Wine Advocate (95)

Brooding and dark, with a nicely compact core, the 2016 Orma shows generous concentration and good density at the back. The mouthfeel is rich and thickly textured. The wine produces notes of green olive, black olive, caper and smoke. The blend here is 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. This is a powerful wine with 15% alcohol that underlines its potency. Some 30,000 bottles were made

James Suckling (97)

A tight and silky red with compacted fruit and tannin texture featuring blackcurrant, mushroom and bark undertones. Full body, firm tannins and a minerally finish. Excellent structure and mouthfeel. A cooler style of Ornellaia, bringing it back to the classicism of this celebrated region. Bordeaux blend. Better in 2018.

James Suckling (95)

A solid and structured red with tile, dark berry and black tea character and some cloves, too. Full body, tannic and rich. Needs time to soften. Well done for a 2014. Ornellaia shows its pedigree here. Better in 2019.

James Suckling (97)

A big, rich wine for the vintage, yet poised and lively with firm, chewy tannins that give form and intensity to the wine. It shows loads of blackberry, blackcurrant and walnut flavors. Ripe yet polished tannins. Give this three or four years to come together.

Vinous (97)

The 2018 Ornellaia is an introvert at this stage. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2018 is not in any mood to show all its cards today. Hints of red berry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers emerge with a bit of coaxing. I won’t be surprised to see it put on weight with more time in bottle. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. Readers should expect a silky, aromatic Ornellaia in line with vintages such as 2004 that are more about finesse than raw power. This is the first time in which Merlot drives the blend in Ornellaia.

The Wine Independent (100)

The Ornellaia 2019 with 62% has the most Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend since the 65% used in the 2001 and 2002 vintages. It is bold and bright on the nose, full of joyful blackberry, cream, and sweet spice. It is very much like the 2016 Ornellaia in terms of finesse and harmony but bigger, bolder, more youthful, and maybe on a larger scale in terms of the brightness of aromas and flavors. On standing the nose becomes much more nuanced and fragrant with blue flowers like iris and violet. There is great concentration on the palate, but it is held together within a very elegant, tight structure. This is a powerful style of Ornellaia but with the 2019 the tannins are more refined than ever and there is a thrilling acidity enlivening the palate! According to Axel Heinz, Director of the Estate, "I think we have learned to tame the tannins.” This 2019 Ornellaia is a beautiful, luxurious, and vivacious wine.

Matthew Jukes (20+)

An long-forgotten image flashed into my mind when I first tasted this wine. It took me back to a visit, as a child, to a stately home. Goodness knows where this place was, but I remember walking down a long corridor when a huge door opened to my left. As I walked past, I caught a glimpse of the most glamorous and beautifully decorated room beyond the person holding the door ajar. The door closed, and I passed by, but this image has stuck with me ever since. This momentary glimpse of incredible splendour is echoed in this magnificent wine. It starts midnight black in the glass, then as one focuses on the surface, can one see stars? Interestingly, it finishes black, too, in the form of ultra-fine sooty tannins that caress the taste buds as the flavour senesces. Between these two moments of perfect calm, there is layer upon layer of splendour and magnificence. The keyword for this vintage is ‘proportion’, as I found out half an hour through the presentation. It is an inspired choice because every element of 2020 Ornellaia is in scintillating proportion. 2020 Ornellaia represents more than harmony or balance and more than composure and equilibrium – it is truly in perfect proportion. In fact, I have never tasted a vintage of Ornellaia like it. There is a sense of greatness here, both in the intensity of the fruit and also its freshness and lift on the nose and palate – it is astonishing. The Cabernet theme (the blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) is dominant both in the primary fruit notes but also in the signature flavours. Merlot adds glossiness and also traction, while Cabernet Franc appears to add grace and also crispness and aromatic flourishes. Petit Verdot acts as the invisible welds that pin this magnificent structure together – a complete three-dimensional flavour with no apparent flaws whatsoever. This wine will undoubtedly drink early in its life, given the silkiness and generosity on display, but it will not genuinely get into its stride for a decade, and I feel it will take another decade for it to blossom fully. My childlike fascination with today’s glimpse into the glass will no doubt grow into a full-blown stroll around this wine with the door flung open wide in years to come. This wine will prove to those with the good fortune to own it that its best is yet to come, so be patient in spite of its early allure. Until then, I do not doubt that it is a work of perfect proportion, so I am delighted to award it my first-ever perfect score for Ornellaia.

James Suckling (96)

Dried apple, lemon, lime and lemon curd on the nose with hints of cedar. Medium-to full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a fresh, vivid finish. The vanilla cream and sliced fruit are so enticing. Just a hint of wood character at the end. Needs time to come together. Try after 2023.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)

Enticing waves of perfectly judged gunsmoke reduction on the first nose, dancing across the palate and hinting at minerality rather than closing things down. Fragrant, joyous, chiselled citrus, lime, chamomile and lemongrass, with a slate scrape texture giving grip, depth and persistency. I've said it before, but I put this right up there with my favourite dry white wines, alongside Pavillon Blanc, Remelluri Bianco and Penfold Yattarna. This is winemaker Axel Heinz working his magic. Love it.

Wine Advocate (94)

This wine that once featured Viognier in the blend, is now 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The 2020 Ornellaia Bianco is quite tropical and generous in personality with immediate aromas of papaya, Golden Delicious apple and crushed stone. The wine is beautifully textured and long lasting. I asked if Vermentino might ever feature in this blend (to bring in a Tuscan grape), but the answer is no for now. Vermentino already plays a role in the estate’s very popular entry-level Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia. Viognier is being cut because the grape is difficult, and if you don’t hit the harvest date just right, it can appear flabby and waxy.

Decanter (94)

Clean and crisp on the nose, this smells inviting with a white florality and fresh fruit aroma to it full of peach, pear and green apple alongside baked vanilla notes. Aromatic on the palate too with candied lemon peel and pear notes and hints of spice on the finish which adds interest and structure. Excellent concentration, opulent and generous with a nice roundness to the overall feel. Will age well. Made from 91% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Viognier.

Matthew Jukes (18.5)

One always has to wait a while for this wine to find its way onto the market after the initial flurry of wine broker activity, but I hope it will do so soon because this is one of the most sophisticated PaGs I have ever tasted. In fact, it is drinking rather nicely already with none the theatricality of bygone vintages nor any of the ponderous, demanding characteristics of some of the heavier, food-craving wines of the past. This is a civilised, hauntingly graceful and amazingly complex wine, which allows each of its component grape varieties the time and space to greet the drinker. This welcome restraint brings a new level of allure to Poggio alle Gazze, making it a must-buy for fans of Italian white wines. I cannot think of another vintage of this wine that will please many diverse palates with its finely balanced flavours.

Vinous (95)

Petrolo's 2011 Galatrona is just as impressive this year as it was last year. A vivid, voluptuous wine, the 2011 literally jumps from the glass, showing superb intensity, power and depth. Mocha, black cherries, smoke, tobacco and leather are some of the many notes that inform this drop-dead gorgeous, extroverted Galatrona. The style is overt and unabashedly ripe, but all the elements are in the right place. Galatrona fans will adore the 2011. What a gorgeous wine this is.

James Suckling (99)

Terrific aromas of violets, roses and raspberries with hints of strawberries and brown sugar. Full body. Phenomenal layers of focused fruit and polished velvety tannins. This is the Galatrona that everyone has been waiting for. It's the vintage that shows depth and power yet wonderful finesse and focus. Best ever. Drink from 2023 but already electrifying.

James Suckling (99)

Blackberries and black cherries with lavender and violets on the nose. Full-bodied with velvety, chewy tannins, yet the fruit is very intense with vibrancy and energy. Muscular, yet agile. Pure and poised. A unique definition of merlot in Tuscany. Drink after 2025.

Vinous (90)

The 2015 Torrione is gorgeous. Bright fruit and expressive floral notes give the Torrione striking energy. Hints of smoke, tobacco and game add further shades of complexity as the wine gains volume and nuance with air. Above all else, though, what stands out is an emphasis on energy that is quite a departure from the Petrolo style of years past. The 2015 is a winner. Don’t miss it.

James Suckling (95)

Aromas of dried flowers, dried berries, cherries and hints of stones. Full-bodied, very firm and silky. An intense underlying energy of acidity and a lovely finish. 75% sangiovese, 20% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon. One of the best ever? Drink in 2020.

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled elegance of Pian Orino Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante 2017, a sensational embodiment of Tuscan finesse. Masterfully crafted at the esteemed Pian Orino estate, nested in the coveted viticultural region of Montalcino, Italy, this wine breathes the poignant echoes of terroir. The grapes are handpicked from Vigneti del Versante vineyards, renowned for its rich, mineral-laden soils optimally situated for mature, flavourful fruit expression. The winemaking process is an artisanal marvel, including an extended maceration period and ageing in French oak barrels, creating a harmonious interplay between tannin, fruit and acidity.

On the palate, anticipate a dense core of ripe red fruit with luscious layers of spice, leather and cocoa. This Brunello intoxicates with its full-bodied, balanced character and persistent finish. The Pian Orino Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante 2017 is a testament to superior winemaking, destined for the discerning oenophile's collection.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is downright gorgeous. The wine is inward-looking at the very beginning, but it quickly revs up to deliver soaring intensity and profound elegance. It goes from first to sixth gear in seconds and grabs all your attention and admiration in the process. The bouquet reads like a textbook Sangiovese, with wild berry, rose hip, pressed violets, cola, balsam herb, licorice and cigar ash. The bouquet underlines the wine's enormous finesse and pedigree, but the mouthfeel is all about frankness, directness and power. This is a naked and pure Brunello that glows bright with confidence and pride.

Wine Advocate (97)

Made with certified-organic fruit, the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is an impossibly graceful wine from a challenging vintage. This bottle defies the odds—and the dry heat of the growing season—to reveal soft layers of cherry, cassis and more vibrant fruit. It glides clear over the palate with silky momentum, and you only notice the tannins at the very end. Even those should soften and integrate as this collectible wine continues it bottle evolution. Production is 19,000 bottles.

Experience the true excellence of Austrian wine with Reimitz 2012, a superbly produced vintage by Gerhard Reimitz, an Austrian winemaker with an established reputation for quality and traditional craftsmanship. With vineyards located in the esteemed wine regions of the Carnuntum and Kamptal, he utilises strictly organic farming methods that ensure wine of unparalleled quality and distinct terroir.

The Reimitz 2012 is thoughtfully crafted using Blaufränkisch grapes, showcased in its elegant balance of fine tannins, warm fruit flavours, and captivating earthiness. At first sip, the richness of red and black cherries captivates the palate, shortly followed by an array of spices, and a long, sophisticated finish. Each bottle is allowed to mature for 18 months in French oak barrels, adding structure and complexity to each sip.

For those seeking height of excellence, refinement, and a taste of Austrian viticulture, Reimitz 2012 will undoubtedly raise the bar. Dive into the depth of flavours undeniably inherent in this passionate winemakers' craft.

Vinous (88)

The 2011 Chianti Classico is intense, deep, rich and layered, the 2011 graces the palate with concentrated sweet dark fruit. The style is deep exuberant but also nicely balanced. Dark red cherries, plums and smoke all meld together in the supple, inviting finish. Overall, the 2011 is a very pretty wine with plenty to offer, especially in the near term. Dark red cherries, plums, lavender and smoke all meld into the inviting finish.

Wine Advocate (98)

The Castello Romitorio 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta reaches a whole other level of intensity and brilliance with dark fruit, blackberry, an etched mineral quality, petrichor and wet slate that gives this wine an incredibly etched and lively presentation. The tannins are velvety and perfectly match the generous texture of this beautiful Sangiovese. Only later, you start to notice the delicate tones of purple flower and iris root that give this wine such an elegant finish. This is a cellar keeper. There are 9,000 bottles of this wine.

Vinous (95)

The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino is a total charmer, understated at first, but worthy of patience, as swirling unlocks depths of cinnamon and clove-tinged cherries, nuances of sweet mint, pine shavings and white smoke. It envelopes the palate with ripe textural fruits, soothing and round, while saline-minerals and fine tannins mingle throughout, adding a balanced tension. Nothing is out of place here, as the 2012 finishes lightly structured, remarkably fresh and perfumed with red inner florals and savory spice. This is a beautiful and graceful interpretation of the vintage that still has many years of positive evolution for collectors to look forward to. Salvioni only made Brunello (no Rosso) in 2012, and production was down at 12,000, usually around 1,8000 to 19000 bottles total, between Rosso and Brunello. This was due to the heat of the vintage and smaller berries.

Vinous (92)

The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere emerges from the estate's oldest vines. Here the balance of fruit and tannin is much more successful. Sensual and layered in the glass, the Lucere offers good up-front richness to match its creamy, inviting personality. Generous black cherry, plum, smoke, spice and menthol flesh out on a resonant finish laced with attractive aromatic overtones. In this vintage, the oak and tannins are very nicely balanced, something that hasn't always been the case here. At times, the ripeness of the vintage is a bit dominant, but this is a gorgeous wine from San Filippo.

James Suckling (100)

Decadent aromas of ripe fruit, such as plums and peaches with black truffles and porcini mushrooms. Full body, with layers of ripe fruit and round and chewy tannins. Lots of chocolate and fresh mushroom at the finish. A thoroughly terroir-driven red. Try after 2022.

Vinous (100)

The 2015 La Ricolma confirms its place as one of the greatest wines ever made at San Giusto. Powerful and ripe, with tons of backing structure, the 2015 will thrill readers lucky enough to own it for many years to come. A rush of super-ripe dark red fruit, blood orange, mint, chalk, truffle and dried flowers builds into the huge, resonant finish. Next to the 2016, the 2015 has firmer tannins that are going to require time in bottle to soften.

James Suckling (99)

Blueberries and black olives with so many flowers, such as violets and honeysuckle. Licorice, too. This is full and very tight with lots of back-end tannins that build through the finish. A tight, muscular and curated young wine that lasts for minutes. Best after 2028.

Vinous (97)

The 2017 Percarlo is an exotic beauty. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with tremendous fruit density, the 2017 packs a serious punch. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol and earthy notes emerge over time, but the tannins remain imposing. Like the Baròncole, the Percarlo needs cellaring to be at its best. The 2017 was much more forthcoming from barrel. It will reveal all of that sumptuousness once again, but not soon.

Vinous (97)

The 2018 Percarlo is another fabulous wine in this range from San Giusto. Ample and creamy, the 2018 dazzles with its total sense of finesse. In 2018, Percarlo is silky, gracious and super-refined. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral and spice overtones that lend brightness. It shows remarkably well for a wine that was bottled only recently. The 2018 was aged in a combination of 30HL casks and 500-liter tonneaux.