Wine

The DOC Cortona, which has existed since 1999, is famous for its single-varietal Syrahs and Merlots, whose vines thrive on the pliocene clay soils. Since 2006, the Carletti family has also been involved in this hitherto relatively unknown appellation, and their Merlot Il Violas is now known beyond Italy's borders and has many fans.

Dense, dark ruby colour with violet reflections. The bouquet is an open-hearted bouquet of black berries, sandalwood, rosemary and fine spices. The texture envelops the palate, warm, intense and rich after dark fruits, chocolate, plum and redcurrant. In Violas is an attractive, generous and deep red that almost calls out for a Bistecca Fiorentina and gives great pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pure, saturated flavours of black cherries and blackberries are framed by toasted oak in this liquid red wine. Lively, with a light layer of tannin, it is elegant overall. Long lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"Crushed stones and rubbed sage give way to wild berries, hints of black tea and exotic spice as the 2020 In Violas del Poliziano blossoms in the glass. Cool-toned and soothingly round, it sweeps across the palate with silken textures and ripe red and blue fruit notes while taking on a chalky mineral concentration toward the close that I find wildly attractive. It tapers off with a web of fine-grained wood tannins that frames the experience quite well. It is classically dry and has a tinge of licorice that lingers on." Vinous

"Charcoal, black olives, roasted red peppers and dark plums with hints of dark chocolate and cedar. Fine-grained and silky tannins on the palate, with a medium to full body and a long, multi-layered finish. It shows length, depth and finesse. An outstanding Merlot that shows typicity." James Suckling

Dark red in colour with bright violet reflections. The nose is pleasant and beautifully articulated with sensations of red and black fruits, including blackcurrants and ripe cherries. After further aeration, flavours of flowers and black pepper follow. Soft, well-integrated tannins on the palate, followed by an energetic and viral finish with red fruits in the aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Bolgheri Rosso was a little closed at first, but eventually opened up with flavours of dark cherries and blackberries. The wine offers a lush, medium-bodied mouthfeel with a soft texture." Wine Advocate

"Fresh profile, with initial aromas of geranium and slightly leafy and leathery notes. Soft, velvety attack with ripe tannins, full body and dense palate. A zesty acidity and a long, fruity, polished and flavoursome finish. Despite its still austere texture at the moment, this wine is already drinkable now, but will develop its best characteristics in 3 to 4 years." James Suckling

"62 Anniversario" delights all the senses ... Deep dark colour, highly appetising bouquet with aromas of pomegranate, blackcurrant and a hint of cocoa butter. The palate is enveloped by expressive fruit in the purest harmony and fullness, fine tannins and a silky texture. The grapes from very old vines and the additional six months of ageing in barriques give the Primitivo Riserva incredible density, expressiveness and depth. A parade wine for all those who like it richer in extracts! SUPERIORE.DE

"A spiced nose of dark berries, smoked herbs and hints of mushrooms and moist earth. Full-bodied, dense and plush, with firm tannins and rich, almost sweet berry character." James Suckling

A wonderful, generous interpretation of Chardonnay from the far north-east of Italy. Cladrecis impresses with its carefully integrated oak and yeast flavours, leading to a soft creaminess and light spice. At its core, the wine is packed with ripe fruit, apricot and d'Anjou pear. This wine, of which only around 6,000 bottles were bottled, is perfect for your next dinner party with pistachio-crusted cod. SUPERIORE.DE

This is one of the most interesting and expressive wines to come out of the Vittoria area of Sicily. The Frappato is tangy and sharp, linear and direct. And it reveals more depth and nuances than you would expect in this price range. Normally, a good Frappato always has an authentic and transparent expression. This unmasked openness is also present here, but there is also an almost accidental hint of balsamic herbs and bitter almonds, which lend it further tension and personality. It's a good thing that Titta Cilia and Giusto Occhipinti leave nothing to chance, and so this finesse-rich Frappato is rightly one of the region's most distinctive wines every year. SUPERIORE.DE

Occhione is a racy, fresh cuvée made from 90% Vermentino and 10% Viognier. Bright light yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Fine notes of peach, mango and grapefruit on the nose, medium-bodied on the palate with floral, fruity notes and well-balanced acidity. Overall, a lively and elegant wine that not only goes perfectly with fine Mediterranean fish dishes, but also brings the typical Maremma maquis into the glass. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with silver-grey tendencies. Fresh nose of crisp apple, citrus fruit and warm grass. Full-bodied on the palate, with concentrated fruit at the core, animating acidity and a lovely persistent finish." Falstaff

The Barbera d'Alba from Altare is supple, juicy and immediate, with an abundance of dark red and purple fruits, sweet spices and flowers. Silky and beautifully expressive in the glass, it will be a great pleasure to drink over the next few years with its lovely core of fruit and bracing acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

Precise Rosso from a good house. Beautiful texture of juicy berries with a hint of plum and orange peel. Good tannin structure, polished finish and good length. A success! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with violet reflections. Appealing nose of cherries and wild strawberries, some cocoa butter, candle wax and a subtle hint of sealing wax. Juicy on the palate with creamy fruit melting, clear, tightly woven tannins with a fine grip, subtle wood flavours, good tension on the final and minimal after-drying." Falstaff

"The 2022 Rosso di Montalcino is perfumed and exotic, with pretty rose tones and sour citrus fruit complicating the tart cherry fruit. It is silky smooth and supple with ripe wild berries and autumnal spices playing around it. The finish is long and leaves traces of liquorice and sage." Vinous

Dry warmth during the day and refreshing coolness at night - ideal conditions for a Gewürztraminer that is leaner and fresher at Weingut Falkenstein than is otherwise known from South Tyrol. Bright yellow. On the nose, ripe but never exuberant aromas of dried fruits, honey, a little scent of roses. Medium-bodied on the palate and extremely drinkable due to its relatively low residual sweetness. The long fermentation on the natural yeasts ensures a balanced and lean appearance here. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this single-varietal Vermentino come from three small terraces surrounded by stone walls on the Garaxin vineyard. The soils consist mainly of calcareous marine rock and are rich in micro- and macrofossil fauna. Forests and Mediterranean shrubs grow around the vineyards, which are essential for tempering the hot, dry and very windy climate. Bright and luminous straw yellow in colour, the bouquet is fine and delicate with notes of lemon peel, cereals and aromatic herbs from the Mediterranean maquis. The strong flavour is very spicy and typical of the grape variety with a hint of sea salt and dried herbs. SUPERIORE.DE

In 1991, Luca and Valeria Orsini gave up their work in Milan to produce wine in Tuscany. Their winery comprises 10 hectares of south-east facing vineyards in Panzano and the wines have been certified organic since 2000. This outstanding Annata opens discreetly on the nose with subtle scents of cherry blossom, heather and roses. On the palate, it is decidedly red-fruited with redcurrants and raspberries, embraced by finely structured, powdery and persistent tannins. It has a beautiful energy and above all lets the true charm of Sangiovese shine through. A real high-flyer in terms of authenticity every year! SUPERIORE.DE

"A juicy, vivid and crunchy Chianti Classico expressing aromas of strawberries, raspberries and mild spices, following through to a medium body with fine tannins. Succulent and crisp with sour cherry character in the mouthwatering finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Chianti Classico is a fabulous introduction to the Le Cinciole range. Lively acidity and tannins give the 2021 its shape and plenty of energy. Expressive floral and spicy overtones give it a lot of character. The 2021 was vinified in cement and matured in barrels for one year, followed by one year in cement. This medium-bodied Chianti Classico is a winner." Vinous

The Blaue Zweigelt originates from Austria and is a rare grape variety in South Tyrol. Consistent yield regulation results in a strong red wine with velvety tannins and fine spice. Intense ruby red with violet reflections. Full aroma of dark berries, elderberries, plums and fine roasted aromas. SUPERIORE.DE

Cognos Nascetta is made from the indigenous grape of the same name, which is said to be related to the Vermentino grape. The bouquet is reminiscent of meadow flowers, apricots and white peaches, and the palate is also characterised by this fascinatingly harmonious aroma with elegance and freshness. An exceptionally good flavour experience! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale straw yellow colour. Elegant, inviting bouquet of juicy nectarine, followed by meadow herbs and a hint of flint. Silky on the palate with fine, juicy fruit and invigorating acidity, persistent and mineral on the finish." Falstaff

"This is always a terrific white and a natural palate-resetter from this mostly red wine region. The Elvio Cogno 2023 Langhe Nascetta del Comune di Novello Anas-Cëtta has a beautiful bouquet with a note of grilled pineapple that you might get in Hawaiian food, along with orchard fruit, crushed stone, wild sage and wildflowers with yellow petals. I even get a hint of bacon smoke and flint stone. The wine ferments partially in steel and partially in oak." Wine Advocate

Ripe fruit aromas on the nose with dried plum, cherry and blueberry, hints of liquorice and spicy notes in the background. Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate, with soft acidity and bright berry fruit and well-proportioned sour cherry. Fine-grained tannin, medium-long finish, a wonderful food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"Notes of spiced red and dark berries with sweet orange peel and bark. Medium-bodied, polished and sleek with dusty tannin structure. Flavorful and fruity." James Suckling

Sparkling, rich straw yellow colour. Opens with fine spicy notes of aniseed and cloves, with plenty of mango and apricot. On the palate, it is racy and juicy, full-bodied, followed by delicate notes of papaya and lychee, with fine spices rounding off the flavour experience on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pronounced golden yellow colour. Intense and engaging nose of lychee and passion fruit, followed by a hint of white pepper on the finish. Opulent on the palate with a dense fruit centre, spicy and long final." Falstaff

The vineyards are located around Margreid on a gentle slope between 220 and 350 m above sea level with a south-southeast orientation. The white, deep limestone gravel soil has a high humus content. Intense ruby red. In the warm bouquet blackberries, blueberries, cherry and balsamic notes. The palate is deep, dense, with spicy tannins and well-defined primary fruit. The long final is full of character, soft and with a nice freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

The enterprising British merchant Benjamin, known as "Bip", founded a company after arriving in Sicily in 1806, which was instrumental in the rise of Marsala in the world. The fermentation of this fine Marsala is interrupted by the enrichment with brandy matured for at least 5 years in oak barrels. Intense golden yellow with amber reflections. Ethereal bouquet with notes of melon and honey. In the multi-layered taste, we find notes of dried apricots and stewed pears in addition to an appealing sweetness. SUPERIORE.DE

"There's plenty of dried-fig and papaya character in this luscious but balanced Marsala. Long, creamy finish with plenty of grapefruity freshness that leaves the palate cleaner than many fortified wines do." James Suckling

Not a Lambrusco, but a highly elegant and classically yeast-fermented spumante made from Lambrusco di Sorbara grapes: elegant pale pink colour, delicate aroma of rosehip and a hint of wild strawberry and raspberry. A lovely freshness on the palate with a fruity, long finish and great structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale salmon pink; restrained; fine foamy, not really fruity, pastry, balanced, drinky." (JLF) Merum

Castello della Sala, located not far from Orvieto at an altitude of 500 metres, produces excellent wines without exception, as the inexpensive "entry-level wine" San Giovanni della Sala proves. The wine is produced in the vineyards of the ancient castle of Castello della Sala from the combination of the indigenous grape varieties Grechetto and Procanico with Pinot Bianco and Viognier and interprets the Orvieto Classico in a new style. Its freshness, richness and balance are remarkable, with notes of yellow flowers, green apple, sage and ginger. On the palate, an incredibly silky texture and juicy acidity guide this juicy white wine into a beautiful, mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Well-integrated acidity defines the aromas and flavours of white peach, pomelo, spring herbs and white flowers in this light, supple white wine with a salty finish." Wine Spectator

"Lemon zest and crushed green apples come together with a whiff of spring flowers as the 2023 Orvieto Classico Superiore San Giovanni della Sala blossoms in the glass. It opens with a pleasant inner sweetness matched by masses of citrus-tinged orchard fruits, all balanced by a core of saline minerals and juicy acidity. The 2023 cleans up beautifully, both long and potent yet remarkably fresh. Sour melon hints slowly fade." Vinous

The vineyards in Gaiole and Greve form the core of the blend, with a hint of fruit from Radda. On the nose, floral aromas and red fruits in the super-classic, medium-bodied style that is so typical of the Querciabella style today. Rose petals, lavender, mint and sweet raspberry fruit take centre stage. Brilliant medium ruby red colour. Enormous density on the palate, firm fruit body, with great youthful, fresh temperament, paired with a certain finesse and elegance. Finishes long with notes of juicy red berries, great! SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine has a fresh character with ripe cherries and raspberries as well as dried flowers, bark and stones. Polished and structured with medium body and lively acidity. Focused and fresh with chalky tannin structure and a linear finish with notes of citrus and minerals." James Suckling

"This red is precise, offering cherry, raspberry, rose, iron and tobacco flavors fused to a steely, dense and vibrant structure. Balanced and intense, building to a long aftertaste infused with fruit and mineral notes." Wine Spectator

"The Chianti Classico 2021 is fabulous. Bright and powerful, with great resonance, this wine shows how convincing the vintage is. harvestwill find a Chianti Classico of dynamic energy and volume. Dark red cherries, purple fruit, lavender, rose petals, spice and a gentle kiss of French oak lead into a lush, vibrant finish. Outstanding." Vinous

"A hint of smoke and terracotta pervades dark raspberries and blackcurrants, while the heady rose slowly intensifies. Taut tannins blend seamlessly into the supple fruit fabric. This wine has such a pristine quality and vibrates with sparkling energy." Decanter

A Quo is the entry into the sensual world of Montepeloso. A fresh, daring wine from younger vineyards. Round and velvety, clean and fruity, this blend of five grape varieties combines the virtues of Montepeloso and Fabio Chiarelotto's high standards to the finest. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 A Quo is a fabulous introduction to these wines. Bright, punchy and vibrant, the 2021 offers up an exciting mix of red fruit, blood orange, rose petal, mint and cinnamon. Montepeloso's entry-level estate offering is a winner." Vinous

"The 2021 A Quo, made mainly from Sangiovese and smaller proportions of Malvasia Nera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano, Marselan and Alicante Bouschet, offers intense scents ranging from blackberry to dark rose - like one of those deep purple flowers you see in a flower shop. It has a dense texture and a solid structure." Wine Advocate

"A firm and silky red wine with blackberry and blueberry character and a hint of cream. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and a fresh finish. Racy and refined on the finish." James Suckling

Deep ruby red with a beautiful sheen. On the nose some plum, black cherry with slightly animal notes. Fleshy and taut on the palate, very powerful and harmonious. Not an off-the-peg wine, but a stormy, tomboyish and gripping Cabernet with good length and a powerful finish. Not for elegance drinkers, but rather a crisp, opulent food companion that leaves nothing to be desired, especially with game dishes. Be sure to aerate it sufficiently! SUPERIORE.DE

"Very clean and clear aromas of blackcurrant and violet with sandalwood. Medium to full body with firm tannins and a fresh finish. A well made red wine." James Suckling

"This is Cabernet Franc with smaller parts of Merlot and Sangiovese in the blend. The Frank & Serafìco 2020 Frank is velvety and generous with inky black fruits, baked plum, earth and lightly toasted spice. Its easy, full-bodied style sets up this wine for a classic steak and potatoes pairing." Wine Advocate

Graceful - already the first impression, purple colour with cardinal red reflections. Delicate and of aromatic richness, wild cherries and red berries, light and fine - the exclusive characteristic of the Piedmontese Pinot Noir from boutique vineyards. An elegant wine of great personality and consistency of taste. SUPERIORE.DE