure that bodes well for future development." Wine Spectator

"Managed since 2009 by the Vajra family, Luigi Baudana's Baudana is fermented in oak then aged in large casks for 32 months. Open-knit with a stunning intensity of pot pourri, wild strawberry, camphor in depth and sweet violet, its graceful style continues on the palate with refined silky tannins - firm and slightly dusty - refreshing acidity and a slightly warming finish. The finish is austere yet full of liquorice elegance, and the woven integration it exhibits will keep this strong for decades. A major success for a vintage of often leaner wines." Decanter

Dark ruby garnet, spicy blackberry bouquet with herbal and delicate roasted aromas, underlaid with a fine noble wood note. On the palate it is broad, deep and complex in texture, with present, well integrated tannins, well balanced and of excellent length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2013 Friuli Colli Orientali Merlot Vigna Dominin presents a slightly shy and closed expression of this popular French grape. The cool climate of northeast Italy helps to develop color saturation and sharpness. Instead of generous cherry and opulent fruit, this wine veers toward plummy notes with black spice, tar and tobacco instead. One minor hesitation regards the alcohol: it is recorded at 15%, and you do feel it. This wine is fermented in conical oak tanks and sees four weeks of skin maceration. It is aged in barrique for two years before going into bottle for another ten months. Those long maceration times explain the slow-moving inner power you get here." Wine Advocate

"Like the Refosco, the 2013 Merlot Vigna Dominin shows what appears to be a desire to maintain more freshness in the wines. Vibrant and medium in body, the 2013 is a model of understated finesse. Even so, there is no shortage of intensity, its just that the wine is better balanced than in the past, with more freshness and redder tonalities to the fruit, and less oak influence. I would wait to drink the 2013 for at least a few years in order to allow the wine to develop more aromatic complexity. This is a lovely showing." VINOUS

Great wine that can boast enormous depth and intensity. Velvety and rich, the aromas recall dried berries, roasted oak and fine chocolate, on the palate of breathtaking power and fullness, the pure tension and beauty of Refosco. SUPERIORE.DE

"As well as the forest-berry aromas, there’s a hint of herb liqueur on the nose. The depth is certainly impressive and the acidity of this grape seems nicely balanced by some gentle tannins that time has polished. Good length." James Suckling

"The 2013 Refosco Vigna Dominin is a beautiful wine. Meroi has succeeded in taming most of the rusticity out of this notoriously rustic Friulian grape. In exchange, though, the wine is a bit less varietally expressive than it has been in the past. Still, taken on its own terms, the 2013 is a gorgeous Friulian red to drink over the next decade, give or take. Stylistically, the 2013 is a bit less pushed and concentrated than other recent editions. Sweet red cherry, French oak, spice and wild flowers are nicely pushed forward in this succulent, expressive red from Friuli's Colli Oriental district." Antonio Galloni

A radiant bouquet of blackberries with a hint of leather in the background. Although it has a modern design, this wine from Montalcino is strongly attached to its homeland and gives the acidity typical of Montalcino's high altitudes the main role in its beguilingly generous taste. Attractive, smooth and wonderfully long-lasting! SUPERIORE.DE

"Nuances of red berries, violets and tobacco; compact structure with well integrated tannins, juice and perfectly integrated acidity, rich in finesse and with storage potential. It goes very well with game dishes." Vinum

"A pretty and ripe Brunello with lots of plum and cherry aromas. Full body, soft and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Some dustiness within the texture. Dense and enticing." James Suckling

"Youthful ruby. Deep nose of fruit with hints of oak. Ripe, rich cherry fruit with a zesty, tangy core. Real interest and great tactile finish. Still firmly tannic for the moment." Jancis Robinson

"Here's a richly concentrated expression from one of the highest sites in Montalcino. The wine shows excellent balance and suppleness. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Altero flaunts the best characteristics of the hot vintage including beautifully saturated color intensity, seamless aromas and good texture richness. On that last point, I feel that the mouthfeel has been positively impacted by oak tannins. Dark cherry and dried blackberry are followed by spice, tar, licorice and grilled rosemary or Mediterranean herb. The wine is youthful and tight but should obtain a more polished approach with a few more years of bottle aging." Wine Advocate

Outstanding Nardo 2011: Dark and powerful, yet highly elegant aromas of wild cherries, spices, liquorice, cassis and leather with exceptional balance and purity. A radiant, cosmopolitan Italian. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2011 Nardo presents on the palate with super ripe dark cherries, smoke from rapeseed berries, tobacco, incense and new leather. Dark and lush, the 2011 has stunning textural depth and richness. harvestshould expect a full-bodied, resonant and immensely rich red wine. The Nardois is 50% Montepulciano, 45% Sangiovese and 5% Marsellan, a blend that works particularly well here." VINOUS

"The 2011 Nardo reveals unstoppable ambition. It maintains a level of positive momentum that is almost impossible to find outside that elite group that makes up the great icon wines of the world. Immediately likable and intriguing, Nardo is an ever-fluid and evolving expression that starts with dark fruit and segues to budding tertiary aromas of licorice and crushed mineral. This style is contemporary and approachable, but the wine's complexity is not to be underestimated. Every piece of this moving puzzle works to achieve unity." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of dark berries, walnuts and hot stones lead to a full body with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. It is firm and very dense, but shows a very dense mid-palate." James Suckling

For some years now, Le Macioche has been owned by one of Italy's largest wine families. The Cotarella clan acquired this boutique winery a few years ago, and since then the wines have experienced a real leap in quality. This is the second vintage under the full control of the family and it is a beautiful Brunello with controlled ripeness and highly precise tannins, texture and preserved freshness. It literally radiates from the glass with bright berry intensity and a smoky blend of black raspberry and plum. The palate is energetic and fresh, with hints of violets and lavender. It impressively proves that the winery is now in the best hands. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Le Macioche 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cotarella offers tart fruit and bright cherry aromas. There is some oak spice, but more prominent are the varietal aromas of crushed stone, pencil shaving, dried rose and grilled herb. The mouthfeel shows medium length with bright acidity. Give it a few more years to soften and integrate." Wine Advocate

"Nice, earthy savoriness with dried strawberry, orange and licorice, showing some depth and complexity. Firm, but polished, with a ripe and juicy berry fruit profile and a long, savory finish." James Suckling

"This is slippery, with cherry, raspberry, peony and stony mineral flavors embedding the glycerol texture. Revealing earth and underbrush details, this feels poised to integrate and emerge from its shell in 2 to 3 years. Features fine balance, even if the finish is compact now." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impresses with a rich blend of crushed red and black fruits complemented by hints of brown spice and mocha. It washes across the palate, energetic yet potent, drenching all that it touches with masses of mineral-intense notes of cherry and plum. A fine web of tannins embrace the senses through the finish, leaving hints of licorice and violet florals to resonate on. Le Macioche comes across as one of the most well-tailored and structured wines of the vintage. It’s a classic in the making. Nicely done." Vinous

"The brooding nose is all spices and medicinal herbs, old leather and cigar box, though dried cherries, figs and dark chocolate lurk underneath and reveal themselves more clearly on the palate, next to palate-stripping tannins that guarantee age." Wine Enthusiast

Dottore Palazzolo, the red dedicated to the founder, made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, opens with the scent of ripe berries, a hint of vanilla, tobacco and black tar. Extract-rich and concentrated, yet full of elegance, with fine acidity and wonderfully firm on the palate. Very promising years are ahead for this rarity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Crushed stone minerality meets floral undergrowth, dried blackberries and a hint of animal musk to create a beguiling display on the 2018 Dott. Palazzolo Rosso. This is silky and savory, with a sapidity that makes you think more of food than wine, as tart wild berries and spices give way to mounting tannins and herbal tones. Inner violets, black currants and hints of sour citrus all resonate through the finale, along with a tug of structural heft that just begs for another year or two of cellaring. Very nice." Vinous

Brilliant, elegant ruby colour with a delicately brightening rim. Dense and opulent on the nose with aromas of plum liqueur, ripe red cherry, milk chocolate, tobacco, cedar and a hint of cinnamon. Like velvet and silk on the palate, finishing with noble, sweet tannins, a fine salty vein and great length. Quite astonishing splendour and yet never fat or saturating. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby colour with a slightly light rim. Expressive nose with notes of fresh plums, mulberries, blood orange and lots of cloves. Rich, dark berry fruit on the palate, opens with dense tannins in fine layers, again emphasising spicy components on the final." Falstaff

"Flavours of cola, leather, fruit salad and salted chocolate, but on the palate the soft texture and medium body are supported by a refreshing, almost crisp acidity." James Suckling