Tuscany

From the hills of Gaiole, in Tuscany's historic Chianti Classico zone, this Sangiovese-dominant blend is made by Badia a Coltibuono. Perfumed aromas of red cherry, wild herbs and a spicy complexity lead to a dense palate laden with ripe fruit, savoury depth and freshness. The tannins are integrated and polished, framinga generous finish. Perfect with grilled meats or tomato-based pasta dishes.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

Retromarcia means “to reverse” in Italian and refers to Monte Bernardi’s ethos of returning to the natural elegance of pure Sangiovese in the historic heart of Tuscany, Chianti Classico. The vinification and maturation in large old oak casks is reminiscent of a more traditional style, and the resulting wine is fresh, pure-fruited and very well balanced. Aromas of cherry, orange peel and mountain herbs lead to a palate of red plum, wild cherry and anise spice. A medium-bodied, organic wine, this can be enjoyed in its youth but can also be aged for greater complexity.
Matt Smith, Wine Buyer (spring 2019)

Glowing a deep ruby red, even the colour here points to the Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino) clone that is behind this single vineyard wine. Signor Gambelli passed away earlier this year, and he would have been proud of this generous but finely honed Chianti Classico Riserva, a wine decorated with ripe loganberry aromas and whiffs of tea leaves. In the mouth it is sublimely delicate, refined yet full, on the verge of ‘gushing’! Thankfully the sapid structure reins it in.
David Berry Green, Fine Wine Buyer

Lovely glossy crimson in colour, this exhibits a wholly Italianate sensibility attesting perhaps, to the supremacy of Bolgheri’s terroir for this style of wine. A dark, brooding, spicy core is overlain with bonfire embers, chocolate cherries and leaf-litter. Some tried thyme, rose petals and crushed raspberry eventually battle their way to the fore of a nose whose complexity truly belies this wine’s price point. At this stage it is richly textured with black plum and more herbal flavours on the palate while a touch of liquorice/aniseed at the end keeps you on your toes. It really is very complete and very difficult to fault, I struggle so see anybody being disappointed on drinking this in a year or so’s time. Drink 2019-2022.
Jared Ehret, Private Account Manger

The nose has a concentrated sour cherry perfume with some hints of balsamic, wild mint, and a little spice. Cool, fresh fruit on the palate, lovely minerality and high, mouth-watering acidity are all supported by fine tannins. An elegant and delicious wine. Drink now to 2019.

Lisini is one of Montalcino’s oldest wine estates. The Clementi family, being of Jewish origin from Venice, fought alongside the Medicis in their conquest of Montalcino. Today, signor Filippo Paoletti is responsible for making traditional wines, using cement and large oak casks.

This is a beautiful, lucid cherry colour with purple flashes. The nose is a tightly woven with ripe cherries, grained leather and Tuscan garden herbs. The palate is cleansing and bright, with crunchy cranberries, sour cherries and a ripe plum character, showing the generosity and richness of the vintage. The fruit flavours, framed by silky tannins give way to sweet spices, and a wonderful savoury edge, typical of Sangiovese. Drink now to 2024.

Dark and deep in appearance, the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino bears many of the hallmark characteristics of the vintage. Sangiovese produced smaller berries and thicker color extraction in this vintage. This Brunello does indeed show more muscle and brawn, but it does so with an impeccable sense of balance and persistence. I cannot but admire this achievement. The quality of fruit is succulent and rich, and there are many pretty aromas of dark cherry, pressed blackberry, underbrush, cola and licorice to earn your admiration. Its textural fortitude is equally admirable.
Drinking window: 2017-2028

Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 28th February 2017

A fabulous nose of red cherry and plum fruit, tempered by spice and hints of new oak. Palate filling and full-bodied in the mouth, with notes of ripe red, Autumnal fruit, leather and spice, all kept in check by great acidity and the ripest of fine-grained tannins. As lovely as this is now, some time in the cellar will only render it more complex and mellow. A delightful wine. Drink 2021-2035+.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager (winter 2018)
 

The Isola et Olena Estate, run by Paolo de Marchi, is a property that has seen a dramatic rise in quality over the last few decades. Paolo's family, originally from Piedmont, purchased the estate in the 1960s. His attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery was the driving force that turned quality around.

The wines have Cepparello at their head, a barrique-aged Sangiovese classified as an IGT - because at the time of its creation in the 1980s a wine comprising 100% Sangiovese could not legally be labelled as Chianti. This is a fabulous Super Tuscan at an incredibly good price and a wine that can age 10 – 15 years if one so wishes.

Isole e Olena’s Sangiovese Super-Tuscan Sangiovese never fails to please. Beautiful ripe Sangiovese nose of black cherries intermingled with hints of spice. Big and rich on the palate with savoury black cherries, grilled meats and loganberry notes, framed by crisp acidity, fine tannins and a lick of warmth from the alcohol. A very impressive Super-Tuscan which could be drunk now, but would reward 5-10 years in the cellar for the components to knit together and gain complexity. A great lesson in what great Sangiovese from Chianti Classico is capable of producing.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager