Italian Wine

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins, 67 Wine Buyer, writes: 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 - Vintage 2020 

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.

Expert Review

Tasting Panel 92 Points | Honeysuckle and gardenia make for sweet and delicate scents. The melting bubbles land gracefully, accentuating flavors of linen and orange cream. White rice and Asian pear dot the mid-palate, leading to a finish redolent of green apple. The liquid is as unique as the memorable packaging.

Winemaker Description 

The name "Avissi" comes from the delightful fizzy sound the bubbles make as they rise in the glass. This prosecco is brilliant straw-yellow in color with a fine and persistent perlage. The nose offers fragrant aromas of honeysuckle with refreshing flavors of green apple and ripe pear, with a clean, fresh and delicate finish. Serve well-chilled as an aperitif, or with lighter fare or fruit-based desserts. Mix with fresh ingredients for a signature sparkling wine cocktail or pair with take-out after work or all dressed up on a Saturday night. One bottle of Avissi Prosecco is 11% alcohol by volume. Life sparkles with Avissi!

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.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Eric Guido of Vinous 92 Points | The 2021 Cerasuolo di Vittoria entices with a dusty bouquet of citrus-laced blackberries, dried violets and sweet smoke. This is pure and lifted in style, communicating undeniable elegance with a silken wave of ripe wild berry fruit that swirls throughout. It finishes classically dry yet only gently tannic, leaving hints of black raspberry and spice to linger. The 2021 is simply stunning today and has the balance to evolve beautifully through medium-term cellaring.

Our Professional Review 

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | Made from 50 year old organic and Biodynamically grown Nero d’Avola vines, the 2020 Contrada is a beautifully crafted, totally natural Sicilian red wine. The bouquet is deep and rich with earthy plum and dark berry and licorice aromas that mingle playfully with notes of exotic spices. In the mouth the flavors are seductive and elegant with purity, freshness and detailed complexity. An exceptionally unique expression of Nero d’Avola.
Bart Hopkins

Winemaker Description

Giusto Occhipinti of COS is a benchmark producer in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily, and certainly one of the most important, influential, producers in all of Sicily if not Italy as a whole. The winery was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The initials of their last names form the winery’s name.

For Giusto, “the vineyard is like our life’s savings in the bank, so we must protect it.” Protecting it means that they work organically and biodynamically to support the health of the soil. They have never used any synthetic or chemical additives in the vineyard since the outset in 1980. Officially, the winery was an early practitioner of Biodynamic viticulture starting in 2000 and was certified organic as of 2007. The climate of Vittoria is also generally warm and dry making it well-adapted to organic & biodynamic viticulture. Giusto and his vineyard team also prepare many of the Biodynamic treatments in-house, though a few are purchased elsewhere from small, reputable sources for these important products.

Throughout the entire range, there is a focus on elegance and purity, especially the joyous, floral Frappato – Sicily’s answer to Cru Beaujolais.

The bright red fruit flavors of cherry and strawberry are vibrant and aromatic with low tannins and fresh acidity.

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.

Winemaker Description 

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

The estate Chianti Classico is central in representing Badia a Coltibuono's vision and relationship with its place and its history. Using the traditional blend of Sangiovese and complementary varieties, as well as propagating vines the traditional way - by massal selection - has always been the backbone of the wine. Modern techniques such as vinification by gravity are used to bring forth the best expression of the fruit, but traditional approaches, from indigenous yeast fermentation to aging in oak casks rather than barriques, are central to the authenticity of the wine. The winery's long-established organic practices are also fundamental in the development of the truly unique character of the grapes.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 93 Points | A very typical and beautiful Chianti Classico with cherry, burnt-orange and polished-wood aromas that follow through to a full body with round tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. (2019).

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | Ripe wild berry, blue flower and dark spice aromas form the nose along with whiffs of new leather. Tangy and easy drinking, the savory palate offers mature Marasca cherry and licorice alongside lithe tannins. 

