Tuscany
2020 Antinori, Tignanello, IGT 6x75cl
“The 2020 Tignanello is so primary, so intensely fruit-driven, that it almost tastes like a barrel sample. A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon,... spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. Time in the glass brings out striking dimensions. In 2020, Tignanello is wonderfully sleek and racy, with fine tannins that lie below a core of bright, sculpted fruit. The balance here is just sublime. I can’t wait to revisit the 2020 with age.” Drink 2028 – 2045.
96-100, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Feb 2023
Duty 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
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 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: 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: Immediate
2018 Gerla, Birba, IGT 6x75cl
£90 / Case£15 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
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: Immediate
2015 Ornellaia, Bianco, Toscana IGT 3x75cl
£750 / Case£250 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
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
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
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
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
2020 Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"With much sunshine on Bolgheri we can expect much warming opulence on the palate and a richness finely countered by that Graves-like freshness and minerality San Guido’s terroir imbues. Classic,... dark cherry fruit, violet florals, dense, vibrant purity, full-bodied and beautifully balanced, this corresponding ripeness and vigour in the 2020 will provide sublime drinking pleasure over the next several years." Mr.Wheeler Tasting Note
£180 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 Castellare di Castellina, Sodi San Niccolo, IGT 1x150cl
"Lovely abundance and expression on the nose, you get that perfect clarity of fruit - black fruits and blackcurrant laced with violets. Strong, round and rich - this is densely concentrated with... power and punch. Gorgeous texture - dry with firm firm tannins and a direct fruit profile - tension and linearity yet there's plushness and ripeness here too. It's round yet direct but also sweet and succulent. I love that immediately juicy perfumed hit you get on the tongue, such brightness and energy here, the sweet red cherry edge is so delicious. Supremely charming but also fun, such playfulness going on with the flavours and the textures." 96 pts., Georgina Hindle, www.decanter.com
£125 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 Castellare di Castellina, Sodi San Niccolo, IGT 6x75cl
"Lovely abundance and expression on the nose, you get that perfect clarity of fruit - black fruits and blackcurrant laced with violets. Strong, round and rich - this is densely concentrated with... power and punch. Gorgeous texture - dry with firm firm tannins and a direct fruit profile - tension and linearity yet there's plushness and ripeness here too. It's round yet direct but also sweet and succulent. I love that immediately juicy perfumed hit you get on the tongue, such brightness and energy here, the sweet red cherry edge is so delicious. Supremely charming but also fun, such playfulness going on with the flavours and the textures." 96 pts., Georgina Hindle, www.decanter.com
£335 / Case£55.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Jacopo Biondi Santi, Schidione, IGT 3x75cl
A typical coastal Tuscan blend of 40% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Schidione has a tiny production of just 2,000 bottles per year.
£450 / Case£150 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Castello di Montepo, Sassalloro Oro, IGT Toscana 6x75cl
Created to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Sassoalloro and it is produced entirely from Sangiovese Grosso BBS11 vines that are a minimum age of 15 years old. While it is drinking beautifully now, it has the potential to age for another 25 years.
£180 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2016 Buon Tempo, Brunello di Montalcino 6x75cl
"Open-knit and friendly, this cheerful Brunello leads with cherry and blackberry. Charmingly accented by flint and pepper, the palate offers lots of crunchy, fresh acidity. Smooth overall, with just... a touch of astringency showing up on the finish, it will make for delightful drinking over the next five to seven years." 90 pts., Michaela Morris, decanter.com
£144 / Case£24 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate