James Suckling (98)

Extremely perfumed, showing lots of rose, lavender and dark-berry character. Full body with intense density and chewiness that gives the wine great structure. Lots of flavor and focus at the finish. Needs five to six years to finish. Drink in 2024.

James Suckling (98)

Extremely perfumed, showing lots of rose, lavender and dark-berry character. Full body with intense density and chewiness that gives the wine great structure. Lots of flavor and focus at the finish. Needs five to six years to finish. Drink in 2024.

Vinous (96.5)

The 2016 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a vibrant, massively tannic, austere wine, the likes of which I have never tasted here before. Vertical and explosive in the glass with tons of pure power, the 2016 Gavarini Chiniera is a gorgeous Barolo that is going to need a number of years to be at its best. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of sweet red cherry fruit. White pepper, mint, orange peel and floral notes develop a bit later, but the 2016 remains reticent and inward, with brilliant acids and tannins that dominate today. The 2016 is a striking wine, but it is going to require considerable patience.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The distinctive amphitheater that is Gavarini in Monforte d’Alba is situated just north of Ginestra. The 2017 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is nuanced with perfectly ripe cherry, cinnamon, cedar, and menthol. It delivers a high level of refinement on the palate, with super-fine tannins, orange peel, pomegranate, and dried roses. Drink 2025-2045.

Vinous (96)

The 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is classically austere and just gorgeous right out of the gate. Soaring aromatics and fine, sculpted fruit race out of the glass. Crushed rose petal, cinnamon, orange peel and mint are all beautifully delineated. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2019 is going to need years to be at its best, yet it has that embryonic inner sweetness that characterizes the very finest wines here. Superb.

Wine Advocate (97)

There is slightly more structure to the 2015 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté than to the Gavarini Chiniera of the same vintage, and the only differences here are the soils and that this fruit is harvested about ten days later. It's a pretty fascinating demonstration of the power of the single vineyard. The Gavarini Chiniera parcel offers slightly sandier soils, whereas this site is composed of more clay. In rainy years, the Gavarini Chiniera vineyard drains more effectively, whereas the Ginestra's soil retains more moisture in the hot and dry vintages. As a result, in vintages such as this one, Ginestra shows a more compact nature and, in general, provides more impact and more structure. This is a very robust expression, extremely linear and tight. The Ginestra Casa Maté narrowly wins this round. It's another beautiful Barolo.

Vinous (97)

Ample and creamy on the palate, with tremendous depth, the 2016 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is super impressive, even in the early going. Next to the Gavarini Chiniera, the Ginestra Casa Matè is a Barolo of textural resonance and volume. Black cherry, plum and a range of balsamic notes infuse the 2016 with tons of character. The is one of the real standouts of the year.

James Suckling (98)

This is really transparent with sweet strawberries, flowers and orange peel, as well as some conifer and pine-nut undertones. Full-bodied and layered with intense young tannins, intertwined with bright fruit. Great finish. This is really something else. Needs time to soften, of course. Try after 2025.

Vinous (96)

The flagship 2007 Barolo Riserva Runcot is remarkably fresh for the year. Sweet, perfumed and sensual, the 2007 wraps around the palate with stunning depth and sheer radiance. Layers of expressive red fruit, flowers, spices and mint all come to life as the wine opens up. The Runcot captures the best qualities of the year; deep fruit, expressive aromatics and wonderful nuance, all in a soft, supple wine that should enjoy a long drinking window. I can't wait to see how the 2007 ages. Today it is seamless and utterly impeccable from the very first taste. This is without question one of the great 2007s. Grasso gave the 2007 40 days on the skins, followed by 45 months in 100% new French oak barrels, all of which the wine handles with grace to burn.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2008 Barolo Riserva Rüncot is an exceptional wine that is only made in the best years. It was produced in 2008, 2010 and 2013. The wine undergoes a 40-day maceration time with four years in oak and one more year of bottle aging. The results are sublime and generous. Riserva Rüncot opens to a beautifully tempered and expressive bouquet that exhibits elements of wild berry, forest floor, candied fruit, licorice, cola and dried ginger. The balsamic signature is particularly beautiful and elegant. Smooth and silky tannins denote the mouthfeel and carry the wine forward over the palate. This is one of the top releases from Piedmont this year.

Wine Advocate (100)

If any Italian wine from this decade can undeniably be called a reserve, it is the 2013 Barolo Riserva Rüncot. This wine was not made in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017 nor 2018. (The 2013 vintage will be released commercially in February of 2020, and this is the wine's first official review.) Gianluca Grasso holds the precious bottle I tasted from as if it were a newborn child. This vintage saw a relatively long growing season, and it offers greater fruit density, structure and acidity than the last edition that was made, the 2010. There is more vibrancy here and a true sense of energy brimming right there under the surface. The wine goes through 45 days of extended maceration post-fermentation and then a solid seven years of aging between oak and bottle. The resulting Riserva Rüncot has a stunning bouquet that is all violets and prunes, followed by a classic palate of minerals, herbs, cinnamon and delicate wafts of white truffle. This wine tells a story from nose to finish, like a flashing film reel. Fewer than 5,000 bottles were made. This is a crowning achievement for the hard-working and passionate Grasso family, led by father Elio and son Gianluca. Congratulations.

James Suckling (97)

Lots of plums, ripe strawberries, walnuts, smoke and tar on the nose, together with some black mushrooms, following through to a full body with powerful yet polished tannins and a long, long finish. Drinkable now, but better in three or four years.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)

The 2016 Barolo Riserva Rüncot is just as profound today as it has always been. Dark and almost somber in bearing, the 2016 hits the palate with waves of dark-toned fruit, spice, new leather, graphite and dried herbs. The purity of the flavors is just mind-blowing. This is one of the all-time great wines at Elio Grasso.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)

The 2016 Barolo Riserva Rüncot is just as profound today as it has always been. Dark and almost somber in bearing, the 2016 hits the palate with waves of dark-toned fruit, spice, new leather, graphite and dried herbs. The purity of the flavors is just mind-blowing. This is one of the all-time great wines at Elio Grasso.

The Elio Sandri Langhe Nebbiolo 2020 hails from the lush, vineyard-laden hills of Langhe, in the heart of Piedmont, Italy. This exquisitely crafted vintage, painstakingly produced by Elio Sandri, manifests the enduring artistry of Italian viticulture. Embodying the essence of Nebbiolo grapes, this wine boasts evolving aromas of fresh cherries, muddled with hints of rose petal and anise.

Slowly fermented in stainless steel, it undergoes malolactic conversion in Slavonian oak, bestowing it with an unyielding structure and tannic backbone, before being left to age in large foudres. The refreshing minerality and chalk-dusted tannins of Elio Sandri Langhe Nebbiolo 2020 complement the harmonious medley of flavours. Its dark berry and floral nuances on the palate promise an intriguing complexity with every sip.

Entwine yourself in the compelling layers of Elio Sandri's craftsmanship - a testament to the enchanting allure of traditional Italian winemaking.

Vinous (90)

The 2019 Barbera d'Alba Prephylloxera is a wild, feral wine. Strong floral and savory accents lend quite a bit of aromatic intensity. Rose petal, sage, mint, forest floor and wild cherry give the 2019 its distinctive exotic profile.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, cherry compote, cinnamon and star anise. Taut polished tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and an elegant structure. It's already irresistible but will also age well for years. Drink 2022–2035.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

New leather, balsamic herb, rose, truffle and woodland berry aromas take shape in the glass along with a whiff of charcuterie. The focused, savory palate has a great depth of flavor, doling out raspberry compote, cinnamon, crushed mint and a hint of cocoa alongside a backbone of firm tannins and fresh acidity. It still needs time to fully develop.

Wine Advocate (97+)

Of the many great contributions made by the winemaking team at Elvio Cogno, perhaps the greatest is the importance they brought to the Ravera cru of Novello. Little-known before their efforts, this vineyard has risen in high regard in recent years and continues to show impressive potential. The 2016 Barolo Ravera offers an important education in why this site deserves the spotlight. The wine shows terrific balance and depth, with rich fruit aromas framed by smoke, tar, ferrous earth and tangy licorice. The tannins are softly contoured, and the wine moves over the palate with profound length. Interestingly, two Nebbiolo clones, Lampia and Michet, are blended to make this wine. Some 15,000 bottles are hitting the market now.

Immerse yourself in the splendour of Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 – an impeccable testament to the artistry of Italian viticulture. Emidio Pepe, a proponent of biodynamic winemaking, intuitively crafts this red wine in Abruzzo, a serenely beautiful province in central Italy. The Montepulciano grapes are cultivated organically on the hilly terrain, hand-picked and then crushed by foot to achieve a carefully considered extraction of flavour. The wine is matured in glass-lined cement vats, resulting in a pure expression of the grape and land.

Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 is richly complex, characterised by intense aromatics and a deeply layered palate. Juxtaposing dark fruity notes with an intriguing spice undertone, it boasts engaging depth and velvety tannins, all culminating in a lasting finish. Steeped in tradition and provenance, this wine impeccably melds nature, passion, and craft. An extraordinary opportunity to savour Italy's viticultural excellence.

Immerse yourself in the splendour of Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 – an impeccable testament to the artistry of Italian viticulture. Emidio Pepe, a proponent of biodynamic winemaking, intuitively crafts this red wine in Abruzzo, a serenely beautiful province in central Italy. The Montepulciano grapes are cultivated organically on the hilly terrain, hand-picked and then crushed by foot to achieve a carefully considered extraction of flavour. The wine is matured in glass-lined cement vats, resulting in a pure expression of the grape and land.

Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 is richly complex, characterised by intense aromatics and a deeply layered palate. Juxtaposing dark fruity notes with an intriguing spice undertone, it boasts engaging depth and velvety tannins, all culminating in a lasting finish. Steeped in tradition and provenance, this wine impeccably melds nature, passion, and craft. An extraordinary opportunity to savour Italy's viticultural excellence.

The Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2021 is an exquisite expression of fine wine crafted by a legendary producer in Italy's Abruzzo region. Each bottle of this timeless edition captures the distinctive finesse and individuality imbued by its terroir.

Emidio Pepe's artisanal winemaking commences with hand-harvested grapes, delicately destemmed, hand-crushed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts, ensuring the preservation of the characterful native nuances. Aged substantially in botti before bottling, this bio-dynamic elixir enthralls with a harmonious blend of finesse and power.

As a masterpiece from one of Italy's celebrated wine artisans, the Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2021 showcases tantalisingly deep garnet hues, complimented by seductive aromas and intense flavours of autumnal fruits, florals, spices and an earthy complexity.

This vintage is further enhanced by its impressive cellaring potential, making it a quintessential choice for discerning enthusiasts and collectors of fine wines.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

Given the price of some Chilean icons these days, Coyam remains one of the best value reds in the country, right up there with the country's top red blends. Based on Syrah and Carmenère with the remaining 19% made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Malbec, Carignan, Tempranillo and Mourvèdre, this is wonderfully detailed and complex. Racy and mineral, with scented oak, mint, wild herb and sweet spice undertones and a core of inky damson and black cherry fruit. 2022-30

Vinous (96)

The 2020 Coyam is a blend of 38% Syrah, 37% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carignan, 4% Garnacha, 4% Mourvèdre, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec and 1% Tempranillo from the Los Robles vineyard in Colchagua. It was aged for 18 months, 75% in barrels and the rest in foudres and eggs. A rich purple in the glass. The complex nose features nuanced aromas ranging from blackberry to blueberry and currant with hints of cedar and spice. In the mouth, it’s juicy with a grippy texture and delicate, concentrated but relaxed tannins before the lengthy finish. It seems that the healthy biodynamic vineyard was able to withstand the warmth of 2020. An extremely well-made wine that handled the conditions with aplomb.

James Suckling (98)

This shows superb finesse and balance with wonderful, harmonious fruit and tannin tones that give the wine purity and focus. Dried spices, blackberries, walnuts and tile. Deep, contained structure with pure, fine tannins. The finish is incredible and goes on for minutes. A blend of 56% syrah, 31% carmenere, and 13% cabernet sauvignon. From biodynamically grown grapes. One for the cellar. Better after 2022, but already fantastic.

James Suckling (98)

A complex nose of blackberry, plum, mocha, cigar box, graphite and spice. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins. Creamy-textured and structured with a juicy core. Pure with a velvety texture on the palate, which is layered and balanced and leads to a flavorful finish that lasts over and over. Spicy on the finish with cloves and black pepper. Grilled meat, too. A blend of 52% syrah, 34% carmenere and 14% cabernet sauvignon. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Try in 2023.

Discover the exquisite Emmanuel Brochet Rose de Saignee Extra Brut Base 2020 NV. This superior wine hails from the pristine vineyards of Le Mont Benoit, carefully nurtured by Emmanuel Brochet, whose dedication to bio-dynamics and hand-harvesting results in the apex of quality. Crafting only small quantities, Emmanuel meticulously monitors each vintage from vine to bottle, guaranteeing excellence in every sip.

This vibrant vinous rosé stands out by the saignée method, a rare technique in Champagne, yielding remarkable colour and structure. Possessing an Extra Brut Nature status, it expertly balances refreshing acidity, slight minerality, expressive Pinot Noir fruitiness, and delicate bubbles which tempt the palate with hints of wild strawberry, almond, and brioche. Maturation comes from 18 months 'sur latte', deepening flavour complexity.

A celebration of terroir, the Emmanuel Brochet Rose de Saignee Extra Brut Base 2020 NV is truly a testament to exemplary French wine-making savoir-faire, elevating any occasion.

Wine Advocate (91-94)

I tasted three components of the 2020 Crozes Hermitage Les Trois Chênes—maybe four, as Darnaud hadn't yet decided on whether the last one would be included in this cuvée or bottled separately as Au Fil du Temps. The blend should reflect a balanced blend of floral, stemmy notes, bright red cherries and notes of dark-skinned fruit and black olives. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it should drink well on release and for up to a decade. The final sample, aged in second use François Frères barrels, stood out for its suave, silky texture, smoky notes, vibrant raspberry fruit and long finish. If Darnaud bottles it separately, don't hesitate to snap it up.

Incredibly focused aromas of lifted black cherries and dark chocolate-coated violet creams dominate, before the concentrated, mouthcoating blackcurrant fruit pervades the palate. However, it is the pure energy of the wine, along with the harmonious concentration of fruit and freshness, and the fine yet pertinent tannins that is really impressive here. This is a truly lovely, powerful yet balanced Saint Joseph.