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Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£270.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£527.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£565.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£600.00
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Magnum 1 x 150cl 2cs
£415.00
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Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Until 21st January this product is discounted by 40 percent. Price shown includes saving.*
Cited as one of Barolo’s finest vineyards, a definite Grand Cru if & when the authorities get round to classifying the zone, Vigna Rionda is to Serralunga d’Alba what La Romanee-Conti is to Vosne-Romanee. It’s a vineyard that combines perfect exposure, soil, altitude & in Davide’s case old vines planted in 1946. The Giovanni Rosso cantina’s 1 hectare was inherited in 2010 from Davide’s cousin, Tommaso Canale, who had previously made & sold off the wine to the likes of Bruno Giacosa to bottle (as ‘Collina Rionda’).
Given the state of the vineyard, planted not just with Nebbiolo but also Dolcetto & Barbera, Davide has already replanted three-quarters with Nebbiolo; the remainder being prime old Nebbiolo vines, priceless plant material but producing only circa 2000 bts per year until the new vines come of age (in 2020?). 2011 is therefore Davide’s first vintage making Vigna Rionda, vinified in static stainless-steel, cement & in single 16hl slavonian oak large botte. Full bodied yet at the same time so agile, profound, mystical even. Think about drinking from 2021 at the earliest.
David Berry Green, BBR Italian Buyer
*Discount is already applied to the single-bottle price and no further discount will be applied at checkout.
Cited as one of Barolo’s finest vineyards, a definite Grand Cru if & when the authorities get round to classifying the zone, Vigna Rionda is to Serralunga d’Alba what La Romanee-Conti is to Vosne-Romanee. It’s a vineyard that combines perfect exposure, soil, altitude & in Davide’s case old vines planted in 1946. The Giovanni Rosso cantina’s 1 hectare was inherited in 2010 from Davide’s cousin, Tommaso Canale, who had previously made & sold off the wine to the likes of Bruno Giacosa to bottle (as ‘Collina Rionda’).
Given the state of the vineyard, planted not just with Nebbiolo but also Dolcetto & Barbera, Davide has already replanted three-quarters with Nebbiolo; the remainder being prime old Nebbiolo vines, priceless plant material but producing only circa 2000 bts per year until the new vines come of age (in 2020?). 2011 is therefore Davide’s first vintage making Vigna Rionda, vinified in static stainless-steel, cement & in single 16hl slavonian oak large botte. Full bodied yet at the same time so agile, profound, mystical even. Think about drinking from 2021 at the earliest.
David Berry Green, BBR Italian Buyer
*Discount is already applied to the single-bottle price and no further discount will be applied at checkout.
Magnum
£575.00
Magnum 3 x 150cl 2cs
£1,280.76
Bottle 3 x 75cl 1cs
£500.00
Bottle 3 x 75cl 1cs
£660.00
Bottle 3 x 75cl 1cs
£1,200.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,200.00
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Giuseppe Mascarello e Figli,
For laying down,
Giuseppe Mascarello & Figlio surely ranks as one of Barolo’s finest producers. The family business dates back to 1881. All the wines are traditionally made using a combination of epoxy-lined cement and stainless-steel cuves, before being aged in large Slavonian botte; capturing the vineyards' full expression.
From one of the finest vineyards in Monforte, Santo Stefano di Perno is an old-vine, iron-rich Barolo that displays luscious but trim classic tar and roses notes, balanced by a vibrant acidity. Laced with fine aromas of roses, wild berry and truffle. The palate offers notes of tobacco and white pepper. The finish is long and crisp with lively menthol notes on the close.
From one of the finest vineyards in Monforte, Santo Stefano di Perno is an old-vine, iron-rich Barolo that displays luscious but trim classic tar and roses notes, balanced by a vibrant acidity. Laced with fine aromas of roses, wild berry and truffle. The palate offers notes of tobacco and white pepper. The finish is long and crisp with lively menthol notes on the close.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£380.00
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Il Poggione,
Ready, but will improve,
Il Poggione is one of the stars of Brunello di Montalcino, perfectly combining lovely modern-style fruit with freshness and verve. Lovely and fleshy on the nose with that quintessential, tell-tale Sangiovese meatiness, underpinned with notes of redcurrants.
Supple and fleshy on the palate too, spicy red and black fruit notes, mouth-watering acidity and fine, well-integrated tannins. Very good and tempting to drink now, but it will repay a few years in the cellar with more harmony and roundness. Drink 2018-2023.
Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager
Supple and fleshy on the palate too, spicy red and black fruit notes, mouth-watering acidity and fine, well-integrated tannins. Very good and tempting to drink now, but it will repay a few years in the cellar with more harmony and roundness. Drink 2018-2023.
Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
£159.00
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Magnum 1 x 150cl 1cs
£78.00
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Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
The 2010 vintage was perhaps more famous, yet young Davide Rosso reckons he made better wines in 2011. His Serralunga d'Alba is a blend of five or six vineyards dotted along the calcareous ridge, that together articulate the intrinsic character and quality of the village's Baroli. But then Davide is one of them, his family owning vines there and formerly selling off fruit for a century until he stepped up after leaving Alba’s Umberto 1 Oenology School to bottle the fruit, rather than give it away. A brilliant cranberry-red colour, this 2011 version is focused, despite the August heat, with a cool head of cold tea and strawberry, redcurrant and rose aromas. It's refined, delightfully poised, with great Ferrari-like ‘lines’. Fabulous transparency, a glinting cassis-note, racy acidity, exquisite balance and this has a sense of strutting about it. Difficult not to enjoy now, this will improve in bottle for a decade or so.
Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti. Fortune came his and his mother Ester’s way in 2011, as they inherited a hectare of Vigna Rionda — one of Serralunga’s top vineyards — completing the range perfectly
Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti. Fortune came his and his mother Ester’s way in 2011, as they inherited a hectare of Vigna Rionda — one of Serralunga’s top vineyards — completing the range perfectly
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£298.00
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£368.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
£975.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,000.00
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Magnum 6 x 150cl 1cs
£2,595.00
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Bruno Giacosa,
For laying down,
A real triumph: this has elegant, cool, red fruit with notes of mint and coffee on the nose. It is sumptuous and mouth-filling, yet still retaining amazing elegance and coolness. Terrifically complex with notes of red summer fruits, grilled meats, smoke, chocolate and herbs among many others. The finish is long and fine.
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,200.00
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£3,000.00
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Giuseppe Mascarello e Figli,
Ready, but will improve,
Mascarello's 2011 Barolo Monprivato is a graceful, voluminous wine. Laced with notes of red cherry, raspberry, mint, white pepper and orange peel, all wrapped in polished tannins. The 2011 is an excellent choice to drink while some of the more ageworthy recent vintages sleep in the cellar. It will offer a long and wide drinking window of pure pleasure over the next years to 2025.
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£495.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£515.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£520.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£525.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£575.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£585.00
Magnum 6 x 150cl 1cs
£1,500.00
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Gaja,
Ready, but will improve,
Crushed flowers, tobacco, sweet spices and red berries lift from the glass in the 2011 Barbaresco. Soft silky and accessible, the Barbaresco is already wonderfully open and expressive, as so many wines are in this vintage. Kirsch, hard candy and floral notes add nuance over time. The style is mid-weight and gracious, with gorgeous aromatic complexity and plenty of brightness, especially within the context of the year.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£750.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£777.00
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£825.00
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Badia a Coltibuono, Tuscany,
Ready, but will keep,
Taut, red cherry, mineral fresh, this is the most emphatic expression of Badia a Coltibuono's brilliant Chianti Classici from the village of Monti-in-Chianti. Very much the Serralunga of Chianti Classico, Badia's 2011 Riserva pings with herbal and organic-strawberry zip and detail, thanks to the classic Chianti blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino and Ciliegiolo. It has such energy, a mesh of tight-packed, ripe (Pinot-esque) fruit; yet such clarity, harmony and sinew too. This is a wine for the cellar if ever there was one, especially in magnum.
The Stucchi Prinetti family has owned this Chianti Classico estate since 1846, although the stunning abbey (Badia) harks back to 1051 and the Vallombrosan order of monks. More recently, the Gaiole-in-Chianti property has been managed by siblings Roberto, Emanuela, Paolo and Guido, who have updated the facilities and introduced organic viticulture. The heart of the 74-hectare estate lies at 400 metres above sea-level on alberese (limestone) and clay soils, notable around the village of Monti-inChianti, giving finely structured, ageworthy wines.
