Tuscany
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 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 2019 Fontodi, Flaccianello delle Pieve, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 6x75cl
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 Tua Rita Redigaffi Rosso-di-Toscana IGT 6x75cl
£1,000 / Case£166.67 / 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 2020 Petrolo, Galatrona, IGT 6x75cl
"The Petrolo 2020 Galatrona is a pure expression of organic Merlot and the estate's headline wine. It was first created in 1994 when Luca Sanjust's second child, Lucia, was born. Despite the summer... heat that became a challenge for winemakers in many corners of Tuscany, Galatrona shows terrific results in 2020. The vineyard is located in a cool and thickly forested position almost exactly between Florence, Arezzo and Siena. The vintage has a classic quality with a subtle bouquet that grows in intensity as the wine opens in the glass. Aromas of cherry, toasted almond and dried mint fuel a long and very elegant finish. The oak tannins are soft and sweet, and the wine boasts long-lasting flavors."
96 pts, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Issue #261 (June 2022)
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 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 2019 Gerla, Birba, IGT 6x75cl
"Attractive minty cherry nose. And supple, juicy with the oak perfectly integrated. Freshness and concentration and cracking tannins." 17++ pts., Watler Speller, jancisrobinson.com
£90 / Case£15 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 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 2015 Fontodi, Flaccianello delle Pieve, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 6x75cl
£710 / Case£118.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"San Guido’s 2018 Guidalberto is soft, open-knit and inviting. Sweet dark cherry, cinnamon, licorice and new leather fill out the layers in an undeniably attractive Guidalberto that will drink... beautifully upon release. Finesse and elegance are the signatures. The 2018 is a terrific choice for drinking now, while some of the more powerful vintages of Guidalberto come together, or while waiting for its sibling, Sassicaia." 92, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£160 / Case£26.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Mazzei, Chianti Classico, Fonterutoli Gran Selezione 6x75cl
A beguiling mix of Morello cherries, evolving onto richer notes of blackcurrant yet lifted by floral and spicy notes, the expressive nose is followed onto the palate by a medium-bodied,... silky-textured, balanced offering of red cherries and smoky winter spice. Structured with fruit-coated tannins and juicy acidity, there is impressive freshness given the power of the sunny 2018 vintage. Wonderful harmony here, and excellent length.
Mr Wheeler note
£205 / Case£34.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur