Italy - All Italian Wines
Italy, known as the "Land of Wine," is celebrated for its exquisite range of fine wines. With a winemaking history dating back thousands of years and a diverse array of terroirs, Italy offers a remarkable collection of wines that delight the senses and captivate wine enthusiasts worldwide.
In Tuscany, famous vineyards like Antinori, Marchesi di Frescobaldi, and Tenuta San Guido have become synonymous with excellence. Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and Super Tuscans like Sassicaia and Tignanello showcase the region's mastery in crafting complex, age-worthy, and expressive wines. Piedmont is home to legendary vineyards like Gaja, Vietti, and Marchesi di Barolo. The region's iconic wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, crafted from the Nebbiolo grape, epitomize power, elegance, and longevity. These wines boast flavors of red fruit, floral notes, earthy undertones, and firm tannins. Veneto, renowned for its sparkling Prosecco wines, is also famous for Amarone della Valpolicella. Vineyards like Allegrini and Quintarelli produce exceptional Amarone wines with concentrated flavors of dark fruit, spices, and a velvety texture. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, offers a different yet captivating expression of Italian wines. Vineyards like Planeta, Donnafugata, and Tasca d'Almerita craft remarkable wines from indigenous grape varieties such as Nero d'Avola and Nerello Mascalese. These wines exhibit intense fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and a unique volcanic minerality.
These are just a few examples of the renowned vineyards and wines Italy has to offer. From the northern regions of Piedmont and Veneto to the central regions of Tuscany and Umbria, and down to the southern regions of Sicily and Puglia, Italy's wine regions are a treasure trove of exceptional wines. Experience the allure of Italian wines and immerse yourself in the rich history, diverse terroirs, and passionate winemaking that define the Italian wine scene. Whether you're sipping a prestigious Barolo, a refined Brunello di Montalcino, a refreshing Prosecco, or a bold Nero d'Avola, Italian wines promise a journey of flavors and a celebration of Italy's winemaking heritage.
Italy - All Italian Wines
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Vinous (89)
The 2018 Chianti Classico is a very pretty wine, not complex or super-structured, but a real delight to taste. Bright red Sangiovese fruit and sweet floral notes are front and center. Time in the glass brings out a range of cedar, leather and tobacco notes. More than anything else, the 2018 is a wine to enjoy for its fruit goodness.Inc. VAT£229.24 -
Vinous (92+)
The 2016 Chianti Classico is an explosion of floral-infused aromatics and red-toned fruit, all in the super-classic mid-weight style that is such a signature of the Querciabella house style today. Rose petal, lavender, mint and sweet raspberry fruit are pushed to the forefront. This is the first vintage in which more than half of the wine was aged in larger format oak ranging from tonneau to cask. Vineyards in Gaiole and Greve form the core of the blend, with a touch of fruit from Radda. The 2016 has enough freshness to drink well for another decade plus, but I would give it a few years in bottle for the bright acids to integrate a bit further. There are a number of pricier wines in Querciabella's range, but I am not sure any of them can match the Chianti Classico for pure pleasure. What a lovely wine it is.Inc. VAT£223.24 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is ample, rich and quite seductive, which is to say very much in the style of the year. Dark red fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and incense all build as the 2017 shows off its considerable allure. This is so expressive today.Inc. VAT£685.22 -
Vinous (94)
