Italy
2015 Ornellaia, Bianco, Toscana IGT 3x75cl
£750 / Case£250 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino 1x300cl
"Impressive from the first tilt of the glass, the 2018 Brunello makes it a heady burst of exotic spice and crushed ashen stone giving way to black dried cherries and grilled herbs. This combines the... energy of the vintage with the dark balsamic tinged fruits from Montalcino’s southern reaches as zesty acidity maintains balance throughout, and flinty minerals saturated towards the close. It finishes long, long and structured, yet its tannins are more rounded than anticipated, creating a classic feel, but also a mouth watering sensation that tricks the taster back for more. Easily one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2018 is not to be missed."
96+ points, Eric Guido, www.vinous.com
£165 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2018 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino 6x150cl
"Impressive from the first tilt of the glass, the 2018 Brunello makes it a heady burst of exotic spice and crushed ashen stone giving way to black dried cherries and grilled herbs. This combines the... energy of the vintage with the dark balsamic tinged fruits from Montalcino’s southern reaches as zesty acidity maintains balance throughout, and flinty minerals saturated towards the close. It finishes long, long and structured, yet its tannins are more rounded than anticipated, creating a classic feel, but also a mouth watering sensation that tricks the taster back for more. Easily one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2018 is not to be missed."
96+ points, Eric Guido, www.vinous.com
£390 / Case£65 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2018 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino 6x75cl
"Impressive from the first tilt of the glass, the 2018 Brunello makes it a heady burst of exotic spice and crushed ashen stone giving way to black dried cherries and grilled herbs. This combines the... energy of the vintage with the dark balsamic tinged fruits from Montalcino’s southern reaches as zesty acidity maintains balance throughout, and flinty minerals saturated towards the close. It finishes long, long and structured, yet its tannins are more rounded than anticipated, creating a classic feel, but also a mouth watering sensation that tricks the taster back for more. Easily one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2018 is not to be missed." Drink 2026-2036
96+ points, Eric Guido, www.vinous.com
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2016 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Brunate 3x75cl
"Light, bright ruby colour with an orange hue. Beautifully lifted bouquet of red and dark fruit, fresh
rose and some spice. A classy version of Brunate that combines austerity, vibrant fruit... characters
and fine tannins. Persistent, fulfilling and exquisitely varietal. The silty clay soil with little organic matter is responsible for the powerful yet austere structure, the large clay patches give the complexity of flavours and aromas." Enzo Boglietti Tasting Note
£137.50 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2012 Prunotto, Barolo, Bussia Colonnello Riserva 6x75cl
"The 2012 Barolo Riserva Bussia Vigna Colonnello is an intriguing wine. Whole clusters add an exotic element of perfume to the Nebbiolo fruit in this expressive, highly nuanced Barolo. Orange peel,... mint, sage and pine overtones all emerge with time in the glass. Understated and also persistent, the 2012 has quite a bit of personality." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
£660 / Case£110 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Brunate 6x75cl
"This Brunate is very complex, with smoky woodland notes, red cherry, pomegranate and liquorice aromas – a very classic signature. The attack is elegant and super-savoury, with vibrant and well... judged tannins that are extremely sweet, fragrant, and dusty yet integrated with the fruit concentration. It displays brillant acidity considering the warmth of Brunate." 95 pts., Aldo Fiordelli, decanter.com
£280 / Case£46.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Isole e Olena, Cepparello, IGT 6x75cl
"Paolo di Marchi's leaving present to Tuscany is this delightful 2019 Isole e Olena Cepparello. Cepparello is a blend of Sangiovese from different vineyards, selected by Di Marchi on the basis of... "the best exposure, elevation, soil, genetics and age. I feel this adds complexity" The first vintage was in 1980 when 100% Sangiovese was not permitted under the Chianti Classico rules. Those rules have since changed but the wine remains an IT Toscana. It has a supremely enticing nose with cream and exotic spice, reminding me of Arabian spice markets. With the 2019 there is an added precision to the aromas, less heavy oak, and no greenness on the palate. It is concentrated with a rich velvety texture but without any heaviness and with a gentle unforced quality. The tannins are fine and very well integrated, in fact finer and better integrated than even the excellent 2016 vintage. It is of course very young now but it's almost too delicious not to drink! Supremely graceful, it just gets better and better."
100pts, Sarah Hulme MW, The Wine Independent
£450 / Case£75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico 12x75cl
"Made with 83% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 2% Syrah, this lovely, delicious red races out of the gate with enticing scents of perfumed berries, blue flowers, forest floor and baking spice. Smooth... and savory, the juicy palate features ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside polished tannins. It's already drinking beautifully but will also offer several years of sheer pleasure. Drink through 2025. " - 94/100, Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
£205 / Case£17.08 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
“The 2021 Guidalberto, San Guido's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is soft, succulent and alluring right out of the gate. The supple contours of Merlot lend fleshiness to this mid-weight,... racy Maremma blend. Ripe red cherry fruit, spice, leather and tobacco are nicely pushed forward. Best of all, the 2021 will drink well right out of the gate.”
