2022 James Suckling Top 100 Italian Wines  #74.  Lovely ripe fruit on the nose, with cranberries, plums, morello cherries, white truffles, red tea and white pepper. The tannins are very fine, creamy and expansive. Coating and generous, yet fresh. Wonderful length and depth. From a 7-hectare parcel of 50-year old vines. Try this from 2025.

There is more richness in the profile of the 2020 Barbera D'Alba La Crena, with mocha, black plum, and macerated flowers. Full-bodied but not weighted down, with notes of turned earth, boysenberry preserve, and black tea and a silky mouthfeel, this would be an outstanding wine to showcase for lovers of New World wines. Drink 2024-2034.

The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is the current vintage of this wine, which is punchy and bright with a vinous quality that underlines the wine's freshness and its youthful character. The bouquet is extremely clean and transparent, and you can peer through the red cherry fruit and raspberry to crushed stone and chalky dryness. It shows a beautiful color in the glass that matches the aromatic clarity offered to the nose. The only fly in the ointment is a high 15% alcohol content. 

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

The library-release 2012 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana 10 Anni is dark and earthy in character. Crushed fall leaves and undergrowth nuances blow off to reveal mentholated black currants. This is rich and fleshy in feel, with saline-tinged acids motivating its tart wild berry fruits. It finishes with rounded tannins and wonderful length, along with a bitter twang and hints of balsam that linger. The late-release 2012 displays a beautiful evolution that’s taken place in bottle.

Subtle and minerally nose with a some chalky lemons, bitter almonds and green apples. Quite a saline, medium-bodied palate with an austere and bone-dry finish. Drink now.

A very refined 2018 with ultra-fine tannins and lovely berry, orange peel and cream aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a delicious finish. Why wait here?

Pretty aromas of lilac, white peach, wild herbs and lime zest interplay in the glass, creating a stunning mosaic of aromas. Lemon and lime zest with passion fruit and crushed chalk give the palate a balance between fruit and minerality. The wine finishes with bright and fresh acidity.