The Stucchi Prinetti family has owned this Chianti Classico estate since 1846, although the stunning abbey (Badia) harks back to 1051 and the Vallombrosan order of monks. More recently, the Gaiole-in-Chianti property has been managed by siblings Roberto, Emanuela, Paolo and Guido, who have updated the facilities and introduced organic viticulture. The heart of the 74-hectare estate lies at 400 metres above sea-level on alberese (limestone) and clay soils, notable around the village of Monti-inChianti, giving finely structured, ageworthy wines.
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Marcarini, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Emphatic, broad, darker, this has hints of liquorice, tamarind, clove and rose; even of animal. It brims with nuance, while the palate – for now – is dominated by kirsch cherry, a compôte of distilled stone-fruit, of mentholated, dried fruits. This needs time.
Manuel assumes charge of the defiantly traditional, 12-hectare Marcarini estate, along with his three children. Central to this historic, 19th-century cantina, based in central La Morra, with sweeping views over their vineyards below, are the two Barolo vineyards – La Serra and Brunate, of which they own fine plots.
Manuel assumes charge of the defiantly traditional, 12-hectare Marcarini estate, along with his three children. Central to this historic, 19th-century cantina, based in central La Morra, with sweeping views over their vineyards below, are the two Barolo vineyards – La Serra and Brunate, of which they own fine plots.
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E.Pira di Chiara Boschis, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Blush strawberry in colour, this is cool, calculating, quite juicy, with a round fruit character, darker, blackberry fruit and spice, but with great purity. Made in a vin de garde style, this is a bit more forward than the Cannubi.
E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.
E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.
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E.Pira di Chiara Boschis, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
A blend of Nebbiolo fruit from the villages of Barolo, Serralunga d'Alba and Monforte, in 2011 Chiara introduces some larger French oak alongside barriques. Picked relatively early, this has a cool, red, cherry-stone character, along with some oaky tannin notes.
E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.
E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.
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E.Pira di Chiara Boschis, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Darker cherry and brambly in character, with plum ice-cream, the 2011 Cannubi has great power of fruit on the palate. It shares the E.Pira trait of being cool, with a certain hint of Italian summer herbs, full-bodied and tannic on the finish.
E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.
E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
£320.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£360.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£400.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£360.00
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Trediberri, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Thanks to the likes of Trediberri and Roberto Voerzio, Rocche dell'Annunziata is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the Langhe's unofficial Grand Cru vineyards. Located in the sweet spot of La Morra, the vineyard is in a natural amphitheatre that has perfect aspect, altitude and soil composition of sand, clay and silt – similar indeed to that of Cannubi. Only a tiny quantity is made by the Oberto family – 1,080 bottles – which is traditionally fermented for 27 days and aged in smaller oak due to the quantity available. Backed by old vines, this is on another planet compared to their Barolo: emphatic with rosehip, rich with red cherry-stone sapidity, of mocha and tea, it's self-assured with a calm presence. One acknowledges the richer texture, the fuller weight, the (Grand Cru) kirsch quality to the loganberry-fruit. It's sumptuous and supple thanks to the small amount of oak; hedonistic yet cool.
Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.
Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.