Robert Parker 89 Points |  The certified organic 2019 Chianti Classico is 90% Sangiovese with smaller parts Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. Fruit comes from calcareous clay soils in a wild and thickly forested corner of Gaiole in Chianti. The wine shows genuine clarity and shine with simple berry aromas balanced by easy spice and earth. There aren't any extra bells or whistles. The point is finding the essence of Sangiovese, without adding layers. 

Wine Spectator 89 Points | This silky red shows a pure cherry center offset by earthy, leafy flavors. A touch dry in the balance, where the earth and underbrush notes echo. Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. Drink now. (2019). 

Winemaker Description

The "Sangioveto" of Badia a Coltibuono comes from the vinification of Sangiovese grapes aged in barrique. The place of origin is that of Monti in Chianti, in the province of Siena, where there are the vineyards of the Stucchi family that since 1846 is the owner of the company Badia a Coltibuono: always linked to tradition, The Stucchi family is also particularly attentive to everything related to the protection of the environment; all the wines of Badia a Coltibuono in fact have the BIO Certification. After the manual harvest, natural fermentation begins with autochthonous yeasts and subsequent maceration on the marc for 5 weeks. The aging takes 12 to 16 months and takes place in oak barrels. Finally, aging in bottle for a minimum of 6 months.

A wine with an intense ruby color, with floral aromas, red fruit and spicy notes. In the mouth it has a good body, harmonious and full-bodied. Good freshness and flavor and an enviable persistence.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 95 Points | A beautiful red with cedar, mushroom and cherry character, as well as hints of sandalwood. It’s medium-bodied and very polished with loveliness and finesse that comes through clearly. A wine to drink young, but will age very nicely.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A refined and generous Brunello, exhibiting plum, cherry, strawberry and even floral flavors. This strives for elegance, achieving it with harmony and a line of fine-grained tannins on the lingering finish. There's ample fruit midpalate that resonates on the mineral finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | A rich red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is a touch shy on opening before revealing aromas of cherry pie, a hint of blue fruit coming through with violets, and anise. Medium to full-bodied, it has a pop of angular texture, chalky tannins, and a clean, lovely, tapered finish. This exceptional wine from Banfi offers a lot of purity and finesse.

Winemaker Description 

A rich and elegant Brunello, both in structure and in olfactory expression. Brilliant ruby red with garnet-colored reflections, on the nose the aroma is sweet and fruity, the hints of fresh red fruit stand out, which combine perfectly with the more complex notes of licorice and pipe tobacco. The structure is powerful, and the palate is pleasantly enveloped by a consistent tannic texture, well balanced by a pleasant acidity. Extremely persistent with excellent aging potential.

It pairs particularly well with rich and tasty dishes. Perfect as a meditation wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | On the nose, a tart cherry blast pushes up against abundant umami aromas of warm tar, balsamic and damp earth. The palate brings more tart fruit, but also a sweetness from a subtle swirl of chocolate and vanilla. Tannins and acid are refined and composed.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Raspberry, cherry, currant and thyme flavors align with the succulent profile in this vivid red. Iron and tobacco notes add detail as this builds to the long, resonant finish, where dusty tannins reign. Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero and Cabernet Sauvignon.

James Suckling 90 Points | A juicy, succulent and vivid red with sour cherries, strawberries and sweet spices on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy core of delicious red fruit with a vivid finish.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. Crisp and refreshing, semi sweet, with lingering pear, tangerine, nectar and melon flavors on the finish.

Perfect with dessert or fresh fruit, or sipping poolside.

Winemaker Description

Sparkling Moscato at it's finest! It has a lovely sweetness that is balanced by fine bubbles and fresh acidity. Drink it chilled, on its own, or with whatever you're cooking for dinner!
  

Winemaker Description

This lightly effervescent wine has a moderate crimson reflection with delicate floral fragrance of honeysuckle and raspberry aromas.

Bottled by V.E.C.A.M. (Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano).

The sweet palate of strawberries and melon make this a wonderful wine for desserts and fruits or simply for enjoying it on its own.

Aromatic sweet sparkling wine. Estate bottled. Product of Italy.

Winemaker Description

This is a wonderful, slightly sparkling wine produced in the Veneto region of Italy. Its slightly fruity, creamy, dry quality make Bartenura Prosecco the perfect wine to accompany appetizers, pasta, and seafood dishes. It is best served chilled.

Winemaker Description 

Mevushal. Bartenura Prosecco Rosé is a semi-dry sparkling wine with fruity flavors, light effervescence, and a beautiful pink hue. It's the perfect celebratory wine and will pair beautifully with aperitifs and desserts.

Enjoy this thirst-quenching, crisp and refreshing semi-sweet rosé in a can! Bartenura Rosato cans pair perfectly with whatever you like, especially with dessert, fresh fruit, and good company! Lightly sparkling.

Kosher for Passover.

Winemaker Description 

Nero d'Avola is a deep ruby red, with violet reflections. Fresh aromas of red and black berries. Fruit-forward with firm tannins and plummy spice flavors on the palate. 

Made from organically grown grapes.

Winemaker Description

Benanti Etna Rosso is pale ruby red in color. The bouquet is ethereal and intense, with spicy red fruit aromas. Well balanced and medium-bodied, with a mineral-rich complexity, pleasant acidity and a saline freshness on the long and lively finish.

A versatile wine that can be paired with red meats and cheeses but also with fish or white meats. Very suitable for by-the-glass consumption.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 92 Points | A gorgeous blend of crushed violets, lavender, wild strawberries and crushed stone wafts up as the 2022 Nerello Cappuccio blossoms in the glass. It opens with a lovely inner sweetness and crisp wild berry fruits. Brilliant acidity adds lift and hints of sour citrus pepper the palate. The 2022 tapers off wickedly fresh with a gentle tug of fine tannins, taking on a slightly crunchy sensation as of licorice tones fade under blue- and purple-toned inner florals. The Nerello Cappuccio from Benanti is always a fun wine; its one of the only varietal expressions one can even find on the market.

Winemaker Description 

Fairly bright ruby red with very light tints of purple. Scent is spicy, herbaceous, smoky, and mildly fruity.

Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988.

Vineyard in Contrada Cavaliere, on the South-western slope of Mount Etna, within the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia (CT). This area is known for its high elevation (900 m a.s.l. / 2,950 ft a.s.l.), low rainfall rate and abundant luminosity.

2022 was the warmest year in the last 180 years, starting with regular and abundant winter rainfall. The vineyards’ vegetative growth was slightly early but healthy, leading to ideal flowering and fruit setting. Between May and June, rapid vegetation growth in Benanti’s five contradas required significant pruning. Despite high temperatures and a lack of rain, the grapes showed no water stress until late August rainfalls. The grapes ripened in excellent health with minimal interventions. The complete ripening process saw notable sugar increases and good acidity levels, perfect for producing balanced wines. Harvests at Calderara Sottana started on October 3rd, and concluded with Nerello Mascalese at Contrada Cavaliere on October 17th.

Winemakers Description

Bertani’s impact on Veneto wine making, particularly in Amarone production, is so considerable that ‘Bertani’ and ‘Amarone’ are nearly synonymous. Their 150+ year history is dotted with groundbreaking initiatives and royal accreditation. While respectful of their past, Bertani strives towards innovation, using progressive techniques and equipment allied with extensive experience and a deeply felt respect for tradition to provide wines of uncompromising quality. 

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 97 Points | Density and dryness that really comes together here, after almost 10 years in bottle. It’s very deep and vertical on the palate. Very pure and beautiful crushed cherries, dried flowers, carbon and pumice. Wonderful all round. Drink or hold. 

Decanter Aldo Fiordelli 94 Points | One of the most classic Amarones, which has never changed its elegant rather than powerful style. The 2011 vintage was challenging, with a warm and rainy summer, but overall it was very good – Bertani isn’t averse to skipping a vintage if it’s not at the top level. Bright garnet in the glass, this is dominated by leather, earthy tones and restrained raspberry fruit. The fresh character is intense, with hints of citrus, slightly oxidative flavours and a Modica salted-chocolate finish. Full and firm, with slightly rustic tannins yet outstanding balance between suppleness and structure.  Drinking 2021 - 2047 

Wine Spectator Alison Napjus 91 Points | A poised red, expanding slowly on the palate, with fine, creamy tannins enmeshed with a range of black cherry coulis, black plum reduction, iron, dark chocolate and tobacco notes. Fresh and focused, with a lasting, spiced finish. Drink now through 2031. 

Winemaker Description

Bright hints of redcurrants, plums, raspberries, sour cherries balanced by spicy notes reminiscent of pepper and cinnamon. On the palate it is approachable, fresh and pleasant, thanks to good balance between acidity, savory notes and richness of flavor. It is excellent with strong flavored pasta dishes, grilled, roast and stewed meat and medium matured cheese.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

98 Points James Suckling | Fabulous aromas of strawberries, orange zest and orange blossom. So pure on the nose. Very perfumed. Medium-bodied with intense linear tannins that are ultra-fine in texture. It's fresh and salty with a brightness and focus. Minerally and crisp. pH is 3.4 highlighting the strength of the acidity. Crunchy. Salty. So delicious now but this will age incredibly well.

96 Points The Wine Advocate | The 2021 Testamatta is Sangiovese sourced from various hilltop vineyards spanning different cool microclimates. The ideal is to underline the transparency and fragility of the variety. Fruit from the Olmo Vineyard plays a big role and “gives a strong imprint to this wine,” Bibi says. Testamatta offers fresh aromas of violet, rose, forest green and candied orange peel. Bibi says 2021 was generally warmer than 2020, but all three vintages—2020, 2021 and 2022—are considered hot. He is upbeat regarding 2023 thanks to all the rain. Testamatta shows an earthy note that gives this wine (with 120,000 bottles made) a slightly more accessible personality. The tannins are lightly managed and the oak framing is down to an elegant minimum. Bibi buys 1% new oak each year, and his oldest barrels date back to 2003. He does not pull leaves, and he employs methods that do not concentrate his fruit so he can safeguard the typicity of Sangiovese. Winemaking is as natural as possible. The beautiful results are classic and bright. He strives to keep alcohol contents below 13%.

95 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2021 Testamatta is entirely Sangiovese from 35- to 50-year-old vines and translates to "crazy-head." It offers a jeweled ruby color and has a lovely bouquet on opening, with pure notes of kirsch, blood orange, dusty earth, coriander, and rose petals. It continues to the palate with a seamless feel, revealing a medium-bodied frame with fine tannins, a refreshingly weightless feel, and an elegantly long and balanced finish. Graceful and pure throughout, this lovely wine will benefit from cellaring as it matures to reveal its more tertiary and savory tones, although it sure is beautiful now.

Winemaker's Notes | “Testamatta” - “crazy-head” in Italian - is the best word to describe Bibi Graetz: a positive, creative and passionate person. Testamatta wine expresses the purity, minerality and transparency of Sangiovese from old vines on the top of the hills characterized by soils rich of stones. A Supertuscan made with 100% Sangiovese, result of the combination of tradition and creativity.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino is surprising in its freshness, considering the warmth of the vintage, and speaks to the cooler, northern-facing exposition of the estate. It is refined with ripe red cherry, raspberry, anise, and incense and is fresh with cherry fruit, warming spices, macchia, and herbes de Provence. It is ripe though it maintains a medium frame, with well-managed tannins and balanced acidity. It is a lovely and charming wine and is rather approachable now. Drink 2024-2040.

Monica Lerner of The Wine Advocate writes 96 Points | A delicately sweet note of fresh summer cherry is a precursor to budding complexity and a very articulate bouquet that opens quickly in the glass. Immediately pleasing fruit is a characteristic of the 2017 growing season that had above average temperatures and drought throughout the summer. The resistant 2017 Brunello di Montalcino takes on these challenges without missing a beat. The wine's celebrated acidity and its small berry nuances remain intact. The tannins are silky and the wine's flavors fade slowly even after you have taken your last sip.

