Alberelli di Giodo
93 - Nerello Mascalese DOC 2016
This is the first vintage of famed Italian wine consultant Carlo Ferrini’s own Etna wine, and it is a lovely debut. It has a charming nose of red cherries, vanilla, spice and white chocolate. A very Burgundian-style Nerello Mascalese with great purity and precision. Supremely elegant and seductive.
Benanti
90- Etna Bianco DOC 2017
A benchmark Etna white made from 100% Carricante grown on the slopes of the iconic volcano. This is mineral and bright with fleshy green apple and greengage masked slightly by delicate woodsmoke. Fermentation and maturation in stainless steel help retain an attractive freshness and zippy acidity. Drinking Window 2019 - 2021
95 - Pietramarina Bianco Superiore DOC 2016
From 80-year-old Carricante bush vines in Milo village at 750m. When young, it seems to have a margarita-like profile with notes of salty lime, a ‘cola gelato’ and apple character typical of Mount Etna, and a finish between marzipan and iodine. Long lees-ageing brings texture, and it shines with zesty acidity balancing white-peach fruit. An exceptional match with spicy foods. Drinking Window 2025 - 2035.
93 - Rovittello Etna Rosso DOC 2013
There are fragrant red fruits on the nose, which is still reserved. The attack is intense and sleek, with lifted red fruits and tannins that are assertive but polished. Spicy and linear, it’s also grainy and very persistent. Admirable purity here.
94 -Rovittello Etna Rosso DOC 2014
The well-established Benanti estate produces a wide range of wines, but this single-vineyard red is one of the best. The mostly centenarian vines lie on the northern slopes of Etna. The nose is vibrant and minty, with crunchy raspberry aromas. It’s intense and very concentrated, with robust tannins that don’t obscure the fine texture. Has energy and drive, with very good length. Drinking Window 2019 - 2030.
Braida
95 -Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera D'Asti DOCG 2015
An explosion of black berry ,sandalwood and sweet spices on the nose . Exuberant fruit reinforced by steely acidity on the palate, finally woven oak tennis and a long finish , which is pure wild berries and violets. Drink 2018-2025.
Castello Romitorio
93 - Filo di Seta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015
Filo di Seta is one of the estate's lower lying plots at 350 metres above sea level. It takes its name from a nearby creek said to resemble a thread of silk. At the moment, sweet oak nuances dominate the nose, eventually giving way to mint, tarragon and woodland flowers. It's fully charged and chewy, though the tannins are polished and it finishes with a lingering succulence. An expansive, exuberant Brunello that finds its balance. Drinking Window 2022 - 2030.
Corte Sant'Alda
94 - Campi Magri Valpolicella Ripasso Sup. DOC 2015
Marinella Camerani farms 21ha bio-dynamically, the Campi Magri being 4.2ha of 30-year old vines. Aged for two years in 1,500-litre cherry wood, this is classic and classy -one of the best ripassos I've ever tasted.- Drinking Window 2019- 2030 Mithas Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2012 89 A lighter style, smooth and easy to navigate, with light-touch tannins to accompany raspberry and plum fruit. Enjoyable, and ready. Drinking Window 2019 - 2023.
Elena Fucci
94 - Titolo Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2016
On the ‘Titolo’ lava channel, at 650m of altitude, grows this extraordinary Aglianico. It expresses its volcanic lava and ash origins - known locally as ‘pozzolana’ - and soil combined with altitude here contribute to bring this masculine grape to perfect ripeness. Dark in colour and meaty on the nose, it shows anchovy, iodine and tell-tale incense minerality. It has a firm, well extracted mid-palate and is slightly chalky on the finish, yet in a relaxing drinking style. Drinking Window 2020 - 2030.
Gracciano della Seta
92 - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015
This historic Montepulciano property was recently passed onto the next generation of the della Seta family, and are now pursuing organic certification. Predominantly Prugnolo Gentile, with a pinch of Canaiolo Nero and Merlot, the 2015 is a standout, exhibiting rare elegance for the vintage. It is medium-weight, with depth and...
93 - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016
The historical 19th century estate has been in the della Seta Ferrari Corbelli family's hands since the mid-1900s and since the new generation took over in 2011, the quality continues to improve. As with the last couple of years, its Vino Nobile is a stand out for the vintage. Somewhat surprisingly, the 2016 demonstrates more power than the 2015 without compromising its signature elegance. There is a brightness and a drinkability under its girth and the tannins are finessed. Gorgeous floral and spice notes are laced throughout. Drinking Window 2020-2030.
92 - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2015
While I have a slight preference for the 2016 annata, Gracciano della Seta's 2015 Riserva is a fantastic wine. It hails from two of the estate's four crus and includes fruit from their 50-year-old vines. After spending a year in smaller tonneaux, it spends a further twelve months in large casks. Well-defined aromas of fennel, clove and celery echo on the palate. Polished tannins embrace dense, mouthfilling black currants and plum, finishing with captivating nuances of lavender. Drinking Window 2020 - 2030.
Musso
97 - Barbaresco Pora DOCG 2016
Valter Musso and his son Emanuele run this traditional 10ha property. They produce two single-vineyard wines: Rio Sordo and Pora. In 2015, Rio Sordo was the more impressive but in 2016 Pora seems the finer, although both are of high quality. The raspberry-scented nose is still reserved, but the palate is more lavish, with a velvety texture balanced by firm acidity as well as tannins. There's spice and lift on the long finish. Drinking Window 2020 - 2035.
91 - Barbaresco Pora DOCG 2017
This long-established estate in the village of Barbaresco produces two single-vineyard wines from here. Pora is relatively low-lying and close to the River Tanaro. The nose is decidedly sweet and ripe, with perfumed and floral raspberry aromas. The attack is rugged now, as the tannins are surprisingly firm and dense, but the angularity should vanish with more bottle age. The 2016 Pora won a Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Drinking Window 2022 - 2038.
93- Barbaresco Rio Sordo DOCG 2015
This comes from a property founded in 1929 who today cultivate 10 hectares, mostly in Barbaresco. Their holding in Rio Sordo is about 1ha. The nose is rich and succulent, with vibrant raspberry and cherry aromas as well as a whiff of violets. Its rich and weighty for Barbaresco, very concentrated and with bold, ripe tannins. Spicy and vigorous, it has nuance and complexity despite its solidity. Fine potential and length.
Ottella
91 - Le Creete Lugana DOC 2016
Flint and cedar nose with honeysuckle and ripe orchard fruit on the palate. Very drinkable and technically well made, with brisk acidity and a fine seam of minerality.
Podere Giodo
95 - Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016
The personal project of the brilliant Carlo Ferrini, celebrating the pleasures of Sangiovese in a marked departure from the Cabernet and Merlot dominant wines that made his name as a consultant. This shows the higher acidity of Sangiovese, balancing sun-baked rosemary and firm plum and raspberry flavours, with lift, succulence and white pepper edging. Delicate and fragrant, with floral edging and a punch of tar and mocha on the finish. The 5ha of vines for Giodo are planted in Montalcino, producing 15,000 bottles each year. Drinking Window 2020 - 2042