“The compelling 2021 Ovello Riserva from Produttori del Barbaresco opens with captivating aromas of dark culinary spice, underbrush, rose and mentholated notes. Delicious and full-bodied, the palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, cranberry, star anise and ground clove. Firm, well-integrated tannins lend just the right amount of grip while fresh acidity keeps it bright and balanced.
Drink 2028–2036.”
97/100 Kerin O’Keefe

The Ovello site has more clay, and the resulting wines are plump and fruit forward meaning they often drink earlier, as well as being super age worthy too. Classic ripe cherry notes that develop autumnal qualities and  more of the tar and spice that Barbaresco is famous for with age.

Ovello is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme.

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation.

“You’ll find compelling aromas of rosemary, hay, camphor and crushed mint on the intensely fragrant and fabulous 2021 Muncagota. Full-bodied and loaded with energy, the savoury palate features ripe red cherry, black raspberry, citrus and dark spice as well as the rosemary note from the nose. Firm, well-integrated tannins provide support and give the finish grip. Drink 2029–2036.
98/100 Kerin O’Keefe

Muncagota is a rich style with body and tannin that is well complemented with floral undertones and herbaceous characteristics. The site is limestone and clay soils that lie across a narrow valley, where the warmth and shelter offsets the loss of direct afternoon sunlight. The result is a Cru that offers the balance and harmony of legendary Rabaja but at a slightly richer level of body. Refined and complex, this Muncagota will decant soon or cellar for ages.

Muncagota is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme. 

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release. 

About the producer:

"Established in 1823, our sixth-generation family-operated winery is located in Magrè, Alto Adige. We embrace biodynamic farming and offer three product lines. Our winery works with 30 grape varieties, and we’ve got a thousand and one ideas whirling through our heads – with plenty more to come."

About the Wine:

"We like fresh wines. That’s why we’ve been growing Lagrein in the little-known area of the Magrè talus cone for the last ten years. The dolomite limestone in the soils of the cone is crucial for developing the fruity, fresh and well-rounded profile of our wine. The name Conus comes from the Latin word for “cone”, alluding to the geological formation of the Magrè talus cone."

Grown 230-320m above sea level on gravel & sand with a high dolomitic lime content, vinified in cask & stainless steel.

Great Aromas of Plum, Cocoa, Licorice, spice, violet & red rose florals with woody spices.

About the Grape:

Lagrein is the decendent of Teroldego & cousin of grapes like Marzemino & Syrah.

Imagine a cool climate Syrah with high acidity & lots of gorgeous spice & savoury characteristics accompanied by violet florals.

2019 Vintage:

2019 started slowly due to a long-lasting winter season. A rainy April and a fresh May produced a season in line with more traditional development. The high temperatures during June and July combined with the availability of water in the soil to create the conditions for rapid plant growth. August was mild with good rainfall. The harvest started regularly. The grapes were healthy with slightly higher acidity than the average and, for the red ones, a high accumulation of anthocyanins and an excellent polyphenol profile.

Harvest & Winemaking:

Grape bunches are hand-sorted on a vibrating table and chilled with carbonic snow to avoid oxidation and reduce considerably the use of sulphur. After destemming, berries are hand-sorted on a second vibrating table and finally softly crushed. 

The must is cold soak to preserve its best characters before fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. The maceration is long acting using délestage and, partially, submerged cap technique for over 20 days.

Colour: deep ruby red with garnet hues.

Nose: wide, intense and pleasant bouquet with scent of liquorice and tobacco, spices, leather and faded roses. 

Palate: fine, velvety, medium to full bodied and very well balanced with silky tannins and elegant finish

It pairs with hunting game, roasts, mature cheeses and truffle dishes.

2019 Vintage:

2019 started slowly due to a long-lasting winter season. A rainy April and a fresh May produced a season in line with more traditional development. The high temperatures during June and July combined with the availability of water in the soil to create the conditions for rapid plant growth. August was mild with good rainfall. The harvest started regularly. The grapes were healthy with slightly higher acidity than the average and, for the red ones, a high accumulation of anthocyanins and an excellent polyphenol profile.

Colour: deep ruby red with garnet hues.

Nose: intense and pleasant wide bouquet with scent of currant, liquorice, tobacco, spices, coffee and leather. 

Palate: multifaceted, harmonic and smooth with hint of blackberry, full-bodied with chewy tannins and pleasant finish.

Food Pairing: It pairs with hunting game, roasts, mature cheeses. Also appreciated as an after-dinner drink.

Harvesting & Winemaking: Grape bunches are hand-sorted on a vibrating table and chilled with dry ice to avoid oxidation and reduce considerably the use of sulphur. After destemming, berries are hand-sorted on a second vibrating table and finally softly crushed. 

