Italian Wine

Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Araldica

A complex nose showing notes of black cherry, plum, violets, coffee and raisins. The palate is smooth and rounded, with a richly-textured mid-palate and a medley of spice, dried fruit characters and supple tannins. The wine remains elegant, being so beautifully integrated and sweetly rich, but with a long and complex, dry finish.

Montressor

A complex nose showing notes of black cherry, plum, violets, coffee and raisins. The palate is smooth and rounded, with a richly-textured mid-palate and a medley of spice, dried fruit characters and supple tannins. The wine remains elegant, being so beautifully integrated and sweetly rich, but with a long and complex, dry finish.

Montressor

The rare Slarina grape is native to the Monferrato hills of eastern Piemonte and almost disappeared due to low productivity. A handful of estates, including Il Cascinone, are reviving the variety which combines the fresh, juicy character of Barbera with fine, fresh red fruit and slightly leafy notes somewhat reminiscent of Cabernet Franc

Fruity with hints fo ripe cherry and red fruit on the nose. On the palate this is full-bodied and round with more red fruit and a poised acidity

The palate is rich and generous with juicy cherry and more plum fruit, and meaty, spicy notes beneath. Soft oak tannins offer an extra dimension to the texture. A refreshing smack of fruity acidity on the finish gives plenty of definition to the ripe fruit.

Araldica

Barolo Liste is a signature wine of Piedmont, cultivated in the small, prestigious zone of Liste within the Barolo zone.

Nebbiolo grown in calcareous-clay soil gives this pure expression of Barolo its intense, garnet red color, with a few orange highlights. Its nose is moderately intense with notes of wild fruit, liquorice, tobacco and cocoa.

The vineyard carries its 35 years well and enjoys ample sunshine from the east.

On the palate it is dry and full-bodied with a velvety persistence that marries well with the great Piedmont culinary tradition. It is an ideal accompaniment to braised meats and truffle dishes.

95/100 - The Wine Advocate

Damilano Barolo

This natural wine packs a punchy nose of crisp apple aromas. Crunchy green apple and a bit of lime lead on the palate which is rich in texture and a lemon drizzle cake finish.

A selection of Cavit's best Merlot from the Valle dei Laghi. A winning combination of ripe, opulent fruit, fresh Trentino acidity and classic Bordeaux cedarwood characters.

A warm, open nose with berry, spice and cedarwood aromas. On the palate the wine has ripe plum and cherry fruit alongside savoury, spicy notes. Richly-flavoured with bitter chocolate notes and refreshing acidity leading to a long, structured finish.

Cavit

A warm spicy nose with lightly smoky aromas, which mingle with plum, red berries and a hint of chocolate. The palate is finely structured with supple tannins and bright balancing acidity. Ripe plum and blackberry fruit lead to long, savoury finish with a typically Italian bitter cherry twist.

Purple red color. Intense red and black fruit character – ripe cherries and blackberries dominate, with interesting notes of exotic spices and well integrated oak notes. The palate has a beautifully juicy and elegant structure with an important tannic backbone that gives length to the wine and will make it age gracefully.

Nittardi

A sophisticated, elegant 100% Bellone wine that embodies its terroir. It is named after one of the mythical Dioscuri, venerated in the ancient Temple of Castor and Pollux, whose imposing ruins are among Cori’s archaeological treasures.

Brilliant straw yellow colour; delicate fruity nose, yellow peach, hawthorn; fragrant, fresh palate with mineral notes.

Cincinnato

Aromas of honeyed, ripe stone fruit with citrus and lightly spicy notes. The palate is complex with lime, citrus characters balanced by a spicy minerality, structure and length. Showing some development, but with the potential to age for 5 years or more.

Cavit

The Monte Bernardi estate covers 53 hectares, 15 of which are under vine. 4.8 of these hectares are held on a long lease, which was taken out in 2011. The vineyards are situated in the hilly, southern-most region of Panzano, an area long acknowledged as one of the Grand Crus of Chianti Classico.

Michael Schmelzer and his family bought the estate in 2003, and have invested heavily in it ever since. The vines are planted on a soil of a high rock content mixture which, depending on the vineyard, consists of shale (Galestro), sandstone (Arenaria) and limestone (Alberese). The vineyards are perfectly situated at an altitude of 350 metres above sea level, surrounded by forests and enjoying a southern exposure, with the river Pesa flowing just a few hundred metres to the south.

The estate has been certified organic and biodynamic since 2004. Grass and cover crops are grown in alternate rows: composted cow manure and biodynamic preparations are used. Harvesting is by hand, usually from late September until mid-October.

For their Sa’Etta Chianti Classico Riserva (100% Sangiovese) the best grapes are selected from Sa’Etta, a single vineyard which benefits from the best position, exposure and terrain on the estate – highly reflective sandstone (Arenaria-Calcare-Pietraforte) rich with quartz inclusions. After natural fermentation, in large oak casks, the wine is placed in a combination of German and Austrian oak where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine remains in oak for at least 24 months, followed by finishing in bottle for another 12 months.

