August Bank Holiday Cellar Raids: Day Two

From the vineyard next to the cellar - Kelder in Afrikaans - this is as bright and energetic a Chenin Blanc as you’ll find. Volumes are miniscule, and the vines were planted in 1972. Floral and intense.

Planted in 1954, this old block of Cinsault gives an intense and refined expression of the grape. There’s real energy here, and there’s also notes of fynbos, negroni, and very fine but almost Nebbiolo-like tannins.

From a vineyard planted in 1968 at the entrance to Adi’s property, this has lots of yellow fruit and an almost tropical note, but remains taut and mineral on the finish.

From a vineyard planted in the 1940s, which also provides Eben’s Skerpioen, this is a saline, pithy, long, delicious white that’s one of Adi’s hidden gems.

Fewer than 1500 bottles are made of this, from a vineyard planted in 1966. This is intense and vibrant, and there’s so much concentration and depth of flavour. A brilliant Chenin Blanc.

Tinta Barocca has huge potential in the Swartland, this parcel, planted in 1972, shows it beautifully. There’s notes of iron oxide and black pudding, with a core of dark fruit. Structured and intense, this will age brilliantly.

Miniscule production here - just 800 kg of grapes or so come from this wall-surrounded vineyard, planted in 1963. It’s savoury and spicy, with notes of ginger and rooibos. This is intense and stunningly pure.

From the same vineyard on the far west coast of the cape as Eben Sadie’s Skerpioen. This Palomino is savoury, fresh, and beautifully balanced. It’s a curious, long-lived white that’s seriously impressive.

A serious Cinsault from a vineyard planted on the Paardeberg in 1954. This has notes of liquorice, rose petal, and lifted strawberry fruit. And it will age brilliantly, too. Powdery tannins complete the picture. You can almost taste the soil here. Brilliant.

A blend of half Chardonnay and half Pinot Blanc, from the Gouges clone, this is fresh and zippy, with notes of mandarins and a hint of fresh hazelnuts. There’s incredible acidity on the long, savoury finish, which has you reaching for glass after glass. Brilliant.

A new project from Querciabella, all the fruit comes from high altitude vineyards on the Ruffoli hill, in the commune of Greve. Classically made, this is a profound, complex, ageworthy wine from Querciabella. There’s so much going on here, and the texture is astonishing. A new benchmark for Chianti?

Querciabella’s Super Tuscan, the 2017 Camartina is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese. The trick here is the estate’s high-altitude vineyards, bringing freshness and poise alongside astonishing depth of flavour and complexity. One of Italy’s greatest wines, this shouldn’t be missed.

South African winemaker Manfred Ing has been elevating this estate since his arrival and the Querciabella wines are considered to be some of the most exciting wines to be coming out of the Chianti region. A blend of 70 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, the 2019 vintage displays the richness and concentration that you would expect from a warm vintage, combined with the complex layers from a long growing season and long, cool autumn. Bramble fruits, wild herbs and sour cherries combine with dark chocolate and clove spice. Tannins provide great structure and the backbone from a wine with a juicy, concentrated core.

The 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. It's a rich and dark expression this vintage, with layers of blackberry, black plum and cassis. There's lots of complexity, with freshly roasted coffee, dark chocolate and dry spice. The tannins are bold too, and densely packed, adding to the rich texture here.

Planted in 1972 and 1978. Quite dark and powerful, lovely energy, silky, very cherry, lovely tannic character, hint of rose and talc too, nice texture and very good energy and length. Racy but a sweetness of fruit. Cassis on the finish, and good length.

From a plot planted in 1948, this has strawberry on the nose, touch of spice, and is silky and almost Pinot. There’s notes of pomegranate, lovely acidity, mouth watering and very long, flowing tannins, and a very fine and silky finish. Luminous

The fruit comes from the San Sebastiano vineyard in Monforte, a site that has exceptional expositions for the Barbera grape. A significant amount of whole cluster and whole berry fruit goes into this Barbera that is aged exclusively in concrete to preserve the wine’s true expression. Sour cherry and damson fruit take hold of this red fruit focused wine. Subtle reduction adds some complexity, along with the wine’s mineral core.

This is a brilliant example of the results of an intense Monforte site, and the careful, elegance-inspired winemaking of Lara and Luisa. Notes of petrichor and baked earth, and some balsamic notes give way to wild flowers and mulberries. The finish is structured, but the tannins are enrobed in wonderfully juicy fruit. A spectacular second Barolo from Lalù.

Contrada is the estate's 'Cru' and is made up of 90% Carricante and 10% indigenous white grapes. The wine spends 12 months in large oak and a year in bottle. Yellow stonefruits combine with honey and pink grapefruit. There is a saltiness and steely character on the palate, yet there is a concentration and density with a long length

The 2021 Testamatta is sourced from various hilltop vineyards with a bit of altitude providing some coolness to this warm vintage. The philosophy here is to make transparent, approachable wines, so techniques avoid anything that might create too much concentration in the final wine. There's a savoury, earthy element to the wine that brings that approachable, gourmand feel they are looking for, and the fresh black cherry fruit and violet, rose petal complexity builds on that appetising quality. The tannins are lithe and subtly frame the wine, leaving it feeling classic and effortless in style.

Ultra, meanwhile, takes its name from the farmer’s love of trance music - and more specifically a gig named Ultra. It’s a Chenin Blanc from the Swartland, and is generous, textured, and astonishingly good value.

Aasvoel is Verdelho, from a single plot in Stellenbosch, that Pieter’s always desperate to get his hands on. So much so, that he feels like a vulture - Aasvoel in Afrikaans - waiting to pick over the vineyard. It's a textured, mouth filling white, but with loads of focussed energy.

A left field blend from Pieter: Grenache, Cinsault, Pinot, Syrah and then some Chenin Blanc & Viognier. This is a ripost to those who claim Pieter is a jack of all trades, master of none. It's so easy drinking, but with the structure and length to make it interesting.

Brazen is a blend of Fernao Pires - from 37 year old vineyards in the Swartland - alongside amphora-aged Palomino from a 47 year old vineyard in Piekenierskloof, and Grenache Blanc from the Voor Paardeberg. It’s a savoury, textured, vibrant white, with a mineral finish that lasts for minutes.

The 2021 Syrah is a brilliant iteration of this legendary wine from Boekenhoutskloof. This outstanding vintage has resulted in a wine that has delicacy and focus, but also incredible structure. Notes of violet and dark fruit, and lots of energy on the finish. Spectacular.

