A fine and pretty Barolo with plenty of strawberry and mushroom character. White truffle too. It’s medium-to full-bodied and creamy with medium round tannins. Delicious now and will improve nicely.

The plums dried strawberries and crushed stones pop out of the glass. Full-bodied and very l

Dark red. The captivating complex nose offers urgent aromas of red cherry dried redcurrant brown spices roasted coffee violet botanical herbs and licorice. Sweet ripe and velvety with wonderful inner-mouth perfume to the flavors... Read More

Classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry forest floor new leather and a whiff of rose lift out of the glass along with a whiff of botanical herb. Delivering elegance and structure in equal measure the linear palate features red... Read More

Just bottled the 2015 Barolo Riserva Cascina Dardi is a real powerhouse. This full-bodied potent Barolo packs a huge punch. It won't be ready to drink anytime soon that much is obvious. Time in the glass brings out aromatic... Read More

What Is Laboro Disubbidiente?
Laboro Disubbidiente is a Barolo in all but name. Produced from vines with an average age of 60 years from the Bussia vineyard of Dardi. Laboro is a play on the word Barolo and a nod to the labor... Read More

First produced in the 1984 vintage Löwengang Chardonnay is a benchmark example of the variety in Alto Adige. Sourced from the best parcels of 30- to 80-year-old Chardonnay vines in Magrè near the winery it undergoes spontaneous... Read More

Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a... Read More

With vineyards in virtually every quadrant of Montalcino Altesino can shape the blend according to the vintage. As some of their northern plots struggled in 2020’s heat the backbone for this comes from vineyards in the south... Read More

With vineyards in virtually every quadrant of Montalcino Altesino can shape the blend according to the vintage. As some of their northern plots struggled in 2020’s heat the backbone for this comes from vineyards in the south... Read More

Altesino’s Montosoli bottling comes exclusively from the top of the hill a steep northwest-facing plot on schisty Galestro soil. While by no means au

This Riserva favours the estate’s most southerly vineyards in 2019 with the majority of lots coming from the Pianezzine site near Sant’Angelo in Colle. It is a rousing interplay of dark earthy nuance – wet forest floor leather... Read More

The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Del Suolo pours a medium youthful red hue and takes a nervous and wonderful energy on opening. Perfumed and mineral-tinged it reveals notes of gravelly earth rosewater raspberry liqueur and... Read More

Marco Caprai strikes again with yet another beautiful vintage of his top-shelf red. The 2013 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni is a darkly saturated and thickly extracted wine with a full and generous style. The wine is redolent of... Read More

The 2014 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni is a steady and rich wine that shows dark primary fruit that is followed by a long succession of spice smoke and tar-like aromas. You get the full Sagrantino package here with ample muscle... Read More

This bottle is a true ambassador for Umbria. You get ample varietal tones in the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni with bitter chocolate and baking spice but Caprai does a terrific job of softening up and fleshing out the Sagrantino... Read More

Black fruit spice tar and cured tobacco open the bouquet of the 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Valdimaggio. You also get slightly more mature aromas of rum cake or cherry liqueur from this warm and sunny vintage. This is a complete... Read More

The 2016 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is a glorious wine. Sweet red cherry mint iron rose petal and blood orange are some of the many aromas and flavors that grace this exquisite beautifully layered Barolo. A wine of subtlety nuance and... Read More

Azelia's 2016 Barolo San Rocco shows terrific density and richness but it is less aromatically expressive than most of the other 2016s in the range. Readers will have to give this at least a few years in bottle for the tannins... Read More

Spicy aromas reveal pipe tobacco underbrush new leather and ripe berry alongside whiffs of fragrant purple flower. Linear and full-bodied the elegantly structured palate has youthful tension offering succulent Morello cherry star... Read More

The captivating Baricci 2019 Brunello is another gorgeous wine from this storied producer. It offers enticing scents of woodland berry new leather camphor pipe tobacco and dog rose

From vines located at 670 metres above sea level in Randazzo on Etna's north side this is earthy and juicy with plenty of wood and chocolate. Red and black fruits mingle with undergrowth for a very savoury expression coupled... Read More

