James Suckling (96)

Very exotic Parusso Barolo as always, with dried fruit, strawberries and tangerines. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a powerful, intense finish. This is really structured. Needs four or five years to soften. Try in 2025.

James Suckling (96)

A rich nose, packed with aromas of ripe and dried red fruit, including heaps of wild strawberries. There’s fresh orange rind, too and on the savory side, notes of cloves, perfumed bark and brighter flowers. Full-bodied with a very silky but firm texture. The strawberry and citrus fruit is ingrained in the velvety tannins and the combination gives a very long finish. Twist of red licorice at the end. This is nicely structured and well balanced, but needs plenty of time. Try from 2026.

Vinous (95)

The 2021 Contrada Sciaranuova (S) is a well-muscled dancer who enters the stage coy and withdraws, forcing the taster to work for its youthfully backward bouquet. Suggestions of dried roses, licorice, wild strawberries and clove are enshrouded by sweet smoke. It flows across the palate with a wave of pure silk, seamless and refined with pretty red berry fruit underscored by minerals and a steadily building tannic tension that hints at the power within. This coats the palate with a staining of primary concentration that lingers long as violet inner florals and tart blackberry fade.

Wine Advocate (95+)

Violets, tar, asphalt, black cherries and plums all come alive in the 2010 Franchetti. Wonderfully alive and vibrant in the glass, the 2010 shows an unusual level of ripeness and juiciness for the year. Ideally, the 2010 needs a few years to shed some of its baby fat, as it is almost too intense today. Still, it is impossible to miss the wine’s detail, nuance and transparency. This blend of Cesanese and Petit Verdot should be a stunner in another few years’ time. The flagship Franchetti remains one of the most distinctive wines of the Etna, although in spirit and interpretation it is quite far from every other wine I have tasted. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025.

Vinous (98+)

Fully saturated, impenetrable inky-ruby color. Smells very concentrated but offers pristine herbal and mineral nuances to the ripe red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Much more refined in the mouth than the powerful nose indicates, with lively acidity nicely extending flavors similar to the aromas on the long rich and very dense finish. A marvelous wine that is both rich and concentrated and yet light on its feet. Finishes with an enticing, spicy juicy note. This blend of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Cesanese d’Affile is an absolutely superb wine; well done. I’m curious to see how this develops over the next few years and if it will one day merit a perfect score or not.

Vinous (91)

The 2018 Contrada Passochianche (PC) opens up slowly, both rich and fresh, offering notes of crushed hazelnuts, smoke, hints of custard and raw honey evolving into ripe yellow apple and sweet nuanced florals. This is silky and pliant, balanced by brisk acids and tart stone fruits, while salty minerals and hints of almond add further savory depths. Its concentration and persistence are admirable, as the Passochianche seems to slowly melt away from the palate, leaving a sense of structure along with hints of candied citrus. This is the first rendition of the PC, a single-vineyard Chardonnay that is fermented in neutral 20-hectoliter barrels and then spends six months refining on the lees.

Vinous (90)

Wet fall leaves, tobacco and crushed black cherries form a pleasantly mature bouquet as the 2015 Passorosso comes to life in the glass. Lifted and graceful in style, it presents a slightly fleeting mix of wild berries and sweet herbs. This leaves a mineral saturation and hints of blood orange, tapering off with medium length. This is a lovely evolution of Passopisciaro's entry-level Rosso.

Pride of Southern Italy, Paternoster, Don Anselmo, Aglianico del Vulture 2016 is a true masterpiece, originated from the esteemed volcanic soils of Basilicata. This hand-harvested, 100% Aglianico wine matured in new French oak barrels for 12 months, reaching a perfect synergy between the varietal and wood. This combination results in a complex aroma that brings forth dark fruits, spice, and cocoa, with a clear emphasis on cherries and plums.

Produced by the renowned Paternoster winery, known for employing century-old winemaking traditions, this full-bodied wine stands as a testament to their expertise. The Don Anselmo 2016 vintage presents an elegant tannic structure, complemented by a balanced acidity, leaving a persistent aftertaste, marking it as a wine of superb quality.

Whether you're a collector or simply a fine wine enthusiast, Paternoster, Don Anselmo, Aglianico del Vulture 2016 is a desirable addition to any cellar, promising an unmatched indulgence for the senses.

Experience the charm of refined Italian viniculture with the Perano Chianti Classico 2019. This is a classically structured, meticulously handcrafted vintage wine from the hallowed vineyards of Perano, nestled in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Made by the esteemed Frescobaldi family– a legacy spanning over 700 years and 30 generations-in their pursuit of perfection, the Perano Chianti Classico 2019 undergoes meticulous ageing in oak barrels to mature its complex, exuberant profile.

Savour the fragrant bouquet of red fruits intermingled with accents of spices and forest floor, building into a harmonious and well-balanced palate with an enduring finish. This full-bodied, elegant wine pairs ideally with hearty Italian dishes, accenting flavours with every sip. Unique soil characteristics and a favourable climate contribute to its distinctive attributes, creating a truly bespoke wine experience. Embrace the quintessence of fine Italian wine with Perano Chianti Classico 2019.