While the Epilogue Syrah gets all the plaudits, the Sons of Sugarland is arguably just as good, if not even better. It sees no oak, and is a peppery, suave, floral expression of the grape. With bottlings like this, it's no wonder that Reenen is regarded as one of the Cape's Syrah masters.

Sourced from a 2.5 hectare parcel at the top of Falletto, the red label Le Rocche del Falletto Riserva is one of Barolo’s most iconic wines. Dark and layered, the 2017 iteration of the wine offers up an aromatic intensity that’s perfectly wrapped in suave, impeccably judged tannins. This year's top Barolo from Bruno Giacosa is outstanding, and yet again it’s well worth seeking out.

Mineral, fine, and remarkably complex, this 2018 is a really lovely wine. The palate has cherry fruit with some rose petals, and then lifted notes of seville oranges, and just a hint of spice. There’s a quinine-like minerality that comes through on the finish, making the finish of the wine very long, and making you reach for another glass.

Attractive perfume of red cherries, wild flowers and raspberries combine beautifully with a savoury gravelly note. The palate is very precise with a zesty acidity and well knit tannins. An approachable Barolo that showcases the best the region has to offer.

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.

Silky, supple, and charming, the 2018 Barbaresco from Giacosa is a wonderful example of what makes Barbaresco so alluring. Rose petals and some citrus fruit, too, and there’s also a real energy on the palate. This is very fine-boned, and there’s an almost Pinot-Noir like clarity to the finish.

As with all of the wines at Giacosa, this is a lovely expression of the grape variety. Lots of cherry yoghurt here, with plenty of spice, too. Serve slightly chilled for a delicious red for summer.

A parcel within a single vineyard. Rocche sits at the top of the hill and has the oldest vines within the vineyard. Complex layers of red plums, cherries, rose and sweet clove and cinnamon spice. There is a herbal note on the palate as well as a leather that adds intrigue, with firm powdery tannins that are quite prominent now, but will almost certainly calm down in a couple of years. This is a classy wine that needs time.

Asili is a great vineyard in Barbaresco, and 2019 is a brilliant vintage. The result is a wine that dazzles with its intensity and finesse, and also with its nobility. The tannins are grippy but fine-boned, and the fruit is perfectly ripe. This lasts an age.

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.

Bruno Giacosa put lots of emphasis on his Roero Arneis, and this is one of the best examples as a result. There’s lovely drive, with pithy pears, and a slightly savoury, floral character, too.

2008 was an outstanding vintage in Piedmont, and this shows it off. A rare treat.

From a more exposed site, fermented on the skins of the amarone, to bring richness and power alongside the stunning perfume. It’s then aged in 500 litre tonneaux for 18 months, bringing spice and textural complexity. One for the cellar.

Really beautiful perfume. Quite savoury, with a nice hint of reduction. There’s plenty of purity here, with grippy tannins and fine thread of acidity. Lots of dark berries, and there’s a suaveness, or coolness across the palate. A touch austere, but with impressive depth, too.

The Dolcetto grapes are sourced from the Ovello vineyard, a west facing vineyard that is dominated by sand and significant diurnal fluctuations. The colour is brilliant purple with blueberry, violet and black cherry fruits. The tannin structure is chalky and the palate is very mineral and savoury.

Slightly darker in character. More deep fruit here, and then a balsamic note, too. Very different from the Albesani. A wildness here, a hedgerow character, with lots of tannins that build. The fruit character is almost Pinot Noir in character, it’s so elegant. The structure builds on the palate, and it’s incredibly fine on the long finish. Saline and long. Outstanding.

Just 4,000 bottles are made of this delicious, vibrant, mouthwatering fizz from Gianmario. Notes of orange blossom and citrus peel on the nose, on the palate there's a hint of peaches, too. The palate has verve and vibrancy, and so much precision on the finish, too. This is brilliantly balanced, and oh-so-delicious. Make sure you grab a case or two.

Really nice fruit, almost citrus and red berries. Good concentration, nice hint of reduction, and there’s lots of tannic structure here. This is very finely judged and good length, Slightly herbal in character, quite mineral on the finish.

Selection of grapes, of barrels - quantity can change from year to year. Quite balsamic in character, really nice energy, this have coiled energy on the palate. Very nice texture, this is quite backward, but with time it will be outstanding. From a truly great vintage, don’t miss this.

Slightly closed today, but there’s impressive power and intensity here. So driven and intense, lots of tannic structure, very vertical in style, more mineral and powerful. This has incredible potential: there’s a coolness and definition here, with lovely length on the finish.

2019 is a great Barbaresco vintage, and this has cool fruit and plenty of acidity. There’s a tension here, and lots of rippling energy, with flavours that develop on the palate. Very impressive indeed.

Mario decided that the 2018 Monvigliero needed less time in barrel, and felt it won’t age quite as long as some vintages, so this isn’t a Riserva this year. This is so refined, pure, and energetic, with lovely finesse, and sumptuous tannins. This is pure Monvigliero, and such a delight already.

There’s a lot of freshness to the 2017 Monvigliero Riserva, and also a very silky palate, despite the challenges of the vintage. This has grip and grows on the palate, and there’s notes of sea spray and red fruits, and then some balsamic. Very complex, with time this will blossom into a wonderful wine.

From a vineyard planted in 1978. Wow. What a nose. So detailed and floral, and there’s notes of clove and liquorice, and a balsamic character, too. The palate is silky and mineral, with lots of salinity, and powdery, fine-grained tannins that grow. Really nice texture here, with plenty of focus. Very long indeed. This is intense and powerful, yet such a baby. Outstanding. And there’s a hint of nice bitterness on the finish, which keeps the mouth watering.

Pelaverga is the indigenous grape variety to Verduno and is being revived by some high quality producers, such as Castello di Verduno. 2020 is a beautiful vintage that is approachable and instantly attractive. Expect an explosion of pepper and red berry and wild flower perfume.

The Riserva is only made in exceptional vintages where the estate thinks the wine can keep in the bottle for at least 20 years. The wine has a lot of structure with the tannins and acidity giving the core focus and tension. The aromas project cool red berry fruits and wild strawberry and herbs with hints of spice and black tea.

Vinified in oak rather than stainless steel (as the Rabajà-Bas is). This is aromatic and open, with wild flowers on the nose and plenty of intensity. There’s a purity and focus to the fruit, and notes of liquorice and tons of energy on the finish. This is very impressive, and very long indeed.

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.

One of the greatest vineyards in Barolo has produced a stonking wine in 2011. Juicy, rich strawberry fruit and rendered tannins craft a wine with amazing mouthfeel, and a purity that’s rarely seen. Brilliant.

The 2017 Vin Santo from Castello di Volpaia is a magnificent effort that exhibits superb depth, density and complexity. Expect dried figs on the nose, with apricot and light caramel. There’s also a creamy texture here and an ever so slight nuttiness to the finish: almonds and toasted hazelnuts. Only the estate’s finest bunches of Trebbiano and Malvasia are selected for the this wine, and the qualityof this wine is soaring.

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.

The forgotten grape of Piemonte, Cavallotto's Freisa is a real joy. So much fresh fruit and pure energy, and there's a slight crunchiness here too. Notes of fresh thyme and plenty of grip of the finish complete the picture. This is a delicious red from one of the region's greatest names.

Very intense, mineral nose. So much explosive energy on the palate. There is so much tannin here, but the tannins are so refined and fine-boned. There’s a lot of saline minerality on the finish, and tension that lasts an age. Rippling with energy, this is a baby - give it lots of time.

Cartology is the backbone of the estate, and is, in Chris’s words, “a vinous exploration of Cape heritage.” It comes from dry farmed bush vines, with a minimum of thirty years old, and most of forty to fifty years old, from around the Cape: from the Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Paardeberg, Bottelary, False Bay and Tygerberg, while in 2019 the 10% Semillon component comes from the 1936-planted La Colline vineyard in Franschhoek. The 2019 is brilliant: on a par with the spectacular 2017. Incredibly textured, with notes of grapefruit oil and a herbal note, too. Brilliant.

In 2019 this is a one-off: just 5,000 half bottles of a straw wine: Lost & Found. It comes from a Hanepoot (Muscat of Alexandria) vineyard that was referred to as productive in 1900, but which was likely planted in the 1880s. 450+g/l of residual sugar, 7% alcohol, and spectacular acidity make an explosive wine that will last forever, if you can let it. Notes of marmalade and apricot jam, and still a real savoury, saline character. This really is a treat.

Pinot Gris is rare in Stellenbosch, and this rust-coloured example is simply brilliant. There's lots of phenolics here, from time on the skins, with notes of peach and also a smokiness. A brilliant food wine, or a wine for summer.

The Peter Max Pinot Noir is the introduction to the estate. It comes from five different plots, from different regions, and its name honours the first growers to sell grapes for the wine (the sources have since changed). Crunchy and red fruited, there's a lot of purity here, with loads of red fruit. It's delicious Pinot.

The vineyard takes its name from from the final use for the land before vineyards were planted: to shoot a film about Napoleon. Here, clay and iron rich soils with schist, just 6km from the ocean give plenty of structure. Notes of pomegranate, and also dark berry fruit, swirl from the glass. Wonderfully judged.

Tiny quantities are made of this, from just outside Hemel-en-Aarde ridge. It's cool-fruited, with sappy tannins, and a long, savoury finish. Very delicate and well-judged.

The 2018 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino is a stunning wine from this corner of Tuscany. Notes of blood orange, of morello cherries, and of spice all swirl from the glass. The nose entices you in, while the palate dazzles with its balance and purity. There’s that core of fresh fruit, while there’s also incredible complexity brought by a savoury minerality and sweet spice from the 5% new oak. This is a really beautiful iteration of the vintage, showing elegance and refinement, but with no loss of concentration.

Well under 4,500 bottles are produced of this wonderful Brunello, and the 2014 is a beautiful wine. Notes of orange peel and iron oxide on the nose, with fresh strawberries and a lick of spice. The palate has refined tannins, and a lovely saline energy, that keeps it fresh and driven. Long and delicious.

Grenache led, with 38%, there’s also 36% Syrah, 10% Cinsaut, 9% Carignan, 7% Pinotage. It smells beautiful, with lots of pepper and fynbos and rooibos tea: a real South African red. So much tension on the finish. A real beauty.

Wild aeroplane' as Domenico was named by his father, this wine reflects his adventurous and wild streak by finding a vineyard outside of his beloved Monforte and into Serralunga. This wine is so floral and so charming in its profile with blood orange and pomegranite at the forefront.

Pajana is a single vineyard in the plot of Ginestra,in the heart of Monforte from 1971 plantings. The core is concentrated with sour cherry, redcurrants and cranberries that are supported by spice and balsamic notes.

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.

Very mineral and cool, yet amazing intensity of tapenade and powerful berry fruit. There’s a coolness and purity here, and a sense of balance, too. Feel the generosity of the vintage only on the finish, where it’s balanced with soft yet saline tannins.

A hark back to the older style of Clerico, this has impressive density and coolness to the fruit. There’s a lovely grip to the palate, with just a hint of raisining on the finish. A lovely clean, savoury, saline finish completes the picture.

72 year old vines. Lovely freshness here, dark fruit, tension, power, salinity and nervous energy. This is intense and powerful, with loads of salinity: so mineral, but also lots of burnt orange peel, and some almond kernal. It’s so complex and very well balanced: an astonishing Barolo from a real magician.

3,600 bottles. So elegant on the nose, so silky, with notes of rose hip, and so much purity of tannins, with fine-boned tannins. This has lots of energy, with amazing salinity and raspberry fruit, mouth watering tannins on the finish: very fine and long.

From Monforte, this always takes a while to come round. Dark and balsamic, but with small berry fruit, and chunky yet savoury tannins, this is Monforte with the lightest touch. Brilliant.

This takes its name from the road that backs onto the winery, but is in fact a blend of vineyards. Energy and power, with plenty of focussed tannins and a wonderfully saline finish. So drinkable, and so long.

Bramble fruits, plum and black cherry fruits dominate the nose, with rosemary, thyme and leather, black olive and tobacco notes adding layers of complexity. The tannins are firm and pronounced, yet integrate brilliantly with the wine’s generous core. A rich wine that has plenty of energy.

Aged for longer than the Classico in larger barrels for 12 months, this wine is wrapped in savoury spice and leather notes. Bramble fruits take to the forefront, as well as cranberry and sour cherry combining with liquorice and tapenade notes. The tannins are powdery and present, but superbly integrated. This is Aglicanico at its best.

Wonderfully pure on the nose, with plenty of rosehip character. This is incredibly floral and perfumed. The palate has notes of mint, with plenty of red berry fruit, and then also a hint of fresh pine needle. Blood orange, too, and other citrus. Very elegant, with such suave tannins, and a beautifully fine finish.

This is 100% Nebbiolo, all from vineyards that could be used for Barolo. And in 2022, with not Runcot produced, this will also include the estate’s best fruit: so this is a real bargain. Stunning purity, and a delicious wash of fruit.

Very close to the Barolo plantations, this sees 18 months in 40% new oak. It’s a serious Barbera, and one that deserves time. Dark fruit and spice, and also a hint of blood orange and a lot of tension. Impressive.

Picked two weeks earlier than the Chiniera, on much more classic Ginestra soils, this is darker and more balsamic, with lots of wild fruit, an intensity, and also a sense of real purity. Energetic and structured on the finish, this is very long indeed.

More dark and structured than the Chiniera, with much more present tannins. But on the nose there’s a wildness, an almost Pinot Noir type fruit. This balances elegance and incredible depth: there’s such pure fruit, and such length, and it demonstrates its Ginestra origins - with structure and minerality - with aplomb. This is a remarkable, beguiling wine from Gianluca Grasso.

Just 4,000 bottles are made from the 2ha at the historic heart of the Ravera cru. There’s lots of tension here: this will take time to unfurl, but when it does it will be a truly remarkable wine. There’s such minerality and talc-like tannins. Astonishingly beautiful.

With a year in large Slavonian oak the wine has hints of smoke and and savoury spice. There is a delicious richness of bramble fruits and the tannins provide great structure.

The Bricco Pernice is powerful and structured and displays a juicy core with pomegranate and blood orange notes as well as bramble fruits and pepper spice.

A wine that always seems to over deliver in qualityand precision. So complex with floral and berry aromas as well as tar, leather and clove spice. Hints of black tea. The tannins are firm currently but are of very high quality and will ressolve in a couple of years and integrate with the wine's concentrated core.

From a vineyard in Neive, that Cogno first bottled in 2005. This is very pure with minty fruit and then just a hint of austerity. This shows the incredible potential of the 2019 vintage in Piedmont.

Almost Gruner Veltliner like: there’s pepper spice here, and lots of grippy freshness. Nascetta is a grape variety that almost disappeared: tasting this, we’re glad it didn’t. Creamy fruit and a long and fresh finish. Impressive. And will age very nicely.

A small single plot, entirely made from the Lampia clone of nebbiolo, Valter has managed the heat of 2015 beautifully: this is still a cool, savoury, impeccably balanced Barolo. Notes of wild strawberry and rose, and silky acidity. Bravo.

A beautiful vintage, in the words of Valter, this smells great. There’s so much strawberry fruit, and a loverly energy: this is so fine-boned, with purity and focus. Stunning - this is a brilliant summer red.

Federica Dessolis, a young female winemaker is making waves in Mamoiada, Sardinia. Her work experience at DRC, Vincent Girardin and Domaine Marcoux in France has given her the grounding to return to her native Sardinia working with old vines and indigenous varieties. This wine has vibrancy and freshness that can often be missing in many wines from the region. Expect wild flowers, raspberries, clove spice and herbal hints. The tannins are supple and ripe, yet with sufficient grip to provide great structure.

Intense and powerful on the nose, this 2017 Saffredi is masterful. Careful selection ensured that the fruit remained fresh, with crunchy dark berries, and notes of sea spray, tapenade, and spice. The palate is so refined and elegant, with a finish that lasts for minutes.

The original super Tuscan, Saffredi is absolutely on form in 2021 and a real delight now, but also to lay in the cellar for a few years. A single vineyard from Scansano in Maremma, this Tuscan wine displays real energy and freshness thanks to its altitude and coastal influence. With 60% new oak you can feel the vanilla and cedar spice combine with blackcurrant, dark plums and black cherry aromas. The core is concentrated and juicy with powdery, firm tannins that provide the perfect structure and focus to this powerful, yet perfectly balanced wine.

This wine displays bright red and black berried fruits as well as licorice and cinnamon spice notes that persist on the palate. The tannins are fine grained with a pleasant grip that provides the perfect structure, alongside the refreshing and juicy acidity.

This single vineyard situated in the prestigious village of La Morra is planted to 60 year old vines at the top of the hill on dark sand over clay soils. The profile is juicy and concentrated with red plum, cherries and liquorice spice with very approachable tannins and a delight to drink now.

A blend of 30% from La Morra’s Rive vineyard, bringing flesh and body, 30% from Castiglione Falletto’s Scarrone, giving an earthiness and savouriness, and 40% from Serralunga d’Alba’s Baudana & Broglio, bringing tension and brilliance.This is pale and translucent, with pure fruit, silky tannins, and stunning energy. This is a brilliant wine, and is not to be missed

This wine showcases a generosity of cranberry, pomegranate and bright red plum fruit, underpinned by a juiciness and ripeness on the palate. The tannins are supple and the wine offers immediate drinking pleasure.

Flaccianello is one of Italy's most sought after wines, with the fruit coming from Fontodi's best vineyard sites. The wine spends 18 months in barrel, of which 40% is new, which gives the wine attractive liquorice, coffee and spice notes. The 2020 vintage is vibrant and concentrated with black cherry, wild berries and hints of bergamot. The wine's tannins are fine grained and sweet, with a refreshing acidity and fantastic balance.

This 100% single vineyard wine is made exclusively of Sangiovese and comes from a high altitude plot in the village of Lamole. There is a richness to the red berry fruit with some florals combined with a classic cherry profile synonymous with Sangiovese. The tannins have a firmness but are so well integrated and with an attractive sweetness to them. This wine offers incredible value and is certainly a wine to follow.

Fossacolle is a small 4 hectare property, which enables the owner and winemaker Stefano Bambagioni to be meticulous in his approach. The 2018 Brunello is a real stand out displaying great vibrancy and zesty acidity. Black cherry and wild berry perfume is supported by a spice and hints of leather, with a sweet and juicy core that is balanced beautifully with firm, chalky tannins.

Fossacolle is in the careful hands of Stefano Bambagioni who has brought a new lease of life into this 4 hectare property. The Riserva isn't produced every year and only small volumes are made with a selection of the best plots from some of their older plantings. Savoury in its profile with coffee, black olive and clove notes with hints of dried red berry fruits.

Sourced from 3 vineyards (La Volta, Fossati and Coste di Vergne) with different expositions of up to 480 metres altitude benefitting from fossil and limestone marl soils, this wine is the most approachable in its youth, yet due to the wine’s innate quality has plenty of life in it. Vivid sour cherry, pomegranate and redcurrants are supported by a lively, crisp acidity and compact tannins. Wild flowers persist on the finish of this rather enjoyable Barolo.

Riesling may not be the first grape variety you’d expect to find in the rolling hills of the Langhe. But Aldo Vajra was fascinated by the grape variety while at university, and decided to try his hand at making a few bottles of the grape, planting his first vineyard in 1985. Now made from a blend of clones from Alsace, Geisenheim, and the Pfalz, from two separate vineyards, one of which is the legendary Barolo vineyard of Fossati, this is a taut yet generous dry Riesling which, like the Nebbiolos of the region will require patience to show its very best.

Vajra’s ode to the wines of the past, this is a blend of vineyards. There’s a softness and easiness here: a freshness and lift alongside the easygoing character of the vintage. A simply delicious, easy to try Barolo.

The wine for which Vajra are best known, and one of the highest spots in the Barolo zone, this balances intensity and power of fruit with incredible fine tannins, and a mineral lift. There’s incredible complexity here, but it remains fresh, cool, and incredibly well-balanced. Utterly beguiling.

The wine for which Vajra are best known, and one of the highest spots in the Barolo zone, this balances intensity and power of fruit with incredible fine tannins, and a mineral lift. There’s incredible complexity here, but it remains fresh, cool, and incredibly well-balanced. Utterly beguiling.

Almost alpine in its flavour profile, this has wild strawberries and then hints of fresh mint, and wonderfully fine-boned tannins. There’s a complexity and purity here: this is very long, elegant, and mineral: it shows why Ravera is such a revered vineyard.

Just the second vintage, and produced in miniscule quantities, this is floral and lifted, with lovely purity of fruit, and a juicy, fine-boned finish. Serve this at cellar temperature for a totally delicious Syrah.

"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

The 2018 from Laura deviates from the power of 2017, showcasing the finesse and precision that she manages to achieve in her wines. Being a cooler vintage, the wine demonstrates a floral perfume of rose, wild red berries and blood orange, as well as hints of herbs and liquorice spice. The tannins are powdery and fine grained and the core is so tightly wound. A vintage that is so accessible and enjoyable now, but has the restrained concentration to last for a long time.

From Laura Brunelli’s 4.5 hectares of high-altitude vineyards, the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is an absolutely gorgeous wine. Notes of wild roses and lots of pure fruit swirl from the glass, while there’s also fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness. Notes of blood orange and tea complete the picture. This is a brilliant Sangiovese.

The 2019 Bricco delle Ciliegie from Giovanni Almondo is an astonishingly good expression of the Arneis grape. Incredibly complex, notes of orange blossom, rosemary, and pine needles swirl from the glass. The palate is textured and savoury, with a core of fresh conference pears, and a thread of acidity that makes this so thirst-quenching.

With a few years of bottle age, this is hitting its stride. Pithy and mineral, with just a hint of honey and freshly cut herbs, the price of this is astonishing. Complex, long, and stunningly delicious.

Undoubtedly the standout wine of the Roero zone, the 2017 Bricco delle Ciliegie doesn't disappoint. There's richness and roundness here, that comes from some clay in the soil, but also stunning tension and coolness to the fruit. The texture on the saline finish is wonderful - it has you reaching straight for another glass.

A cool, suave, delicious wine from Mauro and his family. There’s a coolness and freshness here, with incredible purity. Red berries and just a hint of minty complexity, there’s an energy and finesse here: delicious.

From a small parcel in the Gramolere vineyard, named after the small house (the Bricat house). This is a real charmer in 2018. There are talc-like tannins, and then loads of dark berry fruit. There’s a freshness and energy here, with incredible purity on the finish. This is beautifully balanced, and very long indeed.

Really pure fruit, feel the sweetness here, but it’s so well balanced, with amazing tannic purity. There’s amazing length here, with strawberry fruit and then also that salinity on the finish, and then lots of grip. With time this will be outtsanding.

Tasted as a barrel sample. This has a lot of concentration, with real intensity and purity to the fruit. It comes from the vineyard surrounding the winery. There are Serralunga-like chalky tannins, and crisp acidity, from a vineyard that’s around 450metres-420metres above sea level.

The Santo Stefano di Perno vineyard is situated in the commune of Monforte D'Alba and the 2019 vintage is a real delight. The wine displays real focus and concentration, with rose floral notes and wild strawberries balanced with savoury spice and crushed stone and mineral profiles.

Alberto Graci returned from a career in banking in Milan to his native Sicily in 2004, convinced of the quality of the region and its true potential. High altitude plots, older vines, indigenous grapes on the northern slopes of Etna have been the estate’s focus. This Nerello comes exclusively from the Arcurìa Contrada that has 15 hectares of Nerello planted in this amazing amphitheatre where there are cool and dry breezes constantly blowing through the vineyard. Expect wild flowers, herbs and crushed stone aromas that are supported with spice layers. Tannins are fine grained and the palate is deliciously silky.

This wine comes from a 1.5 hectare vineyard with 80-year-old vines planted on the cooler, northern side of Etna at 600 metres altitude. Planted with Nerello Mascalese and a small part with Nerello Cappuccio, this is a picturesque plot that is surrounded by olive and almond trees. The red berries are ripe and luxurious and display notes of sour cherries, red plum, liquorice and graphite. The core is juicy and there is real density and concentration that is supported rather elegantly with firm, chalky tannins.

A white that is made up of 100% Catarratto, with the oldest vines around 70 years old and planted in an amphitheatre in the Arcurìa Contrada. This 20 hectare vineyard (Catarratto making up 1 hectare) has a diverse range of volcanic soil types, and benefits from cool and dry winds. Fleshy peach and honey blossom notes are supported by hints of more exotic pineapple and dried mango notes. There is a pithiness and citrus acidity on the palate as well as a saltiness that continues for some time on the finish.

This Nerello comes from a special 1.5 hectare parcel in the Acuria Contrada, Sopra il Pozzo (“above the well”) that is dominated by volcanic sand and layers of stone named locally as "Rifusa". Following various soil studies by Alberto Graci, this plot was seen as being able to offer a unique expression of the terroir and grape. A wine that is only produced in exceptional vintages. The wine is layered with red berries and spice, with hints of smoke and wild flowers. The palate is gloriously fresh and vibrant.

Very pure. From the Lazzarito cru. This is so elegant and refined, with incredible purity and texture. Very fine tannins, there’s a citrus lift, red berries, it’s utterly beguiling, mineral, and long. Bravo. Planted in 1975 or 1980s.

