Bright aromas of flowers, angelica and apricots with an undertone of sulphur smoke. Silky attack, light to medium body and graceful, refreshing acidity. Drink now.

The NV Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Bosco di Gica entices with a bouquet that’s more savory than sweet. A note of green apple mixes with mint leaf and wet stone hints. It impresses further with its mix of tension and elegance. Brisk acidity and tart orchard fruits contrast its creamy wave of fine bubbles. A saline tinge lingers on along with a Granny Smith resonance that keeps the senses salivating as this finishes with excellent length and freshness. This is a fantastic value.

Mentholated herbs mix with exotic spice, tobacco and crushed ashen stones as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS blossoms in the glass. This is sleek and youthfully slender, with tart wild berry fruits and hints of sour citrus that flow across a stream of cooling acidity. It finishes structured and impossibly long, leaving a pleasantly tart cranberry concentration that pinches at the cheeks. There's significantly more energy and verve embodied in the 2019 Riserva than is typical. It should be fascinating to watch it mature over time.

A delicate Etna rosso with red-cherry, orange-peel and floral aromas and flavors. Light tannins and a crisp finish. Vivid. Drink now.

JAMES SUCKLING TOP 100 ITALY 2025 - #56

A complex, mineral wine with apricots and lemon peel, angelica and mangoes. Full-bodied and richly flavored with mango and citrus flavors, vibrant and mineral acidity and a smooth finish. Precise and refreshing. Fermented and aged in large oak barrels. Drink or hold

The first vintage of this white from Contrada Sciaranuova brings ‘a different approach’ according to Alberto Tasca. Grapes from the seven-year-old vineyard are vinified in 25hl oak vessels, while he says that ‘Sciaranuova gives a little bit more body to the Carricante’. Smoky and rich in thiols and floral notes, the immediate oak imprint parts to reveal a very fresh, salty and exotic white boasting flavours of juicy mango, white peach and guava. There's some gentle phenolic grip, and the finish is full of zesty citrus peel. Delicious, if young, this has plenty of potential to improve with age.

The 2022 Soave Classico I Palchi wafts up with a smoky, expressive blend of rosemary, gingery spice and musky citrus complicating crushed apples. It is silken and opulent in feel, enveloping the palate with ripe pit fruits, coming across as weighty and rich yet wonderfully balanced. Nuances of grapefruit mix with inner sage and hints of candied lime as the 2022 tapers off with excellent length yet remains wonderfully fresh.

Complex aromas of cinnamon, spices, earth and strawberries with a leesy character. The attack is supple, with firm, ripe, velvety tannins. It’s slightly austere and dusty on the mid-palate. Full-bodied and powerful but refreshing, with a long, minty aftertaste. Best after two to three years.