Italian Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

 Eric Guido writes:  The 2023 Kerner is delicately floral in the glass, with a whiff of sweet spice and candied lime forming its bouquet. This is built on energy with vibrant acidity and a combination of saline minerals and tart citrus, adding a zesty character throughout. The 2023 reverberates with tension through the long and cheek-puckering finale with hints of chamomile and lemon zest.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Vinous 91

James Suckling writes:  A fresh and creamy white with aromas of sliced pears, peaches and lemons. Medium-bodied, lightly pithy and refreshing. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Winemaker Description 

A particular specialty of the Valle Isarco. Greenish to bright yellow in color. Peaches, apricots, and tones of tangerines on the nose. Very lively, juicy, and sleek on the palate, with a mineral-rich finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Straw yellow in color with creamy mousse and delicate, long-lasting bead. On the nose, it is rich, with excellent fruit, releasing scents of yellow apple, peach, wisteria, and acacia blossom. Wonderful balance and elegance complemented a pleasurably crispness on the palate. It holds a delicious vein of acidity, displaying a crisp, savory mouthfeel. Generous, lingering flavors nicely mirror the nose and achieve perfect balance.

Expert Review

89 Points Robert Parker | A classic wine from one of the region's top producers, the Adami NV Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Bosco di Gica Brut is steely and tonic with pummelo, white grapefruit and unripe pear. There are crisp mineral tones of crushed rock and sandstone. This is your quintessential Brut-styled Prosecco Superiore. The wine represents a blend of fruit from 34 different lots.

Winemaker Description 

Straw yellow. Creamy mousse and delicate, long-lasting bead. Nose : Rich, with excellent fruit, releasing scents of yellow apple and peach, with notes of wisteria and acacia blossom.

Wonderful balance and elegance complement a pleasurably crisp spiciness. Palate : Delicious vein of acidity, displaying crisp, savoury mouthfeel. Generous, lingering flavours.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Alison Napjus writes:  Creamed black cherry and black raspberry fruit is structured by chewy tannins and fresh acidity in this balanced red. Shows a subtle underpinning of sanguine iron and earth accents, with appealing details of dark chocolate shavings, dried mint and anise that linger on the finish. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2029.  - Wine Spectator 90

James Suckling writes:  A fruity wine with bright raspberries, pressed flowers, bay leaves, sweet spice and forest floor. The attack is firm, with velvety tannins, a medium to full body and crisp acidity. Chewy with a chocolaty aftertaste. A bit chalky in the finish. Drinkable now, but best from spring 2025.  - James Suckling 92 

Winemaker Description 

Alois Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Bianco is brilliant straw yellow in color; fruity aromas of apples and peaches; medium- bodied with vibrant acidity and a fresh mouth-watering finish.

Great as an aperitif or with starters, salads, and all kind of seafood and pasta dishes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Eric Guido writes:  Remarkably fresh, the 2022 Etna Bianco wafts up with an herbal-tinged bouquet that blends wet stone and hints of smoke with crushed almonds and pear. This washes across the palate with a mineral-laden wave of ripe orchard fruits, offset by a touch of sour lime. It finishes crisply refreshing and long, with a bump of mouthwatering acidity that calls the taster back to the glass.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes:  Notes of ripe apples and pears with spices, chamomile and a stony minerality to it. Medium-bodied, sleek and polished with juicy acidity and delicious fruit. Layered and characterful. Drink now or hold.  - James Suckling 93

Alison Napjus writes:  Lip-smacking acidity is counterbalanced nicely by the creamy texture of this lively white, with aromatic accents of dried mint and grapefruit peel to the flavors of apricot, chopped almond and poached pear. Salty finish. Drink now through 2029.  - Wine Spectator 90

Winemaker Description

This Brunello Riserva offers a solid, full body and excellent aging potential. Its ample and complex bouquet is reminiscent of violets, wild berries, cedar, leather, tobacco and spices. On the palate, it is austere and seductive with a perfect blend of fruit, acidity and mouth coating tannins. This is the perfect bottle for Brunello lovers.

