Tolaini

Chianti Classico Vallenuova has the potential to become a favourite wine. It is an archetypal expression of Sangiovese from a single vineyard that could not be more typical and authentic. Vibrant, sparkling ruby in colour, with a hint of cedar wood and small wild berries on the nose, along with spices, beetroot and white pepper. Leather, tobacco and a hint of citrus fruit on the palate, with a pleasantly lean final and a convincing, drinkyfreshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, rich ruby colour. Appealing and finely characterised nose of blackberry, fresh plums and soot. Juicy and clear on the palate, shows beautifully worked out fruit, fine-meshed tannin, salty, with a hint of graphite on the finish." Falstaff

"The Tolaini 2021 Chianti Classico Vallenuova is a simple wine with lots of dark cherry fruit, soft lines and medium texture." Wine Advocate

"The nose vacillates between spicy aromas of hot tar and earth and sweet notes of vanilla and cherry. On the palate, an orange peel element adds texture to this sweetness, while bright acidity and dusty tannins fan the flames of a lingering, savoury earthiness." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2021 Chianti Classico Vallenuova offers a tantalising blend of macerated red cherry, plum, liquorice, new leather and blood orange. The 2021 is lush and vibrant, with striking energy, an excellent example of the vintage. All the elements are very well balanced." Vinous

"Rich and expressive on the attack, with flavours of sweet cherry, raspberry, mint, rosemary, iron and spice. This supple, lush red wine firms up, with fine tannins on the long, delicious finish." Wine Spectator

"Fresh character of red and blue fruits with violets, cocoa and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with very polished but velvety and mouth-filling tannins and lively acidity that gives the fruit tension and juiciness. Broad and structured. Long finish." James Suckling

Al Passo is named after the small forest on the highest hill of Tolaini - a magical place with a breathtaking view of the countryside and the sunsets over the towers of Siena. The wine is as unique as the forest, showcasing the natural affinity of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich garnet with ruby colour. Intense and enticing bouquet of ripe fruit, orange zest and spicy oak notes, on the palate with ripe fruit and fresh acidity, balanced, medium body, long final with a fine salty vein. SUPERIORE.DE

"Notes of cassis, meat, leather and earth. Firm acidity and tannins with a chalky texture, full body and supple fruit that balances the structure. Tart on the finish." James Suckling

"An intense red that evokes flavours of cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, minerals, tobacco and wild herbs. Silky and juicy, with fine-grained tannins that linger on the finish. Overall, it shows finesse." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Al Passo is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, cedar wood, liquorice and incense give it remarkable aromatic nuances. This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon has a lot to offer. Bright acids round off the whole thing in style." Vinous

The grapes for this Supertuscan come from the San Giovanni vineyard near San Giovanni a Cerreto. In the church next to the vineyard there is a painting by Rutilo Manetti depicting St John the Baptist (San Giovanni). Deep ruby red, youthful, rich, dark fruit, berry and cassis flavours meld with French oak. On the palate with deep, subtle fruit flavours and an excellent balance of fruit and tannin, plus some smoke, liquorice and tar. A rich, almost opulent red with outstanding structure and great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"An intense red with aromas of graphite, spice and tar complementing concentrated flavours of blackberries, blueberries, wild rosemary and minerals. The wine shows powerful tannins that are assertive but not overly astringent at this youthful stage. Compact finish." Wine Spectator

"A medium-bodied red wine with flavours of currants, berries and sandalwood. It is easy to chew, but shows glamour and tension." James Suckling

"An undertone of Bing cherries provides pop on an otherwise earthy, metallic nose. Orange zest brings out the cherries' subtle sourness on the palate, while strong acid and heat keep things lively until a structured, tannic finish." Wine Enthusiast

"This is a particularly intense and soft red blend that shows impressive and seamless integration. You get the dark intensity of the two grapes used in the blend, framed by the sweet spice and toast of French oak ageing. This vintage has particularly broad shoulders and is especially rich." Wine Advocate

"The Valdisanti 2020 is outstanding in this vintage. Rich, dark and lush, this blend is seductive from the start. Deep dark fruits, grilled herbs, leather, new oak, liquorice and mocha are nicely turned up. The 2020 is opulent, but by no means heavy. The 2020 is a great Valdisanti." Vinous

Stylistically balanced, very finesse-rich Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from a small single vineyard (vineyard no. 7) in the Castelnuovo-Berardenga area, where the temperatures are always somewhat higher than in the rest of Chianti Classico. Dark, bright ruby colour. Elegant bouquet of pure Sangiovese of red berries with a very delicate hint of tobacco. Salty on the palate, shows a lot of pressure, very clear, compact fruit, builds up with tightly woven tannins, very intense and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Clear and inviting nose, with aromas of blackberries, blueberries and some cloves. Pithy, well-placed tannins on the palate, embedded in lots of cherry fruit, describes a wide arc, savoury and with vigour." Falstaff

"The nose is sweet and earthy, with aromas of vanilla, cherry and orange peel, as well as topsoil and crushed stones. The palate is a fruit basket of strawberries, raspberries and cherries, with a hint of orange peel. The acidity plays around soft but dense tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"This red wine is bursting with energy, offering flavours of cherry, raspberry, iron, tobacco and black pepper. It finishes long and balanced, with a range of dusty tannins girding the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette is magnificent. Sweet pipe tobacco, incense, leather, spices and dried flowers give this deceptively medium-bodied Gran Selezione a great aromatic presence. The time it spends in the glass helps to develop the wine's texture. There's a lot of wine here." Vinous

"A juicy and exciting red with a fresh character of red and dark berries and a hint of dried orange peel and liquorice. Medium-bodied, firm and concentrated, with chalky tannins and bright acidity. Balanced and beautifully moulded." James Suckling

"The Tolaini 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette shows great intensity and focus in the warm season and represents a deep immersion in Sangiovese. This elegant expression of the grape variety shows a powerful fruit profile with perfect ripeness and strong cherry flavours. This is complemented by a slightly creamy texture. Delicate mineral tones and lightly toasted spices add depth. The result is balanced and elegant." Wine Advocate

Al Passo is named after the small forest on the highest hill of Tolaini - a magical place with a breathtaking view of the countryside and the sunsets over the towers of Siena. The wine is as unique as the forest, showcasing the natural affinity of Sangiovese and Merlot. Rich garnet with ruby colour. Intense and enticing bouquet of ripe fruit, orange zest and spicy oak notes, on the palate with ripe fruit and fresh acidity, balanced, medium body, long final with a fine salty vein. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cassis, meat, leather and earth notes. Firm acidity and tannins with a chalky texture, a full body and supple fruit balancing the structure. Austere on the finish." James Suckling

"An intense red, evoking cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, mineral, tobacco and wild herb flavors. Silky and sappy, with fine-grained tannins lingering on the finish. Overall, this shows finesse." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Al Passo is a very beautiful and expressive wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice and incense lend notable aromatic nuance. This Sangiovese/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend has a ton to offer. Bright acids pull it all together in style." Vinous

The grapes for this Supertuscan come from the San Giovanni vineyard near San Giovanni a Cerreto. In the church next to the vineyard there is a painting by Rutilo Manetti depicting St John the Baptist (San Giovanni). Deep ruby red, youthful, rich, dark fruit, berry and cassis flavours meld with French oak. On the palate with deep, subtle fruit flavours and an excellent balance of fruit and tannin, plus some smoke, liquorice and tar. A rich, almost opulent red with excellent structure and great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"An intense red with aromas of graphite, spice and tar complementing concentrated flavours of blackberries, blueberries, wild rosemary and minerals. The wine shows powerful tannins that are assertive but not overly astringent at this youthful stage. Compact finish." Wine Spectator

"A medium-bodied red wine with flavours of currants, berries and sandalwood. It is easy to chew, but shows glamour and tension." James Suckling

"An undertone of Bing cherries provides pop on an otherwise earthy, metallic nose. Orange zest brings out the cherries' subtle sourness on the palate, while strong acid and heat keep things lively until a structured, tannic finish." Wine Enthusiast

"This is a particularly intense and soft red blend that shows impressive and seamless integration. You get the dark intensity of the two grapes used in the blend, framed by the sweet spice and toast of French oak ageing. This vintage has particularly broad shoulders and is especially rich." Wine Advocate

"The Valdisanti 2020 is outstanding in this vintage. Rich, dark and lush, this blend is seductive from the start. Deep dark fruits, grilled herbs, leather, new oak, liquorice and mocha are nicely turned up. The 2020 is opulent, but by no means heavy. The 2020 is a great Valdisanti." Vinous

Stylistically balanced, very finesse-rich Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from a small single vineyard (vineyard no. 7) in the Castelnuovo-Berardenga area, where the temperatures are always somewhat higher than in the rest of the Chianti Classico. Dark shining ruby. Elegant bouquet of the single-varietal Sangiovese of red berries with very delicate notes of tobacco. Salty on the palate, shows a lot of pressure, very clear, compact fruit, builds up with tightly woven tannin, very intense and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette is a potent, heady wine that also shows the previous style here. Macerated cherry, plum, mocha, new leather, licorice and a kiss of French oak all meld together. This potent, layered Gran Selezione offers plenty of impact in a dense, extracted style." Vinous

"A supple red wine with aromas of preserved cherries and plums that fade into eucalyptus and Tuscan scrub on the palate as it evolves. The tannins are rather firm and finish with a slightly astringent feel, so give it time." Wine Spectator

"It is still very youthful and slightly reductive, but clearly shows the dark fruit of Chianti Classico in the south. Blackcurrant and plum are plump and mouth-filling, while nuances of damp earth, smoke and vanilla add intrigue in the background. The tannins are strong but well pronounced, giving the wine an appropriate power. This wine needs another year to develop its complexity and site specificity." Decanter

"A concentrated and very polished Chianti Classico with aromas and flavours of black cherry, gravel and minerals. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a concentrated finish. Bark and berry character on the finish. Firm and racy. It will get better in a year or two, but I like the focus it has." James Suckling

Deep dark, impenetrable ruby colour with violet reflections. Opulent, warm bouquet of fully ripe cherries, plums, liquorice, young leather with a hint of French oak spice. Powerful and firm on the palate, with a brilliant structure and taut tannins. With increasing aeration, it reveals its good structure and refined elegance. This outstanding Merlot from central Tuscany never seems broad or too heavy until the long finish, but is completely convincing with its terrificenergy and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, elegant ruby red colour. Fine use of wood on the nose, hints of marzipan, undergrowth, milk chocolate, dark berry fruit on the finish. Well-integrated acidity and clear, spicy fruit on the palate, currently coated in a somewhat bulky woody layer, full-bodied, but still needs to age longer." Falstaff

"The Picconero 2020 smells of ripe dark fruit, mocha, crushed leaves, incense, liquorice and dried flowers. Bright acids and strong spicy undertones remind us that we are in the heart of Tuscany." Vinous

"Made from Merlot, the Tolaini 2020 Picconero Tenuta Montebello is a dense and powerful wine with a considerable alcohol content of 15%. It is a broad wine with broad shoulders and plenty of dark fruit at its core. Blackberry flavours are followed by sweet spices, cinnamon, Tuscan cigar, grilled herbs and a hint of sweet rye bread." Wine Advocate

"With flavours of blackberries, black cherries, iron, toast and resin, this fresh and concentrated red wine is solidly built, with lively acidity and firm tannins to support it. It shows excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"Blueberries, plums, cedar and dark chocolate with a hint of chilli pepper. It is full-bodied with layers of ripe tannins that have a velvety and refined texture. It has a cheesy finish. It needs time to open up with such structure." James Suckling

Deep dark, impenetrable ruby colour with violet reflections. Opulent, warm bouquet of fully ripe cherries, plums, liquorice, young leather with a hint of French oak spice. Powerful and firm on the palate, with a brilliant structure and taut tannins. With increasing aeration, it reveals its good structure and refined elegance. This outstanding Merlot from central Tuscany never seems broad or too heavy until the long finish, but is completely convincing with its terrificenergy and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, elegant ruby red colour. Fine use of wood on the nose, hints of marzipan, undergrowth, milk chocolate, dark berry fruit on the finish. Well-integrated acidity and clear, spicy fruit on the palate, currently coated in a somewhat bulky woody layer, full-bodied, but still needs to age longer." Falstaff

"The Picconero 2020 smells of ripe dark fruit, mocha, crushed leaves, incense, liquorice and dried flowers. Bright acids and strong spicy undertones remind us that we are in the heart of Tuscany." Vinous

"Made from Merlot, the Tolaini 2020 Picconero Tenuta Montebello is a dense and powerful wine with a considerable alcohol content of 15%. It is a broad wine with broad shoulders and plenty of dark fruit at its core. Blackberry flavours are followed by sweet spices, cinnamon, Tuscan cigar, grilled herbs and a hint of sweet rye bread." Wine Advocate

"With flavours of blackberries, black cherries, iron, toast and resin, this fresh and concentrated red wine is solidly built, with lively acidity and firm tannins to support it. It shows excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"Blueberries, plums, cedar and dark chocolate with a hint of chilli pepper. It is full-bodied with layers of ripe tannins that have a velvety and refined texture. It has a cheesy finish. It needs time to open up with such structure." James Suckling