The wine treasures of Lombardy's Oltrepo Pavese rarely escape Italian. Every reason to seize your chance with this mature, oak-matured masterpiece from a 13th century castle! Oak and cherry-scented, it is silky, yet firm and bewitchingly long.
Oltrepo Pavese lies in southwest Lombardy, next to Piedmont, hence its former name, Old Piedmont. Castello di Cigognola is an impressive, 13th-century castle, lying high on a hill, overlooking the Scuropasso Valley, across to Emilia Romagna. No wonder, then, it was once a stronghold for feudal lords. Over the centuries, it has been a gathering place for politicians and philosophers and today it remains a tranquil spot. It is home to many artistic pursuits, including great wine. Gabriele Moratti is in charge today. Sustainably tended, the vineyards are in the process of organic conversion. Using all Barbera from their 30-year-old La Maga vineyard, the wine had a year's ageing in small barrels. A very fine red. Open early and decant, or age.
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A glorious, top vintage Super Tuscan, awarded a phenomenal 99 points by Italy’s top critic, Luca Maroni. It’s from a Tuscan estate that’s no stranger to high-90s scores. Sangiovese with Merlot and Cab, barrel aged, it is sumptuous and rich.
Luca Maroni 99pts!
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Di Prima shows that can Sicily excel as well with the Rhône's prized red grape. This wine is our latest discovery from Italian island, which is proving one of the most exciting places to make wine. Enjoy its black fruit and chocolatey spice.
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Complex, elegant and full of rich, dark cherry flavour. Il Poeta 2018 is an enchanting expression of the rose-scented Nebbiolo grape crafted to perfection by winemaker, Paolo, from vineyards around the prized village of Barbaresco.
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From a hot vintage which has surprised all with its intense, vivacious wines, this is a well-priced Barolo. Now four years old, has silky tannins supporting the cherry, plum, flower and spice notes.
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Pillastro Primitivo is one of our best-loved wines. The three-time Winery of the Year has blended Cabernet with Primitivo, from 80-year-old vines, to make this dark swarthy red. It's barrel aged as well to add oak spice to the rich fruit.
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Love a luxury Italian wine? Then put your name on the list to reserve for this sublime Tuscan wine – the "best wine ever from here" according to James Suckling, who rates it a stellar 96pts.
Tenuta Prima Pietra was founded in 2002 by Massimo Ferragamo, who searched out the highest land possible (450 metres above sea level) in coastal Tuscany, near the beautiful medieval village of Riparbella, just north of Bolgheri. He wanted his wine to benefit from the purity and freshness gained from the cooler, elevated site, where the sunshine is hot and intense during the day, and temperatures drop sharply at night.
The 100% certified organic vineyards overlooking the sea are comprised of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, ratios which mirror the portions used in the final ‘Super Tuscan' blend. Hand-picked, each batch was vinified separately, then blended and matured in luxury French oak for 18 months. The end result? This exquisitely rich and lavish wine, boasting 93pts from The Wine Advocate, 95pts from Falstaff Magazine and an impressive 96pts from James Suckling.
"Fabulous red with bright aromas of dark berries, mint, spices and blueberries. Best wine ever from here… 96pts" (James Suckling)
Prima Pietra embodies complexity and elegance, the highest expression of the potential of the terroir. "Elegance, attention to detail and quality, refined simplicity and a love of the land are the hallmarks of Prima Pietra, and pair with my sense of style too," says Massimo Ferragamo. This luxury collector's red, which appears on some of the finest wine lists, is one you must have for your cellar.
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Renieri is owned by its grand neighbour, Marco Bacci's historic, much lauded Castello di Bossi. The same care goes into the wines of both estates. Renieri boasts 128 hectares of land, within which lie 30 hectares of vines, in the southern stretch of Montalcino. The prized vineyards for the Brunello all lie at 350 to 420 metres altitude, some of the highest in the appellation and were replanted in 1998 to meet the high specifications of the team. Meticulous work in the vineyards and ageing in a mix of small barriques and traditional larger botti barrels result in a wine of amazing power and bold, dense fruit, with the freshness and structure to enable it to age a couple of decades at least. Delicious now; will cellar magnificently.
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Flagship red of this applauded Puglian co-operative. It was created by Angelo Maci in 1989 to save the region’s ancient vines and the growers’ livelihood. This top cask-matured red uses air-dried grapes and is velvety, rich and long.
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