2014 Italy

Roero Arneis “Entriard”, or “late-release” in local Piedmont dialect, spends an extended time on its fine lees, and further time in tank before bottling, gaining creamy richness and complexity. The palate is a complex smorgasbord of mint, saffron spice, ginger, salt and candied fruit; the palate rich, full, incredibly textured and complex. Fresh waves of breaking mineral energy, savoury depth and saline refreshment weave into pools of golden, liquid joy. Drink now to 2030.
Davy yw, Wine Buyer

This is one of the iconic Crus of the Langhe, and Marcarini’s flagship wine. Only half the average production was made from the Brunate vineyard in 2014 due to extreme weather, which led to severe selection in the vines. The results, though, are exceptional. The Brunate style showcases incredible depth and complexity with spice, a menthol character and an intense yet sweet tannic profile. Although more broad-shouldered than La Serra, the 2014 vintage has more finesse than other vintages, with mountain herbs, bright cherry, tobacco and hints of sweet wood. The palate is filled by an amazing purity of fruit with crunchy, mouth-watering energy. Drink now to 2040.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

This is sourced from two vineyards in La Morra: 80 percent Berri and 20 percent Capalot. Fermentation is in cement, with 19 days on the skins, then ageing (22 months) in botti grandi (used Slavonian oak). This is quite cool in style with bright red fruit, orange skin, bergamot, and a gentle earthiness. Oak lends a subtle framing; lightly spiced, the tannins are fine and prominent. Classic, elegant and long, it’s expansive. Drink now to 2035.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

The 2014 vintage was not without its challenges – with plenty of rain throughout the year and particularly at harvest time. But Zeno at Monte del Ragni held his nerve and harvested perfectly ripe fruit very late. He chose not to make any Amarone in 2014, meaning much of the fruit originally used for his top cuvée went into this particularly fine Valpolicella Superiore. Dark garnet in colour, the wine is brimming with dark cherry, kirsch and spice notes. The palate is wonderfully fresh and complex, with dark cherry compôte layered with savoury hints of meat, wood-spice and forest floor. Delicious.
Drink now to 2025.
Matt Smith, Buyer (January 2020)

The Cerretta vines sit between 320 and 450 metres above sea-level on the eastern extremities of the Barolo area. The soils are mixed limestone and clay which give more plump and ripe styles compared to the mineral finesse of Davide’s other Serralunga sites. Three years in French botti grandi have polished these fine tannins which are as smooth as china, while the fruit is bright, fleshy, plummy and expansive. Drink 2020-2040.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

Terrifyingly steep and totally calcareous soils make up this special vineyard, which perches in front of the Giovanni Rosso winery between 350 to 390 metres’ altitude. A stone’s throw across the road lies Vigna Rionda, the most prized vineyard in Barolo. The nose is brimming with bramble, crushed stone and floral highlights, inviting and electric. The palate is poised, linear and crunchy; saline minerality carries a wash of bright red and black berry fruits, pricked with fine oak spice and savoury charm. Ceramic-like tannins are both silky and chewy. Drink 2020-2038.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer

Like the Vigna del Sorbo, the 2014 Flaccianello della Pieve spends a few additional months in botte grande than usual. The wine still breathes in large oak cask, but the environment is slightly more reductive (oxygen-free) compared to smaller barrique, thus allowing for a more complete and slower integration that is necessary in a cool vintage like this. The result is a beautifully complete wine that takes a few minutes to spread its wings. The bouquet starts off with a timid personality, but soon reaches a full regime of red fruit and spice that is so specific to this celebrated selection of Sangiovese from Panzano in Chianti. The September heat (following a gray, soggy summer) helped to eventually achieve fully ripened tannins. There is no greenness or astringency to disturb the soft and velvety mouthfeel. Thanks to severe fruit selection, production of the 2014 Flaccianello della Pieve is one-third less than average. Giovanni Manetti calls 2014 a vintage of opportunity. Although Panzano saw less average rainfall in 2014 compared to neighboring villages, Fontodi vineyards required double the work that year. This is an impressive achievement.
Monica Larner - 28/04/2017