Podere Le Ripi

Don't expect the typical Syrah, because this wine will surprise you with its liveliness and freshness, although it has the spiciness and drinkability typical of Syrah. The name (Love and Madness) expresses all the love for this grape, but also the courage to grow it in the Montalcino area. Despite its unusualness, this wine is a real crowd pleaser and one of the winery's trademarks.

Deep ruby red with violet reflections, on the nose black fruits, forest floor, pine wood with a hint of white rose and jasmine. On the palate, a distinct texture with well-integrated tannins, paired with a great minerality, a delicate bitter note in the respectable aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with garnet glints. In the nose after pickled plums and sour cherry, in the reverberation some spice and roasted aromas from the wood ageing. Very juicy on the palate, with strong tannin, pleasant acidity, long final." Falstaff

"Lots of bright, very ripe red-berry character to this medium-bodied red with a light but firm tannin framework to the palate. But the fresh fruit pushes through to the end. Turns savory just at the end. Needs a year for better overall integration." James Suckling

"Complex and intense aromas of dark forest fruits, sweet cherries and tea leaves. Elegant, with a firm slightly grainy tannic structure and leathery finish." Decanter

Watch out, or even better - don't be afraid of the wolf: Attenti al Lupo is the exciting result of a new project by Podere le Ripi, which is specifically exploring new possibilities in the vineyard and cellar to find solutions to climate change, which is now putting all farmers and winegrowers to the test.

To this end, Sangiovese clones were identified that adapt better to the changing conditions. Vineyards were also selected that are mainly located on alluvial soils, where an earlier harvest tends to be possible. During vinification, carbonic maceration of the whole grapes (with the stems) takes place over 10 days in closed stainless steel tanks, which gives the wine a portion of acidity and crisp flavours even in its youth, giving it a great deal of freshness, dynamism and liveliness.

The result is a bright red and very flavourful wine, slender and straightforward in the mouth, with a very fruity nose that is typical of the type of fermentation. This is followed by a pronounced minerality and an exciting, delicately bitter note in the aftertaste. Ideal with roasted meat, mature cheese and first courses. SUPERIORE.DE

At Podere le Ripi, the grapes for the Rosso di Montalcino are given more time in the cellar than elsewhere, making the wine more similar to a Brunello than a Rosso. Deep ruby red in colour with orange reflections. A captivating symphony of aromas on the nose, ranging from cherry, strawberry and violet to fresh balsamic herbs. On the palate, an impressive, broad structure, beautifully interwoven primary and secondary flavours, a fine minerality and a remarkably long finish. The longer ageing period really pays off! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Sogni e Follia is wild and exotic, with a tantalising mix of rose petals, cinnamon sticks and mentholated cherries making up its bouquet. The balance between the silky texture, ripe wild berries, zesty orange and juicy acidity is extremely attractive to me. The 2020 leaves a layer of soft grippy tannins but keeps the energy high and finishes with medium length as the violet florals slowly fade inside." Vinous

"It shows dark concentration with lifted aromas of dried raspberry, cocktail cherry, dried garden herb and cinnamon. It is an unusual wine but charming nevertheless." Wine Advocate

The vineyard on the western side of the Montalcino hills is so secluded that you can enjoy the starry sky to the full without being disturbed. It is therefore not surprising that this supple, very classic Brunello bears the name "Sky of Ulysses". As is well known, Odysseus had the ability to navigate the seas without a compass and by simply orientating himself by the stars.

Deep dark ruby with light-coloured inclusions. The bouquet is a potpourri of aromas that unfold almost endlessly, with floral notes of light roses and white flowers alongside black and red fruits. On the palate, power, flavour and a freshness that, together with the well-proportioned tannins, suggest a harmonious and exciting development! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a delicately brightening rim. On the nose, dried herbs, leather, ripe raspberries, cranberries and light spice. Compact on the palate, with a creamy texture and slightly grippy tannins, as well as beautiful juiciness and ripe fruit, with a fine swing." Falstaff

"Brilliant medium ruby red with orange-coloured reflections. Notes of oak and roasted coffee beans, including cool red fruit. Lush cherry fruit on the palate with firm tannins on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"An elegant red, offering vivid cherry and strawberry flavors driven by vibrant acidity, with sinewy tannins underneath. Accents of earth and flowers chime in as this winds down on the dense finish." Wine Spectator

"The Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse 2019 is dark and intense, enticing with exotic spices, mandarin zest, cedar shavings and rum-soaked cherries. It is cool and racy in style, with crisp wild berries supported by lively acidity. Violet, floral notes arch across the palate. The momentum remains even as crisp tannins assault the senses, leaving a stain of tart cranberry and orange that slowly fades. I expect that three to five years of ageing will reveal a Brunello of boundless energy. The Cielo d'Ulisse is a single-vineyard wine that comes from vineyards in the extreme south-west of Montalcino." Vinous