Monte Bernardi

100% Timorasso. Five generations of Massas laboured tirelessly to keep the Timorasso flame alight whilst cheap Pinot Grigio and Prosecco rolled past by the truckload. It’s not difficult to see the origins of Walter’s frustration. Here on the steep hills just east of Tortona grow the last few hectares of Timorasso in the world. An ancient variety with thick skins, low yields, high disease susceptibility and immense concentration, it ought to be served by the glass in every restaurant with even the slightest aspirations to a decent wine list. The Timorasso ‘Derthona’ is initially shy in the glass but develops red apple, apricot and tangerine with time. Extended lees contact gives it a creamy mouthfeel often mistaken for oak (there is none) and the acidity will keep it developing in bottle for ages.

Abruzzo's Pecorino grape is one of Italy's fastest growing white varieties. It's a perfect accompaniment to the fantastic seafood of the region. This is a great example from one of its leading proponents. Ripe honeyed nose with aromas of white peach and citrus fruits, and gently nutty, savoury notes. The palate is full and textured with pronounced minerality and delicate ripe fruit flavours leading to a long, spicy finish.

Pronounced and complex nose with savoury, nutty aromas and hints of fennel, ginger and white spice. The palate is fine, concentrated and textural, with crisp citrus and lightly honeyed stone fruit balanced by minerality and sappy acidity.

Cantine Nicosia

This wine is a rediscovery of the old tradition of using partially-dried grapes to add richness and concentration. Following the traditional passito technique - a portion of ripe Barbera grapes (around 20%), left on the vine for nearly a month after the main harvest to sun dry, were blended with fresh Barbera grapes before fermentation. This sweetens, enriches and softens the resulting acidity.

A fleshy and juicy red with aromas of sweet ripe plums and cherries. The palate shows ripe fruit-forward characters of cherry and wild plum and the ripe rounded finish is balanced by fresh bramble acidity.

Araldica

An enticing nose of white peach and pear with hints of fresh lime and gooseberry. Fresh and light zesty citrus notes and crisp acidity lift a textured, medium-bodied palate.

Azienda Agricola la Battistina

La Battistina, situated in the north west region of Piedmonte, is an estate situated around the town of Gavi, and considered one of the best sites in Gavi. The vineyards are south facing with chalky and mineral soils, which allow the Cortese grape to ripen to its fullest. The wine is aromatic, with zesty citrus, lime and pineapple notes with a hint of minerality. The weighty fruit gives this wine an immensely long finish.

La Battistina

Grecanico is the Sicilian incarnation of Garganega. Here it serves up a characterful and lively drop, full of tropical fruits, smooth and fresh.

Cantine Paolini

Ripe, warm and generous on the nose with abundant plum and cherry aromas, roasted coffee beans and hints of dried fruits. Full bodied and richly flavoured with berry and plum fruit, wild cherry acidity and a hint of dark chocolate. Supple tannins lead to a spicy finish, with the characteristic dry bite of good Amarone.

Montressor

Pretty pale pink in colour. The nose is lifted with cherry, raspberry and gently floral notes. The palate balances tangy cherry and red berry fruit with crisp, incisive acidity. A delicious style of pale rosé which has plenty of summer fruit character balanced by great texture.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

Medium ruby red colour with a pure nose of ripe dark fruits, cherry, plum and sweet spices like ginger and aniseed supported with discreet oak. The palate is round and textured with a well balanced freshness, ending with a long and broad spicy finish.

• Colour - red with purple reflections, creamy foam
• Nose - floral and fruity with hints of raspberry and blackberry
• Taste - fruits of the forest, sweet with a pleasant hint of refreshing acidity
• Best with. appetizers, fruit-based desserts, puddings

Azienda Agricola Marco Porello

The delicate perfume of strawberry, red berries and spice is matched by crushed wild berries and black fruit on the palate. Abundant raspberry fruit with fresh acidity, smoky notes and rounded tannins - all combine to create this classic youthful style of Nebbiolo.

Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi Di Gresy

Harvested several weeks before its bigger, richer sibling Villaia, this is leaner and more taut with poise and elegance. Same vineyard, totally different style.

Palazzina vineyard is on the Il Cascinone estate. Vine yield is 3000 litres per hectare. The fruit is hand harvested in the second half of October (about one month later than the usual Moscato harvest). The grapes are dried on ‘graticci’ - a traditional Italian rush mat. During this time 40% of the fruit's weight is lost by water evaporation. In mid-December the whole bunches are pressed and then a slow fermentation is undertaken in oak barrels for 2 months followed by 12 months ageing prior to bottling.