The must is cold soaked to preserve its best characters before fermentation in stainless steel vats and conic oak vats at controlled temperature. The maceration is long acting using délestage and, partially, submerged cap technique for over 28 days.

Amarone, classic wine from the Valpolicella region, is a new, exciting venture for the Pieropan family. It comes from the desire to test our skills with the Valpolicella zone, which though a neighbour of Soave, is very different and completely unique. It stems also from the desire to make a top red wine, both rich and structured, but also elegant and fine in line with the whole Pieropan range.

The Producer

The Pieropan Winery in the town of Soave is one of Italy's most accomplished and critically acclaimed of all wine estates in the country. Soave has been produced here since the early 1900s, and their versions, ranging from a classic offering as well as two cru (single vineyard) versions are routinely considered among the finest Soaves of the entire production zone.

For many years, Leonildo Pieropan managed the estate, and in doing so helped preserve the huge quality of Soave, all this while many producers released simple, inexpensive versions that too often typified this lovely Italian white wine. Thanks to Pieropan and a few others artisans, Soave could still be characterized as one of Italy's finest whites, one that could age for a decade or more when treated in a proper fashion.

Sadly, Leonildo Pieropan passed away in 2018 at the age of 71, having worked 50 harvests in Soave. Today his sons Andrea and Dario continue their father's passionate work not only with Soave, but also with a few local reds such as Valpolicella and Amarone.

From the hills of Pic St Loup, this is ample, round and fresh with lovely, structured tannins. Rich and complex on the nose, the palate is equally enticing with notes of black plum, black cherries and baking spices. 

 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache

Ciù Ciù Arbinus Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOP Classico is a fine Italian white wine originating from the Marche region. It is made from 100% Verdicchio grapes grown in the hills surrounding the medieval town of Jesi. The wine has a delicate pale yellow color with greenish hues and a pleasing and complex aroma with floral notes, aromas of peach, and a mineral sensation. The taste is intense, fresh, and balanced with a long finish that is citrusy. This wine is perfect for pairing with seafood, white meat, and fresh cheeses. This DOC Classico is one of the most appreciated Verdicchio wines and has won many awards in Italy and internationally.

Vinupetra : a Sicilian dialect word meaning "wine produced in stony soil." The vineyard is cultivated by hand using natural products. No biotechnology is used in the winemaking process. District: Porcaria in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia – Etna Nord at 580 meters above sea level. Parcel: VignaCalderara. Grape varieties: Nerello Mascalese 80%, Nerello Cappuccio 10%, Granache & Francisi 10%.

Number of screws approximately:  3,800

Land area: approximately 0.38 hectares

Density of vines per hectare: 10,000

Vine Age: Over a hundred years old, on its own rootstock, with part replanted in 2005

Vineyard cultivation: Albanello di Etna (Etna Bush Vine method) with Etna chestnut support.

Average yeild per hectare:  9,000kg

Average liters of wine produced per hectare:  6,000L

Average total number of 0.75 l bottles produced: 3,100

Harvest period: second ten days of October

Vinification: Pressing of the grapes, 30% of which with the stems. Maceration on the skins for at least 15 days in a 2500-liter wooden vat.

Yeasts: addition of native yeasts (Pied de cuve)

Duration of alcoholic fermentation: 10 days

Aging period: in 225 and 500 litre barrels for 12 months

Filtration: only during bottling

Clarification: natural decantation

Decanting during refinement number: 6

Addition of sulfur dioxide: in small doses before fermentation and bottling

Average alcohol content: 13.5%

Average total acidity grams per litre: 6.5

Average pH: 3.35

Total sulfur in freshly bottled wine (mg/l) average: 60

Bottling: in May of the second year following the harvest

First Year of Production: 2001

The RISECCOLI Chianti Classico is a true representation of the estate’s terroir.

The Sangiovese is fermented and kept separately for 12 months in temperature-controlled cement vats. Fermentation for the Merlot (when required) takes place in stainless steel tanks and then aging is completed in French barriques before blending with the Sangiovese.

Details
Region: Chianti Classico
Type: Chianti Classico DOCG Organic
Current Release: 2021
Varieties: 90%-100% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 13.5%

This wine in its cleanliness and elegance is the synthesis of the entire winery, which has always cultivated its lands in a way that respects nature.

Tasting Notes:

A young but thick Chianti, with a beautiful nose, clean, balsamic, with floral and fruity notes. In the mouth the liquorice blends with the intense cherry and raspberry scents that remain in a pleasant finish. A fresh and very drinkable product .