Wines from Tuscany

Piastraia fully lives up to the classic image of a great and delicate Bolgheri Rosso Superiore. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller portions of Merlot and Sangiovese, it fills the glass with its intense aroma of fruit and a hint of leather flavours. The flavour is powerful, concentrated and pure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Promising bouquet of blueberries and cherries, also sandalwood, liquorice and flowers; the tannins are powdery, the acidity skilfully integrated, combines race, juiciness and a lot of melting and at the same time not at all pretentious, but very drinkable." Vinum

"Dark and full ruby colour. Open, elegant bouquet of blackberry, underlaid with spicy notes of liquorice, leather and undergrowth. Powerful on the palate, round, juicy and easy to drink. The tannins are well integrated, retronasal black cherry and chocolate, long final." Falstaff

"A firm and compact red wine that shows walnuts, dried herbs, loam, black fruit and cedar on the nose. It is full-bodied, polished and compact, with firm but fine-grained tannins. Roasted walnut notes on the long finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Piastraia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. It's a great example of where the house style is heading under the direction of Giacomo Satta. Syrah is gone from the blend, and yet the wine offers plenty of textural depth and energy. Dark red cherry, spice, new leather, rose petal and dried flowers open gradually in the glass. This is beautifully done." Vinous

"The core flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry and pomegranate are overlaid with notes of mint, violet, iron and toasted oak. This red wine is dense and rich, with a matrix of polished tannins in support. The balance and finish are outstanding." Wine Spectator

Normally, the Sangiovese grapes from the 14-hectare single vineyard are mainly harvested in Ama and San Lorenzo. Since the 2018 harvest, Lorenza and Marco have decided to vinify a small quantity separately. Deep, dark ruby red colour with violet reflections. Extroverted bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and redcurrant, with notes of crushed gravel, tobacco and traces of young leather. Very powerful and beautifully textured on the palate, the various layers of primary fruit only gradually unfold, the wood pleasantly receding into the background. Finely granulated tannins and a well-integrated acidity flank this very harmonious red on an elegant, long final. There is a lot to like here, for us it is once again a typical Ama wine: racy, powerful and elegant! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red with violet reflections. Very precise nose of ripe cherries and plums, some eucalyptus, undergrowth and juniper berries on the finish. Initially soft on the palate with a delicate fruity flavour, then with gripping tannins." Falstaff

"The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Montebuoni is a bold, potent wine. Black fruit, leather, tobacco, grilled herbs, licorice and incense add to an impression of virile intensity. Ideally, readers will cellar this for a few years. It’s a serious wine that needs a bit of time." Vinous

"Flavours of black cherries, dark mushrooms and some lemon zest follow through to a medium body that finishes long and energetic." James Suckling

"The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Montebuoni is a broad and rich expression of Sangiovese, offering concentrated blackberries, plums and velvety tannins. The wine shows attractive accessibility and a generous, medium-bodied mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

Deep, dark ruby violet colour. Pugnitello impresses with intense notes of elderberry and blackberry, interspersed with subtle smoky notes, slightly peppery in the background. Juicy attack with a well-structured body, dense, gripping tannins, long and persistent with a salty component. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Pugnitello is a fascinating wine. It offers plenty of dark cherry fruit, plum, leather, coffee, liquorice and dried herbs and shows remarkable depth and concentration. There is plenty of tannin, but this is a Pugnitello after all." Vinous

"A rich and dense red, showing some toasted sesame from the oak with red chilli chocolate, dark olives, blackberries and hints of purple flowers and spice. Full and compact, with tonnes of fine-grained tannins rounding out the fruit. An outstanding Pugnitello. Drinkable now, but better after 2023." James Suckling

"This is a beautifully made wine and a special expression of one of Tuscany's great under-the-radar grapes. The 2019 Pugnitello prides itself on its dark concentration, soft ripeness, blackberry jam, earth, black truffle and crushed rose as a single varietal wine. The full-bodied mouthfeel is rich in extract but also soft, giving this wine a medium-term drinking window. In fact, it's preferable to drink this bottle until the 10-year mark, when the velvety primary fruit is at its best." Wine Advocate

"The nose starts intensely sanguine and almost metallic, like meat fresh off the grill, then lightens into sweet aromas of vanilla and gentler savory notes of earth and herbs. On the palate, a current of astringent fruit ties together the herbaceousness with that metallic quality, while a peppery heat blazes around unrelenting tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Maestro Raro shines first with its lively colour and then impresses with a bouquet that reveals a wonderful blackberry scent after spices, leather and tobacco aromas. The concentrated taste spreads softly, in which a stable acid structure cooperates perfectly with the tannin structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with violet. In the nose noble spicy note, after cassis and elderberries, carried by cloves and a hint of red pepper. Spicy on the palate with a slight peppery-animal note, very warm, has tension throughout and comes back juicy on the final." Falstaff

"The currant character is supercharged with wood and bark highlights. It’s full-bodied with lots of blackberry and blackcurrant undertones. Chewy and firm. Needs time to open." James Suckling

"The 2018 Maestro Raro is dense, powerful and rich. As always, Maestro Raro is a decidedly Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon. Black fruit, leather, spice and smoke are front and center. This burly Cabernet is a bit angular, but it certainly has plenty of character." Vinous

"This is an exacting and powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from the heart of Tuscany. The Fèlsina 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro always stands out in a crowd, and it definitely stands apart in this portfolio. The wine is sultry and rich in personality, sporting tightly wrapped tannins that will need time to soften and unwind. At its core, the wine shows concentrated black fruit flavors, but there are hints of spice, baker's chocolate and smoky tobacco that add to the complexity and the aromatic lift of the bouquet." Wine Advocate

Strong dark ruby. Pepper and spice accents, aromas of ripe red and dark fruits and a slightly animal note characterise the precise aroma. The perfect balance between tannin, silky elements and the acidity guarantee a characterful and pithy taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Multifaceted bouquet on notes of rose hips, cherries, pepper and blossoms; the attack is full-bodied, invigorating acidity, racy tannins, elegant course with mouth-filling finish, the wood perfectly integrated. With mushroom dishes." Vinum

"Dark ruby red with a drop of violet. In the nose of juicy cherries, juicy plums, plus a hint of iron, in the aftertaste noble pepper and slightly bacony tones. Spicy on the palate, with grippy tannin and juicy fruit." Falstaff

"The 2019 Syrah Case Via is powerful, inky and expressive. A blast of inky dark fruit, espresso, licorice, cloves, game and leather infuses the 2019 with notable depth. This virile, somber Syrah has plenty to offer." Vinous

"Intense, exhibiting blackberry, plum, boysenberry and black pepper aromas and flavors. Firm and needs time to resolve the oak, yet this is fresh and persists on the mineral- and spice-tinged finish." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of blackberries, black tobacco and slate follow through to a medium body with firm tannins and a graphite note in the 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 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

Strong ruby red. Pinot Nero Case Via exudes a varietal bouquet of wild berries and pipe tobacco, which combines harmoniously with the barrel spice. The soft, characterful taste is based on the strength of the tannin and the excellent aroma structure of the Pinot Pinot Noir. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Pinot Nero Case Via is bold, juicy and super-expressive. Juicy red cherry, plum, spice, rose petal and sweet pipe tobacco are nicely pushed forward. Succulent and inviting, the 2019 has so much to offer." Vinous

The top-quality Vigneto Erchi Riserva comes from the small vineyard of the same name, which has belonged to Fattoria Selvapiana since 1998. The owners spent a long time looking for a vineyard whose terroir impressively demonstrates the complexity of Sangiovese in the Rufina region, making this wine a high-calibre addition to the famous Selvapiana collection.

Compared to Bucerchiale, Vigneto Erchi is somewhat more red-fruity and combines its power with wonderful finesse. The well-tempered bouquet has precise and well-defined aromas of wild cherry and redcurrant, as well as hints of blue flowers and earthy notes. Initially restrained on the palate, it gains volume and race with further aeration. Maturation in French oak provides a structure and depth that will give it a long life. Everything is just right here, the house's new top Sangiovese has found its place. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Selvapiana 2018 Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Erchi is drinking beautifully right now, with a little hint of tertiary definition that goes a long way to add complexity. There is dried blackcurrant, spice, tobacco, licorice and a hint of smoked meat on this 100% Sangiovese. It reveals a mid-weight texture with an open-knit quality of tannins." Wine Advocate

"Purity of cherries and crushed stones on the nose. Medium to full body, racy tannins and a mineral, crisp finish. Nice structure, if a little austere now. Better from 2024." James Suckling

"Fattoria Selvapiana, one of the region's top producers, has described its 5-hectare Vigna Erchi as iron-rich soil in comparison to its legendary Bucerchiale vineyard. Exceptional elegance and a silky smoothness complement the bold character of the dark fruit. Although aged for 18 months in French barriques, there is no hint of oak on the palate, only its influence. The wine is a classic example of power and finesse, invigorating freshness and great length. The tannins remain polished and unobtrusive, even if you keep the wine in your mouth. It is a youthful wine, but its impeccable balance suggests a long life and glorious evolution." Decanter

The Chianti Classico from Istine is one of the most racy and pure representatives of its genre. Its weightlessness and at the same time precision make up a large part of its charm. Finely knitted bouquet of red berry fruits, flowers, chalk and white pepper. Medium-bodied on the nose, with further aeration its fine fruit, creamy tannins and plenty of personality come to light. A red that takes hearts by storm with its lively, prancing and extremely fine-nerved character! SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid crimson. Concentrated, complex nose of dark fruit and sweet raspberry with a hint of iron and damp earth. Succulent cherry fruit lined with grainy tannins and a final kick of acidity on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Cherry and strawberry flavors are pure and focused, with a touch of rose and rosemary accents. This is firm and balanced, with a persistent finish echoing the fruit and herb notes." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Chianti Classico is a classy, polished wine that needs time to fully come into its own, as the aromatics are not at all expressive, and that is such a big part of what makes Chianti Classico so distinctive. Today, the wine's energy and vibrancy are both notable, but it is clearly very early days for this bottling." Vinous

"This lovely, easy-drinking red has aromas of rose, berry and spice. Reflecting the nose, the bright, savory palate doles out juicy strawberry, red cherry and star anise set against taut, lithe tannins." Wine Enthusiast

The grapes are dried on straw mats for 4 months, followed by slow fermentation, which is interrupted in winter due to the temperature. Bright ruby red colour with elegant golden reflections. Aromatic bouquet of great breadth and complexity with characteristic notes of dried fruit, honey and various spices. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lots of saffron, toffee, and salted caramel followed by a hint of sesame oil. The concentrated and generous palate is supported by bright acidity. Persistent finish with citrus blossom undertones." James Suckling

High-quality and refined Vermentino with a straw-yellow colour and a bouquet of white fruit and hazelnut. Fresh and floral on the palate, round yet racy. The well-dosed use of wood gives the wine a subtle, creamy texture. A persistent, highly elegant Bolgheri Bianco with fine mineral notes for special occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

Eneo is supposed to be the "Grand Vin" of Montepesolo, the Italian answer to the globalisation of wines. And Eneo can do that. The blend of indigenous grape varieties, with Sangiovese and Montepulciano clearly in the foreground, unmistakably expresses its terroir and is understood worldwide in the process. SUPERIORE.DE

"Elegantly bright ruby red. Pronounced on the nose with aromas of juicy mulberries and blackberries, rose petals, underpinned by a hint of nutmeg. With soft but precise fruit on the palate, tense, tight tannin, long finish." Falstaff

"Lovely perfumes of flowers, fresh plums and red berries with some stones. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins that blend into the wine. Finely pixelated. Just a hint of bitterness at the end." James Suckling

"The 2021 Eneo is superb. Bright and effusive, with tons of explosive energy, the 2021 is shaping up to be a gem. Crushed flowers, blood orange, cinnamon, cedar and spice are all finely delineated in an Eneo that exudes balance. Clean mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly. I very much admire the vibrancy here, something that is hard to achieve in this district of Suvereto." Vinous

Since the 2018 vintage, a small amount of Merlot has been vinified separately at Rampolla, named after the mother Donna Liù. The unfiltered wine was matured for 12 months in terracotta amphorae and fermented to almost 0 g/l residual sugar. Very elegant, fresh nose of sour cherry, laurel and cassis. Fresh on the palate and without the sometimes exuberant opulence of some other Tuscan Merlots, with a precise cherry fruit and salty-minty component. A finely chiselled Merlot that is hard to beat in terms of freshness, clarity and personality. It bridges the gap wonderfully between the Chianti Classico and the two flagships of the house, Sammarco and d'Alceo. Needs a few more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling ruby colour with a pronounced violet hue. Open and accessible nose of blackberries and fresh plums, delicate spicy notes in the background, some cigar box. Lots of juicy fruit on the palate, fine, delicate tannins, savoury." Falstaff

"Lots of crushed blackberries and blueberries with flowers follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a bright, tangy finish. Needs a couple of years to open." James Suckling

"The 2020 Merlot Liu' bristles with extreme purity. Aging in 3/4 cement and 1/4 amphora helps preserve tremendous purity of fruit. Blueberry, spice, lavender, chocolate and licorice are all dialed up. Sweet floral and spice notes add brightness throughout." Vinous

"Vinified in cement and in amphorae made of cocciopesto, a mixture that includes ground up tiles, stone fragments and sand, this savory Merlot is simply delicious. Smooth and polished, it boasts juicy black cherry, blackberry, orange zest and star anise before a minty finish. Lithe tannins give a silky mouthfeel while fresh acidity keeps it bright." Wine Enthusiast

"Now in its third vintage, the Castello dei Rampolla 2020 Liù is a fine and impeccably detailed wine. You taste bright fruit, cherry and dusty limestone with incredible focus, as if these things were under a microscope. That dusty mineral note of pencil shaving or chalkboard is especially beautiful. The finish is lean, or mid-weight, and there are hints of dried mint and black olive on the close. The bouquet is beautifully nuanced and the mouthfeel is more compact." Wine Advocate

Prima Pietra is the flagship wine of the small Maremma branch of Castiglion del Bosco. The grapes come from what is probably the highest vineyard site on the Costa Toscana, 450 metres above sea level. Bright ruby red in colour with violet hues. Inviting spicy notes on the nose, finely characterised, with lots of dark berries and some dark chocolate, very profound. Full of tension on the palate, shows good density, with lots of fine-meshed tannins, polished, but also juicy, present fruit. Very precise progression into the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark, ruby-red centre with a delicate rim. Deep and seductive nose of dark chocolate, blackberry compote and cherry jam, on ebony. Polished attack, with precise fruit, on a tightly woven tannin structure, harmonious and persistent." Falstaff

The grapes for Istine's cult Riserva come exclusively from the estate's own vineyards Istine (Radda), Casanova dell'Aia (Radda) and Cavarchione (Gaiole). Only 4,000 bottles of this breathtaking wine, which matures for 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, are bottled each year.

Rich, bright ruby red with a sparkling centre. The bouquet is complex with aristocratic restraint. Compact and freshly fruity nose of rich cherries and ripe raspberries, with amarena cherries and notes of tobacco in the background. Medium-bodied on the palate, but with infinite, captivating depth that awaits discovery. Spreads out beautifully in the body, appears downright juicy and fruit-emphasised and continues to open up towards its terrific finalwith crunchy cherries and a refined saline vein. Purists will love its linear and unmistakable Sangiovese character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Puristic Chianti Classico. Radiant fruit with lots of cherry, some plum, juicy blood oranges and hibiscus blossom. Super-elegant texture, the finest silky tannins, lively acidity, maintains a wonderfully light-footed balance, has a savoury vein and is simply delicious." Weinwisser