93 points, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£220 / Case£36.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Tenuta Tignanello (Antinori), Chianti Classico, Marchese Antinori Riserva 6x75cl
"Beautiful aromas of roses and other flowers, together with cherries and orange peel. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that spread across the palate. Bright and long. Succulent and fine. Drink now. [02/05/2022]" 94 pts, James Suckling, https://www.jamessuckling.com/
£156 / Case£26 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Rizzi, Barbaresco, Pajore 6x75cl
"Treiso. Tasted blind. Mid to deep ruby with orange tinges. Concentrated, complex nose with hints of cardamom and nutmeg. Elegant, lively fruit followed by bags of coating, bitter-sweet tannins that... are still a little tough and with marked acidity on the finish, but this has the bones for ageing." 17.5pts., Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com, 14/5/2019
£171 / Case£28.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Rizzi, Barbaresco 6x75cl
"Alba. Just mid ruby. Concentrated raspberry and strawberry with a peppery tingle and saline, minerally hints. Ripe raspberry fruit that really sticks to the elegant palate. Fresh acidity and a layer of cracking tannins on the finish. Long, precise and lithe." 17.5 pts., Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
£97.50 / Case£16.25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Mazzei, Siepi, IGT 6x75cl
"Now on the market, the Mazzei 2019 Siepi is a special achievement and a delight to taste at the exciting conclusion of this historic retrospective spanning 26 vintages. This edition of Marchesi... Mazzei's celebrated blend of Merlot and Sangiovese benefited from ideal growing conditions, with warm days and cool nights throughout the summer season. The clusters were healthy and full. The fruit is crisp and fresh, and the tannins serve to softly support the wine's generous texture and fiber. The 2019 vintage also achieves balance with a pretty assembly of dark fruit, mineral and spice aromas." 96 pts., Monica Larner, robertparker.com
£342 / Case£57 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Le Difese, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"Surprisingly pale – more Pinot-like than a Cabernet blend! A sweet-sour red-cherry fruit profile, with a notable herbal edge, perhaps reflecting the higher Sangiovese proportion than 2018. On... swirling, some cassis joins the party and there’s a background woody, cinnamon note. That sweet-sour sense comes through on the palate too, with a ripeness of red cherry and strawberry cut through with acidity. Pretty fine-grained, powdery tannins that are more refined than previous Le Difese vintages I have tasted. A touch of alcohol on the finish, but overall an enjoyable, perfumed red." 16 pts., Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
£90 / Case£15 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2021 Le Difese, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"...pleasant with a non-invasive structure, a good balance in terms of acidity and density, combined with soft and well-integrated tannins. Beautiful spiciness." (Tenuta San Guido tasting note)
£105 / Case£17.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2016 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Brunate 6x75cl
"Light, bright ruby colour with an orange hue. Beautifully lifted bouquet of red and dark fruit, fresh
rose and some spice. A classy version of Brunate that combines austerity, vibrant fruit... characters
and fine tannins. Persistent, fulfilling and exquisitely varietal. The silty clay soil with little organic matter is responsible for the powerful yet austere structure, the large clay patches give the complexity of flavours and aromas." Enzo Boglietti Tasting Note
£275 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Bricco delle Viole 6x75cl
"The 2018 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is not super intense, but it is balanced in its own way. The wine is subdued but complete with softly yielding tannins to support an elegantly streamlined... mouthfeel. Bricco delle Viole is a high and cool growing site in Barolo at 400 to 480 meters in elevation with characteristic Sant'Agata marl soils with fossils. The wine represents a selection of fruit from over seven hectares. With fermentation in steel tank and aging in large Slavonian oak, you are invited to a silky, lifted and beautifully delicate experience with an accessible personality."
95 points, Monica Larner, www.robertparker.com
£345 / Case£57.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Albe 6x75cl
"Lovely Nebbiolo aromas of rose, violet, red berry and botanical herb shape the fragrant nose. Smooth and savory, the elegant palate features juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and cake spice... alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's already drinking beautifully but also promises years of pleasure. Enjoy through 2030." 94 pts., Kerin O'Keefe, 9/1/2022
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Bricco delle Viole 6x75cl
"Transparent pillar-box red. Powerful nose of dried something. Cherries? Rose petals? Perhaps both. Super-fresh, despite the alcohol, with such great presence in the mouth. It's not nearly ready but... it's clearly destined for great things. Sweet and chewy with a strong mineral undertow. Jewel-bright fruit. Real lift but more powerful than ethereal. Even slightly pungent with a whiff of cordite. Really refreshing health juice. Great stuff." 17.5 pts., Jancis Robinson, 10/3/2021
£330 / Case£55 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Paitin, Barbaresco, Serraboella 6x75cl
"Sandalwood and culinary spice aromas mingle with rose leather and camphor. Showing structure and a racy finesse, the vibrant palate is young and loaded with nervous energy at this stage but already... delicious, offering juicy Morello cherry, raspberry and star anise framed in taut, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2029–2044." 95 pts., Kerin O'Keefe, winemag.com
£150 / Case£25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 Giovanni Almondo, Roero, Bric Valdiana 6x75cl
The Almondo family have been in Piedmont for the past 600 years, yet their foray into winemaking only dates to 1980 when Domenico came up with an ambitious plan to create top quality wine from their... family vineyard. The result is superb, and the Roero Bric is a Nebbiolo-based red cuvée that will age beautifully and represents a stunning value alternative to the more famous names across the Tanaro river, Barbaresco or Barolo. The 2021 exhibits tell-tale floral and sweet yet crunchy red cherry aromatics, with hints of peppery spice. Lovely mouthfill and power, this is very pleasant now and will improve for the next 5 to 7 years. (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£160 / Case£26.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"Mid ruby with a touch of sediment – a sample blend, rather than a finished wine, as with the last two release presentations. Quite reticent on the nose, just giving hints of what it’s got – a... flash of creamy vanilla, a scent of ripe, plummy, black fruit and some toasted tobacco. Full bodied, with mouth-coating but fine-grained tannins. Plump and velvety – Merlot making its presence felt here. Pretty good length too. This is embryonic and a little closed, but I think has plenty to give – an attractive Guidalberto that will reward cellaring." 17 pts., Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
£150 / Case£25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate