Though firm, there is an elegance to this red, whose flavor profile ranges from strawberry and cherry to tobacco and tea. Taut and linear, with fine balance and a long, red fruit, stone and savory aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2042
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Though firm, there is an elegance to this red, whose flavor profile ranges from strawberry and cherry to tobacco and tea. Taut and linear, with fine balance and a long, red fruit, stone and savory aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2042
The 2018 Chardonnay Lowengang captivates with its understated yet deeply layered bouquet, as sweet smoke blows off to reveal ripe peaches complemented by a mix of curry leaves and fresh vanilla bean. This is silky and elegant in texture, yet not weighty in feel, as contrasting notes of lemon oil and granny smith apple give way to an enriching air of confectionary custards. It leaves a concentration of tart orchard fruits and salty minerals to linger, while finishing remarkably long, but also fresh. There is simply so much going on in this glass and only more to come through medium-term cellaring. The integration of oak is spot-on. This is Italian Chardonnay done right.
The 2009 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Pas Dosé Riserva Zero 140 (a blend of 85% Pinot Nero and 15% Chardonnay) is not quite full-bodied but almost, showing plenty of rich layering and texture. The number 140 in the sparkler's name refers to the number of months this special bottle ages on the lees. This is a real beauty with peach, orchard fruit, baked bread, toasted pine nut and hints of dusty mine
Some sweet-vanilla notes now to the savory oranges, tar and cranberries. A full-bodied nebbiolo that feels expansive, yet it’s ethereal on the palate with lots of firm, sandblasted tannins. Long and juicy. Needs two years to allow the tannins and the oak to integrate more. Will shine with time. Drink from 2024.
EDITOR'S CHOICE. Timorasso is one of the most distinctive white grapes in the Italian canon, and Vietti has struck gold. Aromas of fresh and baked yellow peaches and spiced pears mix with hints of petrol, magnolia and dried mango. Wild honey, beeswax and a limestone minerality give volume, complexity and depth to this wine, finishing with fresh and lifted acidity. Drink now–2035.
The 2018 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Binomio is hauntingly dark and floral, seducing with its rich mix of grilled herbs, plum sauce and dark chocolate. It floods the palate with medium-weight textures and polished red and black fruits, yet beneath is a core of salty minerals and lively acidity that adds both depth and energy to the experience. Lightly structured and wonderfully refined, this tapers off with length, leaving inner violet florals and a bitter twang of currant to linger through the otherwise-juicy finale. Binomio, a collaboration between Inama (Veneto) and La Valentina (Abruzzo), nailed the 2018 vintage. It could use some time to soften a bit through the finish and for its aromatics to evolve; but otherwise, this is already irresistible today.
In the bottle with the bluish-green label, the 2019 Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Erchi shows great balance and displays the quality found across these enjoyable wines from Selvapiana. The bouquet interjects with dark cherry, iris, earth and blood orange. The wine is firm and quite concentrated in terms of mouthfeel; however, it feels bright and lifted all the while.
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