"Brilliant medium ruby red colour. Powerful and concentrated cherry nose, fresh and juicy on the palate with delicious, viscous tannins. Immediately drinkable. This wine has real class." Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Levigne is fabulous. In fact, the 2020 is one of the best Riservas I can remember tasting here. Black cherry, plum, graphite, clove, menthol and liquorice are some of the many notes that come together in this deep, strong Riserva. In the past, I've found the Riserva to be a little oak-led, but that's not the case here. The 2020 has spent two full years in barrels." Vinous

The grapes for Istine's cult Riserva come exclusively from the estate's own vineyards Istine (Radda), Casanova dell'Aia (Radda) and Cavarchione (Gaiole). Only 4,000 bottles of this breathtaking wine, which matures for 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, are bottled each year.

Rich, bright ruby red with a sparkling centre. The bouquet is complex with aristocratic restraint. Compact and freshly fruity nose of rich cherries and ripe raspberries, with amarena cherries and notes of tobacco in the background. Medium-bodied on the palate, but with infinite, captivating depth that awaits discovery. Spreads out beautifully in the body, appears downright juicy and fruit-emphasised and continues to open up towards its terrific finalwith crunchy cherries and a refined saline vein. Purists will love its linear and unmistakable Sangiovese character. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Chianti Classico Riserva Levigne 2021 is fabulous. Bright, powerful and lively. Bright acids lift a core of red and purple fruit, while floral and spicy notes emerge later, adding freshness. This is the first vintage with a proportion of whole bunches (10%), an approach that works beautifully here. I also find that the oak is better integrated than in the past. I particularly admire the wine's energy shining through." Vinous

Historically, the vineyards of Castello di Fonterutoli are located in the areas of three neighbouring municipalities of Chianti Classico: Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga and Radda in Chianti. With the 2017 vintage, the Mazzei family vinified all three large vineyards separately as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione for the first time in order to recognise the diversity of the terroir: Castello di Fonterutoli, Vicoregio 36 and Badiola.

Castello di Fonterutoli comes from 11 different plots at an altitude of 420-510 metres around the hamlet of Fonterutoli in Castellina in Chianti. It is both the "Château" and the oldest cru of the estate and was first produced in 1995 as the predecessor to today's Gran Selezione. Rich colour and a clear aroma of blackberries, cherries, violets and flowers, with a hint of nougat. This full-bodied Castello Fonterutoli impresses with its beguiling extract sweetness and polished tannins. The intense and concentrated flavour enchants the senses. The long final is full of elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Velvety and seductive in its style, finely woven and with polished tannins, accompanied by sweet fruit and a warm and full-bodied mouthfeel." Weinwisser

"Inviting red and black cherries, wild strawberries and woody notes; intense, balsamic and juicy freshness with grainy tannins." Decanter

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli is a powerful, earthy wine. Black cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, liquorice, tobacco and dried herbs form the backbone of this powerful, earthy wine. With time in the glass, this wine opens up beautifully. Pretty floral accents and white pepper lift the finish." Vinous

"Lush and velvety, with aromas and flavours of cherry, plum, earth and iron as well as a hint of oak spice. A lively, firmly structured red wine with fine tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Wonderful bouquet of black cherries, herbs and violets, also pepper; extremely elegant in the mouth with a fine finish and tightly woven tannins, ends long on raspberry and violet notes, undergrowth and liquorice." Vinum

"The Mazzei 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli offers a rich texture, lots of dark fruit and an oak-accentuated overall approach. It finishes gently with cinnamon, baking spice and a sweet note of white chocolate." Wine Advocate

"Attractive aromas of red plums, dried cranberries, flavoured citrus peel, red spices and bark. Medium to full-bodied, broad and structured with ripe and well-integrated tannins and juicy fruit. Exciting. Shows notes of rose petals with crushed rock minerality. Long-lasting and lively finish." James Suckling

"Another great Gran Selezione project for Castello di Fonterutoli. Visciola, a hint of nettle and undergrowth, a nice iodine note on the finish, dense and compact mouthfeel, salty tannins, finish with a fruity and oily aftertaste. Persistent." Luca Gardini