James Suckling 96 Points | Sweet berry, orange peel, cedar, bark and forest flower aromas follow through to a medium to full body, with linear and fine tannins and a crunchy undertone. It’s very subtle and fresh for a 2017. Crisp and vivid. It’s refined and acid-driven. Needs three to four years more to soften. Try after 2026.

Expert Reviews

98+ Points Robert Parker | The Biondi-Santi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is initially a reticent wine and one that does not immediately subscribe to the overstated abundance and exuberance of the vintage. Give it time. I wrote this review after several tastings over several days so I could ensure a more accurate account of the wine's elegant reveal. Contemplative and exceedingly nuanced in personality, with wild berry, underbrush, ferrous earth and candied orange peel, this has everything to look forward to in terms of its future evolution in the bottle. It displays a pretty ruby color that borders on garnet and polished copper. A silky, mid-weight palate is accented by beautifully managed and silky tannins (this aspect of the mouthfeel is extraordinary), bright freshness and long-lasting fruit momentum. The alcohol is a bit more powerful in this release (at 14.5%), but the effect is supple and smooth nonetheless. I tasted bottle number 256.

James Suckling 97 Points | Complex yet pure, subtle and refined nose that gently evolves, with mossy red cherries, dried roses, chalk, tar and dried orange peel. There is a lift of clove and eucalyptus that makes it so distinctive. A powerful, medium-to full-bodied Brunello, but seamless and bright, with a fine, transparent mid-palate and restrained, mineral austerity. Understated complexity that will need time to bloom. Hold until 2026.

Vinous 97 Points | The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva pulls you close to the glass with a deep and seductive display of black raspberry preserves complemented by sweet sage, dried roses and pipe tobacco. With further coaxing, it gains in volume and lift, taking on hints of mint and camphor. This greets the palate with undeniable elegance, casting velvety waves of violet-tinged wild berries and sweet spices across a motivating core of juicy acidity, as a subtle coating of round tannins forms toward the close. While structured and incredibly long, energy remains high, as nuances of cherry pits offset by sour citrus and hints of cedar fade. It’s amazing to experience such energy and purity from a young Biondi Santi Riserva. As pretty as the Annata released last year was, I worried that the extended aging for the Riserva might rob the wine of some of its fruit; instead it is the complete opposite, as this contains the depth and complexity of the best wines of the vintage. I can’t wait to see how the 2015 matures over the next several decades. -- Eric Guido 

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | New leather, pressed rose and mature berry aromas slowly appear in the glass along with whiffs of underbrush and pipe tobacco. On the structured, elegant palate, firm but ultrarefined tannins provide the backbone for juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and cake spice. While it promises decades of evolution, it's already rewarding and almost at the start of its long drinking window. Drink 2025–2045. Kerin O’Keefe 

Wine Spectator 96 Points | Round and fruity, with an accent of white pepper against cherry, raspberry and floral flavors. Elegant and verging on racy, with a firm, well-integrated structure and excellent length on the minerally finish. Best from 2025 through 2048. — B.S.

Winemaker Description

Borgo Reale Chianti Riserva is made from a selection of the finest grapes, receiving additional aging following fermentation. Enjoy with all types of pasta, hor d'oeuvres, and red or white meats.

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. Borgo Reale Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape from Abruzzo, a mountainous region east of Rome. This wine may have up to 15% Sangiovese added and is the first Kosher version available.

This lovely wine has a good aromatic nose with hints of rich, concentrated ripe fruit and spice, and a generous palate with nicely blended tannins yielding powerful, sweet sensations, particularly fresh fruit. Generous, yet pure, on the palate with ripe, round tannins, excellent structure and delicate acidity.

Kosher for Passover & Mevushal.

Winemaker Description 

Refreshing and clean, with nice flavors of apple, lemon, and mineral. Great before a meal or with lighter fare, like cheese or fish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 93 Points | A fresh and crunchy white with light lemons, mangoes and bitter limes. It’s medium- to full-bodied with lots of fruit. The hot growing season comes through, but it remains fresh at the end.

The Wine Advocate Points | The Bruno Giacosa 2023 Roero Arneis will be a smaller release due to fruit that was damaged during a hailstorm the first week of July. Nonetheless, this wine remains salty, mineral-driven and bright with citrus and white peach. It is executed in stainless steel only. Perhaps this vintage is a little thinner in terms of mouthfeel, but it draws to a close with lingering acidity.

Winemaker Description 

Intense straw colored with greenish glints. The nose presents lemon, pineapple, peach and apricot notes with floral hints. On the palate, it is fresh, full-bodied, with mineral notes and a persistent finish.

Winemaker Description

Fantastically hedonistic, offering great velvety richness on the palate and exotic notes of black cherry, cocoa, and ash. The Riserva is a selection from the estate's best fruit.

Expert Reviews

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 94 Points | The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico TB is surprisingly lifted and airy on the nose, with licorice-tinged cherries and rosy florals. This impresses with a push and pull of savory and sweet, as well as a bitter twang of cocoa and spice that further accentuates the ripe berry and plumy fruits within. The contrasts are quite appealing, as a mix of saline-minerals and juicy acids help to add both depth and freshness further accentuated by a hint of sour citrus. Fine tannins linger and also balance the expression through the long and balsamic finale. The 2012 is just a baby today, so give it at least a few more years to come into focus.  Drinking 2024 - 2034.

James Suckling 94 Points | This is a structured and solid Amarone, with dried fruits, sultanas, figs and iron. It’s full-bodied, yet compacted and tannic with a long and persistent finish. One for the cellar, but already impressive to drink.  James Suckling 94

Alison Napjus of Wine Spectator writes 93 Points |  Both juicy and mouthwatering, this rich red shows a lot of personality, offering layered flavors of blackberry pie and raspberry ganache, hints of espresso and sweet smoke, plus fragrant juniper, eucalyptus, lavender and leather accents. Features firm, well-meshed tannins, with creamy edges that meld into the silky flavor range. Drink now through 2035. 

Monica Larner of Robert Parker writes | The Bussola 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva TB (in a heavy glass bottle) is a determined wine with lots of extra power and brawn. The wine shows sweet, air-dried fruit with baked plum and cherry confit. The alcohol content clocks in at 17%, which is way too much on any scale. Despite the high alcohol reading, the wine is still tastes sweet.  Drinking 2022 - 2035.

Winemaker Description 

Rich palate of ripe peaches and apples, with toasted, buttery brioche and butterscotch.
Franciacorta is Italy's answer to Champagne, made using a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco, vinified using the traditional method.

Ca' del Bosco is one of the leading wineries in Franciacorta.

This wine spends 24 months on the lees, contributing brioche flavours and creating a fine, persistent mousse.

Wonderful for any celebration or as an aperitif.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Bruce Sanderson of The Wine Spectator writes 95 Points | There's bright cherry and strawberry fruit in this elegant red, along with rose, mineral and wild herb notes, plus a hint of black pepper. Harmonious and vibrant, this is fluid while cruising to the long, detailed aftertaste.

James Suckling 93 Points | A crisp and fruity Brunello for this hot vintage, with vivid acidity and fine tannins. Medium-bodied, integrated and focused. Yet, it needs another two or three years to come together.

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 92 Points | The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is a transparent bright red color and is ripe with aromas of strawberry preserve, candied flowers, sweet herbs, and mossy earth. Medium-framed, it's vibrant on the palate, with a linear feel, fine tannins, and bright acidity, leading with notes of orange citrus through a rather long finish and a touch of warmth. It retains good purity and energy and is very well balanced.

Winemaker Description 

Camigliano is one of the most historic estates in Montalcino. Acquired in 1957 by entrepreneur Walter Ghezzi, Camigliano was converted over time to the production of high quality wines, in particular of Brunello di Montalcino. The 1,300 acre estate is planted with over 220 acres of vineyards, 200 of which are Sangiovese vineyards.