Having bought the vineyard at the end of 2010 and replanted the following year, 2014 was the 1st vintage of this now much sought after wine. The layers of complexity well surpass the youth of the vines. This is quite an expressive, almost showy style of Barolo with bramble fruit, dried rose and hints of truffle. The tannins have a sweetness to them, but have a structure and firmness that 2019 brings. Exceptionally long.

Wild strawberries, redcurrant and bright red cherry notes exude from the glass whilst the chalky, tight knit tannins provide the perfect backbone. There is a concentration and accessibility on the palate creating a rather enticing Langhe Nebbiolo.

This spellbinding wine was tasted at the estate with Paolo De Marchi, having just sold the estate after over 45 vintages at the property. Expect ripe cherries, cranberries and pomegranates combined with liquorice and hints of black olive and clove spice. The tannins have a presence and grip to them, yet are so fine grained and so beautifully integrated into the wine's juicy core.

This spellbinding wine was tasted at the estate with Paolo De Marchi, having just sold the estate after over 45 vintages at the property. Expect ripe cherries, cranberries and pomegranates combined with liquorice and hints of black olive and clove spice. The tannins have a presence and grip to them, yet are so fine grained and so beautifully integrated into the wine's juicy core.

The 2018 Cepparello is another astonishing wine from this great estate. Detailed, with notes of wild cherries, citrus lift, and plenty of vibrant spice, the palate is fine boned and wonderfully fresh. Once again shows why this is one of Tuscany's most prized wines.

From the oldest Sangiovese vines, with a little Petit Verdot in the blend, this is ample, generous, and utterly beguiling. There's a balance of ripe fruits, citrus, and plenty of spice, and incredibly silky tannins. This is long, mineral, and incredibly high-class. Outstanding.

From Kaaimansgat, from the same vineyard as Peter-Allan Finlayson's Malabel, this is a cool climate Pinot Noir that dazzles with its freshness and purity. Jessica has to battle the baboons here for the grapes, but it's well worth it: this is floral, delicate, and very long. Not the most powerful, the finish lasts an age.

From the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, this is a wine that shows impressive freshness and intensity. A core of dark berry fruit, with lots of spice on the nose and the palate, and fine-grained tannins that linger, it's a very classy Pinot Noir. It's a shame there's so littler.

Jessica is a big fan of Riesling, and this comes from Elgin, and is an off-dry example that's juicy, fresh, and delicious. Notes of jasmine and orange blossom, and a core of peach fruit, with a deliciously clean finish. A lovely Riesling.

The most iconic Pinotage from the Cape is Kanonkop’s Black Label. From a vineyard planted in 1953, the finest site on Kanonkop’s estate in their eyes, just 6,500 bottles are produced of this wine. Laden with delicious oak spice, it’s powerful and intense, but yet so poised and effortless. Morello cherry, dark chocolate, coffee beans, wild herbs, with fresh violets the spectrum of flavours is immense. A unique wine: this needs to be tasted to be believed.

From a vineyard planted in 1953, the finest site on Kanonkop’s estate in their eyes, just 6,500 bottles are produced of the Black Label Pinotage. It’s powerful and intense, but it’s the quality of the tannins that’s simply remarkable. A unique wine: this needs to be tasted to be believed.

From bunches which have their stems bent, to encourage shriveling, this is a brilliant sweet wine from Alex Starey. Notes of jasmine and manuka honey, and also a core of focussed citrus, here. So complex, and so delicious.

A small parcel of this, the single vineyard Chenin Blanc from the outstanding 2017 vintage, has been made available to us. It was planted in 1971, and this is in such a lovely place right now. Textured, lifted, and incredibly fine-boned, this is a stunning Chenin Blanc.

Made by pinching the tops of the bunches, concentrating the sugars, and acidity, in the grapes, this is a really lovely sweet wine from Alex Starey. Green pineapple, ginger, and a hint of lemongrass create a very refreshing but intensely sweet wine. This is a blend of vintages, hence (for the one and only time) it's a N/V wine.

Just a few hundred bottles of this single block are produced: for Matt, it's a play thing, something that informs the rest of his winemaking. Notes of ginger and fresh grapefruits swirl from the glass of this wine, that's all about texture and purity. South Africa's best Sauvignon Blanc?

Block 382 is a single vineyard at the top of the Klein Constantia hillside, and the 2020 is intense and pure and remarkably textured. Just a few hundred bottles are produced this: we're thrilled to be able to offer it in the UK.

This 2018 is showing great purity of red cherry and berry fruit, supported by liquorice and clove spice. Hints of blood orange and a stony minerality add complexity, combined with the wine's chalky tannins and vibrant acidity.

The 2020 vintage is bright and alluring with great juiciness and suppleness. Red berry perfume dominates the aroma profile, with sweet spice and wild flowers evident on the palate. There is a silkiness to the core that makes this wine very quaffable.

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the best examples you’ll find from this vintage. The nose is orange blossom infused, with lots of morello cherry, and then a real core of slightly herbal fruit. The tannins are firm but mineral, and have you reaching for another glass, while the finish is long and perfumed. A stunning Brunello, with a long life ahead.

Birba, meaning little rascal in the local dialect, is the perfect way to get into the wines of La Gerla. Lovely fruit, juicy and fine, very silky tannins and finish. Love the mouth watering length, and the amazing depth to the fruit here. There’s an energy and vibrancy here that wouldn’t look out of place at double the price. This is one of the best Birbas I've tasted.

More power, spice and balsamic, impressive length, power of tannins and excellent mineral length. Like the density here - silky and mouthfilling, without being overblown.

One of our favourite whites, this is a wine that really shows off its origins. Smoky and savoury, with a taut, linear palate, and so much saline energy. This is such a joyful wine: not to be missed.

The 2022 is a warm vintage, yet this wine feels fresh and energetic. Juicy red plum, pomegranate, liquorice and wild strawberries are supported by a juicy acidity and chalky tannins.

It’s impossible to overstate just how good Le Potazzine’s black label 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva really is. Only the fourth Riserva ever bottled by the estate (after 2004, 2006, and 2011), it’s easily the best wine from them we’ve tasted. It’s an enticing, savoury, black-fruited Brunello that perfectly balances the vintage’s richness with an almost weightless buoyancy. The mineral, redcurrant and liquorice-tinged finish seems to go on for days. The only shame is that there’s not more of this to go around: there was only a single 30-hectolitre cask produced. Certainly one to secure if you can.

This Brunello has an elegant, finessed nose, with notes of fresh tea and orange peel. It’s delicious, so saline and so fine, with alluring purity and freshness. The finish is so energetic yet elegant, with crunchy berries and a remarkable sense of complexity, and a lightness of touch. Just gorgeous.

A blend of grapes from Greyton and Cape South Coast. Lovely energy here, with fynbos and tapenade notes, and then a core of dark fruit. Very nicely done.

From a single vineyard planted in 1977 on the decomposed sandstone of the Piekenierskloof, this is a brilliant Chenin Blanc. There's a luminosity here, and also a real freshness. But don't let the subtlety fool you: this is a serious wine, with a lot of potential in it.

From a 1977 Piekenierskloof vineyard planted on decomposed sandstone, this is floral and delicate with such a lightness of touch about it. Brilliant Chenin Blanc from one of South Africa’s brightest stars.

Howard John is in honour of Franco’s dad, and is a red blend that comes, from 2019, entirely from the Swartland. Lovely fruit. So much delicate energy, lovely mouthfeel. Plenty of perfume, then grip and a long and pure finish. Very detailed and very long.

Named in honour of Franco's daughter, Lua, this is a delicate, perfumed, almost Pinot-like Grenache from the Piekenierskloof. Tiny quantities are made, and its rightly soughtafter. Notes of pomegranate and wild strawberries, and also lots of spice on the finish. Just so pretty, long, and refined.

From a 1977 Durbanville vineyard planted on shale, this is citrus and lifted, with notes of herbs and a hint of straw. Brilliantly balanced: complex and powerful.

Aged in cement, the purity of fruit shines through in this wine. Strawberries, red plum and aniseed come to the fore, with clove spice and herbal notes taking a supporting role. The wine’s tannins have a lightness of touch and combine extremely well with the juicy palate.

This cru vineyard site makes up just under a third of Manuel’s holdings and is situated on the western edge of the region. Attractive rose and crushed raspberry perfume combine with cranberry, damsons and cinnamon spice. The tannins are chalky and firm and woven into the wine’s concentrated core.

From a vineyard on the shoulder of the hill, that gets the morning light, this is a really lovely Dolcetto: one of the best we’ve tried. There’s amazing freshness here, and then a finish that lasts beautifully, too. Just just a joy.

A beautifully balanced Nebbiolo from Manuel. There’s blood orange and strawberry fruit on the nose, with brilliant complexity and a lovely, fine thread of acidity. This is vibrant, with lovely salinity on the finish. Very long and fine-boned: a real charmer.

Lively, fresh, and a moderate 12.5% in alcohol, the Ribolla Gialla is blissfully easy to drink. Ribolla Gialla, native to the hills of Friuli is seeing a recent upsurge in popularity. And with wines like this, it's easy to see why. This is a carefully crafted hand-made wine, using organic fruit and wild yeast that speaks of an indigenous grape, and respects and reflects local tradition and territory. Don't miss it.

Broader than the Ribolla Gialla, this washes over the palate with notes of lemon pith and orange blossom. The finish is ever so slightly waxy, but the wine is not lacking freshness. Delicious.

Lovingly named after Maria’s grandmother, Stella Flora is the only white wine made at the picturesque Maria Pia Castelli estate in the hills of east Italy. Dominated by Pecorino, this is a blend of local Marche grapes with time on the skins giving a beautiful golden colour to the wine.There’s a maritime influence from the nearby Adriatic sea and the wine is remarkably textured, with notes of orange peel and lots of herbal lift.

Pomegranate, wild flowers and red cherries bounce out of the glass and the palate is juicy and alluring. Hints of clove and thyme add layers of complexity and intrigue, whilst the tannins are fine grained and so well integrated.

This is a blend of: 34% Stellenbosch Chardonnay (skin fermented for 11 days); 9% Stellenbosch Chardonnay; 26% Bott Stellenbosch Old Vine Chenin; 17% Stellenbosch Old Vine Muscat (fermented for 7 days on skins and stems); 11% 2020 Reserve Chardonnay aged for 2.5 years in Barrel; and 3% Cool Climate Elgin Riesling. It’s complex and delicious, with lots of bright acidity, notes of lemon curd, and sea spray. Long and poised, it’s an impressive white.

This, from the Voor Paardeberg, from really young vines, is just spectacularly delicious. Red apple and wild roses swirl from the glass, while it’s the salinity and texture of the palate that really blew us away. Such an individual wine; such a wonderful wine.

From the Voor Paardeberg, this is a complex and well-balanced Grenache Blanc. It has notes of yellow fruit and plenty of spice and herbal notes. In no way overblown, this is a masterclass in balance from Marelise.

This Tinta Barocca, meanwhile, is a real labour of love. She loves the grape variety, and this comes from three different, old vine sources: one in Bot Rivier, one in Stellenbosch, and then a parcel on the same farm on the Paardeberg as the other two wines. This is a bottling that benefits from a couple of years in bottle: with that it develops wonderful smoky notes, and hints of blood orange.

One of the most exciting winemakers in South Africa today, Marelise Niemann makes expressive wines that are able to truly paint a picture of their origins. This carefully constructed blend has orange blossom and tangerine skin on the nose, with fresh honeysuckle and apricots filling the front of the palate. Spice and vibrancy is added by the Verdelho, with elegance and minerality on the weighty but linear finish.

The Kweekamp Chardonnay comes from a high altitude vineyard, planted on limestone. Limestone, the top pick for Chardonnay plantations throughout the world, is a rarity in the Cape, and this is a tense, mineral yet pleasingly open expression of the grape, with a lovely lick of oak spice. Just five barrels are made. In recent years, as well as being bottled by the Bruwers, this vineyard is also around one third of the blend of Capensis, South Africa’s most expensive Chardonnay, made by Jackson Family Wines.

Montevetrano is a blend of Aglianico, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's an intense, powerful wine, but what marks it out is the freshness and textured layers here. A brilliant southern Italian red.

From the hills that surround Malmesbury, this single vineyard Syrah is always the most backward of the Mullineux's wines. It's intense and bloody in character, with loads of dark fruit, intense tannins, and also a saline minerality. Long, precise, and incredibly soulful, it's a simply wonderful wine.

The Dry Red is inspired by the South African reds of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. At this time, wines labelled as Cabernet Sauvignon would frequently have a considerable proportion of Cinsault, and this is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Cinsault, and is a wine built for long ageing.

