Italy

Located in Prosecco’s Conegliano region of the Veneto lie the 60 hectares of Masottina’s vineyards. Owned by the Dal Bianco family since 1946, they switched from being a négociant to vineyard owner in the 1960s. They produce a classic expression of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco. With fine, persistent bubbles, this is pale straw yellow with greenish highlights. The nose is intense, fruity with the rich scent of apple, lemon and grapefruit. It has a pronounced aroma of wisteria in bloom and acacia flowers. The palate has a pleasant acidity and fresh flavour. Full-bodied, and lingering, a soft finish rounds off this crowd-pleasing Prosecco.

{***}{region}Veneto{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}{***}

Fruity and flowery, and as soft as the curves of the hills it is grown on. The south south-east facing Sorì Ciabot vineyard is shaped like an amphitheatre, giving this wine the outstanding aromatic qualities and appeal that make it quite unique.

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

Fresh aromas of white peach and lime blossom lead to a bright attack and gloriously vibrant palate. The acidity is crisp and layered with ripe fruit. Peachy notes are met with citrus vibrancy and a fine texture. This is classic Pinot Grigio that balances clarity and freshness with a light body, a concentrated core and a fresh, fruit-driven finish. This would be a great apéritif, or work well alongside charcuterie or asparagus risotto.

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}

Rich in texture compared to most Gavi but still soft and gentle. Medium-bodied and silky with plenty of juicy peach and pear fruit alongside stoney minerality. Perfect summer drinking!

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

Luminous straw-yellow. Tangy aromas of nectarine, pineapple, apple, minty herbs and lime, complicated by a bright mineral undertone. Very precise, vibrant and dense, offering floral, captivating flavors of white stone fruit, pineapple, crushed rock and spice. The compelling fruity acidity frames and carries the extremely lifted and complex flavors through the very long finish, which features lingering notes of lemon verbena, jasmine and minerals. Along with the great 2010, this is the best Trebbiano d’Abruzzo from Valentini since his also outstanding 2008. Drink now till 2033

{***}{region}Abruzzo{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}
{ratings}         
 []Vinous:: 94/100                                                                                                        
{ratings}{***}

Deep red cherry in colour and bright with redcurrant, bramble and herbal aromas, this wine perfectly reflects the temperate 2013 vintage in Montalcino. Possessing refreshing acidity, mineral depth and finely integrated tannins, from its time spent in oak botti, the palate is sumptious, elegant and reffined. Made for us by the Luciani family, whose vineyards are located on Montalcino's eastern slopes, this is an example of classical Brunello at it's best. Drink now to 2030.

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{***}

This wonderfully perfumed Rosso has a bright cherry colour typical of Sangiovese. Brambles, red fruits and wild spices fill the nose, while the supple palate brims with crunchy red and plump black fruit, mineral salinity and a seasoning of Tuscan charm. Time in Slavonian oak and concrete vats has given it gleaming, well-polished tannins. Made for us by San Giorgio in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, this comes from some of the finest, fossil-filled vineyards in the whole of Montalcino. Drink now to 2025.

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}{***}

Made for us by Davide Rosso, our Barolo offers classic Nebbiolo character and structure. Scented raspberries and cherries are lifted by peach skin, high-toned florals and savoury spice. Accessible and seductive, the opulent texture is balanced by a racy freshness and a core of chalky minerality. Approachable now, this will also age well. Best decanted — and served alongside a rare steak.

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2014{vintage}{***}

Baby Brunello (coming from 17-year-old vines) shows its pedigree with its precision and intensity. Notes of bramble fruit, raspberry and kirsch lead on to a structured palate, but it’s deliciously crunchy thanks to its lively acidity. More approachable than Brunello, this is a lot of fun on the table.

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] The Wine Advocate:: 88/100{ratings}        {***}

The 2013 Barolo Via Nuova is a more accessible wine with ripe and round fruit flavors that lift gracefully from the glass. The bouquet is immediately open and articulate. Fruit is sourced from six vineyards spread across three townships: Barolo (Terlo and Liste), Monforte d'Alba (Ravera and Mosconi) and Serralunga d'Alba (Gabutti and Baudana). - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Italy{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100{ratings}        {***}

Medium to full and concentrated like a good Greve Chianti should, this wine is all about aroma and quiet depth. As it sits comfortably on the palate you enjoy notes of sour cherry and red currant but then things get interesting as some cinnamon and roasted coffee bean wafts up . All the while the wine is firm, smooth and broad on the palate. This wine is very well structured and perfect with or without food.

{***}{region}Tuscany{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}{***}

The 2009 Cepparello, usually one of the more restrained wines in Tuscany, is huge in this vintage. It blasts onto the palate with tons of richness, power and depth. The 2009 clearly needs time to come together, but is immensely promising. Layers of dark red fruit, flowers and mint build to the rich, intense finish. An attractive high-toned floral register develops in the glass and balances the wines more overt. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Tuscany{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}         
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95/100
{ratings}             {***}

The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino from Podere Scopetone delivers a robust and fleshy opening. At its core, the wine shows blackberry and dried cherry with tobacco, barbecue spice and cured meat. It articulates a hearty but evenly balanced interpretation of Sangiovese, especially with regards to the bouquet. Like many wines from this vintage, the mouthfeel is noticeably thinner and more compact in terms of length. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Tuscany{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}         
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91/100
{ratings}         {***}

Complex, soft and seductive nose, with concentrated aromas of wild strawberry, crushed rose petal and eucalyptus. Very juicy and expansive on the palate, with a beautiful purity of fruit, great energy and precision, elegant tannins and a lingering saline finish. Outstanding.

{***}{region}Piedmont{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}
{ratings}          
[]Antonio Galloni:: 92/100
{ratings}  {***}