This 100% Nerello Mascalese from the Southwestern slope is rounder and more concentrated than Contrada Monte Serra. Fermented with indigenous Etna yeasts identified by Benanti after years of research and aged for one year in tonneaux... Read More

28 Jul 2022 – This has aromas of cherry stones slate pine cones lemon peel and oyster shells. Tightly knit firm tannins here framing a wild and racy core of citrus herbs and berries. Long and refined. Nerello mascalese. Try... Read More

The 20th anniversary bottling of Testamatta made from the 2019 vintage in brand new winemaking facilities in Florence. This just shines from the moment it’s poured. Layered and complex this is a gem of a wine filled with cherry... Read More

It’s almost impossible to imagine that the 1985 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica has just celebrated its thirty-sixth birthday. It displays a brilliant ruby red color and amazing clarity in the glass with only the slightest... Read More

The 2020 Malvasia Italo & Bruno is sweetly scented and delicate with pretty spring florals and crushed stone. This soothes the palate with silky textures and ripe orchard fruits complemented by sweet spice. The 2020 finishes with... Read More

The 2022 Ronco della Chiesa is decidedly spicy and savory in the glass wafting up with a burst of rosemary musky lime and crushed stone. This is lifted and energetic with a silken wave of citrus-tinged orchard fruits and mineral... Read More

The 2021 Sauvignon Dark Label is wickedly spicy boasting a complex blend of ground ginger lemon zest incense and sage. Silky in feel yet almost salty in nature it's perfumed and zesty within with citrus-kissed orchard fruits... Read More

Savory peppery perfumed and packed full of the character the 2015 Rosso della Centa a 100% varietal Merlot will keep you coming back to the glass over and over again. Wild strawberries blackberries cloves tobacco and an enriching... Read More

The 2017 Rosso Riserva is stunning lifting from the glass with a spectacularly varietal and perfumed mix of crushed blueberries and plums offset by lavender and hints of wet stone. This is vividly fruity yet still finessed with... Read More

Bottled In The 1950's

Cantalupo's 2016 Ghemme Collis Breclemae is wild exotic and totally beguiling. Even so my impression is that the 2016 is only showing a hint of its potential. In the glass the 2016 is both powerful and incredibly finessed.... Read More

The 2009 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Franco-Michet is pliant supple and inviting with no hard edges and plenty of immediate appeal. The sweet dark cherry tobacco plum and spice flavors are nicely pushed forward. I imagine the 2009... Read More

The 2009 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris - Nebioli is a fabulous start to this evening as it is in such a beautiful spot right now. Open-knit and sensual the 2009 envelops the palate with rich pliant fruit all wrapped into a... Read More

The Caprilli estate is made up of property to the southwest of Brunello in the Tavernelle area that was originally part of the larger Villa Santa Restituta’s holdings, from which it was carved out in 1965. The owner, Alfo... Read More

The estate was founded by Giovanni Neri, a grain merchant from south of Florence, who purchased the 200 hectare Casanova farm on the eastern side of Montalcino in 1971. The first Brunello bottling was made that year but the first... Read More

The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is a powerful ample wine. A blast of dark amarena cherry plum mocha licorice and spice infuse the 2014 with tons of depth and volume. The 2014 is not especially refined in fact it... Read More

The 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is one of the most distinctive wines in all of Piedmont. It emerges from a tiny parcel in Neive first planted in 1913 with the Rose clone of Nebbiolo known for its aromatic intensity... Read More

From barrel the 2022 Barbera D’Alba Carra sports a youthful dark purple color and is fruity with ripe plum and pressed lavender as well as some iron richness and gamey notes. Medium to full-bodied it’s snappy with fresh acidity... Read More

The 1994 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a fitting wine to round out the first day of this very special retrospective featuring wines back to the inaugural 1977. Powerful and explosive to the core the 1994 is seriously beautiful.... Read More

22 Jul 2022 – A vibrant balanced and fresh red with raspberries pomegranates cherry stones and spice box on the nose. Sleek tight tannins. Focused with a very fine structure and wound-up energy. Sangiovese and malvasia nera.... Read More

Currants and black berries with citrus undertones as well as flowers. Medium-bodied with medium velvety tannins and a freshness and brightness. Lots of energy. Cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese and merlot. Drinkable now but better... Read More

Rampolla's 2019 D'Alceo is creamy and resonant in the glass. Inky dark fruit lavender blackberry and spice all meld together in a wine that combines power and elegance. Seamless tannins extend the finish effortlessly.... Read More

The 2017 Barbaresco Rabajà is sure to put a smile on readers’ faces. Ample and generous, the 2017 captures the radiant side of the year, which gives the wine so much appeal and also softens some of the firmness that... Read More

Originally planted at the end of the 1990s Coltassala is

This is a remarkable Brunello from a COVID-19 vintage that launched many curveballs at producers. The Castello Romitorio 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is noticeably a step above its peers thanks to its seamless mouthfeel its bright... Read More

The 2020 Filo di Seta has Bing cherry orange zest toasted baking spices leading into a juicy palate with loads of concentration and tannins that are sappy and well-managed.The oak is showy but does overpower the fruit on the finish.... Read More

Full of details of prunes stony salinity earthy notes and forest floor tannins firm and slightly sticky on the gums but with crisp acidity. It's almost austere on the finish but dynamic and balanced nonetheless leaving room... Read More

Hailing from the firm’s prime vineyard in the Bricco Boschis cru Cavallotto’s magnificent 2017 Riserva Vigna San Giuseppe opens with classic Barolo aromas of new leather forest floor tobacco and ripe berry that mingle with... Read More

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a grand estate of great historical and religious heritage, having been owned by the bishop of Montalcino in the seventeenth century. It is currently run by the grandchildren of Guiseppe Bianchini,... Read More

The 2019 straight Brunello from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a beauty starting with its heady scents of red berry dog rose spice and Mediterranean scrub. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse the smooth palate delivers juicy... Read More

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a grand estate of great historical and religious heritage, having been owned by the bishop of Montalcino in the seventeenth century. It is currently run by the grandchildren of Guiseppe Bianchini,... Read More

The 2018 Gattinara Molsino emerges from a relatively warm sunny spot on the estate at 400 meters in elevation. It presents myriad shades of dark cherry/plum fruit sage menthol new leather and dark spices. Potent and virile in... Read More

The 2018 Gattinara Valferana is explosive right out of the glass. Supporting veins of tannin carry a core of red fruit cinnamon rose petal blood orange mint and white pepper. The Valferana is complex and wonderfully deep from... Read More

The 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is another terrific wine from Conterno-Fantino. Crushed flowers cedar pipe tobacco mint dried flowers and worn-in leather give the 2019 striking aromatic presence. Here too Fabio Conterno... Read More

The rose flower violet dark berry and cedar aromas are impressive on the nose. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are powerful and muscular. Excellent length. Classic Barolo that needs at least four or five years to soften. From... Read More

The Tenuta Cucco 2016 Barolo Cerrati reveals a delicate and classic approach with tart cherry dried plum tar and licorice. The wine's intensity is moderate and it eases back on the complexity as well showing instead a direct... Read More

A gorgeous nose of rosemary leather cocoa powder and milled pepper is a fragrant thread winding through this rich red. Dense fine-grained tannins support flavors of baked black cherry and blackberry paste loamy earth graphite... Read More

The fruit feels so comfortable here, in the ripe-red zone; it ranges from cherry kernel to chocolate-coated red plums to glazed cherries. Integrated hints of bark and sandalwood. Full-bodied with strapping tannins and muscular,... Read More

The 2017 Barolo Via Nuova is stellar. In 2017 the Via Nuova is a bit nervous the sign of a Barolo that is going to need a number of years to unwind. Bright red-toned fruit chalk crushed rocks mint and white pepper add pretty aromatic... Read More

The 2019 Barolo Via Nuova is another gorgeous wine in this tasting. Soaring and broad in its aromatic intensity the 2019 has it all. The blend of seven sites works so well. Readers will find a seamless wonderfully complete Barolo.... Read More

The 2020 Barolo Via Nuova is stellar. It clearly benefits from a blend of several sites. Dark cherry gravel spice menthol licorice and dried herbs all build in this potent structured Barolo. As always the blend includes Paiagallo... Read More