A nose of intense lemon curd, marmalade, and citrus peel with lightly floral notes. The palate has lots of ripe apricot and acacia honey characters with honeyed sweetness, well-balanced by a citrus zest bite on the lingering finish.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

An ambrosial nose of wonderful floral aroma's, on the palate there's an abundance of tropical fruit, melon, guava and peach supported by zippy acidity making it mouth-tinglingly moreish. A light refreshing wine for any occasion.

Biscardo Vini

On the west side of Sicily close to Marsala, is where Rallo Azienda Agricola calls home.

Working organically, the Vesco family focus on creating fragrant crisp Catarratto and perfumed fresh Nero d'Avola from their hillside vineyards. These vineyards are certified organic and are nestled high up in the hills south of Alcamo to take advantage of the slightly cooler temperatures and greater diurnal differences. The vines look down on the town of Marsala where, when the grapes have been harvested, they are taken. Here Andrea Vesco treats them with respect, utilising modern technology to ensure the freshness is retained for the final wines and creating elegant examples of the varieties that are anything but what you would expect from such a hot land.

A heady mix of citrus, grapefruit and tropical fruits, this is well rounded and complex with a long mineral finish.

Cantine Rallo

Fresh and appealing on the nose with plenty of ripe red fruits and a hint of spice. Fresh and juicy sour cherry characters on the palate, richly-flavoured, with supple and abundant red fruit balanced by vibrant acidity and ripe tannins.

Azienda Uggiano

Fabrizio Vella is a passionate winemaker living and working in Sicily.

Proud of the island that he calls home he wanted to create a wine range that was personal to him, that reflected where he was from. Working with indigenous varieties of Cattaratto and Nero d’Avola he conjured four wines using an organic approach and careful winemaking to create wines that are fresh, exciting, moreish and true to their origin. A Sicilian wine through and through.

A natural wine with a complex nose, which is spicy and packed full of punchy liqouirice, chocolate, and dark fruits. Crisp, pleasant and persistent in the mouth.

Not posh or sophisticated but very appealing - warm earth and herbs with a meatiness right in the middle!

Vibrant and youthful colour with cherry jam and red berry fruit characters. The palate is warm and generous, packed full of polished berry fruit, a touch of spice and a bitter plum twist on the finish. Tannins are gentle and add structure to this substantial, spicy red.

Monte Schiavo

An absolutely classic Soave - from one of the region's master producers, and dedicated to the memory of Graziano Prà‘s beloved Border Collie. Fresh and subtly peachy nose with elegant honeysuckle and pear aromas. The palate is attractively textured and juicy, lightly honeyed, with vibrant citrus and stone fruit, appealing pithy notes and a hint of almonds. Fine, linear and concentrated with a crisp, incisive and mineral finish.

It opens fresh, mineral, deep, with fragrant field flower notes (camomile, elderflower, iris). On the palate is rich, complex and multidimensional with a finish of almond. With time, these notes transform into more complex notes of pollens, dried flowers.

Azienda Agricola Inama

Dry, crisp and full flavoured, with a bouquet of flowers and pleasant ripe fruit finish..

Made following organic pricciples but not certified, this is a lovely wild yeast fermented Negroamaro. Ruby red, with a nose of flowers and berries. This is full-flavoured with youthful fruits, distinctive acidity with a nice persistence through the palate.

Located at Panzano in Chianti, in Tuscany, an hour’s drive from Florence, Tenuta Casenuove covers an area of 105 hectares, spread overa succession of hills and valleys. This little-known part of Tuscany is an area of steep, wild terrain, beloved of cycle tourists and ramblers. Its numerous streams, its forests and its vines form a protected bucolic environment

A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. After harvest the grapes are sorted extensively and then fermented in concrete tanks, with regular pump overs and racking. After aging for 12 months in a mix of large Slavonian oak cask and concrete tanks, the wine is bottled and matured for a further 6 months before release.

A balanced wine with an inviting, fresh acidity, this Chianti Classico is characterized by black fruit notes, ripe tannins and a touch of savouriness. The finish is dry and savoury with a pleasant persistence.

Tenute Casenuove

Located at Panzano in Chianti, in Tuscany, an hour’s drive from Florence, Tenuta Casenuove covers an area of 105 hectares, spread overa succession of hills and valleys. This little-known part of Tuscany is an area of steep, wild terrain, beloved of cycle tourists and ramblers. Its numerous streams, its forests and its vines form a protected bucolic environment

Controlled-temperature vinification in raw concrete tanks guarantees stability in the wine’s first stage. Maceration lasts for up to a month, with pumping over and racking to extract and purify. The wine then ages for 12 months in a mix of large Slavonian oak casks, new and old barriques and raw concrete tanks. Once in the bottle, the wine is left to mature for 24 months.

Boasting an impressive pedigree, this elegant, intensely ruby-red Sangiovese varietal presents a rich, multi-faceted nose with hints of violets amidst ripe red and black fruit notes. The sip is full, enveloping and elegant. The acidity that characterizes the very best Sangiovese wines ensures longevity and helps to keep alive the memory of the wine on the palate.

Tenute Casenuove