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Roberto Voerzio,
Ready, but will improve,
This 6 bottle case contains wines from the 2011 vintage
1x 75cl Roberto Voerzio 1x Brunate
Voerzio's 2011 Barolo is a real head-turner. Weightless and gracious on the palate, yet blessed with tons of pure explosive energy, the Brunate captivates all the senses with its dazzling intensity and precision. The tannins are formidable, yet there is so much purity in the fruit they are barely evident at all. The Brunate has been stellar on both occassions I tasted it prior to bottling. Readers should put the Brunate on their short lists for 2011, as this looks to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink 2019-2032
94-96/100 Antonio Galloni
2x 75cl Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra
In 2011, the Barolo Le Serra benefits from its slightly higher elevation and cooler micro-climate, both of which give the wine an added element of freshness that is needed. Dark red stone fruits, flowers, spices and leather are all supported by the characteristic firm La Serra tannins, but the 2011 has a little more mid-palate depth and overall volume that serves to balance some of the angular contours that can be present. A gorgeous and complete wine, the La Serra is also an overachiever in 2011. Drink 2017-2030
95/100 Antonio Galloni
3x 75cl Roberto Barolo Voerzio Annunziata
Another exotic, beguiling beauty, the 2011 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata captivates all the senses with its stunning bouquet, silky fruit and racy, voluptuous personality, all signatures of this great La Morra site. As always, the Rocche is a feminine, gracious wine that showcases the more finessed site of Nebbiolo. The Rocche also drinks well pretty much upon release, which I expect will be the case here as well. Drink 2016-2031
95/100 Antonio Galloni
1x 75cl Roberto Voerzio 1x Brunate
Voerzio's 2011 Barolo is a real head-turner. Weightless and gracious on the palate, yet blessed with tons of pure explosive energy, the Brunate captivates all the senses with its dazzling intensity and precision. The tannins are formidable, yet there is so much purity in the fruit they are barely evident at all. The Brunate has been stellar on both occassions I tasted it prior to bottling. Readers should put the Brunate on their short lists for 2011, as this looks to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink 2019-2032
94-96/100 Antonio Galloni
2x 75cl Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra
In 2011, the Barolo Le Serra benefits from its slightly higher elevation and cooler micro-climate, both of which give the wine an added element of freshness that is needed. Dark red stone fruits, flowers, spices and leather are all supported by the characteristic firm La Serra tannins, but the 2011 has a little more mid-palate depth and overall volume that serves to balance some of the angular contours that can be present. A gorgeous and complete wine, the La Serra is also an overachiever in 2011. Drink 2017-2030
95/100 Antonio Galloni
3x 75cl Roberto Barolo Voerzio Annunziata
Another exotic, beguiling beauty, the 2011 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata captivates all the senses with its stunning bouquet, silky fruit and racy, voluptuous personality, all signatures of this great La Morra site. As always, the Rocche is a feminine, gracious wine that showcases the more finessed site of Nebbiolo. The Rocche also drinks well pretty much upon release, which I expect will be the case here as well. Drink 2016-2031
95/100 Antonio Galloni
Assrt x 6 1 x 450cl 1cs
£840.00
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Ornellaia,
Ready, but will keep,
We are delighted to be able to offer Le Serre Nuove, a true ‘Second vin’ of Ornellaia. First introduced with the 1997 vintage, 2011 is perhaps their finest vintage to date.
Since its inception in 1981 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia very quickly gained international recognition and established itself as a world-class producer. Located in the medieval village of Bolgheri, made famous by the presence of the pioneering estate Tenuta San Guido, this coastal area of Tuscany had already established itself as a region whose finest vineyards were able to produce wine of the highest calibre.
It is, no doubt, a stunning landscape with towering cypress trees lining ancient Roman roads however in wine terms its proximity to the sea is key. Not only are the finest vineyards spared the highest temperatures found further inland due to cooling sea breezes, grapes ripen earlier here, often before the arrival of autumn rains, bringing a degree of consistency across vintages that should not be overlooked.
Today the wines of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia may rival those of Tenuta San Guido, notably Sassicaia, however many feel that its wines offer a more ‘international’ expression of the terroir of Bolgheri. As you would expect, the wine is produced primarily from the fruit of the estate’s younger vineyards, and aims to combine the pedigree of Ornellaia itself, with the intensity of outstanding terroir balanced by freshness and approachability.
Since its inception in 1981 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia very quickly gained international recognition and established itself as a world-class producer. Located in the medieval village of Bolgheri, made famous by the presence of the pioneering estate Tenuta San Guido, this coastal area of Tuscany had already established itself as a region whose finest vineyards were able to produce wine of the highest calibre.
It is, no doubt, a stunning landscape with towering cypress trees lining ancient Roman roads however in wine terms its proximity to the sea is key. Not only are the finest vineyards spared the highest temperatures found further inland due to cooling sea breezes, grapes ripen earlier here, often before the arrival of autumn rains, bringing a degree of consistency across vintages that should not be overlooked.
