Tuscany by Lay & Wheeler

TUSCANY Wines In Bond - Newly Released Vintages laywheeler.com/tuscany

Chianti

Montepulciano

Bolgheri

Montalcino

KEY TO SYMBOLS White Wine Red Wine Recommended Drinking Dates All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Vintage Report Discover a collection of outstanding vintages

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Tuscany Tuscany. A land in which to lose yourself. Lose yourself looking over stunning vistas of rolling hills, cypress trees and hidden villas. Lose yourself wandering down narrow lanes in hilltop citadels, with wild flowers pouring over weathered walls in bursts of colour. Lose yourself in long lunches, with wonderful food, delightful wines and convivial company. Tuscany, and its consistently impressive vintages, has also become something of a ‘port in a storm’ for wine lovers, with the Bordelais having faced one of the most difficult harvests in years and Burgundy growers tearing their hair out following consecutive years of hail damage. Tuscany has another serious selling point which sets it apart from the other ‘big boys’ of the fine wine world. The Consorzio di Brunello is notably transparent with its vintage ratings, meaning a 4 or 5 star vintage really does represent something fantastic. Excellence is not restricted to Montalcino amongst these releases, however, considering the reputation and staying power of some of the Tuscan ‘first growths’, truly bargain prices remain. From wonderful Chianti at £10 a bottle, to the iconic Biondi-Santi, famed for having outlived some of the finest wines in the world, there is something for everyone. So go on: lose yourself in Tuscany and its wines, and forget those autumn blues. Micah Dougall, Buying Assistant

2012 Rosso di Montalcino – ‘5 Stars’ Perfect growing conditions in 2012 have led to the Consorzio del Vino giving the vintage the maximum 5 stars for quality. No surprise, given the exceptional combination of dazzling fruit and unrivalled freshness in the wines we have tasted. Alas, the Brunellos will not be released for another three years but for brilliant value now, and a taste of what’s to come, the 2012 Rossos are unmissable.

‘The 2012s are some of the most exciting young wines I have ever tasted in Montalcino’ Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com

2011 Chianti – ‘outstanding’ One of the best vintages in recent years for Chianti, 2011 has produced animated, fruit-forward wines not dissimilar to the great 2007s. The cooler topography of Chianti along with Sangiovese’s hardiness has helped to negate the effects of July’s heat spike. All of our winemakers are extremely happy with the results in spite of reduced quantities (30% down on 2009), with earlier picking retaining freshness and allowing regional expression.

‘The weather has been excellent, nearly perfect for producing a high quality wine’, Marco Pallanti, President of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium ‘2011 was an excellent vintage for Chianti...comparable with 2007’, Fontodi

2009 Brunello - ‘fantastically approachable’ Antonio Galloni rightly talks about “the diminishing importance of vintages as a bellwether for quality. For years I have advised readers to consider producer first and vintage second“. 2009 was a 4-star vintage, which is a fair representation of the divide between 3-star wines (hot sites, a little over extracted) and those who have achieved world class results, easily worthy of a 5-star rating. This year’s brief was twofold: buy only outstanding wines and aim to reduce the range. The former was easy, but the latter a challenge. The wines taste brilliant and thanks to some irresistible finds, we are even offering up new producers who deliver both prestige and value for money – they are not to be missed. With a 5-star rating, next year’s 2010s will be excellent, albeit hard to come by. Already we are bidding for a limited allocation of the top wines but with prices rising fast, and some wines likely to outlive many of us, 2009s look like a very good buy.

‘Radiant’, ‘Glorious fruit and expressive aromatics’ Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/tuscany

Wines from Tuscany - Chianti

Fontodi In the very heart of Chianti Classico, both geographically and figuratively, Fontodi benefits from galestro (schist) vineyards in Panzano’s famous Concha d’Oro (golden shell) valley. The estate demonstrates a wonderful symbiosis of old and new: before reaching the fantastically equipped, hi-tech winery, the vineyards are tended organically, with manure from the small herd of beautiful Chianina cows used as fertiliser. These are powerful wines with both structure and concentration – perfect for graceful ageing.

2011 Chianti Classico Entirely Sangiovese, this wine undergoes oak ageing in large barrels before being moved into barriques in the third year. With concentrated pure fruit, balanced with fantastic acidity and touches of minerality, the supple texture of this wine ensures that it is an incredibly enjoyable offering from Fontodi.

Drinking 2015 - 2017 £72 per 6 bottles £144 per 6 magnums

2011 Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Riserva Effectively Fontodi’s Gran Selezione and the flagship wine of the estate, the Vigna del Sorbo has as much, if not more, ageing potential than the famous Flaccianello, whilst retaining more grace and elegance. Made with grapes from forty-five year-old vines, the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives intense, brooding, dark fruit. This is a surprisingly fresh and brilliantly integrated wine.

Drinking 2017 - 2027 £150 per 6 bottles £300 per 6 magnums

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Isole E Olena Sitting amongst forests in the commune of Berberino Val d’Elsa, the twin hamlets of Isole and Olena are home to Paolo de Marchi, a truly humble, knowledgeable and passionate man; an expert on Tuscan grapes and wines. The single varietal Cepparello was first produced in 1980, but under the rules of the time it could not be classed as Chianti Classico due to being 100% Sangiovese. Whilst the regulations have now changed, Paolo has deemed a change of classification unnecessary for the Cepparello – its reputation speaks for itself.

2011 Cepparello The warm conditions in Chianti in 2011 have endowed this wine with a round, rich, almost sweet core of fruit, yet it retains a tight tannic structure that helps it keep its precision. Beautifully balanced and powerful, this is yet another excellent Cepparello.

Drinking 2017 - 2030 £219 per 6 bottles £432 per 6 magnums

2012 Chardonnay Having discovered this gem of a wine in the difficult 2011 vintage (for whites), we could not wait to taste the new vintage. We were not disappointed by a wine with superb elegance and delicacy on the nose, followed on the palate by a gorgeously creamy texture with refreshing citrus overtones and fresh acidity on the finish. With perfect balance, this shows why IGTs from International Varieties are so exciting – recognisably Chardonnay, unmistakably Italian.

Drinking 2015 - 2020 £150 per 6 bottles

Petrolo Now in their fourth generation, the Bazzocchi-Sanjust family at Petrolo have long been making wines of real character on an estate with a history reaching back to Roman times and beyond – Petrolo comes from the Roman word for a mansion house. The Galatrona was the first Merlot vineyard planted by Petrolo in 1990, and it has been used ever since for the creation of the eponymous wine, now Petrolo’s flagship.

2010 Galatrona Merlot “A massive expression of Merlot, the 2010 Galatrona is heaven-sent. The layers are infinite here spanning dark fruit, spice and chocolate. I fall in love with this wine year after year. The mouth is caressed with stirring complexity and fine tannins that feel silky and smooth.“ Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 96 points

Drinking 2016 - 2025 £297 per 6 bottles

2011 Galatrona Merlot “This is a phenomenal pure Merlot with blueberries, raspberries and hints of milk chocolate. Some nutmeg too. Full body with very fine yet chewy tannins and a long, intense finish. Reminds me of the amazing 1998. Best ever from here. Needs four or five years of bottle age to soften.“ James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, 99 points

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/tuscany

Drinking 2014 - 2023 £297 per 6 bottles

Wines from Tuscany - Chianti

Volpaia Stepping into Castello di Volpaia feels like a step back in time. Built as part of a defence network by the Fiorentini, this breathtakingly pretty village is now rather more peaceful, with geraniums and hollyhocks cascading over weathered walls. Dubbed “one of the showpiece estates of modern Tuscany“ by Nicholas Belfrage MW in his oeuvre, The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy, the Stianti family have dedicated themselves to the quality of this wonderful site ever since buying the estate in 1950. With altitudes hitting an impressive 650 metres, it is no surprise that Volpaia’s wines are among the most elegant and aromatic of Chianti Classico.

2011 Chianti Classico A brilliant introduction to Volpaia’s wines, this is a lifted and aromatic offering with no shortage of fruit - for affordable Chianti this is very nicely put together. Approachable, with a hint of the complexity that increases with the more serious wines, this wine remains elegant and fresh.

Drinking 2015 - 2018 £60 per 6 bottles

2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Made entirely from Sangiovese, this is a step up in concentration from the Chianti Classico with more fruit, oak-smoke, cedar and tobacco. Receiving less new oak than the Coltassala, the wine maintains a lifted and elegant character, and we get to see oenologist consultant Maurizo Castelli’s influence, with purity of fruit supporting a delightfully herbal style.

Drinking 2015 - 2020 £90 per 6 bottles

2010 Coltassala First produced in 1980, Coltassala is the flagship wine of Volpaia. A big step up in power whilst still retaining the estate’s refinement and balance; in a vintage like 2010 this has serious intensity and will age fantastically. Volpaia use more oak in this than on their other wines, but this suits the fruit, with the wine conforming to the estate’s ‘presence without weight’ mantra. This remains an elegant wine in spite of the wealth of flavour.

Drinking 2015 - 2022 £138 per 6 bottles

Fonterutoli In the hands of the Mazzei family since 1435, a family credited with the first use of the word ‘Chianti’ in reference to wine, the owners of the Castello de Fonterutoli are Chianti royalty. Preferring to use mixed grapes for consistency, as tradition dictates, but using International Varieties rather than the classic Tuscan mixing ones, the wines of Fonterutoli show an excellent symbiosis between the traditional and the modern. This vision ensures that this estate remains exciting, even in its 579th year.

2010 Castello Fonterutoli Gran Selezione “Dark, rich and beautifully layered, but at the same time weightless, the 2010 impresses for its textural beauty and finesse. The flavours are naturally quite undeveloped at this stage, but the wine's balance is beyond reproach. My guess is that the 2010 will win Fonterutoli many new fans. It is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted here.” Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, 94+ points

Drinking 2015 - 2025 £159 per 6 bottles

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Fèlsina Amongst the staunchest advocates of pure Sangiovese wines, Guiseppe Mazzocolin has built this estate from scratch. On the South-West limit of Chianti Classico, where it borders the Colli Senesi, Fèlsina consists of 94 hectares of vineyards interspersed with acres of olive trees and Cyprus tree-lined Roman paths: this is picture-perfect Tuscany. The estate has been certified organic this year and is now, in principle, biodynamic. Together, the two wines we offer are the apples of Guiseppe’s eye. Vinified almost identically (a touch longer oak contact for the Fontalloro) the vast difference in taste is down to a wonderful demonstration of Tuscan terroir.

2011 Vigneto Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva Dubbed “one of the most fairly priced, cellar worthy wines in the world” by Antonio Galloni, the 2011 Rancia has certainly lived up to its billing. From a single vineyard site high up in the hills, this wine is classically powerful, yet elegant Sangiovese, with two years barrique ageing giving an attractive oak character. With plenty of tannin and excellent acidity, this is a wine that warrants extended ageing.

Drinking 2017 - 2024 £174 per 6 bottles

2011 Fontalloro From right on the border between Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi, this wine takes on the best characteristics of both. It has the fruit so typical of Classico, whilst the Colli Senesi influence ensures that the wine remains soft and dense. There is an underlying meaty character, which works in perfect harmony with the oak – this wine is a fantastic, concentrated, fruity offering.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/tuscany

Drinking 2016 - 2022 £186 per 6 bottles

Wines from Tuscany - Chianti & Montepulciano

Querciabella Completely biodynamic since 2002, but with no mention on the label, Querciabella is an estate where quality is key, and the pursuit of excellence, sustainability and authenticity governs the entire winemaking process. Owned by the charismatic, conscientious and environmentally aware Sebastiano Cossia Castiglione, with the help of one of Tuscany’s leading oenologists since 1998, Guido di Santi, Querciabella is now an estate at the top of its game, where the purity of fruit is simply mind-blowing and the wines are hedonistic yet classy.

2011 Chianti Classico Querciabella’s Chianti Classico is a Riserva in all but name, with yields and ageing deserving of that title. The (biodynamic) philosophy of this estate rests on pure, concentrated fruit so only old oak barrels are used to age this wine. The result is an aromatic, richly floral nose followed by a softly rounded palate of red fruit with a beautifully silky texture, framed by a fine-grained tannic structure. This is a truly elegant and seductive Chianti.

Drinking 2014 - 2020 £90 per 6 bottles

2010 Camartina A typical “Super Tuscan” blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese with 20 months’ ageing in French oak. A delightful, very subtle black fruit-dominated nose with just a hint of very pleasant tobacco leaf in the background leads into a palate of stunning richness with a core of gorgeous, juicy black cherries. The balance of fruit and tannic structure is perfectly judged, and the finish is complex with plenty of winter spice. This is absolutely superb.

Drinking 2015 - 2024 £300 per 6 bottles

Contucci An estate which has been in family hands since the 11th Century, few producers can point to a history as extensive and fascinating as Contucci. Whilst their location in a palazzo on the cathedral square in Montepulciano is relatively new (they moved in 360 years ago), to walk inside is to feel immersed in winemaking history. As is to be expected from such a historical producer, the style is notably traditional, giving a wonderful demonstration of how Vino Nobile should be.

2010 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Mulinvecchio We have followed Mulinvecchio for a very long time, and it never fails to express its terroir with a tighter tannic structure and spicier and more herbal character than the other vineyards from the estate. This style particularly suits the 2010, with its concentration of juicy, rich fruit and gorgeous texture balancing out the tell-tale grippy structure. Very classy and built to last.

Drinking 2015 - 2018 £90 per 6 bottles £180 per 6 magnums

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Boscarelli Boscarelli now has one of the most serious portfolios in Montepulciano thanks to the dedication and quality focus of the Ferrari family and the efforts of Maurizio Castelli, one of Tuscany’s top consultant oenologists. With vineyards replanted in the 1990s with emphasis placed on fruit quality, the high density planting (7,000 vines per hectare) and small yields give a clue to the seriousness of the estate. In good vintages Boscarelli rightfully receive fantastic reviews, and this is certainly one such vintage. Indeed, for us this is one of the picks of this year’s releases.

2012 Rosso di Montepulciano Hi-tech pistons are used to gently extract optimum fruit flavours from this younger style, mostly fermented in stainless steel with a portion in botti. 85% Sangiovese with 15% Mammolo, this wine shows good concentration in spite of its ‘junior style’. With nicely perfumed fruit, light red cherry flavours, a well-rounded palate and integrated acidity, this wine is excellent value for money.

Drinking 2014 - 2020 £54 per 6 bottles

2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Made from 85% Sangiovese with Canniolo and Colorino making up the blend, and spending 18 months to 2 years in tonneau and botti, this is a wine that benefitted from 2011’s 2 tries in the vineyard. With some ripe fruit and good body, the acidity is persistent and crucial to the balance of the wine. This is a nicely polished wine, especially on the finish.

Drinking 2016 - 2022 £84 per 6 bottles

2010 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva A classic Vino Nobile, made entirely from Sangiovese, this offering shows lovely coolness on the nose and on the palate. Some notes of graphite come through in the mouth, with freshness and texture in abundance. Alongside a pleasantly full body, the wine maintains its elegance and should provide enjoyment for plenty of time to come.

Drinking 2016 - 2024 £129 per 6 bottles

2010 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Nocio dei Boscarelli Vinified in 20hl botti, with some tonneau used for ageing, this wine shows an incredibly appealing use of oak. With a delightful nose of pure, wild fruit and an excellent palate with very well integrated tannins and a beautiful freshness, this is a fantastically balanced wine with every constituent part delightfully controlled.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/tuscany

Drinking 2017 - 2024 £198 per 6 bottles

Wines from Tuscany - Montalcino

Le Potazzine Le Potazzine consists of two sites either side of Montalcino, and is named after little local birds and in reference to the two daughters of the owner, Guiseppe Gorelli. These two sites are both excellent, giving these wines a delightful elegance and perfume, alongside an excellent structure. Guiseppe is one of the rising stars of the appellation and his wines are wonderful – unpretentious and well priced, these are some of our favourites coming out of Tuscany.

2012 Rosso di Montalcino Le Potazzine The Gorellis are very serious about keeping the purity of their fruit intact through a very traditional method of winemaking, steering away from too much technology. The results in a gorgeous vintage like 2012 are outstanding. There is a stunning weight of crunchy, juicy red fruit on the palate, with lifted aromatics and a beautifully balanced finish.

Drinking 2015 - 2021 £75 per 6 bottles

2009 Brunello di Montalcino Le Potazzine In difficult, hot conditions such as those of 2009, Le Potazzine benefits from an acreage predominantly situated at the highest point of the Montalcino denominazione, gifting them indispensable coolness. This may well be, as a result, one of the most lifted and elegant Brunellos we tasted this year. Still a forward-drinking style, this really delivers stunningly fresh and delicate flavours that carry through on the long finish. This is one of the most successful 2009s.

Drinking 2016 - 2022 £159 per 6 bottles

2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Le Potazzine From a great vintage, the 2006 Riserva from Le Potazzine is unsurprisingly dense, concentrated and powerful. It is, however, the tell-tale freshness and elegance of this tenuta that makes this Riserva truly special. Dark notes of blackcurrant and plum dominate the palate, with plenty of tobacco, animal and leathery notes bringing complexity to the finish. The balance and length are superb, and this wine should age gracefully for another 5 years, at which point it should provide a truly awesome experience. A must-have!

Drinking 2015 - 2022 £360 per 6 bottles

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

La Gerla Under the stewardship of Alberto Passeri, who took over La Gerla following the death of Sergio Rossi (or simply ‘Mr Rossi’, as Alberto still refers to him), La Gerla’s wines are a wonderful display of a very Tuscan philosophy: the pursuit of wines that the winemaker loves, without compromising on quality or price. It is worth noting that La Gerla didn’t produce a Riserva in 2009, meaning that the Brunello includes grapes from the very best sites: the ’09 Brunello is, therefore, stunning value for money.

2012 Rosso di Montalcino Gorgeously juicy and already showing the great promise of the 2012 vintage, the Rosso di Montalcino from La Gerla has been a staff favourite ‘everyday’ red in the past couple of vintages. This year’s edition displays a crunchy, juicy fruit core with a beautifully fine-grained tannic structure. Perfectly balanced and just delicious, it should be at ease with winter stews and summer barbecues alike.

Drinking 2015 - 2017 £69 per 6 bottles

2010 Birba 100% Brunello aged in French barriques, Birba is a seductively rich and dark style of wine, approachable younger than the Brunello di Montalcino but with a little more savoury character, richness of fruit and power than the Rosso di Montalcino. 2010 was a great vintage across Tuscany, and this is certainly a success. A wine to keep for 2-3 years in the cellar, before matching it with game.

Drinking 2015 - 2018 £90 per 6 bottles

2009 Brunello di Montalcino The Canalicchio vineyard is halfway up the hill of Montalcino, and this meant La Gerla was in a position to deal well with the heat of August 2009. This Brunello displays freshness and elegance, balancing out the richer, riper flavours from the warmer areas of the estate. This is an excellent example of terroir shining through a difficult year, and the result is a Brunello that will peak early and already provides superbly balanced, elegant flavours.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/tuscany

Drinking 2015 - 2021 £159 per 6 bottles

Wines from Tuscany - Montalcino

Brunelli Before his untimely death in 2008, Gianni Brunelli stated his aim: ‘I want to bring the land of Montalcino to the table’. It is impossible to deny him this legacy, both through his wonderful restaurant in Siena, and his outstanding wines. As befits the name, this is very traditional Brunello, true to its roots and those of Gianni, a born Montalcinese. Between rows of vines you find olive trees and vegetables, whilst in the winery only traditional botti are used, rather than French barriques. The wines that result are concentrated and structured, with brilliant fruit purity and freshness.

2012 Rosso di Montalcino With good depth and a classic style, this doesn’t feel like a simple Rosso de Montalcino at all. With masses of flavours, including fruit, pepper, tea and delightful savoury-oak notes, this wine is certainly not lacking concentration. With an impressive finish, leaving the taster with a feeling of weightlessness and balance, this wine is fantastic value for money.

Drinking 2015 - 2020 £78 per 6 bottles

2009 Brunello di Montalcino Antonio Galloni deemed this “one of the wines of the vintage”, and who are we to argue. With very pure fruit, both red and black, giving a lovely freshness without being overly crisp or crunchy, and an attractive use of oak giving complexity, this is a supremely well balanced wine. The palate is expressive, with well supported acidity and an alluring texture leading into a lingering finish. Once again, Brunelli have created an incredibly successful Brunello.

Drinking 2016 - 2023 £159 per 6 bottles

Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, May 2014

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Tiezzi Enzo Tiezzi is a quiet, talented and unassuming man who farms just 5.5 hectares on the hills leading south from Montalcino. Enzo makes his wines in a highly traditional way, ageing them in Slavonian botti, allowing him, he believes, to create a true expression of Sangiovese. The Soccorso is Enzo’s top vineyard site and of a quality that belies its humble price tag.

2009 Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Soccorso In the heart of Montalcino, planted on a south-west facing slope, the densely planted site of Soccorso is only 2 hectares in size and the volumes produced are tiny. The nose on this is fantastic – lifted and pure with a tea complexity and expressive, yet cool and perfectly balanced, fruit. With great shape on the palate, this is a wine lover’s wine and will be approachable very soon.

