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Showing spectacularly, the 2017 Chateau Canon checks in as a final blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc that’s from one of the most exceptional terroirs in the appellation. Hitting 14% alcohol, it reveals a ruby/purple hue as well as gorgeously sweet raspberries and cassis-like fruit interwoven with notes of spring flowers, rose petal, white chocolate, and spice. While it doesn’t have the massive opulence of the 2015 and 2016, it’s more classically styled as well flawlessly balanced, with a terrific sense of minerality, ultra-fine tannins, and a brilliant finish. Give bottles 5-7 years in the cellar, and it will evolve gracefully for 30-40 years. 

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Clinet opens slowly to reveal vibrant red and black fruits: red currants, black cherries, plums and cassis with touches of roses, yeast extract, wood smoke and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and a taut, muscular palate of tightly wound fruits and compelling mineral accents, it finishes long with wonderful purity and fragrant earth accents. The tannins here will need 4-5 years of bottle age, and I’d lean toward drinking bottles over the following decade. 

Amaro Montenegro is one of Italy’s most iconic and beloved herbal liqueurs, first crafted in 1885 by Bolognese herbalist Stanislao Cobianchi. Named in honor of Princess Elena of Montenegro, this amaro is renowned for its unique balance of sweetness, bitterness, and botanical complexity. It’s made from a secret blend of 40 botanicals sourced from around the world, including spices, woods, roots, seeds, citrus peels, and floral extracts. The final infusion is enhanced by a special ingredient known as the "Premio"—a micro-distillate that imparts extraordinary aromatic depth.

Today, Amaro Montenegro stands as a benchmark in the world of Italian bitters, praised for its versatility and approachability. Its rich amber hue and layered flavor make it ideal for sipping neat, over ice, or as a key component in both classic and modern cocktails. With notes of orange peel, coriander, tea, cinnamon, and rose, it delivers a smooth yet complex experience that appeals to both connoisseurs and newcomers to the category. More than just a digestif, Amaro Montenegro is a celebration of Italian craftsmanship and timeless flavor.

Crafted from organically-grown grapes

The Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne 2015 is an extraordinary masterpiece that combines softness and concentration with masterful maturity. It captivates the senses with intense and delicious aromas, exuding a superb energy and a magical vibration. This champagne is timeless, displaying a chalky temperament that is sustained by its exceptional soils, transcending the sunny character of the vintage.

Upon first nosing, the Cristal 2015 reveals hints of yellow fruit, toasted almonds and wheat from the Chardonnay, elegantly intertwined with the juicy red fruit notes of the Pinot Noir. As the wine's structure unfolds, a surge of energy ignites, creating a vibrant intensity that seamlessly transitions into a gentle caress.

The silky texture envelopes the palate, unveiling flavors of candied citrus and iodised spices that dance harmoniously. The chalky character of the vintage takes centre stage, bursting forth with a bracing, vertical effervescence that is both insistent and precise. The freshness of the champagne is finely honed, leaving a lasting impression. As the tasting experience reaches its finale, subtle oaky, sappy and saline notes underpin the finish, enhancing the overall delicacy and concentration of the wine.

Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne 2015 is a wine of supreme balance and measure, resonating from the very nature of its chalky soils. It is an exceptional representation of the 2015 vintage, showcasing enormous aging potential. This perfect Cristal Champagne is a testament to the artistry and dedication of its creators, offering an unforgettable tasting experience that will continue to evolve and delight for years to come.

Awards:

Wine Enthusiast: 98 Pts, Int'l Wine Review: 97 Pts, James Suckling: 97 Pts, Jeb Dunnuck: 96  Pts, Vinous: 96 Pts, Wine Spectator: 96 Pts, Decanter: 95 Pts, Wine Advocate: P5 Pts

This is an extremely friendly red, pretty purple colour with shiny reflections. The nose reveals a seductive bouquet of red fruit and spices. Full of delicacy, the palate is full of freshness and well balanced, with aromas of cherries and very soft tannins, giving this wine great drinkability.

The Rialzi single vineyard is located at an altitude of 500 metres above sea level and beyond, laid out over three terraces with alberese soils and a south-western exposure. After careful work in the vineyard, the Sangiovese grapes were carefully harvested by hand. Fruit of a careful handpicked selection, the wine was matured for 36 months, of which 24 were spent in barriques.

The 2018 Rialzi is a bright and deep ruby-red colour with light garnet highlights. Its bouquet is extremely broad yet elegant. The notes of undergrowth are particularly prominent, accompanied by fruity hints of sour cherry. Among the floral notes, rose dominates, alongside spicy scents of juniper and cinnamon. The nose is finished with delicate tertiary notes, perfectly integrated into the body of the wine. Balanced, warm and dry in the mouth. The tannins are soft and silky. An extremely long and persistent finish.

WinesCritic.com: 94Pts; James Suckling: 92Pts; Wine Enthusiast: 90Pts

Crafted from substainably-grown grapes, certified by Agriqualita

Castelgiocondo is produced from an uncompromising selection of the finest Sangiovese grapes, in a vineyard whose ideal elevation, well-drained soils, and southwest-facing exposure yield all of the qualities that converge to produce the finest expression of this ancient grape variety. CastelGiocondo’s unique location in Montalcino, with its varied exposure and terrain – galestro, clay and Pleocene sands – offers infinite nuances to this Brunello. A multi-faceted experience that evolves over time and entices us to discover, taste and remember, again and again.

The 2018 CastelGiocondo is an intense shade of ruby red. CastelGiocondo is always set  apart by its elegance, and in this vintage, this characteristic is more marked than ever. The  fruity notes, the first to hit our olfactory receptors, are dominated by blueberry and  blackberry, flanked by blackcurrant and other berries. They are followed by floral hints of  violet and dog rose, which are always found in the bouquet of the best Brunello di  Montalcino. Next on the nose are clear spicy notes of black pepper and cardamom, chased  by a pleasant aroma of liquorice. On the palate, the tannins are dense but not harsh,  accompanied by delicate mineral notes. The consistency between the nose and palate and  the long and persistent finish make it particularly balanced.

James Suckling: 95Pts; The Wine Independent: 93Pts; Luca Maroni: 93Pts; Wine Spectator: 92Pts; Jane Anson: 93Pts; Wine Advocate: 92Pts; Falstaff: 92Pts; WinesCritic.com: 92Pts; 

Crafted from substainably-grown grapes, certified by Agriqualita

The 2017 Haut-Bailly is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it has a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, anise and fenugreek with core of roses, warm blueberries, black forest cake and black raspberries plus hints of underbrush and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied with firm, ripe, grainy tannins, it has oodles of freshness and great finesse, continuing bright and energetic on the long, minerally finish. 

To the eye, it is a brilliant ruby red. In a particularly good year like 2019, the Brunello di Montalcino di Castelgiocondo reveals extraordinary elegance in a wine that is particularly complex and intense on the nose. At  first, it has a distinctly fruity bouquet, with clear hints of blackberry, accompanied by various other woodland berries. The floral notes of violet and wild rose are omnipresent in Brunello di Castelgiocondo. Spicy, straight, fresh, with hints of cocoa beans and undergrowth alongside nutmeg and the inevitable varied spicy sensations. On the palate, its tannic texture is very dense and supported by a generous body, in a very satisfying balance of flavours.

James Suckling: 95Pts; Robert Parker: 93Pts; Wine Spectator: 93Pts; Jeb Dunnuck: 93Pts; Jane Anson: 92Pts; Luca Maroni: 92Pts

Martini Vermouth Rosso is a classic Italian vermouth with a rich, deep red color and a complex flavor profile. Introduced in 1863, it is crafted from a blend of herbs, spices, and caramel, offering sweet and bitter notes with hints of vanilla and citrus. This versatile vermouth is perfect for classic cocktails like the Negroni or enjoyed simply over ice.

On the palate, Danzante Prosecco offers bright notes of green apple, pear, white peach, and citrus, accented by subtle floral hints. Elegant yet easy-drinking, it is perfect as an aperitif, for festive toasts, or paired with light dishes such as seafood, salads, and fresh cheeses. True to the Danzante spirit—celebrating Italian passion and artistry—this Prosecco captures the joy of everyday moments and the charm of authentic Italian lifestyle.

Oak-aged for 24 months, this shows a clear ruby red color.  On the nose, the attack is fruity and floral at the same time with hints reminiscent of blackcurrants, blueberries and raspberries; floral notes reminiscent of violets and dog roses follow. This is followed by spicy notes reminiscent of black pepper, cloves and star anise. Delicate tertiary notes and freshness given by balsamic and citrus scents are also interesting. The palate reveals a nice acid-alcoholic component and the tannic texture is well present, dense and silky. 

Luca Maroni: 94Pts; Wine Review Online: 93Pts; James Suckling: 92Pts; Decanter: 92Pts; Vinum: 91Pts; Wine Spectator: 91Pts

Modest but sure of its presence, Clinet lies at one of the highest points upon the renowned plateau at the heart of Pomerol – instantly recognisable by its red shutters and beautiful roses. It is home to one of the oldest vineyards in the appellation, with traces of the vineyard’s existence dating back to 1595. This vineyard is equally famed for offering wine with an incomparable character and quality. 

Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30 years.

James Suckling: 97Pts; Decanter: 97Pts; Wine Enthusiast: 96Pts; Guia Penin: 94Pts; Wine Advocate: 93Pts; Wine Spectator: 92Pts

 
Wine Enthusiast: 92Pts; Wine Spectator: 90Pts

Crafted from organically-grown grapes