Pair with steak au poivre, rack of lamb or beef carpaccio.

Expert Ratings

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | There is a more forward personality to the 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva, which pours a slightly darker hue. Aromas of black cherry, scorched earth, and violets emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers more ripe concentration, with black raspberry, tea leaf, cedar, and rosemary. It is elegant yet expressive of the warm vintage, with fine, ripe tannins and ripe fresh fruit through the mid-palate and a great balance between roundness and elegance.

James Suckling 95 Points | Complex and fragrant nose of neroli, currants, sour cherries, sandalwood, cassis and wild herbs. Roasted walnuts, too. Full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Full of energy and power.

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with 13,000 bottles made) shows dark fruit, dried cherry and baked plum. The wine is slightly subdued aromatically speaking compared to the new Brunello annata release, and I chalk that up to the very hot and dry conditions of the relentless 2017 summer. Cinnamon, cumin and crushed clove appear in a second wave and underline this Riserva's more elaborate aging regime. The finish is layered and rich with full-bodied Sangiovese intensity.

Decanter 93 Points | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with 13,000 bottles made) shows dark fruit, dried cherry and baked plum. The wine is slightly subdued aromatically speaking compared to the new Brunello annata release, and I chalk that up to the very hot and dry conditions of the relentless 2017 summer. Cinnamon, cumin and crushed clove appear in a second wave and underline this Riserva's more elaborate aging regime. The finish is layered and rich with full-bodied Sangiovese intensity.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | This red starts out round, turning more precise and taut as it builds to the finish. Shows cherry, wild herb, soy and loam flavors that ply the supple texture, before the tannins exert their influence and the finish tightens up (a good sign for the future). (2017).

Vinous 90 Points | The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a dark beauty, slowly unfurling with dried cherries, exotic sweet spice, fresh tobacco and hints of mint. It’s rich and dense in feel, yet lifted by cooling acidity, as ripe black fruits easily wash across the palate, leaving bitter-tea-like tannins that collect toward the close. The finish is tannic and drying, yet not severe, leaving nuances of plum and lavender to linger. The vintage has left its mark on the 2017 Riserva, yet cellaring will help relieve its youthful structure.

Winemaker Description

Its bouquet is intense, pure, pleasant and refined, reminiscent of sweet violet, tobacco, chocolate and pleasant hints of wild berries and vanilla. Its flavor fully confirms the above in a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with good tannins and a solid structure. 

Expert Reviews 

Decanter 95 Points | Altesino counts approximately 50 hectares throughout Montalcino’s northern and southern stretches. A compilation of diverse sites, the estate Brunello is among the denomination’s best values. If the Montosoli bottling is more solemn in tone, this 2019 is joyful and bright. Heady red currant and cherry mingle with plum and anise. The sumptuously fruited, plush palate is mouth filling yet agile. Sandy textured tannins envelop and caress while citrusy acidity lifts the whole. Already accessible, it has sufficient depth, concentration and backbone for a solid decade of enjoyment. (2019). 

Robert Parker 95 Points | The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality). (2019). 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a great, long finish. Medium to full-bodied, it lasts for ages. This is one of those wines that’s going to have a very wide drinking window and is exceptional already. Drink 2026-2046. (2019). 

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is packed with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry fruit, with floral, mineral, juniper and wild herb accents adding depth and complexity. There's plenty of energy and structure as well, providing excellent balance, with a long aftertaste. (2019).

James Suckling 94 Points | A dark ruby color in the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a beguiling blend of dusty earth, crushed rocks, savory herbs and dried roses. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe wild berry fruits elevated by orange and sage, all guided by vibrant acidity. Grippy tannins take control through the finish, yet the mouth is left watering for more as a bitter licorice tinge and dark chocolate adds a crunchy sensation. (2019). 

Winemaker Description

Ruby-red with a garnet rim, this wine's bouquet displays ample aromas of violet, wild berries, tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla. On the palate, Altesino Brunello is rich, full-bodied, and velvety.

Critics Notes

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is packed with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry fruit, with floral, mineral, juniper and wild herb accents adding depth and complexity. There's plenty of energy and structure as well, providing excellent balance, with a long aftertaste. (2019). 

