Wine Advocate (96)

The flagship estate wine, 2010 Monteverro, is absolutely stunning. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Vineyards are located on a soft incline at the foot of Capalbio facing the glimmering Tyrrhenian Sea. The enormity of this wine cannot be exaggerated: Dark fruit, chocolate and spice make for a rich and opulent first impression. The excellence of the 2010 vintage is on full display thanks to the integrity of the fruit, the supple richness of the mouthfeel and the tangy sweetness of the finish. Monteverro is a relatively new estate that shows enormous promise. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Indulge in the exceptional allure of the Monteverro Toscana 2019, an elegant masterpiece from the prestigious Monteverro winery, nestled in Italy’s renowned Maremma region. Specialising in world-class Bordeaux blends, the winery sets unparalleled industry standards with its impressive, handcrafted limited-edition wines. The 2019 Toscana significantly mirrors the quintessential terroir attributes, reflecting the distinct microclimate and the area’s unique soil features.

This sumptuous red wine comprises exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, meticulously handpicked from organically treated vines and individually selected to honour the finest grape characteristics. Grapes were skilfully crushed, fermented, and aged in French oak barrels for 24 months, bestowing the bottle with a complexity that sets it apart from countless others.

Monteverro Toscana 2019 presents a lovely bouquet of ripe black fruits, delicate spices, and subtle notes evoking leather and chocolate, culminating in an exceptionally long, sophisticated finish. A lavish and distinguished testament to fine Italian winemaking, it is truly a joy to behold.

Vinous (96)

The 2018 Le Pergole Torte is dense, creamy and nuanced from the very first taste. Red/purplish berry fruit, spice, rose petal and a touch of new French oak all build as the Pergole Torte opens with aeration. As always, Pergole shows that extra touch of richness from the selection of fruit used here, with that added texture from French oak. As appealing as the 2018 is today, it is of course a very young wine that will need years to be at its very finest.

Savour the elegance of Mortelle Ampio 2016, a harmonious blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, meticulously hand-picked from the reputable vineyards of Tuscany, Italy. Its producer, famous for authentic Italian wines, adheres to the traditional vinification process to preserve the natural characteristics and the distinct Territoriality of the grapes.

The carefully selected mature grapes are matured for 14 months in French oak barrels, imparting nuances of vanilla and spice to the vibrant fruitiness, creating a delightful flavour profile. Aged further in bottles for six months, the Mortelle Ampio 2016 develops a well-rounded body and aromatic complexity.

When uncorked, Mortelle Ampio 2016 unveils compelling notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, and sweet spices, intertwined with hints of leather and tobacco. On the palate, it is a fine balance of youthful vigour and mature, nuanced finesse, making every sip an immersive experience. Reminiscent of the Tuscan heritage, Mortelle Ampio 2016 is truly an unforgettable delight for any ardent wine enthusiast.

Indulge in the pleasure of the sublime Mortelle Ampio 2017. This fine wine is the epitome of elegance, a creation of the venerable vineyards in Tuscany, Italy. Steeped in sun-kissed terroirs of the coast, the grapes for the delightfully expressive Mortelle Ampio 2017 are nurtured by the Castello della Sala estate. The endearing riches of the craggy land deliver a decadent blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

The wines are aged for eighteen months in French oak barrels, enhancing its unspoilt fruit profile with sophisticated wooden undertones. Mortelle Ampio 2017 flaunts an intoxicating nose of ripe red fruits, spice, and an earthiness evocative of its Intense Tuscan roots. On the palate, this medium-bodied, finely structured wine unveils a balanced, lingering finish. In the hands of the master viticulturists at Antinori, one of the world's oldest family-owned wine companies, the Mortelle Ampio 2017 truly shines as a treasured elixir.

An exquisite creation, Mortelle Ampio 2018 emanates sophistication at every swirl. Conjuring the rich terroir of Tuscany, Italy, this vintage possesses a remarkable balance of deep, blackberry richness and subtle tannin nuance.

Produced by the esteemed Mortelle estate, this wine is cultivated through stringent, traditional viticulture techniques on mineral-rich soil. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented in stainless steel, and matured in French oak for spherical complexity and lasting finish.

The resulting blend from Cabernet franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietals, Mortelle Ampio 2018 showcases the perfect symmetry of bold intensity and structured finesse. With an expressive palate revealing savoury hints of blackcurrant, cocoa and vanilla spice, it boasts a distinctive charm intended for reflective tasting.

Bringing Italian elegance into every bottle, Mortelle Ampio 2018 transcends the ordinary, making it an exceptional investment for collectors and an enviable pour for discerning oenophiles.

Dive into the alluring world of fine wines with Mortelle Ampio 2019. An uncanny creation of Tenuta di Mortelle, this Tuscan marvel is revered for its elegance and harmony. The wine boasts a seductive ruby-red hue, offering a complex bouquet of cherries, spices, and cocoa. It's crafted with meticulous blending of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, harvested from the enigmatic Tyrrhenian Sea region. Following the harvest, it underwent 16 months of French oak aging, achieving a harmonious amalgamation of rich flavours and supple tannins.

Mortelle, an esteemed winery located amidst the beguiling Tuscan hills, is lauded for its reverence for nature and intimate approach in its winemaking process. Thus, each bottle of Mortelle Ampio 2019 carries the essence and ethos of this renowned establishment. With every sip, experience a captivating journey of refined complexity and unparalleled quality. Truly a testament to Italian viniculture's grandeur, Mortelle Ampio 2019 is a wine aficionado's delight.

Vinous (95.5)

The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is lovely, understated and very pretty. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint and orang peel emerge, but only with great reluctance. That's probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers should not expect an easygoing Barolo by any means.

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.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2011 Barolo Riserva Novantesimo is a proud and exuberant wine that does enormous justice to the vintage and to the mighty Nebbiolo grape. This is remembered as a warm growing season, and this wine is richly layered, generous and beautifully intense as a result. Dark cherry aromas are folded within spice, cured tobacco and leather. The best part is that subtle crunch or snap you get on the palate, thanks to the fresh acidity that is neatly integrated within.

Vinous (92)

(15.5% alcohol): Inky ruby. Superripe aromas and flavors of black cherry syrup, red cherry jam, chocolate and minerals. Spicy, peppery tannins and bright acidity provide plenty of backbone to this opulent, ultra-suave wine, which tastes like it was made with air-dried grapes. Extremely long on the finish, closing with a strong note of sweet pipe tobacco and a hint of volcanic ash. In fact, the smoky note was so evident that I couldn’t help thinking that this is what it must be like to drink a cigar.

James Suckling (98)

Incredibly perfumed with unique aromas of white truffles, peaches, dark berries and dried flowers. Fresh and bright. Full body, very silky tannins and a long and gorgeous finish. So progressive and seamless. Magnificent. First vintage of this single vineyard wine. Only 5,000. Starting drinking in 2023.

Vinous (95)

The 2017 Barolo Mosconi is a beautiful, translucent wine that expresses too much of the best this site has to offer. Iron, dried herbs, chalk and white pepper give the Mosconi its signature aromatic profile. Pio Cesare's Mosconi is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. It's mid-weight structure and light (even for Nebbiolo) color can be deceiving. There is certainly plenty of punch here.

Vinous (95)

The 2018 Barolo Mosconi is superb. It offers up a complex mélange of rose petal, dried herbs, iron, graphite, smoke, incense, scorched earth and blood orange, capturing all the complexity that makes the best Barolos from this site so compelling. Powerful and deep, yet also quite elegant, the 2018 is another fine Barolo from an estate that has undergone a pretty significant stylistic shift over the last handful of years.

Falstaff (98)

Brilliant ruby. Intense and inviting nose of ripe black cherries, plus raspberries and strawberries, some tobacco in the background. Embraces the palate richly with lots of fresh, appealing fruit; plum, cherry and goji berry, plus finely-meshed tannin, juicy and long.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

I was able to taste the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino three times for this report, and it’s one of the great wines of the vintage. It takes on a bit more muscular style for the Poggio di Sotto estate, but it retains the DNA of the estate at large with its outstanding clarity. It’s medium ruby-colored and reveals notes of pure cherry, anise, wildflowers, wet stone, and tea leaf. Structured and long on the palate, it has ripe, chiseled tannins, a balanced spine of acidity, and notes of salted orange through the finish, with a long-lasting perfume. Its transparency, balanced with its complexity, makes this one of the most intriguing wines, and if stored properly, it will only improve with time in the cellar.

Vinous (96)

A dark, towering wine, the 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is quite similar in style and personality than the straight Brunello, but it has more of a tannic spine and greater overall structure. Dark and mysterious, the 2005 is constantly changing in the glass. I imagine it will still be fabulous at age 30. This is an especially dark, almost exotic, Brunello.

Vinous (94+)

The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota continues this tasting of frankly awe-inspiring wines. Rich, deep and super-expressive, the 2016 hits all the right notes. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, licorice emerge, but only with great reluctance. The Muncagota is another wine in this range that clearly needs time.

Vinous (96)

The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is ample, rich and quite seductive, which is to say very much in the style of the year. Dark red fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and incense all build as the 2017 shows off its considerable allure. This is so expressive today.

Indulge your palate with the sublime Rivetto Barolo Briccolina 2013. This meticulously crafted vintage originates from Serralunga d'Alba, a prime wine-producing region in Piedmont, Italy, reputed for its top-tier Nebbiolo grapes. Rivetto Barolo Briccolina unfolds an enchanting blend of strength, complexity, and aromatic richness, all testament to the artisanal mastery of Rivetto winemakers, who combine traditional and progressive wine-making techniques harmoniously.

Undergoing 40 days maceration and aged in French barriques for a majestic 30 months, this wine epitomises the natural alchemy that only time can deliver. Savour the intoxicating aromatics from black cherry to roses, coupled with an exquisite mineral undertone. Its long finish teases your palate with gentle tannins for an unforgettable experience.

Rivetto, as a biodynamic winery, has successfully encapsulated respect for its natural resources and passion in every bottle. The Rivetto Barolo Briccolina 2013 is indeed a celebration of Rivetto's commitment to integrity, quality and sustainable viticulture practices.

Indulge in the exquisite splendour of Rivetto Barolo Briccolina 2014, a shining specimen from the illustrious Piedmont region of Italy. Expertly crafted by the respected Rivetto family, pioneers of biodynamic viticulture, this wine is a high-quality representation of the Nebbiolo grape variety. Each bottle encapsulates the distinct terroir of the Briccolina vineyard, an exclusive monopole marking the highest eastern point of Serralunga d'Alba.

Through biodynamic techniques and stringent selection, the hand-harvested fruit is vinified over 12 days in wooden vats before ageing for 40 months in large Slavonian oak barrels. The resulting wine presents a complex palette, expressing a rich intensity of elegant tannins, hinting at aromatic notes of black cherry and wild herbs.

Make no mistake, Rivetto Barolo Briccolina 2014 is a captivating wine that offers a generous palate, rich in flavour yet graced with a beautiful finesse. Enjoy now or savour its evolution over the years to come.

Vinous (96)

Roagna's 2004 Barbaresco Crichët Pajè is every bit as impressive as it was upon release, if not moreso. Still vibrant and explosive, the 2004 soars from the glass with a stunning bouquet redolent of crushed berry fruit, rose petal, tar, lavender and menthol. The 2004 is fabulous today. Amazingly it might still need a few years in bottle to be accessible.

Vinous (94)

The 2015 Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti needs a bit of time in the glass for an initial whiff of reduction to blow off. As it often is, the Pira Vecchie Viti is an exotic wine built on an intriguing mix of aromatic presence and understated structure. In 2015, the two Pira Barolos are not as different as they usually are. While the Vecchie Viti has terrific persistence, it also is a bit fleeting for this wine.