Italy

Only made in the best vintages, the 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva from Querciabella is a really beautiful bottling from this stunning estate. The product of three single vineyards, it’s currently pretty reserved, but with notes of fresh cherries, wild roses, and a hint of rosemary. It’s a simply wonderful wine.

The 2015 Camartina is an astonishing super-Tuscan. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, from high altitude vineyards in Greve-in-Chianti, it’s a wine that astonishes with its elegance, finesse, and purity. Notes of morello cherry, blackcurrant, and wild flowers, with an intensely structured core, and a long, savoury finish. Outstanding, a real tour de force.

The 2015 Camartina is an astonishing super-Tuscan. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, from high altitude vineyards in Greve-in-Chianti, it’s a wine that astonishes with its elegance, finesse, and purity. Notes of morello cherry, blackcurrant, and wild flowers, with an intensely structured core, and a long, savoury finish. Outstanding, a real tour de force.

The 2015 Camartina is an astonishing super-Tuscan. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, from high altitude vineyards in Greve-in-Chianti, it’s a wine that astonishes with its elegance, finesse, and purity. Notes of morello cherry, blackcurrant, and wild flowers, with an intensely structured core, and a long, savoury finish. Outstanding, a real tour de force.

The 2015 Camartina is an astonishing super-Tuscan. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, from high altitude vineyards in Greve-in-Chianti, it’s a wine that astonishes with its elegance, finesse, and purity. Notes of morello cherry, blackcurrant, and wild flowers, with an intensely structured core, and a long, savoury finish. Outstanding, a real tour de force.

Coming from a single vineyard on the Tignanello estate, Solaia takes its name from the sunny nature of vineyard. The 2017 is opulent and exotic, with loads of spice and a savoury, mineral finish.

A blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto, the 2018 Cervaro has lovely richness to the fruit, with notes of hazelnut and a hint of honey. You feel the Umbrian sun here, but it's all in balance.

One of the great Super-Tuscans, in 2017 Tignanello is intense and structured, with notes of wild herbs, baked earth, and cassis. There's a silkiness to the finish, which lasts an age.

A single vineyard Freisa, and a step up, this is a brilliant wine from this tiny estate. Wild hedgerow and flowers soar from the glass, with incredible structure and length. Mineral, precise, and very long, this is a delight. And it ages brilliantly: older bottles we tried blew us away.

Freisa is a forgotten grape variety of the Langhe. High up in the commune of Camo, Mario and Gabriele are showing just how good it can be. Floral and fresh, with elements of red berry fruit, some herbal character, and also nicely grippy tannins, this is a wonderful alternative to a Langhe Nebbiolo.

A blend of two declassified Nebbiolo da Barolo vineyards: Bussia Brovi in Monforte d’Alba & Roncaglie in La Morra. This has plenty of volume, with delicate fruit, notes of rose petal and plenty of minerality on the finish. A lovely example of what's to come.

Just 2000 bottles were made of this, from Monforte vineyards near to Monchiero. Dark and juicy, with blackcurrent and a hint of tar, there's lively acidity and a very pure and charming finish. This is so delicious. Bravo.

Vibrant in colour, there's a complex nose of pomegranate, iron oxide, and bright, wild strawberry fruit. There's just a lick of tannins, and a very savoury, focussed finish. Joyful now, but with the bones to age, too.

Lovely concentration and ripeness to the 2017 Cerasuolo, with just a hint of fava bean and blood orange on the nose, and hedgerow fruit on the palate. There's a depth here that comes from the vintage, but it's in no way overblown. Lovely.

This is a real benchmark white of Italy, that ages spectacularly. Mineral, intense, with plenty of grip and palate weight, it's a remarkable wine. Buy this, and keep if for a few years.

Wow. What purity and focus, and also such silky tannins. This is a brilliant red. Notes of pomegranate and rose petal, and lots of blood orange add to the core of red fruit. The tannins are talc-like, and there’s such focus on the palate. This is outstanding.

