Sant'Antonio

The Soave DOC Monte di Colognola tells the story of the volcanic area in the hilly west of the appellation. The lively bouquet has fresh notes of white elderberry and peach blossom, sweet lemon peel and lemongrass. On the palate, the wine recalls the sweet and juicy sensation of grapes, finishing elegantly and refined with floral notes of camomile and citrus fruits. SUPERIORE.DE

"There's a whoosh of white pepper on the nose and then so fragrant: the scent of summer hay meadow and grass pollen. Bags of golden apples and sweet pomelo and a rather delicious uptick of lemongrass and tomato vine and coriander seeds. A frisson of chalk-and-stone dust. So clean and so fresh but rounded and a real undertow of interest and substance. Real length looping back to the white-pepper fragrance of the start." Jancis Robinson

"A really good Soave. Concentrated, savoury and well-structured, with notes of quince paste, apricot chutney, curry powder and pronounced pepper, compressed by a reductive minerality, bright acidity and a wave of phenols. A very impressive start. Even convincing. Lasting." James Suckling

In Valpolicella, single-varietal wines from the native Corvina variety are becoming more and more common. And Scaia shows a beautiful portrait: light ruby red, mineral notes in the bouquet, plus small red berries and cherries, round on the palate with good freshness. Wonderful to drink. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rather jammy strawberry and raspberry on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with intensity of fruit and some fine tannin that does little to impede the flow. Glass stopper. Good and fruity. Drink now." James Suckling

A smoky blend of raspberry jam, sage and freshly ground pepper flows from the glass. The palate is silky in texture and extremely flavoursome with the pepper notes from the bouquet mingling with salty minerals and lively acidity. The finish is long and fruity with a hint of liquorice. A delicious accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby red with a delicately brightening rim. Very fragrant and very clear on the nose, of fresh strawberries, violets and wild berries, inviting. On the palate with radiant play, very fresh and balanced, shows clear fruit, everything is in its place, fine drinking pleasure." Falstaff

"Bright cherry, fresh and lively with a hint of sweet paprika spice. Juicy and delicious. A wine that is a pleasure to drink." Jancis Robinson

"A beautiful, casual young Valpo with fresh cherries and berries. Light, clean and straightforward. No tannins to speak of." James Suckling

The volcanic soils of Monte di Colognola give Monte Ceriani a mineral framework, a symmetrical matrix of flint and phenol in which the fruit flesh is deeply embedded. White pears, almond cream, white peach and lime. A hint of finely ground pepper. The finest silvery streaks of acidity thread the whole into a glittering carpet of light. Harmonious aroma of citrus fruits, especially grapefruit. Powerful flavour, fresh, long-lasting and accompanied by a wonderful almond/peppery mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"At first the wine smelt a little bit of marzipan and grilled pineapple. It began to build, more and more aromatic. Concentric circles of flavour and structure, bringing honeysuckle and green tea, lemongrass and baked pear, bergamot and passion-fruit flowers, and always but almost invisible in the background, a delicate savouriness of crushed almonds and roasted buckwheat. It doesn't have the taut acidity of the 2021 – instead, an almost downy softness – but the wine still has trajectory and focus. And it is still thrillingly complex." Jancis Robinson

"A tightly folded wine that promises a bright future in the medium term. Baked quinces, rusty-brown apples, tatami straw, curry powder and bitter almonds, almost like marzipan. And yet nothing is out of place. A medium-bodied Soave with the right quotient of concentration, power and freshness, and with this winning ensemble, a dazzling length. It gets even better." James Suckling

Wonderfully complex Soave from vines over 20 years old. Sparkling light yellow colour with green reflections. A restrained, reductive bouquet of bitter almond, flint, jam with white and yellow fruit flesh, dried fruit and biscuits. The palate is dry, warm and soft, yet fresh, spicy and slightly astringent, with a full, balanced body. With increasing aeration, it reveals its great complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Smells of chamomile and honey, just a teeny bit smoky. Beeswax texture, dense and fondu smooth, but the flavours are anything but. It's fireworks, a kaleidoscope of pepper and sage, candied citrus peel and grilled yuzu. Aloe and lanolin. Pear and tofu curds. Green almonds and walnut. Wonderful saltiness and great tension shaping the finish into long, intent focus." Jancis Robinson

