Acclaim

This savory stunner has enticing scents of violet, rose and wild berry that gain complexity alongside notes of leather, camphor and sandalwood. The elegantly structured palate is all about precision, featuring juicy cherry, blood orange, star anise and tobacco framed in taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized. Drink 2024–2046. Cellar Selection.

Enticingly fragrant, this opens with heady aromas of rose, violet, new leather, truffle and balsamic whiffs of camphor. Vibrant and focused, the chiseled, elegant palate is all about finesse, delivering bright red cherry, orange zest, licorice and white pepper framed in taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it superbly balanced and fresh. It’s already drinking beautifully but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2024–2036. Cellar Selection.

A deep dark red with orange hues, the 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva makes an impactful statement from start to finish. There are depths of crushed black cherries, plums, strawberries, sweet spices and mentholated herbs which rise up effortlessly from the glass. Further coaxing adds notes of cedar, dusty rose and hints of animal musk. It’s silky in feel yet quickly firms up through a mix of tart red berries, minerals, zesty acids and an unbelievably youthful coating of tannin which mounts toward the close. The 2001 Riserva is still on a steady path to its peak, structured and primary, as it tapers off with a grippy feel under an air of inner florals. Sampled from the winery’s cellar. Drinking window: 2022 – 2034

The 2001 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva displays a rich, autumnal and sweetly alluring bouquet. It shows ripe black cherries dipped in dark chocolate, with spice orange peel, hints of brown sugar and candied ginger. It’s ripe and extroverted on the nose, as silky textures flesh out across the palate delivering pure red fruits with inner rose, framed by saline-minerals and brisk acids. The finish is long and focused on tension, tugging at the cheeks with residual tannins. While there is already a good amount of pleasure to be found here, it appears that this 2001 Brunello needs more time to fully resolve its tannins, and I have to wonder if the fruit is up to the test of time. Tasted from my own collection held in professional storage. Drinking window: 2021 – 2028

The 2019 Pinot Grigio Ramato delle Venezie is packed full of character, showing a pretty pink hue, and wafting up refreshing aromas of nectarine, lime zest and nuances of spice. It’s silky and textural yet also full of lively energy, as tart orchard fruits and juicy acids create a mouthwatering expression. This finishes long, layered yet wonderfully fresh, with salty minerals, green apple, inner florals and a twang of sour citrus. Drinking window: 2021 – 2025 – Eric Guido

There’s something musky and sweetly inviting about the 2017 Soave Superiore Runcata 1er that keeps you coming back to the glass. This 100% Garganega lifts up with rich hazelnut, dried apricots, pears and baked apple. It’s silky-smooth and medium-bodied, yet there’s plenty of acid to maintain balance, as tart orchard fruits give way to salty mineral underpinnings and hints of roasted almond. A sour citrus twang and hints of savory herbs linger as the mouth waters for more. This shows the warmth of the vintage, yet it remains wonderfully balanced throughout. Drinking window: 2021 – 2026 – Eric Guido

The 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Sant’Urbano is lifted and floral, pulling you close to the glass with a gorgeous display of blackberries and cherries complemented by fresh mint and lavender. It’s silky in texture, contrasted by a savory mix of wild berries, woodland herbs and salty minerals. This is full of energy with a mentholated freshness, tapering off to notes of tart raspberry and sour citrus. You’d never expect that this wonderfully lifted and balanced Valpolicella was the result of a warm, dry vintage.  Drinking window: 2022 – 2028 – Eric Guido