2005 Italy

Approximately 8,000 bottles of Lisini’s Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is produced each year from a single 1.4 hectare vineyard. 2005 Ugolaia is a fine-boned, fragile wine with fragrant licorice aromas, suave tannins and a seared meatiness that typifies Lisini’s wines. Utterly compelling and very fine indeed.
David Berry Green, August 2011

Barolo Gramolere, is Fratellis’ Alessandria Monforte d'Alba vineyard, is a larger site at 4ha out of a total 20, alongside those of Sandrone and Pira. Its elevation is higher than that of Monvigliero at approx 425 metres above sea level, and it enjoys a particularly warm microclimate created by its altitude, tree sheltered location, a south-western aspect and by even steeper sandy clay soils. From 40 year old vines, this Barolo wine is stylistically very different to Alessandria's other vineyard, Monvigliero: broader, denser, more mulberry than raspberry on the nose, the palate has a definite succulence, boasting velveteen tannins; so all in all a richer brew. This cru was first bottled by the Alessandria family only in 2001, so an exciting new addition to the range.
(David Berry Green) The first thing to hit you on the palate is the abundance of sweet red fruit and on the nose hints of cocoa, cloves and mint.  The finish is long, smooth and lavishly rich. This is definitely a wine to be kept.
(Ben Upjohn - Fine Wine Department)