Italy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Now made in the Val d'Arno di Sopra appellation, instead of an IGT Toscana, the 2018 Galatrona is one of the finest vintages ever produced at this stunning estate. It’s silky and enveloping, with purity of fruit and stunningly defined floral notes. This is a benchmark Tuscan Merlot, that’s not far off the quality of Masseto. At this price, in this vintage, it’s a must-buy.

The nose on this is intense and powerful, with dark fruit and a baked earth character. On the palate there’s that core of fruit, and intense tannins that will need a year or two to soften. But there’s the complexity hinting at the bright future ahead, with notes of rose petal and fresh green tea, alongside lots of that mineral, talc character, keeping the wine fresh and lifted. It's a gorgeous Brunello.

"Sorì San Lorenzo adds lots of dark mineral definition to cassis, wild cherry, rose and Provence herbs. Like the other wines, it needs extra cellar aging time.” 95+ points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

"This very young Sorì Tildìn takes time to open, and it remains on the nervous side even after it has been given ample time in the glass. The best course of action is to wait until the 10-year mark before opening this bottle. It needs that extra time to soften and flesh out.” 95 points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

"This is a balanced and carefully assembled Barbaresco with a lean approach backed by fine tannins and bright acidity.” 95 points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

This comes from a 3.8ha plot, with vines planted in 1937, with others in the 1950s and 1960s. Very intense and nervy, with grippy tannins, and so much cool fruit on the finish. Effortless and sophisticated.

Italy's most celebrated Merlot is incredible in 2017. Plush tannins, notes of freshly picked plum, lots of spice, and incredible floral lift all combine to ensure that this is a wine that wows with its intensity and concentration. The finish remains focussed: in 2017 this Bolgheri blue clay has produced something special.