"This Soave is characterised by its indelible concentration, its compact balance and its impeccable details. Complex notes of cardamom, cherries, quince, tamarind and smoked curry leaves. An intoxicating substance. The skilful handling of the skin and careful crafting have produced a style that stands out from the crowd so much that it attracts the drinker in search of loyalty to place and a real point of difference. A whirlwind of intoxicating complexity. A wine for the nerd, the thrill-seeker and the everyday drinker all at once." James Suckling

Dark ruby red colour. La Bandina is a parade Valpolicella from a single vineyard with a very complex, nuanced bouquet of small wild berries, cherries, liquorice and tobacco. The palate is fresh, balsamic and warm-hearted with a dark bouquet of forest fruits, chocolate, coffee and plum. The long finish has a very balanced acidity-tannin structure and impressive depth. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is delicious! The tannins are like silk; there are wonderfully harmonious threads of oak subtly and deeply woven into the fabric of the wine, bringing flecks of spice and long, dark lines of liquorice and hints of dark chocolate to contour the lush, juicy dark red cherry fruit; the finish is minty, peppery and cool. There is so much to explore here, but the heartbeat of this wine is the soaring, deliciously fresh fruit. The fruit is mesmerising. This is how Valpolicella should taste." Jancis Robinson

"I like the hint of green cardamom to the ripe red fruit on the nose, which carries through to the medium-bodied palate that brings in a hint of fruit toffee. Quite low tannin, so you can enjoy this Valpo now." James Suckling

"The 2020 Valpolicella Superiore La Bandina exudes a tantalising blend of crushed wild berries, lavender, chalk dust and a hint of roasted meat. It is a model of purity, with crunchy wild berries underlined by salty minerals and accompanied by a savoury acidity. It finishes long and savoury, leaving rosy, floral notes and a layer of fine tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum." Vinous

Amarone Selezione Antonio Castagnedi delivers high quality for its price every year: bright ruby red with sparkling reflections. A variety of aromas of violets, graphite, black cherries and minerals and a lively, structured, down-to-earth, very present style. Its richness and depth make it the perfect accompaniment to winter cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright, rich ruby red colour. Very fragrant bouquet on the nose, spicy, cinnamon, blood orange, fresh peach, raspberries. Spicy flavours and clear fruit on the palate, balanced, with a juicy tannin finish and beautiful length." Falstaff

"If you've ever had the opportunity to stand in old hand-fired brick drying sheds, three storeys high, filled with hot steam, leaves tied in bundles, stacked up and up and up, you'll know what this wine smells like. It is an extraordinary odour. It smells of steam-soaked red clay bricks, of tobacco leaves, green, yellow, gold, copper-coloured, brown and of earth, spices, dust and oven smoke. It is the smell of a good Amarone. And this one carries its layers of tobacco between layers of dried plums, dried cherries, crushed rosehips, bitter oranges and nutmeg. It is dry, elegant, refined. It is an extraordinary beauty." Jancis Robinson

"Very dense on the nose, so it should be swirled well to emphasise the bright red fruits such as raspberries and red cherries, which are immediately apparent on the palate. Full-bodied and structured, with a youthful feel created by the backbone of fresh tannins. It can be drunk at the dinner table now, but it is made to last and will lie in the cellar for a few more years." James Suckling

"The 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi is a dark, seductive wine with a blend of black cherries and crushed purple candies that fade into a hint of cocoa. The wine is silky smooth, almost creamy, yet full-bodied, with ripe red fruit contrasted by a hint of bitter balsamic spice. It finishes with youthful tension, leaving a layer of grippy tannins that are nicely balanced by a hint of residual acidity. The 2019 has a wonderful balance that makes it an excellent choice for the dinner table, but will also aid its ageing. It also has only 15% alcohol. Beautiful." Vinous