The Granite Syrah comes from the Paardeberg, from 24 year old vines, and is incredibly elegant and floral in style, with real focus.

From a parcel planted in 1900, this is an incredible Cinsault of depth and power, and remarkable structure. Tiny quantities produced.

From the Mullineux’s own vineyard on the Paardeberg, this has a breadth and density. There’s extra phenolic intensity here, from the thicker skins, and that brings a grippiness and a more yellow fruited character. More intense.

The Syrah is as true an expression of this grape variety in the Swartland’s varied terroirs as you’ll find. In 2017, it’s a blend of four parcels planted in the stony Shale and Schist based soils of the Kasteelberg; two parcels of dry-land, bush vines grown in the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg; and one on the rolling, iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury. The vines are aged between 22 and 30 years, and while delicious on first release, it’s a wine that will age impressively.

There are just 1,800 bottles of the Wellington Old Vines Basson Cinsault, from a plot planted in 1900.

Lower vigour than the Seadragon, here the family benefitted from being able to wait for harvest in 2022. They let it hang for an extra week, and the resulting wine has 40% stems included. It’s dark and opulent, but also very saline and savoury. Impressive.

The Pieropan family were the first to bottle and release a single vineyard wine in the region, this was the Calvarino vineyard that is planted to 60 year old vines on very steep slopes. The basalt soils help to produce a wine that has great finesse and a saline core. Expect florals, red apple, ginger and honey notes as well as a zesty acidity with herbal hints and an attractive phenolic grip.

From a single vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, this shows talc-like tannins, amazing purity, and lots of lifted citrus fruit, alongside dark berry fruit, and an incredible amount of energy. Beautifully balanced.

The Romirasco vineyard is 50 – 55 years old and situated on the highest point of the hill of Bussia, with a lot of the fruit going into their iconic Barolo ‘Granbussia’. This is a full bodied wine with a mix of red and black berry fruits, spice and leather notes adding layers of complexity. The firm, chalky tannins of the 2019 vintage provide enough support to the wine's concentration and generosity on the palate. With only 6000 bottles produced, this wine has it all and is well worth ageing in the cellar for several years.

Generous red fruit nose, floral and raspberry, with lots going on. The palate is finely judged, with lovely, silky and saline tannins, and good energy. Vibrancy and finesse in spades here. This is surprisingly approachable today.

With only 3000 bottles produced, the fruit for this wine comes from the oldest vineyard plots of Vigna Romirasco, Vigna Cicala and Vigna Colonello and is only produced in the best vintages. The wine is aged for 33 months in large Slavonian casks and spent a further 9 years in bottle before release. Expect fresh and dried fruits combined with liquorice, mushrooms, blood orange and wild flowers. The tannins have resolved and balance perfectly with the silky core.

The Conca Tre Pile vineyard, on a steeply sloping part of the Bussia Soprana hill, is home to Barbera vines of up to 45 years old. Aldo Conterno is one of the most iconic winemaking names originating from the region and the wines never fail to disappoint. Some ageing in French barrique gives additional spice and complexity and support the dark red plum and bramble notes as well as the hints of herbs and black pepper. The palate is juicy and the tannins are supple and well integrated making this a very approachable wine.

This comes from a 3.8ha plot, with vines planted in 1937, with others in the 1950s and 1960s. Lovely floral energy, more grapefruit than the other wines here, and lovely juicy berries. Very serious palate, notes of cumin and tamarind. And lovely density on the finish, which persists.

One of the great wines of Piedmont, this doesn’t disappoint in 2012. From a single plot in the Bussia hillside, this has astonishing depth and intensity. Notes of tapenade and dark cherries swirl from the glass, with some notes of tar and lots of wild roses. This is so complex, so long, and so enticing.

The 40 – 45-year-old cru vineyard Colonnello is one of Conterno’s best sites, with its complex mix of sand, magnesium and manganese soils. The 2019 is a classic vintage and one for Nebbiolo lovers and is very similar in profile to 2016. The 28 months the wine spends in Slavonian oak has helped round out the present tannins. Wild flowers and red berries combine with pomegranate and crushed raspberries. There is a concentration that is perfectly balanced with the racy acidity, a true delight to drink.

Located in Monforte d'Alba, the grapes are sourced from the vineyard of Bussia, one of Barolo's most sought after Cru. The 2016 is a spectacular vintage, wonderfully approachable, yet a wine that will age beautifully. Expect sweet and savoury spice combined with rose perfume and red cherry notes. Tannins are firm but fine grained and balanced with concentration and bright, lively acidity.

From one of the oldest winemaking families in Italy, this Chardonnay is produced from the highly regarded Bussia vineyard. Having fermented and aged for 7 months in French barriques this wine has a breadth and hint of sweet spice that balances with ripe stone fruits and white blossom aromas. The acidity is crisp and refreshing and supports the wine's concentrated core that will enable this wine to develop and age in the bottle for some time to come.

A juicy Langhe Nebbiolo, but also one that stretches the boundaries of the style. There’s plenty of oriental spices here, with lots of clove and cinnamon, alongsdie some darker fruit, and a lovely, fragrant finish.

This balances the intensity of the vintage beautifully, with notes of garrigue and dried herbs alongside a deep and dark fruit, and there’s a power and intensity to the palate. But there’s also a refinement, with a fine thread of acidity, and plenty of lifted notes, too.

More mineral than the Bussia (although also from the greater Bussia hillside) this balances intensity of fruit with remarkable freshness and acidity. There’s notes of dried oregano alongside a hint of tapenade, and then a ferrous character, with a mouth-watering, savoury finish. This will be long-lived.

To truly understand what Luca’s all about, look no further than the 2016 Lessona, from a great vintage. This is incredible pure and energetic. There’s a lightness and delicacy that you don’t find in the Langhe, but also a nobility to the tannins. Long, mineral, and incredibly pure: remarkable.

The fruit for this wine is sourced from the 0.4 hectare Castagnola vineyard which is located in Lessona between 290-310 metres above sea level in the Orolungo. The wine displays cassis, cherry and wild flower aromas and the tannins are chalky with a mineral palate.

A spectacular wine from Luca de Marchi. Notes of blackcurrant and raspberries, with wonderful saline tannins, and a floral finish that lasts for minutes. This is a unique wine, and one that’s not to be missed.

The only Cinsault Blanc we know about, with just a few hundred bottles made. This is apple-fruited, textured, and saline, and is so much more than a curiosity. Long and pithy, and incredibly delicious, you'll be reaching for another glass.