Querciabella's 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva is fabulous. Sweet perfumed aromatics open up first as this silky, mid-weight Riserva shows off its allure. The warm, dry vintage notwithstanding, Querciabella turned out a gracious, mid-weight Riserva that is incredibly elegant. The 2017 changes constantly in the glass, revealing different sides of its personality over time. It's the perfect wine for the dinner table.Inc. VAT£360.29 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2016 Chianti Classico impresses for the heightened level of vibrant freshness and aromatic precision that distinguishes it in a large playing field. Proprietor Maurizia di Napoli tells me that the 2016 growing season was not without its ups and downs. Farming was difficult, and not all sites came to ripeness with the same consistency because it was cooler toward the end of the growing season. Castello dei Rampolla avoids the use of sulfites in winemaking. However, these results are stunning, especially as this is positioned as a more affordable wine. The blend is 85% Sangiovese, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot.Inc. VAT£379.22 -
James Suckling (93)
A classic Chianti Classico with plums, strawberries and peaches on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a long, linear finish with brightness and focus. Juicy finish. Drinkable now, but even better in a year or two.Inc. VAT£139.24 -
Inc. VAT£313.49 -
Vinous (88)
The 2011 Chianti Classico is intense, deep, rich and layered, the 2011 graces the palate with concentrated sweet dark fruit. The style is deep exuberant but also nicely balanced. Dark red cherries, plums and smoke all meld together in the supple, inviting finish. Overall, the 2011 is a very pretty wine with plenty to offer, especially in the near term. Dark red cherries, plums, lavender and smoke all meld into the inviting finish.Inc. VAT£85.69 -
Decanter (94)
Since taking the reins at Riecine in 2016, winemaker Alessandro Campatelli has crafted a Riserva from the 2.6ha 50-year-old Gittori vineyard. It ferments in concrete Nomblot tanks and ages in large untoasted French oak casks from Burgundy cooper Grenier. Pretty strawberry notes provide a backdrop for cinnamon, cardamom and forest brush to shine through. The tannins are supple and powdery, while penetrating acidity rings out on the finish. Plenty of concentration for ageing.Inc. VAT£252.04 -
Decanter (93)
As high temperatures in mid-August shut down the ripening of Sangiovese, Marco Ricasoli reports picking approximately a week later than usual. He also introduced a sorting table to remove dried or green berries as well any pieces of stems. His resulting annata is pristine and sophisticated. Deep violet in colour and equally youthful on the nose, it exudes wild berries, black plum, and hints of wood spice. Tangy dark red cherry fills the mouth, buoyed by rambunctious acidity and framed by suede-textured tannins. Winter mint and liquorice root linger on the finish. With admirable complexity, this outperforms its category.Inc. VAT£133.24 -
Distinguished by its robust bouquet, the Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino Chianti Classico 2016 is an elegant blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Pugnitello grapes. Crafted in the heart of Tuscany by Rocca di Montegrossi, a winery revered for steadfast commitment to tradition coupled with a dash of innovation. This vintage shines with a deep ruby colour and treats the palate to complex layers of cherry, plums, and well-integrated tannins with a spicy finish. Matured in French oak barriques for two years before being transferred to bottle, this splendidly balanced wine epitomises the winemaker's meticulous attention to detail. The Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino Chianti Classico 2016 pairs well with sumptuous meat dishes and robust cheeses, promising to be a showstopper at your dinner table. It further cements Rocca di Montegrossi's pedigree with its decadent flavour profile and impressive structure.
