James Suckling (98)

A single plot, planted by Malcolm Seppelt in 1958. A very complex and intense array of tarry dark-plum, clove and cardamom aromas. Plum paste, currants, blueberries and black cherries, too. There’s a load of dark spice here. The palate has a very intense delivery of such concentrated and intense dark, ripe plum and blackberry-essence flavors. Aged for 36 months in new French oak barriques. Extended flavors, a dark-chocolate note and emulsified tannins. Unique and complex wine. Best from 2025.

James Suckling (99)

A distinctive and very concentrated, single-parcel shiraz that offers a rich plum and raisin nose with plenty of tarry notes and a swathe of baking spices. The palate is packed with rich, dark-plum and black-fruit flavors and the long, strong hold on the finish lasts for minutes. So intense, this is their finest Laird to date. Best from 2028.

Wine Advocate (95+)

A new offering, the 2004 The Pict, is a 220-case cuvee of 100% Mourvedre that tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol. Reminiscent of a 1998 Domaine Tempier Cuvee Speciale (a great vintage for that estate), it boasts an inky/blue/purple color, phenomenally intense blueberry and blackberry fruit characteristics, and hints of black truffles as well as fresh mushrooms. Deep and full-bodied, with superb fruit and the right amount of sweet tannin (a rarity for Mourvedre), this beauty should evolve slowly, and drink well for 15 or more years.

Vinous (93+)

(100% mataro) Glass-staining ruby. Powerful scents of blackcurrant, dark cherry, olive tapenade and incense, with a musky herbal undertone. Broad, palate-staining dark berry compote flavors are framed by velvety tannins and pick up notes of licorice and bitter chocolate with air. Pretty wild stuff, boasting excellent concentration and finishing sweetness. There are plenty of tannins here but the fruit seems to suck them up. Give this another four or five years in the cellar.

Matthew Jukes (19+)

My mind went into orbit when I tasted this wine. Tasting like a magical concoction of 4-parts Serralunga d’Alba and 1-part Bonnes-Mares (Morey-side), this wine’s 43% Eden Valley Shiraz component makes it the most energetic, challenging, and utterly mesmerising vintage I can remember. I have always been a Struie fan, but it often sits down in the pack alongside some of the more powerful Shirazes, so one has to look deep into the portfolio to truly appreciate its charms. In 2021, while it is not a bigger wine, it is undoubtedly more intense and aeons longer on the finish, so I can see it standing shoulder to shoulder with its more fêted siblings for years to come.

Decanter (95)

Still in its infancy, this opaque red-coloured wine is very rich, juicy, and plummy on the nose, vibrant, poised and quite oaky. The attack is assertive and tannic, with richness and density, and it clearly needs time to shed its tightness. It's no heavyweight thanks to its fresh acidity, which keeps it polished and stylish, and there's ample energy and bite on the long finish.

Experience the refined eloquence of the Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo 2018, a timeless offering from Puglia, Italy. Produced by the Antinori family, globally applauded winemakers since the 14th century, this wine unites Aglianico grapes' generosity with the vineyard's distinctive calcareous and clayey soils.

The winemaking process saw the hand-picked grapes swiftly transported to the winery for a meticulous selection process. Afterward, the berries underwent a 15-20 day fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, followed by a re-fermentation and fining in French oak barrels for 18 months. The resulting full-bodied wine boasts a brilliant ruby hue, luscious blackberry and plum bouquets, accented by undernotes of exotic spices and emphatic tannins.

The finish, echoing the Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo 2018's characterful core, is exquisitely persistent. A sensory delight to savour, this is a wine that distils the beauty and tradition of Italian winemaking.

Embodied by the essence of Italian winemaking, Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo 2019 is a testament to the prestigious craft of the Tormaresca estate. Situated in the heart of Apulia, the heartland of ancient Italian viticulture, this estate breathes character into this exquisite red wine. The Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo 2019 is a harmonious blend of Aglianico grapes, hand-picked at their prime under the soft Murgian hills sun, and transformed through traditional fermentation methods.

The wine unfurls a fragrant bouquet of black cherry and plum, embellished with alluring notes of vanilla, violet, and spice. On the palate, the Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo 2019 showcases impeccable finesse with deep, rich, velvety tannins, resulting in a taste as divine as its origins. Conclusively, this wine represents a sublime expression of the land's unique terroir, making Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo 2019 an undeniable delight for any fine wine savourer.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite allure of the Tormaresca Chardonnay 2021. Cultivated in the sun-kissed vineyards of Puglia, Italy, this elegant vintage is a true representation of the rich, diverse soils and exceptional Adriatic climate that characterises Antinori family's Tormaresca estate. The Chardonnay grapes are vinified separately, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and aged on fine lees for several months, ensuring a crisp, fleshed-out palate encapsulating layered nuances of toasted almonds, ripe fruits, and delicate blooms.

The Tormaresca Chardonnay 2021 is a superb wine offering sumptuousness and vibrancy in every sip. Its finely balanced acidity and expressive characteristics make it not just an excellent companion to a plethora of dishes but also a captivating standalone indulgence. Irresistibly sophisticated, this wine truly exemplifies Tormaresca's exceptional blend of tradition, innovation, and impassioned winemaking.