The grapes for Le Ripi's top Brunello come from a 4-hectare vineyard near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the eastern side of Montalcino, not far from the Lupi e Sirene vineyard. Amore e Magia first impresses with its beauty in the glass: deep ruby with violet, fuchsia-coloured accents. The nose then reveals a very clear, concise bouquet with a disarming openness that is immediately captivating. We discover candied fruit, raspberries, roasted nuts and Christmas spices, then notes of leather. The first impression on the palate is rather silky and floral, the fine salinity and wonderfully integrated acidity provide vital freshness and the solidly woven tannin builds up with energy and flanks every sip right through to the multi-layered final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. Noble, elegant nose, delicate flavours of raspberries, dried tomatoes, undergrowth, ripe cherry on the finish. Very elegant in the mouth, with polished tannins and creamy fruit, well-balanced, keeps coming back, beautiful length and precision, good pressure and fine salt on the finish." Falstaff

"Showing maturing notes of mushroom and woodsy underbrush, this red also reveals ripe cherry, strawberry, almond, iron and sanguine flavors. Firm enough yet approachable, with fine overall balance and length." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia reminds me more of an exotic herbal tea than wine, as notes of incense and jasmine give way to spiced blood orange. This wine soothes with its silky texture and cool acidity. Ripe wild berries flatter the palate, contrasted by a hint of orange towards the end. On the finish, the tannins are grippy and edgy, providing a classic dry feel, while the tart cranberries fade beneath the rosy florals within. Patience is needed; this is a tight, young Brunello that shows off its southern roots." Vinous

The Riserva Lupi e Sirene (Wolves and Mermaids) label is reminiscent of the good old days when Podere le Ripi was so remote that the howling of the wolves was the only sound you could hear at night.

Light, delicate ruby red colour that beautifully interprets the typical transparency of Brunello and Sangiovese Grosso. Fine bouquet of small red fruits, skilfully surrounded by earthy and mineral notes. On the palate, it offers a fascinating purity and energy without ever being excessive. Its linear body is so fluid and polished that it captures the attention of all the senses for a very long time. Lupi e Sirene is the most elegant and refined of the estate's impressive Brunello range. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, shiny ruby red colour. Inviting nose of dark cherries, rich forest fruits, some leather, graphite and candle wax. Present on the palate, accessible and polished with superbly developed fruit, plus noble, earthy tannins, comes in several layers, can age, is already a pleasure to drink." Falstaff

"A tantalising blend of dusty rose, cinnamon and clove gives way to traces of mint and dried strawberries as the sweetly spiced Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene 2018 blossoms in the glass. This is pure elegance, with velvety textures led by fresh acidity and polished red and blue fruits that are accompanied by a spicy herbal flavour towards the end. The balance here is otherworldly. The 2018 finishes with an unexpected vibrancy, despite a web of fine tannins that continue to hum as the liquorice notes slowly fade. Full of character and holding its power in reserve, the 2018 is a textural thrill ride. It is on a beautiful but slow path to maturity." Vinous

The Riserva Lupi e Sirene (Wolves and Mermaids) label is reminiscent of the good old days when Podere le Ripi was so remote that the howling of the wolves was the only sound you could hear at night.

Light, delicate ruby red colour that beautifully interprets the typical transparency of Brunello and Sangiovese Grosso. Fine bouquet of small red fruits, skilfully surrounded by earthy and mineral notes. On the palate, it offers a fascinating purity and energy without ever being excessive. Its linear body is so fluid and polished that it captures the attention of all the senses for a very long time. Lupi e Sirene is the most elegant and refined of the estate's impressive Brunello range. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, shiny ruby red colour. Inviting nose of dark cherries, rich forest fruits, some leather, graphite and candle wax. Present on the palate, accessible and polished with superbly developed fruit, plus noble, earthy tannins, comes in several layers, can age, is already a pleasure to drink." Falstaff

"A tantalising blend of dusty rose, cinnamon and clove gives way to traces of mint and dried strawberries as the sweetly spiced Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene 2018 blossoms in the glass. This is pure elegance, with velvety textures led by fresh acidity and polished red and blue fruits that are accompanied by a spicy herbal flavour towards the end. The balance here is otherworldly. The 2018 finishes with an unexpected vibrancy, despite a web of fine tannins that continue to hum as the liquorice notes slowly fade. Full of character and holding its power in reserve, the 2018 is a textural thrill ride. It is on a beautiful but slow path to maturity." Vinous