Inc. VAT£443.09 -
James Suckling (96)
Aromas of bark, spices, sandalwood, and lavender, as well as joyous ripe fruit. Full-bodied, round and powerful with an impressive backbone of tannins and length. Needs at least three to four years to soften. Try in 2021.Inc. VAT£302.44 -
Vinous (91+)
The 2019 Chianti Classico is a deep, fleshy wine with a good deal of tannin that will need time to soften. The San Giusto Classico has a track record of aging very well. I have no doubt that will be the case here as well. Time in the glass brings out Sangiovese aromatics, but readers will have to patient here. This classically austere Chianti Classico needs time to be at its very best.Inc. VAT£243.64 -
Wine Advocate (94)
From a balanced vintage that delivers acidity and structure, the organic 2021 Chianti Classico reveals a shiny dark garnet color and a clean, mid-weight appearance. There's so much energy and vibrancy on the bouquet, which is a quality that Sangiovese achieves when growing conditions are ideal. Tangy cherry, cassis, blue flower, violet and soft earth give this wine an authentic sense of place. So do the elegant mineral notes. This is a special wine (that is priced very competitively).Inc. VAT£195.89 -
Decanter (94)
San Giusto’s Riserva is a selection of grapes based on ripeness as well as bunch and berry dimensions. In 2017, the estate managed to hold off harvesting until after the desperately needed, refreshing early-September rains. This has a lot of everything: intense aromas, ripe flavours, a weighty mouthfeel, rich fruit, dense chalky tannins, heady alcohol, and even concentrated acidity. Somehow, these are all gracefully aligned but it makes for a powerful package. Open according to your preference - I would prefer to wait another year, giving time for all the elements to mellow and meld further.Inc. VAT£191.09 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baròncole (made from a traditional blend of organic 97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo) shows a distinctively Mediterranean or Italian personality with plenty of summer-fresh cherry, rosemary essence and lavender bud. This wine marks a break from the other beautiful wines in this estate portfolio, thanks to its ethereal freshness and lifted brightness. It finishes with silky, polished tannins. The soils see a mix of galestro and alberese with tufo and clay characteristic of this warm spot in Gaiole in Chianti. Production is 17,262 bottles and 210 magnums.Inc. VAT£528.29 -
Jancis Robinson (18+)
Gaiole in Chianti. 97% Sangiovese. 3% Canaiolo. Certified organic. Cask sample. Beautiful shiny ruby. A lifted cherry nose with a hint of pine and black tea leaves. Jewel-like sour-cherry fruit on the palate. Very pure and elegant, yet with lots of concentration and gorgeous tannic bite on the finish.Inc. VAT£249.89 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baròncole (a certified organic wine) shows bright fruit with summer cherry and redcurrant. It offers textural heft and weight. Its Riserva status (with extended aging) is well noted. With time in the glass, it unfolds to leather, potting soil and crushed stone. This vintage does however show a more accessible personality overall (and a powerful 15% alcohol content).Inc. VAT£275.09 -
Vinous (90)
The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rialzi is packed with inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, leather and smoke. This opulent, full-bodied Gran Selezione is decidedly sumptuous and extroverted. The oak is a bit pushed, in my view, and yet it all works. Even so, it would be interesting to see what this Gaiole estate might be capable of with a more direct expression of place, as it is a striking property.Inc. VAT£522.04 -
Few wines are as distinguished as the Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva 1996. Each bottle displays the exquisite craftsmanship of winemaking, hailing from the heart of Italy's prestigious Chianti Classico region. Montefili, renowned for its commitment to natural techniques, cultivates grapes on high-altitude vineyards, forging a wine of unparalleled character. This 1996 Riserva is a consummate expression of Sangiovese, a grape that forms the backbone of Chianti wines.
Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva 1996 is an elegant, well-structured, and complex wine. It opens with beguiling aromas of ripe fruit, spice and leather, seamlessly merging into a palate highlighted by balanced acidity and firm tannins. The finish is captivatingly persistent, making this bottle truly one for the ages. Adhering strictly to traditional methods, Montefili shuns the use of chemicals in the vineyard and in the winery, unifying man and nature in every single vintage like the 1996 Riserva.
Inc. VAT£1,978.18
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Vinous (89)
The 2018 Chianti Classico is a very pretty wine, not complex or super-structured, but a real delight to taste. Bright red Sangiovese fruit and sweet floral notes are front and center. Time in the glass brings out a range of cedar, leather and tobacco notes. More than anything else, the 2018 is a wine to enjoy for its fruit goodness.In Bond£175.00 -
Vinous (92+)
The 2016 Chianti Classico is an explosion of floral-infused aromatics and red-toned fruit, all in the super-classic mid-weight style that is such a signature of the Querciabella house style today. Rose petal, lavender, mint and sweet raspberry fruit are pushed to the forefront. This is the first vintage in which more than half of the wine was aged in larger format oak ranging from tonneau to cask. Vineyards in Gaiole and Greve form the core of the blend, with a touch of fruit from Radda. The 2016 has enough freshness to drink well for another decade plus, but I would give it a few years in bottle for the bright acids to integrate a bit further. There are a number of pricier wines in Querciabella's range, but I am not sure any of them can match the Chianti Classico for pure pleasure. What a lovely wine it is.In Bond£170.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is ample, rich and quite seductive, which is to say very much in the style of the year. Dark red fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and incense all build as the 2017 shows off its considerable allure. This is so expressive today.In Bond£563.00 -
Vinous (94)
Querciabella's 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva is fabulous. Sweet perfumed aromatics open up first as this silky, mid-weight Riserva shows off its allure. The warm, dry vintage notwithstanding, Querciabella turned out a gracious, mid-weight Riserva that is incredibly elegant. The 2017 changes constantly in the glass, revealing different sides of its personality over time. It's the perfect wine for the dinner table.In Bond£281.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2016 Chianti Classico impresses for the heightened level of vibrant freshness and aromatic precision that distinguishes it in a large playing field. Proprietor Maurizia di Napoli tells me that the 2016 growing season was not without its ups and downs. Farming was difficult, and not all sites came to ripeness with the same consistency because it was cooler toward the end of the growing season. Castello dei Rampolla avoids the use of sulfites in winemaking. However, these results are stunning, especially as this is positioned as a more affordable wine. The blend is 85% Sangiovese, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot.In Bond£299.99 -
James Suckling (93)
A classic Chianti Classico with plums, strawberries and peaches on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a long, linear finish with brightness and focus. Juicy finish. Drinkable now, but even better in a year or two.In Bond£100.00 -
In Bond£242.00
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Vinous (88)
The 2011 Chianti Classico is intense, deep, rich and layered, the 2011 graces the palate with concentrated sweet dark fruit. The style is deep exuberant but also nicely balanced. Dark red cherries, plums and smoke all meld together in the supple, inviting finish. Overall, the 2011 is a very pretty wine with plenty to offer, especially in the near term. Dark red cherries, plums, lavender and smoke all meld into the inviting finish.In Bond£65.00 -
Decanter (94)
Since taking the reins at Riecine in 2016, winemaker Alessandro Campatelli has crafted a Riserva from the 2.6ha 50-year-old Gittori vineyard. It ferments in concrete Nomblot tanks and ages in large untoasted French oak casks from Burgundy cooper Grenier. Pretty strawberry notes provide a backdrop for cinnamon, cardamom and forest brush to shine through. The tannins are supple and powdery, while penetrating acidity rings out on the finish. Plenty of concentration for ageing.In Bond£194.00 -
Decanter (93)
As high temperatures in mid-August shut down the ripening of Sangiovese, Marco Ricasoli reports picking approximately a week later than usual. He also introduced a sorting table to remove dried or green berries as well any pieces of stems. His resulting annata is pristine and sophisticated. Deep violet in colour and equally youthful on the nose, it exudes wild berries, black plum, and hints of wood spice. Tangy dark red cherry fills the mouth, buoyed by rambunctious acidity and framed by suede-textured tannins. Winter mint and liquorice root linger on the finish. With admirable complexity, this outperforms its category.In Bond£95.00 -
Distinguished by its robust bouquet, the Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino Chianti Classico 2016 is an elegant blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Pugnitello grapes. Crafted in the heart of Tuscany by Rocca di Montegrossi, a winery revered for steadfast commitment to tradition coupled with a dash of innovation. This vintage shines with a deep ruby colour and treats the palate to complex layers of cherry, plums, and well-integrated tannins with a spicy finish. Matured in French oak barriques for two years before being transferred to bottle, this splendidly balanced wine epitomises the winemaker's meticulous attention to detail. The Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino Chianti Classico 2016 pairs well with sumptuous meat dishes and robust cheeses, promising to be a showstopper at your dinner table. It further cements Rocca di Montegrossi's pedigree with its decadent flavour profile and impressive structure.
In Bond£350.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Aromas of bark, spices, sandalwood, and lavender, as well as joyous ripe fruit. Full-bodied, round and powerful with an impressive backbone of tannins and length. Needs at least three to four years to soften. Try in 2021.In Bond£236.00 -
Vinous (91+)
The 2019 Chianti Classico is a deep, fleshy wine with a good deal of tannin that will need time to soften. The San Giusto Classico has a track record of aging very well. I have no doubt that will be the case here as well. Time in the glass brings out Sangiovese aromatics, but readers will have to patient here. This classically austere Chianti Classico needs time to be at its very best.In Bond£187.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
From a balanced vintage that delivers acidity and structure, the organic 2021 Chianti Classico reveals a shiny dark garnet color and a clean, mid-weight appearance. There's so much energy and vibrancy on the bouquet, which is a quality that Sangiovese achieves when growing conditions are ideal. Tangy cherry, cassis, blue flower, violet and soft earth give this wine an authentic sense of place. So do the elegant mineral notes. This is a special wine (that is priced very competitively).In Bond£144.00 -
Decanter (94)
San Giusto’s Riserva is a selection of grapes based on ripeness as well as bunch and berry dimensions. In 2017, the estate managed to hold off harvesting until after the desperately needed, refreshing early-September rains. This has a lot of everything: intense aromas, ripe flavours, a weighty mouthfeel, rich fruit, dense chalky tannins, heady alcohol, and even concentrated acidity. Somehow, these are all gracefully aligned but it makes for a powerful package. Open according to your preference - I would prefer to wait another year, giving time for all the elements to mellow and meld further.In Bond£140.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baròncole (made from a traditional blend of organic 97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo) shows a distinctively Mediterranean or Italian personality with plenty of summer-fresh cherry, rosemary essence and lavender bud. This wine marks a break from the other beautiful wines in this estate portfolio, thanks to its ethereal freshness and lifted brightness. It finishes with silky, polished tannins. The soils see a mix of galestro and alberese with tufo and clay characteristic of this warm spot in Gaiole in Chianti. Production is 17,262 bottles and 210 magnums.In Bond£421.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18+)
Gaiole in Chianti. 97% Sangiovese. 3% Canaiolo. Certified organic. Cask sample. Beautiful shiny ruby. A lifted cherry nose with a hint of pine and black tea leaves. Jewel-like sour-cherry fruit on the palate. Very pure and elegant, yet with lots of concentration and gorgeous tannic bite on the finish.In Bond£189.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baròncole (a certified organic wine) shows bright fruit with summer cherry and redcurrant. It offers textural heft and weight. Its Riserva status (with extended aging) is well noted. With time in the glass, it unfolds to leather, potting soil and crushed stone. This vintage does however show a more accessible personality overall (and a powerful 15% alcohol content).In Bond£210.00 -
Vinous (90)
The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rialzi is packed with inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, leather and smoke. This opulent, full-bodied Gran Selezione is decidedly sumptuous and extroverted. The oak is a bit pushed, in my view, and yet it all works. Even so, it would be interesting to see what this Gaiole estate might be capable of with a more direct expression of place, as it is a striking property.In Bond£419.00 -
Few wines are as distinguished as the Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva 1996. Each bottle displays the exquisite craftsmanship of winemaking, hailing from the heart of Italy's prestigious Chianti Classico region. Montefili, renowned for its commitment to natural techniques, cultivates grapes on high-altitude vineyards, forging a wine of unparalleled character. This 1996 Riserva is a consummate expression of Sangiovese, a grape that forms the backbone of Chianti wines.
Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva 1996 is an elegant, well-structured, and complex wine. It opens with beguiling aromas of ripe fruit, spice and leather, seamlessly merging into a palate highlighted by balanced acidity and firm tannins. The finish is captivatingly persistent, making this bottle truly one for the ages. Adhering strictly to traditional methods, Montefili shuns the use of chemicals in the vineyard and in the winery, unifying man and nature in every single vintage like the 1996 Riserva.
In Bond£1,610.00