Drinking 2016 - 2024 £129 per 6 bottles

Biondi-Santi Biondi-Santi are Brunello personified. The great-grandfather of Jacopo Biondi-Santi, now at the helm of the estate, can be thanked for the creation of Brunello di Montalcino at the end of the 19th Century, whilst Franco, Jacopo’s father, put it squarely on the map. Franco continued to work right up until his death last year, so the wines we are offering certainly still bear the hallmarks of this larger-than-life character. With the potential to age 100 years or more, and with wines from the 1925 vintage still reaching five-figure prices a bottle today, Biondi-Santi’s wines can undoubtedly be labelled legends of the wine world.

2009 Brunello di Montalcino “Wild herbs, sweet tobacco, sage, red cherries and fennel are some of the many notes that meld together in the 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Annata. Already quite soft in texture and nicely delineated in its flavours, the 2009 looks like a vintage that will drink well with minimum cellaring. This is one of the more intensely aromatic, layered Brunellos I can remember tasting here.” Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, 91 points

Drinking 2018 - 2030 £360 per 6 bottles

2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “The estate's flagship Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is terrific in 2007. Rose petals, red cherries, flowers and spices are all layered together. This isn't a huge wine, but rather a Brunello of elegance, refinement and pure finesse. The 2007 is a total infant of a wine, but one that holds quite a bit of promise for the future. There is plenty of vintage 2007 radiance, but it would be a shame to open a bottle before its tenth birthday, and that is likely to be on the optimistic side.” Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, 94 points

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/tuscany

Drinking 2020 - 2040 £1,350 per 6 bottles

Wines from Tuscany - Montalcino & Bolgheri

Cupano A staunch disciple of Henri Jayer, the Burgundy legend, and using French barriques, there is more than a little Frenchness about this fantastic producer. Indeed, this is hardly surprising, Lionel is a born and bred Frenchman, but the input of his Italian wife, Ornella, ensures that Cupano’s wines are a wonderful Franco-Italian fusion with excellent extraction and concentration. The care taken over the wines is demonstrated in one simple fact: the barrels are still manually turned – no effort is deemed too excessive in the pursuit of excellence at Cupano.

2010 Ombrone There is real freshness and delicacy in this 2010 Ombrone. It has an initial strength, with a beautiful purity of red fruit on the core, a tight tannic structure and superb length on the “quietly powerful” finish. A very different and gorgeous expression of the Tuscan terroir.

Drinking 2015 - 2024 £192 per 6 bottles

Tua Rita Antonio Galloni has heaped nothing but praise on this cult winery from Suverto, and has rated the 2012s even more highly than the acclaimed 2011s. The winery started from scratch in 1984, quite literally in a garage and cellar attached to the owners’ house, but from these humble beginnings Tua Rita has grown into a world famous winery based on traditional winemaking methods and a fantastic terroir. With vineyards close to the sea and an excellent diurnal range, these wines balance richness with a delightful freshness. They are amongst the most interesting offerings coming out of Tuscany today.

2012 Perlato del Bosco Considering the price of Redigaffi, Perlato del Bosco’s bigger brother, this wine constitutes an almost unbelievable bargain. Whilst this wine is 100% Sangiovese, rather than the 100% Merlot of Redigaffi, the brothers share many stylistic characteristics, most notably a richness of flavour and texture. Made from a Sangiovese clone perfectly suited for the heat by the sea, this is a very different animal from that found further inland, with dark fruit in abundance, accompanied by a wonderfully perfumed quality. This is outstanding.

Drinking 2016 - 2024 £114 per 6 bottles

Tenuta San Guido What can be said about Tenuta San Guido, that hasn’t already been said? An estate where winemaking started as an afterthought, a hobby aside from the real business – olive oil and flower bulbs, has now become a legend, producing Sassicaia, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend with wonderful ageing potential. Certainly deserving of its premium price tag, when compared with other legends of the wine world Sassicaia certainly looks like better and better value – a wine to give enjoyment over many years to come.

2011 Sassicaia The nose opens up with brooding blackcurrant fruit, a hint of cocoa and fresh capsicum in the background yet with a floral overtone; this is promisingly expressive for such a young wine and already showing some complexity. It is followed by absolutely fabulous volume and power on the mid palate, yet it remains beautifully elegant and delicate on the superb, long finish. Stunning stuff!

Drinking 2020 - 2040 £549 per 6 bottles

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

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TUSCANY Wines In Bond - Newly Released Vintages

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