Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Chateau du Moulin-a-VentBeaujolais€€€€€€€Still Red
Estate Moulin-a-Vent from the chateau adjacent to the appellation's iconic windmill. Dense, structured Gamay from granite and manganese soils; one of the cru's more powerful expressions.
Dry · Bold · Contemplative
Domaine Richard RottiersBeaujolais€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Bold
Chateau de la RiviereBordeaux€€€€€€€€Still Red
The prestige selection of Chateau de la Riviere, sourced exclusively from the estate's oldest Merlot vines in a single 1.5-hectare plot and aged entirely in new French oak. Produced only in the best vintages; a luxury expression of Fronsac terroir.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Elegant
Chateau AngelusBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 27 classified hectares at the foot of Saint-Emilion's slope. Generous, opulent and structured, with dark cherry, violets and cedar complexity; certified organic from the 2021 vintage.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau AusoneBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From just 7 hectares of steep limestone slopes, Ausone is a wine of concentration, precision and mineral tension. Cabernet Franc dominates, giving iron-rich structure, dried-flower fragrance and an extraordinary seamless finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau Beau-Sejour BecotBordeaux€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From 16.5 hectares of ancient underground cellars carved into the limestone of Saint-Emilion's plateau, Beau-Sejour Becot offers silk and velvet textures with floral aromatics, dark fruits and a crushed-stone mineral lift. Recent vintages show increasing use of amphora for freshness.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau Cheval BlancBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Cabernet Franc-dominant Saint-Emilion of breathtaking silkiness: violets and graphite on the nose, an opulent yet precise palate of black cherry and tobacco, seamless tannin structure and a finish of uncommon length.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant
Chateau Cos d'EstournelBordeaux$$$$$$$$$Still Red
The most distinctive of the Saint-Estephe grands crus classés, with an unmistakable oriental spice and incense aromatic signature absent in Pauillac wines. Merlot-rich for Saint-Estephe, delivering seductive suppleness alongside the appellation's characteristic mineral-tannic power.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau FigeacBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The most Cabernet-dominant Right Bank premier cru in Bordeaux: near-equal thirds of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classe A in 2022. Combines peony and iris fragrance with electric energy, grainy Cabernet tannin and remarkable mineral length.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau Haut-BrionBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Merlot-led first-growth Pessac-Leognan red combining cassis and graphite with earthy tobacco and cedar. Velvety tannins and exceptional length set it apart from Medoc peers.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Chateau La Mission Haut-BrionBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
La Mission Haut-Brion combines the gravel terroir of Talence with intense, brooding dark fruit. Blackberry, scorched earth, and graphite underpin a structured, powerful palate with velvety tannins and a finish that rivals the great first growths.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau Lafite RothschildBordeaux$$$$$$$$$$Still Red
The archetype of Pauillac first-growth: Cabernet-dominant, with penetrating lead pencil and cassis aromatics, precise fine-grained tannins, and a finish that evolves over decades.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau LafleurBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Unique Pomerol with an equal Cabernet Franc-Merlot split giving a perfumed floral lift and structural precision rarely seen in the appellation. Biodynamic farming since 2014; produced from just 4.5 hectares on the Pomerol plateau.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Chateau LatourBordeaux$$$$$$$$$$Still Red
The most structured and austere of the Pauillac first-growths. The L'Enclos parcel of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon delivers extraordinary concentration and mineral tension; legendary longevity requires patience of decades.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Chateau Mouton RothschildBordeaux$$$$$$$$$$Still Red
The most opulent of the Pauillac first-growths; Mouton Rothschild emphasises blackcurrant concentration, dark chocolate, and an extrovert aromatic generosity that sets it apart from the pencil-mineral restraint of Lafite and Latour.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Chateau Pape ClementBordeaux€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux, tracing its history to the 14th-century papacy. Cabernet-and-Merlot blend delivering cassis, graphite, and tobacco with flawless tannins; in great vintages approaches first-growth complexity.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Chateau PavieBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From 42 hectares at Saint-Emilion's highest point (110m), Pavie delivers concentrated, structured Merlot-dominant blends with extraordinary mineral depth. Pairs elegance with considerable power; requires minimum 15 years to fully integrate.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de LalandeBordeaux$$$$$$$$$Still Red
Known for its silky texture and unusually high 32% Merlot for a Left Bank estate, Pichon Lalande bridges the power of Pauillac with a suppleness and perfume reminiscent of Margaux. Louis Roederer ownership since 2006 has brought further precision.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Chateau Pontet-CanetBordeaux$$$$$$$$$Still Red