Today the wines of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia may rival those of Tenuta San Guido, notably Sassicaia, however many feel that its wines offer a more ‘international’ expression of the terroir of Bolgheri. As you would expect, the wine is produced primarily from the fruit of the estate’s younger vineyards, and aims to combine the pedigree of Ornellaia itself, with the intensity of outstanding terroir balanced by freshness and approachability.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£195.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
£200.00
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New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£279.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£288.00
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Roagna, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Deeper in colour than the lighter, more accessible Pajé, the Vecchie Viti is a wine from 70-plus-year-old vines which you feel you could dive into. It’s got wonderful pace as well as richer fruit; the generosity of Nebbiolo fruit is balanced by salty minerality and underpinned by fabulous terroir. Wow. This needs time to unfurl.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£995.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,025.00
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£1,095.00
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Roagna, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Roagna’s tiny plot was acquired in 1971, with Luca releasing it properly from 2004. It’s one of Barbaresco’s most celebrated expressions, from calcareous, sand and silty soils on a well-ventilated hillock, south-west facing, not far from the Tanaro river. Pale, bright and red-rose in colour, the nose thrills with a mass of tiny red berries, raspberry ripple, wild strawberry and white stone notes. It’s juicy, possessing natural balance, backed by limestone tannins, driven by great energy and pace. This needs a few years to reveal all, but is such an exciting prospect.
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,275.00
New To BBX
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£1,435.00
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Roagna, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Despite being from the same Barbaresco village as Roagna’s Asili, the Montefico could not be more different. Where Asili brims with wild strawberries and dainty red fruit, Montefico is squarer and more masculine, with a darker colour and bigger muscles. It has great presence on the nose, which is velvety and mulberry in character. From an exquisite, old-vine triangle, mid-slope and full-south facing, Montefico is built on white tufo rock, giving tannic power and plenty of sweet fruit. A sleeping giant.
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£945.00
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£990.00
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£1,145.00
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Roagna, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Luca Roagna represents the latest generation to work at this historical wine estate, alongside his genial father Alfredo, whose 15 hectares of vines cover both Barabresco and Barolo. The family's roots, however, lie in Barbaresco, with Luca's grandfather buying the Paje vineyard in the 1950s. Production is small; the 10,000-case potential reduced to an average 6,000-case reality. In a word: finezza.
What a pretty wine: a striking violet-rose colour, so bright and transparent – so Barbaresco. The nose swoons with kirsch, raspberry and violet lift and zing. The full yet delicate palate is at once taut and alive. Such fluidity, such clarity; this is full of joy and raspberry essence. No surprise, perhaps, given the wonderful Pajé vineyard, with its 45-year-old vines, perfectly sheltered, on white Barbaresco soils.
What a pretty wine: a striking violet-rose colour, so bright and transparent – so Barbaresco. The nose swoons with kirsch, raspberry and violet lift and zing. The full yet delicate palate is at once taut and alive. Such fluidity, such clarity; this is full of joy and raspberry essence. No surprise, perhaps, given the wonderful Pajé vineyard, with its 45-year-old vines, perfectly sheltered, on white Barbaresco soils.
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Roagna, Piedmont,
For laying down,
More in-focus, rounder and lusher than the fresher Pira, here the old-vine version owes its generosity and suppleness to vines higher up the east-south-east-facing Pira slope, on whiter, calcareous soils which catch the best of the morning light. It’s altogether a more sensual experience; rich with juicy, warm strawberry-patch fruit. There’s a mass of detail here; it’s complete but needs time to unwind.
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Antinori,
Ready, but will improve,
2011 Solaia has a ripe, perfumed nose with sweet plum, blueberry, morello cherry and cassis notes. It is a nose that really confirms the favourable growing conditions they had in 2011, there was clearly an abundance of healthy grapes. The palate is less flamboyant than the nose, which at this stage of its evolution can only be a good thing. The cassis and blueberry show again with a really pleasing acidity that gives the wine a lovely definition and flow. It is mouthfilling and stylish with herb and cedar notes on the finish rounding things off beautifully.
Matt Tipping, Fine Wine Sales Manager
We often taste wines which leap out of the glass, but 2011 Solaia does this with a vengeance. On the nose there is a beautifully crafted wall of complex blackcurrant and juicy dark fruit from the pure, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. Laced within this are light, deft touches of subtle cherry and dark plum fruit coming from the Sangiovese. On the palate this purity is clear to see again where there further complexity comes from the refined and framing oak. As the fruit of the palate seamlessly moves into the structure and body of the wine there are notes of coffee, fine chocolate and a whole span of herbs and spices – nutmeg, cloves but also sage and rosemary to name but a few. There is no doubt that this is a bold wine if you take it as a whole, but there is a very uncommon level of refinement and subtly here. 2011 Solaia can be drunk now such is the finesse and subtly of the tannins but I feel that if you can leave this in the cellar even for 2 or 3 years there will be added layers of complexity ensuring that this is a very special wine indeed.