Monica Larner Robert Parker 95 Points | The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality). (2019).

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure and a great, long finish. Medium to full-bodied, it lasts for ages. This is one of those wines that’s going to have a very wide drinking window and is exceptional already. Drink 2026-2046. (2019).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

James Suckling 97 points - This has a complex nose of cranberries, dried pineapple, soy, bark, cardamom, mocha, iodine and wet leather. Full-bodied, with firm and very fine tannins. It really builds in intensity, expanding into a broad array of fresh and dried fruit and espresso bean, before converging again on a long and driven finish. Fantastic already.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 points - Attractive smoky perfume lifts from the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli, with sunny red plum, anise, lavender, and cedar. It is full-bodied, with a refined tannin structure, and a bit more wood influence that will integrate nicely in time. Offering notes of black cherry, licorice, crushed stones, and warming spice, it displays a broader nature compared to the rest of the range, which is to be expected from this iconic site with a somewhat warmer, south-facing exposition.

The Wine Advocate 94+ points - The word "Vigna" has been added to the official name of this wine to underline work in the appellation meant to focus on single-vineyard designates. The Altesino 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli comes from a unique growing site with some of the best exposures from hillside vineyards. This wine shows a slightly dark hue with added concentration and depth. I am delighted by the bouquet that reveals dark cherry, blue flower, crushed stone and grilled herb. There is sweet toast and spice at the back. This is one of the more complete and age-worthy wines from the 2018 vintage.end quote.

Wine Spectator 94 points - A dense, tannic red, with plum, cherry, menthol, iron and spice flavors driven by lively acidity. A bit more burly than many 2018s, yet this remains vibrant, superlong and complex.

Vinous Media - 94 points - The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is dark and brooding with a lavender-tinged mix of crushed rocks, dusty cherry, curry leaf and hints of balsamic spice. It's delicate with a balanced inner sweetness and smooth contours, showing vividly ripe wild blackberry, and even hints of blueberry fruit. It leaves a staining of primary concentration, like liquid violets, yet finishes only lightly structured and wonderfully perfumed. The magic of Montosoli shines through, but don't expect the 2018 to make old bones. Production was down by 20% due to a more-severe selection of grapes in 2018.

Expert Description

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | Ampeleia Estate Unlitro is a light, earthy, natural blend of Alicante (Grenache), Mourvedre, Carignano, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet from the Tuscan Coast made by Biodynamic wine grower Elisabetta Foradori. The Ampeleia Estate consists of 150 hectares of which 35 are planted to vines and the remainder to wheat, legumes, vegetables, olive groves, woodlands and animals. This vivacious red, which boasts a modest 12% alcohol, sees no oak during production, keeping it agile, light on its feet and almost too easily quaffable.

Aromas of forest flowers, strawberry blossoms, earthy blood plums and delicate spices open up on the nose with crisp, peppery fruit refreshing the palate complimented by invigorating acidity and gentle tannins on the finish.

Not a trace of heaviness, just a pure, natural expression of organic grape growing and harmonious winemaking done with lots of love.

Serve chilled, pour generously, and pair it with just about anything!

Winemaker Description

Fun and refreshing, this delicate and fruity wine opens with aromas of tropical fruit, green apple, grass and floral notes, peach, and a hint of almond. A clear, light Pinot Grigio with a pale lemon color. Smells clean and not intense. It is excellent with appetizers, flavorful soups, poultry and seafood: particularly shellfish.

This crisp, elegant and balanced Pinot Grigio comes from our vines cultivated with 100% sustainable techniques in sunny and dry Central-Western Sicily. Here Pinot Grigio expresses a uniquely decisive character, while maintaining its fresh and elegant taste known in the world.

Anterra, or “ancient land” in Italian, refers to the long, rich viticultural history of the peninsula. A keystone in winemaking and wine trading since ancient times, Italy has refined its viticulture over the centuries. Tapping into the vast knowledge bestowed by their ancestors, Anterra’s creators have made winemaking an art form. Cultivated from the vineyards in Sicily, this Pinot Grigio is dry in flavor and has a pleasant and delicate bouquet.