More shy on the nose, but on the palate there’s incredible depth and intensity. Really powerful and grippy, very wild, with notes of orange, peaches and apricots, and such a mineral undercurrent. The best of Etna.

Delicate and herbal on the nose, with fresh lavender as well as plenty of pomegranate and red berry fruit. The tannins sneak up on you: there’s an almost nebbiolo element with that grip and a tar and roses element. But the bright, pale colour and volcanic undertones give it away.

More shy on the nose, but on the palate there’s incredible depth and intensity. Really powerful and grippy, very wild, with notes of orange, peaches and apricots, and such a mineral undercurrent. The best of Etna.

Sourced from across the Barbaresco region, from trusted suppliers, this is a wonderfully fragrant example of the region's everyday grape variety.

Yet another wine that shows just how good the 2014 vintage is. Soaring aromatics, incredible finesse, and remarkable length. A complete wine.

This comes from a single site in the Roero region, giving bright fruit and silky tannins. Giacosa's mastery of Nebbiolo is well known, and this shows their whole talent.

Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, particularly for a 2017, this has notes of cinnamon and freshly cut flowers swirling from the glass. A finessed and classy Barbaresco, that's surprisingly ready to go.

Yet another wine that shows just how good the 2014 vintage is. Soaring aromatics, incredible finesse, and remarkable length. A complete wine.

Ian D'agata has written, "I have long thought that the Arneis was by far Giacosa’s most underrated wine", and this is a zesty, fresh example from one of the grape variety's staunchest defenders

Juicy and fine boned, with notes of orange and a hint of ripe beef tomato, the 2018 Barbera is a lovely wine. It's drinking well out the gate, but will age nicely, too.

Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, particularly for a 2017, this has notes of cinnamon and freshly cut flowers swirling from the glass. A finessed and classy Barbaresco, that's surprisingly ready to go.

A top vineyard, the Rabaja shows real intensity and power, particularly in the brilliant 2016 vintage. Classic notes of tar and roses are also supported with hints of citrus zest, and a bass note of tobacco. Incredibly complex.

In the remarkable 2016 vintage, it's no surprise that this was a top performer. There's astonishing energy here, with dark berry fruit, a hint of cassis, and loads of exotic spice. The finish is incredibly long.

In the remarkable 2016 vintage, it's no surprise that this was a top performer. There's astonishing energy here, with dark berry fruit, a hint of cassis, and loads of exotic spice. The finish is incredibly long.

A lovely wine from the vineyard surrounding the estate, this is some of the best value that you'll find in Piedmont. Delicate but not overly, the finish here is stunning, with so much energy and poise. Delicious, and approachable younger than some.

The Nervo comes from Serravalian soils, and shows the high-toned fruit, citrus lift, and minerality that you'd expect from such origins. In 2018 it's a real stunner: not to be missed.

From Tortonian soils, as found in Barolo and La Morra, this is for those who like a slightly silkier, richer style of Nebbiolo. Notes of tar and tobacco on the finish, and there's exotic spice, too. Beautifully complex, and very long.

Crunchy fruit, with notes of sour cherry and pretty floral, with lovely energy and such a sense of vibrancy on the palate. Just such a joyful wine.

One of the best Dolcettos we know, with wonderful pure berry fruit, silky tannins, and amazing texture and finesse on the finish. Not overblown, and everything is held together with vibrant acidity.

Lightly sparkling, this is a wine of poise and stunning energy. With notes of elderflower and crunchy apples, with freshly picked mint and sage and a fine, silky texture, this is a mouthwatering wine that will have you reaching for glass after glass. We challenge you to find a more upfront and delicious wine.

Just 4,000 bottles were produced of this brilliant fizz from Cascina Cerutti. On the nose, notes of wild flowers and quinine, and a beautiful core of ripe apples and greengage. The palate is silky and intense, with a fine thread of acidity, and a chalky texture. There’s just a hint of panettone on the finish, and a creaminess that lasts for minutes. This is a brilliant bubbly.

The 2015 Riserva from Rabaja has plenty of breadth and volume as you'd expect, with notes of black pepper and sage, and a core of ripe fruit. This is a charming Barbaresco right now. Lovely.

Massara is Verduno's forgotten vineyard, and this has wonderful wild strawberry perfume and nervy acidity. Lovely energy here, and a long and fragrant finish.

Monvigliero is undoubtedly a Grand Cru of Piedmont: this shows why, in the classically styled 2013 vintage. Notes of wild strawberries and hint of pomegranate and blood orange. The palate is so silky and sensous, and the sapid finish lasts for minutes. Brilliant

One of the finest vineyards in Barbaresco, from a spectacular vintage. This is perfumed, intense, and fine-boned, with amazing precision on the finish. Outstanding.

Made from the Pelaverga grape, endemic to Verduno. This is so peppery, lithe, and graceful. Lots of crunchy strawberries and white pepper, and hints of tarragon, too. Incredibly fresh: a brilliant aperitif wine, or for every night of the week.

The 2017 Coltassala, the single vineyard wine from Volpaia, is brooding, intense, and very powerful. With time it's sure to be an impressive wine: at this price, a no brainer.

90% Sangiovese. 10% Merlot. Plums and wild cherries on the nose, intense and powerful, with lovely silky fruit and balsamic notes. There’s a candied orange note, and plenty of clove spice, too. Very complex, and very delicious.

A single ungrafted vineyard produces the pinnacle of Volpaia's production. The 2016 is impressive. Notes of rose petal and graphite swirl, and the tannins are intense and structured. Give this a little time: you'll be rewarded.

Such a heady nose on this of hazelnuts, figs, and exotic spices. The palate has amazing freshness, with plenty of grip and a long, saline, nutty finish. Impossible to spit.

On the nose notes of pomegranate, fresh morello cherries, and a hint of grapefruit pith. The palate is intense and tightly wound: this will need some time to come out of its shell. Yet you feel the rippling energy here, the purity of fruit, and the underlying complexity: this is an astonishingly good Nebbiolo from one of the region’s masters. Not to be missed.

The 2013 Bricco Boschis was an impressive wine, and this Riserva performs as you'd hope. Notes of blood orange and pomegranate support the core of fruit, and the tannins are incredibly well integrated. Brilliant

A touch more 'rustic' in the loosest possible sense than the San Giuseppe, the Vignolo shows notes of tobacco and dried leaves, alongside a dark cherry core, and a cool and mineral finish. The tannins are considerable, but soften with time in the glass, while the finish lasts an age. Another winning 2013 from Cavallotto.

The vintage offering from the estate, this spends four years at least on the lees. The result is a savoury, complex, stunning sparkling wine from the north of Italy. Notes of peaches and hazelnuts, with oodles of minerality on the finish. Serious and long.

A real rarity, this spends an impressive five years on the lees, adding even more notes of hazelnut and brioche, as well as a delicious dried fruit character to the wine. So long, pure, and complex, with a finish that lasts for minutes. Riper that most vintage Champagne, but in terms of complexity would give many prestige cuvées a run for their money.

First introduced to us by Manfred Ing, winemaker at Querciabella, this is a beautiful sparkling from the shores of Lake Iseo. There’s notes of peach and just a lick of bread dough, with fine acidity and wonderful finesse and salinity on the finish. This is a fizz that is just so easy to enjoy.

First introduced to us by Manfred Ing, winemaker at Querciabella, this is a beautiful sparkling from the shores of Lake Iseo. There’s notes of peach and just a lick of bread dough, with fine acidity and wonderful finesse and salinity on the finish. This is a fizz that is just so easy to enjoy.

Just 5,000 bottles produced from this one hectare vineyard, in the direction of Montalcino. Here, there’s volcanic sand coming from Monte Amiata. 2016 is a brilliant vintage, and this shows notes of ripe cherry, iron oxide, and plenty of floral lift. A bargain.

So much elegance on the nose, real finesse and focus. There’s a texture here, and a purity, too. This is beautiful with a real sense of power. Plenty of blood orange and a touch of tea, too. The fruit here is stunning, and the length outstanding. This is a delicious bottle of wine. So well balanced, and so fine. Wonderful.

The 2006 Ombrone from Cupano is a wine to stop you in your tracks. Forest floor and dried fruit, and so much spice and intensity. It's almost Pinot like in its perfume, but with more depth. A joy to drink.

Juicy and fresh, this blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo is a charming, delicious wine from Clerico. There’s the intensity and juicy character you’d expect from 2017, but still with plenty of acidity. Bravo.

The Pajana comes from the Ginestra cru in Monforte d'Alba, and is undoubtedly a Grand Cru of Barolo, particularly in 2016. Intense on the nose, with notes of tar and rose petal, the palate is structured and intense. This is a viscerally thrilling wine: one with astonishing poise and balance. So long, and so impressive.

The fruit on this Barolo, a selection of the most open barrels, that then goes into large casks, is breathtaking. There’s intensity and purity, with also plenty of fine tannins and loads of energy. This is brilliantly balanced, and so long. Wonderful.

A fresh, open, charming expression of Nebbiolo in 2018. Silky tannins, lively acidity, and notes of rose petal and pomegranate, and plenty of grapefruit pith, too. This is very well put together: a wine you want to drink and drink.

A little more closed today, there’s delicate strawberry fruit on the nose, as well as a pomegranate nose. On the palate there’s a richness, but perfectly balanced by grippy Serralunga tannins and loads of energy. So, so well balanced, but in need of a bit of time.

A great vintage for Barbera, and this is juicy, intense, and very moreish. There’s dark berries and plenty of citrus peel, and a beautifully silky texture. This will age well, too.

The Ciabot Mentin in 2016 is a brooding beauty. Monforte tannins and stunning power and intensity, there’s such a beautiful depth and energy to this wine from the team at Clerico. On the finish is a crushed rock character, and despite its power it’s never overbearing. A lesson in balance.

Very powerful and intense, just 2,500 bottles were produced of this. Lots of balsamic and wild herbs, and there’s also plenty of fresh acidity keeping it focussed. Very long on the finish. Impressive.

The 2016 Via Nuova shows impeccable balance of fruit and savoury notes. There’s wonderful fragrance, and a real orange blossom character. This blend of a number of vineyards is astonishingly good in 2016.

Soaring aromatics of wild roses, tar, and mulberries swirl from the glass on this intense, powerful Mosconi. The palate is grippy and powerful, but there’s an elegance and vibrancy here that’s so hard to coax from Monforte. This is an astonishing bottle of wine: a masterpiece in the making. Will be breathtaking in 5-10 years time.

Always a sensuous wine, the 2016 Cannubi takes it to a whole new level. Silky acidity and floral notes combine with a power and intensity that’s rarely seen. A real tour de force.

Deep in colour, the nose on the 2018 Titolo is perfumed and fragrant, with notes of wild herbs, tapenade, but also strawberries and fresh cherries. The tannins are supple but present, and there’s a smoky, almost volcanic character to the palate. This is a brilliant red, that punches well above its price point.

The 2013 Runcot is a remarkable wine. From the vineyard in front of the Cantina, depicted on the label, this is spectacularly pure and energetic, with notes of mulberry and fresh cherries, with spice and a savoury tang on the finish. Remarkably long, complex, and profound, this is a new level from Grasso.

Thie 2016 Vigna Chiniera is more closed at this stage than the Casa Mate, curiously (it's often the inverse). This is powerful and structured, with tons of intense fruit and a beautiful vibrant acidity. There's so much latent energy here, with power too. This is such a brilliant wine: but will need time to come around.

The Casa Maté is surprisingly open and floral today, with beautiful notes of dark cherry, lavender, and notes of baked earth, too. This is very intense and structured, but the tannins are perfectly refined and there's a mouthwatering, saline finish. Outstanding.

The 2018 Pinot Noir from Elio and Nicolas Ottin is another step forward for this charming estate. It’s a beautiful wine, with wild flowers on the nose, and such energy and silky tannins. The finish is bright and pure, and there’s a real clarity here. One of our favourite wines, in 2018 it’s not to be missed.