The leading biodynamic estate in Bordeaux and the only Fifth Growth that regularly receives 100-point scores. Demeter-certified since 2014; unique use of amphorae alongside barrique ageing. The wines combine Pauillac's classical structure with a biodynamic freshness and earth energy not found elsewhere in the Medoc.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Chateau Smith Haut LafitteBordeaux€€€€€€€€€Still Red
A benchmark Pessac-Leognan Cabernet since the Cathiard family's acquisition in 1990. Cassis, graphite, and tobacco define a precise, structured palate; 60% new oak ageing adds cedar and spice. Consistent 97-98 point scores in recent vintages.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Château Léoville BartonBordeaux€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Timeless Saint-Julien classic: a Cabernet-dominant blend with classic Médoc pencil shavings, licorice and cassis, built for patience with rich powdery tannins.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Romantic
Château MargauxBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The most perfumed of the Médoc first growths: haunting floral aromatics of roses and violets above a core of concentrated cassis, extraordinary saline minerality, and tannins demanding decades of patience.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Château PalmerBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Classified Third Growth performing at first-growth level: extraordinary richness from an unusually high Merlot proportion, with Thomas Duroux's biodynamic conversion delivering added aromatic complexity and freshness.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Château de CamensacBordeaux€€€€€€€€Still Red
A revived Fifth Growth finding its stride under the Merlaut family: Cabernet-forward Haut-Médoc structure with dark fruit, cedar and characteristic menthol freshness from deep gravel soils near Saint-Julien.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Château Léoville-Las CasesBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
One of the great super-seconds of Bordeaux: extraordinarily concentrated cassis fruit with almost first-growth precision, dense tannins demanding patient cellaring of 15 or more years.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau AngelusBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
100% Cabernet Franc from two old-vine parcels aged 65-100 years at the pied de cote. Produced in tiny quantities (5-9 barriques) only in exceptional vintages, this is a monument to the iron-mineral potential of old Cabernet Franc on Saint-Emilion limestone.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Le PinBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Micro-estate garagiste Pomerol with supremely hedonistic Merlot character: mocha-laced plum and violet aromatics, a voluptuous, fleshy palate, and remarkable concentration from just 400-600 cases per year.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
PetrusBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
100% Merlot from 11.4 ha of blue clay at Pomerol's centre. Silk-and-velvet texture with truffle, chocolate, and dark cherry at its core; structurally imposing yet hedonistic, with a finish that stretches for minutes.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Vieux Chateau CertanBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Pomerol's most Cabernet-Franc-inflected grand vin: 30% Cabernet Franc gives an aromatic lift and structural precision that sets VCC apart from Merlot-dominant peers. Sensuous and silky in great vintages, with decades of ageing potential.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau d'YquemBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still White
The singular dry white wine of Chateau d'Yquem, made only in years when the estate decides against a botrytised grand vin or in addition to it. Sauvignon Blanc-dominant, barrel-fermented in 50% new oak, offering honeyed citrus, white peach, and mineral depth unique to the Sauternes terroir.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Bartolo MascarelloPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
A single blended Barolo co-fermented from four traditional crus (Cannubi, San Lorenzo and Rue in Barolo, Rocche in La Morra), expressing the house belief that the most complete Barolo comes from mutually compensating sites.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Bruno RoccaPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Bruno Rocca's flagship from the Rabaja cru: deep garnet, an embracing nose of rosehip, violet and buttery notes opening to raspberry and cherry, with soft broad tannins and a long, sumptuous finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Cavallotto Tenuta Bricco BoschisPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the family's Bricco Boschis monopole in Castiglione Falletto, a traditional, long-aged and organically farmed Barolo of finesse.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
CerettoPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Ceretto's flagship Barolo from the tiny Bricco Rocche monopole in Castiglione Falletto, an elegant, refined Nebbiolo from organically farmed vines.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Conterno FantinoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the Ginestra hill in Monforte, Sori Ginestra is Conterno Fantino's flagship, a modern, age-worthy Barolo from organically farmed vines.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Cantine DamilanoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
Damilano's flagship from the legendary Cannubi hill, the cru most closely associated with the house, a perfumed and elegant traditional Barolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domenico ClericoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
Clerico's Ciabot Mentin from the Ginestra cru in Monforte is a concentrated, modern-classic Barolo from one of the zone's great hills.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
E. Pira e Figli - Chiara BoschisPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Chiara Boschis's organically farmed Barolo from the legendary Cannubi hill, a perfumed, elegant and structured traditional-leaning Nebbiolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Elio AltarePiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Altare's Arborina from La Morra is the wine of the Barolo Boys movement, a polished, modern Barolo from rotary fermenters and barrique ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Elvio CognoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
Elvio Cogno's flagship from the Ravera cru in Novello, where the estate sits, gives a structured, mineral and age-worthy traditional Barolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Ettore GermanoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the Cerretta cru in Serralunga where the estate sits, a structured, mineral traditional Barolo from five generations of the Germano family.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
G.D. VajraPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the high Bricco delle Viole vineyard in Vergne, the highest corner of Barolo, Vajra's flagship is a fragrant, high-toned 100% Nebbiolo built on altitude, freshness and patient ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
GajaPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Gaja's village Barbaresco blends fruit from several Barbaresco crus into a rich, round Nebbiolo with tarry depth, grainy tannin and a voluminous finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
GajaPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
A south-facing cru above Costa Russi, Sori Tildin is the smoky, elegantly austere face of Gaja's Barbaresco: graphite, licorice and firm yet polished tannin over a refreshing spine of acidity.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Giacomo Borgogno e FigliPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the Liste cru in Barolo, a traditional, long-aged Nebbiolo from one of the appellation's oldest houses.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Giacomo ConternoPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The benchmark traditional Serralunga Barolo, from the estate's own Cascina Francia vineyard, against which many producers measure their work: structured, savoury and built for decades.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Giuseppe Mascarello e FiglioPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the Villero cru in Castiglione Falletto, a structured, savoury traditional Barolo from one of the zone's great central hills.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Luciano SandronePiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Sandrone's flagship from the Cannubi Boschis cru, renamed Aleste from the 2013 vintage, a polished, modern-classic Barolo of perfume and precision.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Luciano SandronePiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Le Vigne is Sandrone's multi-cru Barolo, blending fruit from several villages for a complex, harmonious traditional-leaning Nebbiolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
MassolinoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the Parafada cru in Serralunga, a structured, classic Massolino Barolo of depth and finesse.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
MassolinoPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From one of Serralunga's greatest crus, Massolino's Vigna Rionda Riserva is a powerful, structured traditional Barolo released only after long ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Mauro VeglioPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
Veglio's Arborina from La Morra is a polished, modern single-vineyard Barolo of perfume and silky texture.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Michele ChiarloPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the prized Cerequio cru, made only in excellent vintages, with mature fruit, mint, eucalyptus, gentian and fine spice over a rich palate of tight, fine tannins and notable elegance.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Poderi e Cantine OdderoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the celebrated Brunate cru, a ruby-to-garnet Barolo with intense rose and violet, damp earth and ripe red fruit, with persistent yet soft tannins built for long ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Paolo ScavinoPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Scavino's famed single-vineyard Barolo from the Bricco del Fiasco cru in Castiglione Falletto, a modern-classic Nebbiolo of polish and concentration.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Paolo ScavinoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
A blend of three crus (Cannubi, Rocche dell'Annunziata and Bricco del Fiasco), Carobric is Scavino's harmonious, multi-site Barolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Savoury
PeccheninoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
Pecchenino's Barolo from a Monforte d'Alba parcel, a structured, traditional Nebbiolo that extends the Dogliani house into the Barolo zone.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Pio CesarePiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Pio Cesare's single-vineyard Barolo from the Ornato estate in Serralunga d'Alba, a structured, modern-leaning Nebbiolo aged in a mix of barrique and large cask.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Poderi Aldo ConternoPiedmont€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The most powerful of Aldo Conterno's single crus, Romirasco sits at the heart of the Bussia amphitheatre and gives a deep, structured traditional Barolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Produttori del BarbarescoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the great Asili cru, one of the cooperative's nine single-vineyard Riservas made only in strong vintages, an elegant, perfumed and age-worthy Barbaresco.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
PrunottoPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
Prunotto's single-vineyard Barolo from the Bussia cru in Monforte, a classic, structured Nebbiolo from the historic Alba house now owned by Antinori.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Renato RattiPiedmont€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the great Rocche dell'Annunziata cru in La Morra, Ratti's flagship is a refined, perfumed Barolo in the elegant style the house pioneered.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Roberto VoerzioPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the famed Brunate cru, Voerzio's radically low-yield viticulture produces an intense, concentrated and sought-after modern Barolo.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Roberto VoerzioPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Voerzio's Cerequio is a powerful, concentrated single-cru Barolo from the prized hill on the La Morra and Barolo boundary.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
ViettiPiedmont€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the steep Rocche di Castiglione cru, Vietti's most aromatic Barolo shows perfumed red cherry and rose with fine-grained tannin and a long, mineral finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau La NertheRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
La Nerthe's prestige white Chateauneuf from a walled Roussanne enclosure; waxy, complex, and age-worthy with beeswax, hazelnut, and truffle character.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Chateau La NertheRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The prestige red Chateauneuf of La Nerthe; Mourvedre-accented, deeply inky, and firmly structured, requiring time in bottle to reveal its complexity.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau de BeaucastelRhone Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Roussanne-dominant white Chateauneuf with a lush, waxy texture, evolved aromas of beeswax and orchard fruit, and a mineral saline finish that ages magnificently.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau de BeaucastelRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
100% old-vine Roussanne; the richest and most complex white of the Southern Rhone with extraordinary hazelnut, truffle, and beeswax character and extraordinary ageing capacity.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau de Saint CosmeRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The prestige single-parcel Gigondas from Saint Cosme; 100% old-vine Grenache of extraordinary concentration and mineral depth, among the finest wines of the appellation.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Clos Saint-JeanRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still Red
An extraordinarily powerful, densely concentrated Chateauneuf with coffee, dark fruit, and iron; a long-ageing prestige cuvee made in exceptional years only.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury
Clos Saint-JeanRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Structured, dark, and inky Chateauneuf with Mourvedre backbone adding iron and tobacco notes alongside Grenache's dark fruit and spice.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Domaine Stephane OgierRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Ogier's ultra-premium single-vine-parcel Cote-Rotie from the Lancement site, aged in 100% new oak. Among the most expressive and sought-after modern Cote-Rotie wines.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
E. GuigalRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The most feminine of Guigal's La La La trilogy. Cote Blonde Syrah co-fermented with 11% Viognier gives a heady floral and red-fruit profile with silky tannins.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
E. GuigalRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
La Turque bridges La Mouline's floral elegance and La Landonne's iron power with exotic spice, dark chocolate, and 7% co-fermented Viognier.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Funky
Domaine Gourt de MautensRhone Valley€€€€€€€€Still Red
Jerome Bressy's Gourt de Mautens declassified from Rasteau AOC to IGP Vaucluse to maintain multi-variety blends prohibited under the stricter AOC rules; the wine is widely regarded as one of the Southern Rhone's most distinctive and complex reds.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Domaine du PegauRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Between the Reservee and da Capo in style; rich, deep, and complex with southern warmth and Mourvedre backbone adding iron and herb notes.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
M. ChapoutierRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still White
One of the world's most profound white wines. 100% Marsanne from the De l'Oree parcel of the Hermitage hill, biodynamically farmed, producing liquid gold that evolves magnificently for decades.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
E. GuigalRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still White
The white companion to Guigal's Ex-Voto rouge, from old Marsanne and Roussanne vines on the Hermitage hill. Massively rich and textured with extraordinary ageing potential.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
M. ChapoutierRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Le Meal is the most hedonistic and velvety of Chapoutier's Hermitage single-parcel reds, from mid-slope schist and granite. More immediately accessible than Le Pavillon or L'Ermite.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative
Domaine Jean-Louis ChaveRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The rarest wine in the Northern Rhone. Cuvee Cathelin is made only in exceptional vintages from a single lieu-dit selection on the Hermitage hill. Named for the painter Jean Cathelin who collaborated with the domaine.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau de BeaucastelRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Mourvedre-dominant prestige cuvee made in exceptional years only; extraordinary iron, meat, and herb complexity with massive structure and decades of ageing potential.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury
Tardieu-LaurentRhone Valley€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Negociant Tardieu-Laurent sources old-vine Grenache and Mourvedre from Chateauneuf; the result is a powerful, oak-influenced, concentrated cuvee for extended ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Bodegas BriegoRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
The prestige single-parcel cuvee from Briego, with concentrated black fruit, dark chocolate and graphite from old vines on chalky limestone, aged 20 months in new French oak.
Dry · Contemplative · Elegant
Dominio del AguilaRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Bodegas EminaRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
Emina's prestige single-vineyard Atio from the best Peñafiel parcels: concentrated cassis, graphite and cedar from 22 months in new French oak, with polished tannins and long potential.
Dry · Contemplative · Elegant
Hacienda MonasterioRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Contemplative · Elegant
Dominio de AtautaRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Contemplative · Elegant
Bodegas Emilio MoroRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Alonso del YerroRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
Maria is the prestige single-vineyard label from Alonso del Yerro: concentrated cassis, graphite and mineral precision from a single old-vine parcel at Quintanilla de Onesimo, aged 20 months in new French oak under Derenoncourt's guidance.
Dry · Contemplative · Elegant
Bodegas MauroRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Contemplative · Elegant
Bodegas ProtosRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Bodegas TarsusRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
The prestige Quintus label from Tarsus: concentrated cassis, violet and graphite from new French oak and old vines at La Horra, with polished, age-worthy tannins at the highest tier.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Bodegas TrusRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
Trus's prestige old-vine selection aged 22 months in new French oak with cassis, espresso and graphite; structured and age-worthy from the best parcels of the western sector.
Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Bodegas VizcarraRibera del Duero€€€€€€€€Still Red
Vizcarra's prestige old-vine parcel wine, named for the estate founder's grandmother. Dense black fruit, graphite and espresso from 20 months in new French oak, with exceptional freshness for this concentration level.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Funky
Frank CornelissenSicily€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Magma is one of Italy's most sought-after cult wines: pure Nerello Mascalese from ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines above 1,000 metres, no sulphur added, aged in amphora. The wine embodies volcanic terroir at its most extreme and unfiltered.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
Girolamo RussoSicily€€€€€€€€Still Red
The prestige Russo single-vineyard: 'A Rina (dialect for 'la rena' - the sand) from some of the deepest sandy volcanic soils on the north slope, producing the most austere and age-demanding wine in the portfolio.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
GraciSicily€€€€€€€€Still Red
From the Barbabecchi contrada at higher elevation than Arcuria, this Graci red is the most structured and demanding of the range: dense, chalky, and extraordinarily long-lived.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
GulfiSicily€€€€€€€€Still Red
Sanlorenzo is the most elegant of Gulfi's quartet: the highest-altitude contrada delivers a more refined palate structure with exceptional aromatic complexity.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold
PietradolceSicily€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Vigna Barbagalli is Pietradolce's prestige single-vineyard Etna Rosso from ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines at 850 metres: among the most collectible and age-worthy Nerello Mascalese produced on the north slope.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
PlanetaSicily€€€€€€€€Still Red
Burdese is Planeta's prestige Cabernet Sauvignon-Franc blend, named in Sicilian dialect for Bordeaux. Grown at Ulmo in Menfi, the wine achieves the concentration of ripeness that Sicily's sun provides while preserving the variety's structural backbone through altitude and careful vinification.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Tenuta Tascante (Tasca d'Almerita on Etna)Sicily€€€€€€€€Still Red
Il Picciolo is Tascante's prestige single-vineyard Etna Rosso from old Nerello vines in a specific parcel within the Rampante contrada: the estate's most structured and complex expression.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Tenuta delle Terre NereSicily€€€€€€€€Still Red
Feudo di Mezzo is the most aromatic and perfumed of the Terre Nere lineup: complex, multi-layered, with chalky depth and remarkable persistence.
Dry · Elegant · Savoury
Tokaj OremusTokaj€€€€€€€Still White
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
ArgianoTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard Brunello from Argiano's central south-facing parcel, introduced 2015 by oenologist Bernardino Sani.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant
AvignonesiTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Joint-venture Toscana IGT between Avignonesi and Chianti Classico's Capannelle, blending Sangiovese (Capannelle) and Merlot (Avignonesi).
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Castello BanfiTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Banfi's flagship Brunello Riserva from the Poggio all'Oro vineyard, released only in top vintages.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Biondi-SantiTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Released only in exceptional vintages, the Riserva is one of the world's most fabled wines for cellar capacity.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant
Frescobaldi CastelGiocondoTuscany€€€€€€€€Still Red
Pure Merlot Toscana IGT from CastelGiocondo's Lamaione parcel, a Brunello-region Merlot in the Bolgheri stylistic register.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Frescobaldi CastelGiocondoTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
CastelGiocondo's flagship Riserva from the Ripe al Convento parcel, library-released after long oak ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Castell'in VillaTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard Gran Selezione from a tiny Castell'in Villa parcel, library-release timing and long Slavonian-cask ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Castello di AmaTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Castello di Ama's Bordeaux-blend Toscana IGT with Sangiovese leading and Cabernet Franc adding aromatic lift.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Castello di AmaTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Castello di Ama's cult 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from a tiny Gaiole parcel, plush and graphite-mineral.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Castello di QuercetoTuscany€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard pure Sangiovese IGT from Castello di Querceto's La Corte parcel, modern barrique style.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Col d'OrciaTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard Brunello Riserva from the high-elevation Poggio al Vento parcel, library-released after 60 months in Slavonian botti.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
FelsinaTuscany€€€€€€€€Still Red
Pure Sangiovese Toscana IGT from Felsina, denser and oakier than Rancia, blended across Chianti Classico and Colli Senesi vineyards.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold
PetroloTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Italy's reference 100 percent Merlot away from Bolgheri. Black cherry, blackberry and violet over a graphite-iron mineral spine, with polished oak and firm tannin in support.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Il PoggioneTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard Riserva from the estate's oldest Sangiovese Grosso vines, planted in 1964. Library-released after long cask ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Le MacchioleTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Cult 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from Le Macchiole, often compared to its Masseto neighbour.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant
MassetoTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Masseto's second wine, introduced 2017. Merlot-Cabernet Franc Toscana IGT from younger Masseto vines.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
MassetoTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
100 percent Merlot from a 7-hectare blue-clay parcel inside the Ornellaia estate. Widely considered Italy's most prestigious Merlot and a global benchmark for the variety outside Bordeaux.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
MastrojanniTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard Brunello Riserva from the donkey-back-shaped hillside, library-released after long oak ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Tenuta Guado al TassoTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Pure Cabernet Franc Bolgheri Superiore from Antinori, the estate's single-varietal showcase from a 4-hectare parcel.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Poggio AnticoTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