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Guado al Tasso is an intense ruby red in color. The nose offers notes of small dark fruit with sweet spice and toasted oak. On the palate, pure flavors and refined tannins lead to a persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but also has great aging potential. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points Robert Parker | The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | The nose is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherry and soil, while a white pepper undertone provides pop. On the supple, warm palate, berries continue leading the way, before a salty, chocolaty finish with another kick of pepper. Stoic tannins are balanced by lively, persistent acidity.

95 Points James Suckling | Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.

95 Points Wine Spectator | Packed with exuberant blackberry, black currant and blueberry fruit, this red shows the expressive character of the vintage. Just when you think it's too flamboyant, the solid structure reins it in. Shows excellent balance and length, with a touch of lavender and wild herbs on the lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 93 Points |  An opaque purple blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, the 2022 Il Bruciato is luxurious with notes of blackberry liqueur and some blue fruit coming through along with notes of violets, olive, and black licorice. Full-bodied, with a weightless and seamless feel, it has no harsh edges and offers ripe tannins with a supple texture, fresh acidity, and clean ripeness through a rather long finish. This gorgeous wine checks a lot of boxes and is drinking beautifully now. It offers a lot of finesse as well as a wide drinking window. Drink 2024-2040.  - 

Monica Larner the Wine Advocate write 91 Points |   The popular Marchesi Antinori 2022 Bolgheri Rosso Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that offers generous black fruit, prune, black plum, spice and light toast. The wine tapers down to mid-weight texture on the palate, and this little pause in intensity happily serves to elevate its food-friendly appeal. This hot vintage reveals ripe fruit characteristics with soft tannins and an accessible style…  Drinking 2024 to 2027.

James Button of Decanter writes 91 Points |  This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah offers fresh aromas of dark berries and menthol, combined with ripe, opulent red and black fruits with floral overtones in the mouth. Sweet touches of vanilla and liquorice are followed by Mediterranean herbs and spice on a cool finish. Just lacking a bit of mid-palate punch.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Decanter 91

Winemaker Description 

Expert Reviews 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 90 Points | The 2022 Chianti Classico Pèppoli, the entry-level offering from Antinori, is a fine introduction to the year that shows just how compelling this vintage can be. Bright, floral and beautifully lifted, the 2022 is all class. The understated, refreshing style is so compelling.  Drinking 2024 - 2030. 

Michaela Morris of Decanter writes 90 Points | This is surely Antinori’s highest volume Chianti Classico with almost one million bottles produced - that’s over 2.5% of the region’s annual production. Gracious and familiar, Pèppoli is like a cheerful postcard from the Chianti hills. It charms with glossy cherry, cinnamon and chopped basil. Accents of leather and smoky toast are properly demure. On the palate, fruit is at the fore: plump plum and blackberry compote meld effortlessly with light, smooth tannins that give just the slightest dusty tug. Finishes juicy.  Drinking 2024 - 2027. 

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 90 Points | The 2022 Chianti Classico Peppoli is a youthful ruby magenta, and is highly expressive with lively aromas of grenadine, tangerine, fresh flowers, and fresh oregano. This carries seamlessly to the palate keeping all the buoyant vibrancy and fruit through a well-balanced and polished finish. It has fine tannins, and a flourish of toasted smoke cedar spice, with notes of dusty earth and a bit of iron rich gamy feel. Clean and balanced this is an excellent value to drink 2025-2032. 

Monica Lerner of the Wine Advocate writes |  This wine is like that adoring pesky little sibling who always manages to offer levity and good cheer. The Marchesi Antinori 2022 Chianti Classico Pèppoli offers an evergreen taste profile that features Sangiovese under an almost Pinot Noir-like spotlight. The wine is bright and pretty with Rainier cherry, orange peel, violet and earth. If you really want to push those buttons, you could interpret Pèppoli as the equivalent of a Langhe Nebbiolo or a good Valpolicella. 

Winemaker Description

Santa Cristina Rosso 2022 is ruby red with violet hues. Fruity and floral aromas dominate the nose with notes of cherries, mixed berries and violets that meet hints of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee and aromas of green peppers and boxwood typical of Cabernet. The palate is mouth filling, supple with a pleasant fruity aftertaste. 

Antinori’s introduction to their red wines.  A perfect pasta, pizza, chicken, red wine.  Medium bodied, fruit forward, softer styled red that leaves you wanting another glass.

Winemaker Description

The 2019 vintage Solaia is deep ruby red in color. The nose offers complex notes of red fruit, apricots and red oranges with hints of rose petals. Distinct aromas of coffee beans, chocolate, licorice and white pepper complete the rich bouquet of this red wine. On the palate, the wine is enveloping and harmonious with excellent balance and structure. Vibrant tannins lead into an exceptionally long finish. 

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc

Critic Notes

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2021 Villa Antinori is a blend from various appellations within Tuscany. It offers good depth in a medium-bodied, approachable style meant for near-term drinking. In this context, it suffered from frost issues in the Merlot and the exceptional quality of the Sangiovese-based wines. Production was down nearly 50%.  Drinking 2024 to 2031.

Bruce Sanderson writes:  Cherry, pomegranate and plum aromas and flavors are the main themes in this dense red, punctuated with loam, spice, mineral and wild rosemary notes. Harmonious and solidly built, this picks up steam through the long, fruit- and savory-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.  - Wine Spectator 92

Winemaker Description:

Villa Antinori 2021 is ruby red in color. The nose is intense, intriguing and presents fruity notes of black cherries and plum jam together with hints of boxwood, tobacco, and vanilla. The palate is mouth filling with supple, velvety tannins sustained by outstanding freshness and pleasant sapidity. —winemaker

Winemaker Description

Costera shows the typicity of the Cannonau grape with flavors of very ripe strawberries, black cherries, herbs, and spices. The warmth and intense sunlight of southern Sardinia can be seen and felt in the wine with unexpectedly deep color and fullness on the palate. French oak barriques provide rounded tannins and flavors of vanilla.

Meat cooked over an open flame is an artform in Sardinia and specialties such as spit-roasted suckling pig or lamb seem perfect for the rich and complex flavors of Cannonau.

Winemaker Description

Perdera is a blend of Monica, Carignano, and Bovale Sardo aged in neutral barrels and cement vats to preserve Monica’s varietal characteristics. The wine shows red fruit aromas and flavors of cherries and plums with floral notes and spices. Perdera is juicy with bright acidity and low tannins.

An ideal red wine to pair with dark fish such as grilled tuna or salmon with a garnish of herbs or swordfish stewed with tomatoes and saffron. Served chilled, Monica will deliciously elevate an outdoor meal of porchetta.

Intense ruby red with violet shadings, nearly opaque with traces of garnet
Bouquet. Expansive and persistent with sweet fruits, notes of blackberry, black cherry and a subtle nuttiness. Sweet spices lead to a mineral finish

Soft, sweet, voluptuous body, persistent and velvety. The tannins are thick and sweet, the acidity is well balanced, cutting the density and heaviness, while giving structure. Long finish, persistently fruity with notes of underbrush, forest fruit, and complex, intense spices. Producer Description. 

Winemaker Description

Sensationally intense, with notes of wild flowers, violet and red berry jam. Full bodied, rich, dry with a long finish and delicate hint of spice.

Expert Rating

92 Points James Suckling | Bright and fruit-forward with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as sweet spices, chocolate and candied orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with deep, succulent fruit and firm, tightly packed tannins. (2021). 

Winemaker Description 

The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is the new top-level typology of Chianti Classico wine’s appellations, making up only about 6% of the total Chianti Classico wine production. For regulation, this wine is produced only from a selection of the estate’s best grapes and must be aged for a minimum of 30 months, including 3 months of bottle aging. To be a Gran Selezione, this Chianti Classico follows the strictest standards of chemical parameters, reaching outstanding organoleptic characteristics, recognized and approved only after a blind tasting by a special committee of expert winemakers.

From the organoleptic viewpoint, in general, the Gran Selezione has a great structure that, for its provenience, gives superior balance and harmony, depth of flavor, and aromatic complexity, all under the unmistakable “Sangiovese” signature. On the palate, it combines the immediacy of fruit with the fascinating nuances, typical of wines that take a long to evolve.

As an excellent expression of a wine made only with Sangiovese grapes, ASSAI is a full-bodied wine with an intense ruby color. During aging in French oak barrels, it reached richness, complexity, and the right balance of taste and smell. It is a pleasantly intense wine, fruity and spicy, slightly balsamic on the nose, smooth, consistent, and persistent in the mouth.

Serving suggestions:

This wine combines perfectly with elaborate meat and game dishes or aged cheeses. This wine can be preserved in the bottle for years, then it is recommended to aerate it before being served.

Terroir:

U.G.A. Vagliagli, Municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena).

Mediterranean climate, windy and sunny, stony soil on Macigno, with portions of ‘Galestro’ and ‘Alberese’.

Grapes:

Sangiovese 100 %. 

Organic grapes. From a single, estate vineyard, fifteen years old.

Average production:
4.500 bottles (750 ml).

Consultan:
Agronomist Ruggero Mazzilli

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A juicy, joyous organic blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that’s bright, perky, full of life and begging for food. Aromas of spiced cherries on the nose with a medium body and an earthy note that adds complexity. A touch of earth and spice adds complexity, with balanced acidity and softly tamed tannins that leads to a cheerful, food friendly finish. This is a perfect pizza, pasta, weekday red that satisfies without breaking the bank!

Expert Review

James Suckling writes 93 Points |   A tight, focused red with currant and cherry character and hints of chocolate and sandalwood. Medium to full body, creamy and refined tannins that are long and flavorful. Very well done. From organic grapes. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

A versatile, young red wine with a ruby red color and a bouquet characterized by inviting aromas of ripe cherries, blueberries and sweet spices. The taste is medium-bodied, fruity and smooth with a long lingering, dry finish, reminiscent of undergrowth, with an underlying hint of menthol. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Winemaker Notes

Beautiful minerality shining through it, alongside touches of honeymelon and stone fruit. 

Very experienced natural wine drinkers may experience a small note of sulphur on the finish, but it does not distract from the uniqueness of this special wine.

Growing up in Agrigento on Sicily’s southern coast, Filippo Mangione had winemaking in his blood. For generations his family tended vines and made wine in their palmento until his grandfather passed away in the sixties. The vineyards and building were sold off; leaving his family without an estate.

After university, he dove headfirst into the world of wine: working as a waiter, sommelier, journalist, and sales/export in both the US and the UK. The more he worked selling other peoples’ wines, the more he felt the pull to revive his family’s legacy and re-establish an estate of his own. In 2011, after months of visiting and walking the slopes of Etna, Filippo happened to meet the old owner of a nearly abandoned vineyard in Calderara Sottana planted in the early 1900s behind a grove of chesnut trees. Too old to work the vineyards any longer, he was thrilled that Filippo wanted to continue his work, telling him “Take it. Don’t let this vineyard die.” Filippo spent his life savings to buy that vineyard and Ayunta was born.

The vineyards of Ayunta, now several parcels spread throughout the top terroirs (namely the contrada of Calderara Sottana) around Randazzo on northern Etna, total 2.8 ha. The vineyards are populated mainly by very old vines. Every vine is different which is why Filippo does all his farming either by hand or small machine. He doesn’t use any chemicals in his vineyards, preferring to allow the natural vitality of
the soil shine through in the wines.

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of citrus fruit and hints of minerality on the nose. The wine has excellent depth of flavor and is well balanced with good acidity and a pleasant finish. 

Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks on the skins with indigenous yeast. Seven to ten days of sking contact. Aged in concrete vats for eight months followed by three months in the bottle before release.

Bacaro Pinot Grigio has an intense straw color and also an ample, lasting fruity bouquet. The palate is dry, soft and well balanced, due to its full body. Winemaker Description.