The Tormaresca Neprica Negroamaro 2021 is an eloquent expression of the sun-drenched Puglia region. This fine Italian wine is produced by the esteemed Antinori family, who have a heritage dating back to the late 14th century in winemaking. The grapes are harvested from the Tormaresca estate vineyards, located in two of Puglia's finest wine Bari and Brindisi provinces. This prominent bottle epitomises the popular Negroamaro variety, offering a delicate blend of red berry and spice tones.

The Tormaresca Neprica Negroamaro 2021 embodies an elegant alchemy of tradition and innovation with its wine aged in stainless steel casks, preserving its distinct varietal character. Its spectacular ruby-red colour is married with intricate aromas of cherry, plum, and notes of Mediterranean herbs, makes this wine a must-have for any discerning palate. This prestigious wine is a testament to the Antinori family's commitment and passion for producing extraordinary wines in Italy's most historic regions.

Experience the refined elegance of the Torre Brunello Montalcino 2019, a spectacular embodiment of Italian viticulture from Torre's distinguished vineyards situated in the heart of Tuscany. Produced from 100% hand-selected Sangiovese grapes, this vintage underwent a traditional maturation process in Slovenian oak casks for over 48 months, cultivating its characteristic, deep garnet hue and robust, well-structured palette.

Heralded for its enticingly complex aroma, unwind delightful hints of black cherries, variations of wild berries, and a subtle note of spice with every sip. Torre’s Brunello Montalcino 2019 continues to entice your palette, delivering a beautifully balanced flavour profile—earthy undertones of cocoa blend with a resonating minerality, graced with a soft, yet persistent finish.

Historic wine producer, Torre, renowned for their adherence to strict DOCG regulations, have once again showcased unmatched skill and meticulous craftsmanship with the Torre Brunello Montalcino 2019, making it a sublime selection for even the most discerning of sommeliers.

Wine Advocate (94+)

I found a very complete 2015 Finca Martelo that followed the style and the quality path of the previous vintages. The release of this wine was an important milestone for Torre de Oña, where they look for the typicity of Rioja Alavesa through a blend of old-vine Tempranillo with 6% other varieties (Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura). 2015 was a healthy harvest, and the wine shows a nice combination of power and elegance. It's clean and modern but with a traditional twist, some developed aromas and very fine chalky tannins from the limestone-rich soils. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2019.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2016 Finca Martelo comes from one of the longest harvests in their history. It's a blend of Tempranillo with 6% other varieties, Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura intermixed in the field with a south-facing slope on very white soils. The grapes were hand picked, destemmed and crushed, then put through a seven-day cold soak before fermenting (uncrushed) in stainless steel followed by malolactic that took 98 days. The wine matured in used oak barrels, 80% American and 20% French, for 24 months with four traditional rackings. This wine has a separate winery with smaller vats for each of the plots, and the wine was kept in vat for a further six months before it was bottled in June 2020. It has 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.57. It has a lively and young color and a very expressive nose (the cold soak and the semi-carbonic maceration), and there is a strong spiciness despite the fact they never use any new oak. It's mellow and round, with glossy tannins and a very gentle mouthfeel, with good complexity and those chalky tannins. This is a young and more modern wine than the range from la Rioja Alta. This is a wine that was developed between 2005 and 2012, and they saw the mix of barrels worked better than a single origin. 80,000 bottles produced.

An exquisite example of Catalan viticulture, the Torres Mas de la Rosa 2019 is a gem from Spain's renowned Torres winery. This Priorat red captures the essence of the region's licorella soil, yielding a complex and commanding wine. Crafted using the artisanal Carthusian method, it's entirely handmade from the vine to the cellar. Handpicked from century-old Grenache and Carignan vines, planted in steep slopes at an altitude of 400 metres, this mixture delivers an elegant bouquet.

The nose of the Torres Mas de la Rosa 2019 provides an array of dark berries, adorned with subtle notes of Mediterranean herbs and minerals. The palate is truly rich and audacious with a harmonious balance of ripe tannins and vibrant acidity, leading to a profound and lingering finish. A genuine expression of the producer’s commitment to tradition and quality makes it a must in a true connoisseur’s collection.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Assertive, mineral- and spice-accented cherry and cassis scents are complemented by hints of cedary oak, succulent herbs and candied flowers. Concentrated bitter cherry, dark berry and chewing tobacco flavors are sweetened by hints of mocha and vanilla that build in the background. Shows very good depth as well as energy and finishes long and smooth, with fine-grained tannins adding shape and final grip.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Assertive, mineral- and spice-accented cherry and cassis scents are complemented by hints of cedary oak, succulent herbs and candied flowers. Concentrated bitter cherry, dark berry and chewing tobacco flavors are sweetened by hints of mocha and vanilla that build in the background. Shows very good depth as well as energy and finishes long and smooth, with fine-grained tannins adding shape and final grip.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Assertive, mineral- and spice-accented cherry and cassis scents are complemented by hints of cedary oak, succulent herbs and candied flowers. Concentrated bitter cherry, dark berry and chewing tobacco flavors are sweetened by hints of mocha and vanilla that build in the background. Shows very good depth as well as energy and finishes long and smooth, with fine-grained tannins adding shape and final grip.

James Suckling (95)

Wow. A glorious chardonnay that I have been admiring for decades. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe apple, hints of white peach and nougat and vanilla undertones. Creamy. It’s full-bodied and gorgeous all the way through. Drink or hold.