Manfro's bouquet combines dark ripe fruits, sweet spices, some mocha with spicy herbs and violet flowers. Silky, full-bodied and energetic on the palate with cooling acidity and minerals that play superbly around the ripe black cherries. Finishes on an elegant bitter note, fresh with violet flowers and wild berries. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lovely aromatic expression, richly scented and nuanced with caramel, roses, potpourri, meaty tones, chocolate and orange. Succulent and sharp, this has such intensity from the start with a precision that gives each aspect a high tone and edge in the mouth with the expansive flavours coming a little after the initial taste. It's a powerful, full wine, with plenty of flavour but it's delivered with a light touch, it's not as viscous as I thought it would be, but so nuanced, driving and persistent. Structured and supportive, this is an interesting wine that carefully blends sweet and savoury elements with freshness." Decanter

The star from Tenuta Sant'Antonio: A rich dark ruby red, its bouquet of wild fruits, black pepper, tobacco and spices is a delight for the nose. Fruity and full-bodied, yet velvety and very sophisticated in its character - an austere, characterful and elegant Amarone, whose terrificfinish is accompanied by noble tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"It has distinct aromas of chocolate wheat and spiced plum crumble. Tart black fruits and balsamic freshness lurk in the mouth with streaks of tangy red fruits and dusty spices, supported by fine, grainy tannins. It's sweet and juicy and shows some chalky tautness on the palate, giving this big wine a desirable finesse." Decanter

"Ruby red with a tendency towards violet. The nose reveals clear notes of sour cherry, cherry, plum, blood orange and undergrowth, followed by floral notes of rose and violet. Gradually, spicy notes unfold. Full, juicy and fruity on the palate, with splendid tannins, finishing delicately bitter on the long finish." Falstaff

"The Tenuta Sant'Antonio Famiglia Castagnedi 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli reveals a very savory character with dried fruit, lots of plum and spicy back notes that transition to tarry smoke and barbecue. The wine is full-bodied and slightly evolved due to the hot vintage conditions." Wine Advocate

"Thick and rather syrupy dried black fruits face a wall of black pepper and toasted oak on the nose, which turns to liquorice on the palate. Any subtler, more complex character waits for now for the youthful fruit and oak to clear the main stage. And that can take some time. Nevertheless, this wine is already very pleasant to drink and will give pleasure for many years to come." James Suckling

"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli is intense, like opening an ash stone to discover a wealth of dried black cherries, cinnamon sticks, incense and dried herbs. The texture is deep, with a balanced inner sweetness highlighted by vibrant acidity, while the depths of tart red fruits slowly saturate the palate with primary concentration. The 2017 finishes structured and dramatically long, making a case for further cellaring." Vinous

The lily is the flower of all flowers in Valpolicella and this exceptional Riserva is dedicated to the best of them. The grapes for this new flagship of the winery, produced in very small quantities, grow on 300-metre-high soils of mainly limestone with some sandy silt in the Monti Garbi district of the municipality of Mezzane di Sotto. The vines have an average age of 40 years and produce only small yields. After harvest, the grapes are selected twice by hand. The Lilium Est is aged for three years in new Bordeaux barriques, the laths of which have been dried outdoors for 36 months. Before it goes on sale, it remains in the bottle for at least another four years.

Dense ruby red, clear and consistent, olfactory very powerful, extensive and fine. The first impression is of balsamic, almost iodine-like notes, transported by the remarkable alcoholic content, to immediately reveal the characteristic scent of ripe cherries, plums, vanilla and ginger. Tertiary aromas of cocoa, chocolate, tar, almonds, roasted hazelnuts and pipe tobacco follow on the heels. The palate is dry, warm and soft, well supported by a remarkable acidity, of great palatability and equipped with an enveloping tannic structure. As it progresses, it is balanced, very persistent and fine. Undoubtedly a highly elegant, complex wine monument - a strong companion with broad shoulders that will defy time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich and compact garnet red with ruby reflections. Complex and intense nose with notes of pickled plums and sour cherries, rum pot and some coffee. On the palate with powerful and at the same time supple tannin, with lots of ripe cherry fruit, juicy and with a long final." Falstaff

"Black dates, green tea, shellfish, seaweed, bark, melted dark chocolate and liquorice on the nose. Full-bodied and flavourful on the palate, a little old-fashioned, but complex and distinctive. It starts dry, but then becomes a little more generous, with a refined, bittersweet accent, before a long finish. A conservative Amarone that exudes quality. Beautiful now, but it will age for a long time." James Suckling

"Released 10 years after the harvest, the Tenuta Sant'Antonio Famiglia Castagnedi 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Lilium Est is packaged in a very heavy glass bottle with a red wax capsule. The wine has definitely started along its evolutionary track, although there is still some of that dark and opulent Amarone fruit to behold. Dried fruit aromas are wrapped within ample spice, leather, tar and a potent 16% alcohol content." Wine Advocate

"My goodness what a beguiling nose, wood, caramel, parma violet, floral with coffee/mocha tones. Full bodied and full of life, tannins make the immediate impact, massive and fleshy but also powdery so you get depth of flavour on the tongue and a fine coating of texture around the cheeks. A powerhouse of a wine, layers of vibrant acidity, rich concentration and lingering freshness with lovely aspects of coffee, toffee, star anise, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and balsamic leather. The fruit is crisp with a high-toned toasting element, all of which seems to work in harmony to deliver a nuanced wine with so many facets." Decanter

"The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Lilium Est delights from the first swirl of the glass with a seductive bouquet of sweet spices, sugary blueberries, sweet smoke and oak. This is pure elegance, almost opulent but not quite, with a balance of ripe red fruits and a bitter hint of cocoa to balance it out. The finish is smoky and firm, with fine-grained tannins that frame the wine without slowing its momentum, while nuances of coffee grounds and cloves slowly fade away. The 2012 could do with some ageing to further integrate the oak (it matured for four years in new barriques), but the use of wood is skilful." Vinous

The star from Tenuta Sant'Antonio: A rich dark ruby red, its bouquet of wild fruits, black pepper, tobacco and spices is a delight for the nose. Fruity and full-bodied, yet velvety and very sophisticated in its character - an austere, characterful and elegant Amarone, whose terrificfinish is accompanied by noble tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"It has distinct aromas of chocolate wheat and spiced plum crumble. Tart black fruits and balsamic freshness lurk in the mouth with streaks of tangy red fruits and dusty spices, supported by fine, grainy tannins. It's sweet and juicy and shows some chalky tautness on the palate, giving this big wine a desirable finesse." Decanter

"Ruby red with a tendency towards violet. The nose reveals clear notes of sour cherry, cherry, plum, blood orange and undergrowth, followed by floral notes of rose and violet. Gradually, spicy notes unfold. Full, juicy and fruity on the palate, with splendid tannins, finishing delicately bitter on the long finish." Falstaff

"The Tenuta Sant'Antonio Famiglia Castagnedi 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli reveals a very savory character with dried fruit, lots of plum and spicy back notes that transition to tarry smoke and barbecue. The wine is full-bodied and slightly evolved due to the hot vintage conditions." Wine Advocate

"Thick and rather syrupy dried black fruits face a wall of black pepper and toasted oak on the nose, which turns to liquorice on the palate. Any subtler, more complex character waits for now for the youthful fruit and oak to clear the main stage. And that can take some time. Nevertheless, this wine is already very pleasant to drink and will give pleasure for many years to come." James Suckling

"The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli is intense, like opening an ash stone to reveal a wealth of dried black cherries, cinnamon sticks, incense and dried herbs. The texture is deep, with a balanced inner sweetness highlighted by vibrant acidity, while the depths of tart red fruits slowly saturate the palate with primary concentration. The 2017 finishes structured and dramatically long, making a case for further cellaring." Vinous