The 2019 Barolo Mosconi is the most potent of the three Barolos in the range. It exudes Monforte darkness and virile intensity from the very first taste. Black cherry plum mocha sage tar lavender and spice infuse the 2019 with... Read More

The 2019 Barolo Arborina is laced with dark cherry graphite dried flowers and licorice. It is an especially dark almost somber Arborina with huge incisive tannins that are quite dominant at this stage. It will be interesting to... Read More

The distinctive amphitheater that is Gavarini in Monforte d’Alba is situated just north of Ginestra. The 2017 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is nuanced with perfectly ripe cherry cinnamon cedar and menthol. It delivers a high level... Read More

The 2020 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a heady almost exotic wine. Harvest took place on October 17 very late for the year. Hard candy kirsch menthol dried rose petal mint and blood orange infuse the 2020 with striking depth. The... Read More

The 2021 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a deep powerful wine. In most vintages the Gavarini Chiniera is a bit more linear but the 2021 has an extra kick of textural depth that is such a hallmark of the year. Iron chalk dried flowers... Read More

The 2020 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is gorgeous. Aromatically captivating and nuanced the 2020 impresses right out of the gate. All the classic Ginestra signatures are present. Today the tannins are pretty imposing in the positive... Read More

The 2021 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is fabulous. Bright and transparent with captivating depth the 2021 is a stunning beauty. Enveloping balsamic notes make a strong opening statement that remains a theme here. Blue/purplish fruit... Read More

Elvio Cogno’s gorgeous 2018 Barolo Ravera is all about finesse and fragrance boasting alluring scents of dark spice perfumed berry violet and camphor as well as notes of forest floor. Combining structure and elegance the delicious... Read More

The 2019 Barolo Ravera is beautiful with floral and spice perfume and offers a Burgundian aesthetic with notes of apricot and wet stone. It is medium-bodied highly refined and pure with complexity that continues to evolve in the... Read More

The 2017 Barolo Bricco Pernice is superb. Silky and soft with gorgeous textural finesse the 2017 is all class right out of the gate. Hints of rose petal orange zest cinnamon and star anise meld into sweet red cherry and raspberry... Read More

Entirely from Nebbiolo Lampia a more classic Barolo from this south-facing vineyard the 2018 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice has aromas of red fruits cocoa fresh earth and ripe berries. It is medium-bodied and long on the palate... Read More

You could spend all day just taking in the multifaceted aromas on the stunning Bricco Pernice from Elvio Cogno that include forest floor crushed mint new leather cake spice and blue flower. Smooth and full-bodied the delicious... Read More

The 2016 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena is such a complete wine. Elegant deep and powerful like only great Barolo can be the Vigna Elena possesses tons of nuance and dimension from the very first taste. Exotic spice and orange... Read More

The 2017 Barolo Ravera Vigna Elena is made entirely from the Rosé clone and is a very special wine in that it moves from incense to red berries rose petal and licorice. It has a gripping structure though with sweet ripe tannins... Read More

Medium red brick-colored the 2018 Barolo Docg Ravera Riserva Vigna Elena offers a sweet floral perfume of rose petals potpourri candied raspberries sweet sage and fresh rosemary. Medium-bodied it has mouthwatering freshness and... Read More

Made with grapes from the towns of Serralunga La Morra and Monforte the 2019 Monclivio has aromas of rose camphor coffee bean and exotic brown spice. Linear and elegantly structured the firm palate offers juicy sour cherry blood... Read More

Sweet and succulent aromas of tangerines freshly cut ripe strawberries cherries and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate with sleek and dense tannins that run the length of the wine and then fan out into a dense vivid... Read More

Sweet and succulent aromas of tangerines freshly cut ripe strawberries cherries and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate with sleek and dense tannins that run the length of the wine and then fan out into a dense vivid... Read More

I like the clarity and linear quality to this with ripe-cherry and bark flavors. It’s full-bodied though not heavy and ponderous. Racy and bright at the end. Drink or hold.

The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is fascinating to taste next to the Rancia as the two parcels are adjacent. Rich and substantial in the glass Colonia is textured and ample qualities that become increasingly apparent... Read More