High-elevation Brunello Riserva from Poggio Antico's oldest vines, library-released after long oak ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Poggio di SottoTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Classical southeastern Montalcino Brunello: rose-and-dried-cherry aromatics, iron-and-leather core, finely chiselled tannins, very long finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Poggio di SottoTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
The Riserva amplifies the house signature: rose-petal and dried-cherry depth, iron-and-leather backbone, a very long balsamic finish. Released only in exceptional vintages.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Easygoing
Frescobaldi Tenuta di PominoTuscany€€€€€€€Still Red
Italy's most established Pinot Nero, from high-altitude Pomino vineyards planted in 1855 by Vittorio degli Albizi.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant
Rocca di FrassinelloTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Rocca di Frassinello's flagship pure Merlot Maremma Toscana DOC, named for the estate's mascot wild boar.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Case Basse di Gianfranco SolderaTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Single-vineyard Sangiovese from the Intistieti parcel, the sibling cuvee to Case Basse with subtle iron-and-iris perfume.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Case Basse di Gianfranco SolderaTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Soldera's flagship pure Sangiovese, now under Toscana IGT after withdrawing from Brunello DOCG. Ethereal, perfumed, profound.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative
Tua RitaTuscany€€€€€€€€€€Still Red
Tua Rita's flagship 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from Suvereto on the Val di Cornia, awarded 100 points by Wine Advocate for the 2000 vintage.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
AllegriniVeneto€€€€€€€€€€Dessert Passito
The single-vineyard Fieramonte takes Allegrini's Amarone to the highest level: a single hill block in the Classico zone with extreme concentration, the Oseleta component adding signature pepper warmth to the cedar-espresso complex.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
BertaniVeneto€€€€€€€€€Dessert Passito
Bertani's Villa Novare is the prestige Amarone from their historic Novare estate, given six years in Slavonian oak producing a wine of extraordinary complexity and longevity; perhaps the most authentically traditional Amarone Riserva-style bottling in the appellation.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Funky
Corte Sant'AldaVeneto€€€€€€€€€Dessert Passito
Made by Demeter-certified biodynamic winemaker Marinella Camerani, Mithas is among the most distinctive Amarone: Demeter-certified estate viticulture produces a wine of unusual earthy complexity, mineral precision and high acidity that evolves beautifully with bottle age.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Inama Azienda AgricolaVeneto€€€€€€€€Still White
Bradisismo (Italian for seismic land subsidence) is Inama's prestige selection from the oldest basalt-grown Garganega vines, aged 18-24 months in French barriques; arguably the most complex Soave available, with extraordinary tension between rich oak ageing and the grape's saline mineral core.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
PieropanVeneto€€€€€€€€Still White
La Rocca is 100% Garganega from the volcanic tufa hillside above Soave castle, barrel-fermented and aged; arguably Italy's most cellar-worthy white wine, developing hazelnut-honey complexity over 10-plus years while retaining the grape's almond-mineral core.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Speri ViticoltoriVeneto€€€€€€€€€Dessert Passito
Monte Sant'Urbano is Speri's flagship single-vineyard Amarone from the historic cru on the Fumane hillside; traditional large-cask ageing preserves freshness alongside the dried-fruit concentration, producing one of the Classico zone's most elegant and age-worthy Amarone.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
ZenatoVeneto€€€€€€€€€Dessert Passito
The Riserva Sergio Zenato is the estate's memorial bottling to its founder, made only in exceptional vintages and aged five years in oak; the highest Oseleta proportion and extended ageing produce Zenato's most structured and concentrated wine, with extraordinary longevity.
Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Funky
ZymeVeneto€€€€€€€€€Still Red
A 15-variety blend in the Veronese IGT classification, Harlequin is Gaspari's conceptual statement: every grape variety grown across Zyme's vineyards co-fermented after partial drying, producing a complex, layered wine with extraordinary aromatic diversity.