Gary Owen, Private Account Manager
Another triumph from the superb 2011 vintage in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Stunningly rich and focussed, the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend is clear to see. Lifted and pure cassis fruit dominates the nose, supported by plum, ripe cherry and notes of graphite, liquorice and sweet spice. Exotic yet refined, a wonderful nose. The vibrancy continues across the palate, impossibly fine tannins, perfect balance. Offers precision and class at every moment, the finish is effortless with violet and mineral hints. Utterly delicious.
Martyn Rolph, Private Account Manager Antinori is the most famous name in Italian wine and the influence of Piero Antinori in the last 25 years has been nothing short of revolutionary. Antinori's flagship wine, Tignanello, first appeared in 1971 and caused a sensation by its use of Cabernet Sauvignon in a Sangiovese blend and with its practice of ageing in small French barriques. Antinori was accused of vinous treachery and treason but soon barrique-aged blends of Sangiovese and Cabernet began appearing all across Tuscany.
Solaia, a twenty hectare (50 acre) vineyard of the Tignanello estate with a south-western exposure, is situated at 350-400 meters (1175-1325 feet) above sea level on a soil of calcareous rock (known as “alberese in Tuscany). The Marchesi Antinori firm produced this wine for the first time in the 1978 vintage with an initial blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, a blend repeated again in 1979. In the following vintages 20% of Sangiovese was added to the Cabernet grapes and the ratio of Cabernet Franc to Cabernet Sauvignon was changed in order to create a wine which has now become definitive in its various composing elements.
Matt Tipping, Fine Wine Sales Manager
We often taste wines which leap out of the glass, but 2011 Solaia does this with a vengeance. On the nose there is a beautifully crafted wall of complex blackcurrant and juicy dark fruit from the pure, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. Laced within this are light, deft touches of subtle cherry and dark plum fruit coming from the Sangiovese. On the palate this purity is clear to see again where there further complexity comes from the refined and framing oak. As the fruit of the palate seamlessly moves into the structure and body of the wine there are notes of coffee, fine chocolate and a whole span of herbs and spices – nutmeg, cloves but also sage and rosemary to name but a few. There is no doubt that this is a bold wine if you take it as a whole, but there is a very uncommon level of refinement and subtly here. 2011 Solaia can be drunk now such is the finesse and subtly of the tannins but I feel that if you can leave this in the cellar even for 2 or 3 years there will be added layers of complexity ensuring that this is a very special wine indeed.
Gary Owen, Private Account Manager
Another triumph from the superb 2011 vintage in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Stunningly rich and focussed, the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend is clear to see. Lifted and pure cassis fruit dominates the nose, supported by plum, ripe cherry and notes of graphite, liquorice and sweet spice. Exotic yet refined, a wonderful nose. The vibrancy continues across the palate, impossibly fine tannins, perfect balance. Offers precision and class at every moment, the finish is effortless with violet and mineral hints. Utterly delicious.
Martyn Rolph, Private Account Manager Antinori is the most famous name in Italian wine and the influence of Piero Antinori in the last 25 years has been nothing short of revolutionary. Antinori's flagship wine, Tignanello, first appeared in 1971 and caused a sensation by its use of Cabernet Sauvignon in a Sangiovese blend and with its practice of ageing in small French barriques. Antinori was accused of vinous treachery and treason but soon barrique-aged blends of Sangiovese and Cabernet began appearing all across Tuscany.
Solaia, a twenty hectare (50 acre) vineyard of the Tignanello estate with a south-western exposure, is situated at 350-400 meters (1175-1325 feet) above sea level on a soil of calcareous rock (known as “alberese in Tuscany). The Marchesi Antinori firm produced this wine for the first time in the 1978 vintage with an initial blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, a blend repeated again in 1979. In the following vintages 20% of Sangiovese was added to the Cabernet grapes and the ratio of Cabernet Franc to Cabernet Sauvignon was changed in order to create a wine which has now become definitive in its various composing elements.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£660.00
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£850.00
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New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£600.00
See All Listings
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014