An exemplar of Italian viticulture, the Monsanto Chianti Classico 2021 offers a glorious testament to the robust character and sophistication of Tuscan wines. Meticulously crafted from 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, and 3% Colorino grapes sourced exclusively from the revered Castello di Monsanto estate, this vibrant Chianti was aged in a mix of Slovenian and French oak barrels for 12 months, bestowing it with a profound structure and elegance.

The vintners at Monsanto are lauded for their uncompromising commitment to quality, capturing the distinctiveness of Chianti Classico's native varietals in their nuanced single-vineyard expressions. Monsanto Chianti Classico 2021 showcases a full-bodied structure imbued with ruby-red colours, and a potent nose of ripe fruit, characteristic of its favourable growing conditions in the bedrock-laden soils of Monrosso. Refreshing on the palate, this eminent Chianti ascends in a flourish of cherries, plums, and subtle hints of spices - a true nocturne of Italian oenology.

Wine Advocate (93)

This wine is made with fruit from the estate's youngest vines that are now 20 years old. The organic Monteraponi 2021 Chianti Classico is Sangiovese with 5% Canaiolo from high-elevation alberello or bush-trained vines. Vintner Michele Braganti and his talented team turn out some of the most elegant expressions from this part of Tuscany. This wine showcases the unique house style despite its so-called entry-level status. Indeed, it punches above its price point to offer delicate berry nuances, wild violet, crushed limestone and more finessed nuances. Average annual production is from 35,000 to 40,000 bottles, and this is an excellent value buy.

Featuring the essence of Piedmont’s famed Barbaresco region in Italy, Olek Bondonio Barbaresco Roncagliette 2021 is poised to charm even the most discerning of palates. Produced from Nebbiolo grapes grown in Bondonio's certified organic vineyards, the wine is elegantly crafted using traditional methods of fermentation and then aged in Slavonian oak barrels for twenty-four months, embracing a sophisticated refinement.

Olek Bondonio, the vintner steeped in wine pedigree, meticulously nurtures his family’s ancient vines, carrying on the tradition of producing wines with exceptional finesse and balance. The Roncagliette 2021 manifests a radiant cherry hue, enticing with an aromatic bouquet of rose petals, wild red berries, and hints of earthy truffles.

The complexity of flavours on the palate crescendo with a harmonious blend of fresh acidity and structured tannins. Recognised for its longevity, Olek Bondonio Barbaresco Roncagliette 2021 exemplifies the pinnacle of Barbaresco viniculture.

The Olek Bondonio Barbaresco Starderi 2021 is an exquisite expression of Nebbiolo, hailing from the prestigious Piedmont region of Italy. This elegant wine is meticulously crafted by the esteemed producer Olek Bondonio, renowned for his artisanal touch and adherence to organic farming practices. Each grape is hand-harvested from vines that thrive in rich, calcareous soils of the Starderi vineyard — an exceptional terroir imparting exquisite complexity.

Fermentation occurs naturally; advanced winemaking techniques and 22 months in French oak give rise to a wine of remarkable structure and refined tannins. The Olek Bondonio Barbaresco Starderi 2021 captivates with its layered bouquet of dried roses, ripe berries and a hint of spice. On the palate, it unveils a harmonious balance of vivid acidity and lingering minerality — a reflection of its esteemed lineage and the exceptional 2021 vintage. This is a truly splendid Barbaresco, worthy of the discerning palate.

James Suckling (99)

Aromas of blackcurrants, iodine, crushed stone, hints of mint and sage. Blue fruits. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that open with air. It’s racy and very long. Very tannin driven and energetic with power and focus. Muscular and very toned. This is the best Ornellaia for the cellar in years. Try after 2030.

Falstaff (100)

Dark ruby red colour. Finely spicy on the nose, blackcurrants, fine earthy notes, plus a hint of dried rose petal, some cigar box. On the palate a fruity texture, entwined with hearty, juicy tannin, elegant flow, comes back long and juicy in the finish on fine spicy tones, still a bit young.

Greg Sherwood MW (93+)

An impressively substantial wine yet again from Aldo Vacca and this world famous red wine Co-operative. The wine has a real presence showing complex aromatic layers of wild herbs, dried blood orange, botanicals, vermouth spices over pink musk, red cherry and candied red berry fruits. The palate is sumptuously muscular, plump and fleshy, but beautifully mellow and harmonious with a massive red and black berry fruit concentration, spicy herby tannins and an incredibly bold, vibrant acidity that once again underpins the fabulous depth of fruit and fleshy opulence. This is the real deal, a substantial Nebbiolo that simply sings in the glass. Bravo Aldo! I don’t know how you do it, year in and year out, but the Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 is an absolute winner. Drink on release and over 10 to 12 plus years.

Decanter (93)

As high temperatures in mid-August shut down the ripening of Sangiovese, Marco Ricasoli reports picking approximately a week later than usual. He also introduced a sorting table to remove dried or green berries as well any pieces of stems. His resulting annata is pristine and sophisticated. Deep violet in colour and equally youthful on the nose, it exudes wild berries, black plum, and hints of wood spice. Tangy dark red cherry fills the mouth, buoyed by rambunctious acidity and framed by suede-textured tannins. Winter mint and liquorice root linger on the finish. With admirable complexity, this outperforms its category.

Wine Advocate (94)

From a balanced vintage that delivers acidity and structure, the organic 2021 Chianti Classico reveals a shiny dark garnet color and a clean, mid-weight appearance. There's so much energy and vibrancy on the bouquet, which is a quality that Sangiovese achieves when growing conditions are ideal. Tangy cherry, cassis, blue flower, violet and soft earth give this wine an authentic sense of place. So do the elegant mineral notes. This is a special wine (that is priced very competitively).

Greg Sherwood MW (95)

There doesn’t seem to be complete agreement amongst growers as to whether 2021 in Bolgheri was an easy or difficult vintage. What certainly is in agreement is that this cooler Tuscan vintage yielded some incredibly taut, intense, vibrant wines. Aged in 85% French and 15% American oak 225 litre barrels, 40% new, for 15 months, this beautiful Guidalberto 2021 boasts fabulously piercing aromatics of violets, black cherries, blackberry compote and seductive dark plum over sweet exotic Christmas spices and stony graphite notes. The oak and vanilla wood spice is still busy integrating with the super taut, tight palate fruit intensity, perhaps at a slightly slower pace than in a riper, warmer vintage. But it’s the palate’s chiselled focus and linearity that marks this vintage as a true stand out expression amongst more recent dryer, warmer years. The texture is laser focused but also wonderfully transparent showing the true mineral terroir characteristics of Bolgheri together with a wonderfully fresh, tart, glassy acidity supported by sleek, polished marble tannins on a pithy cherry cola packed finish. A vintage to be truly celebrated but also one best to bury in the cellar for an another 8 to 10+ years.

Greg Sherwood MW (95)

There doesn’t seem to be complete agreement amongst growers as to whether 2021 in Bolgheri was an easy or difficult vintage. What certainly is in agreement is that this cooler Tuscan vintage yielded some incredibly taut, intense, vibrant wines. Aged in 85% French and 15% American oak 225 litre barrels, 40% new, for 15 months, this beautiful Guidalberto 2021 boasts fabulously piercing aromatics of violets, black cherries, blackberry compote and seductive dark plum over sweet exotic Christmas spices and stony graphite notes. The oak and vanilla wood spice is still busy integrating with the super taut, tight palate fruit intensity, perhaps at a slightly slower pace than in a riper, warmer vintage. But it’s the palate’s chiselled focus and linearity that marks this vintage as a true stand out expression amongst more recent dryer, warmer years. The texture is laser focused but also wonderfully transparent showing the true mineral terroir characteristics of Bolgheri together with a wonderfully fresh, tart, glassy acidity supported by sleek, polished marble tannins on a pithy cherry cola packed finish. A vintage to be truly celebrated but also one best to bury in the cellar for an another 8 to 10+ years.

Greg Sherwood MW (95)

There doesn’t seem to be complete agreement amongst growers as to whether 2021 in Bolgheri was an easy or difficult vintage. What certainly is in agreement is that this cooler Tuscan vintage yielded some incredibly taut, intense, vibrant wines. Aged in 85% French and 15% American oak 225 litre barrels, 40% new, for 15 months, this beautiful Guidalberto 2021 boasts fabulously piercing aromatics of violets, black cherries, blackberry compote and seductive dark plum over sweet exotic Christmas spices and stony graphite notes. The oak and vanilla wood spice is still busy integrating with the super taut, tight palate fruit intensity, perhaps at a slightly slower pace than in a riper, warmer vintage. But it’s the palate’s chiselled focus and linearity that marks this vintage as a true stand out expression amongst more recent dryer, warmer years. The texture is laser focused but also wonderfully transparent showing the true mineral terroir characteristics of Bolgheri together with a wonderfully fresh, tart, glassy acidity supported by sleek, polished marble tannins on a pithy cherry cola packed finish. A vintage to be truly celebrated but also one best to bury in the cellar for an another 8 to 10+ years.

Vinous (91)

The 2021 Le Difese is redolent of crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium in body yet nicely layered, the 2021 is impeccably balanced. It is also a sheer delight to taste at this early stage. In many vintages, Le Difese is a fruity, forward wine, but the 2021 has a nervy feeling of classicism that is hugely appealing. It's one of my favorite recent vintages. As it has been for some time, Le Difese is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate and Sangiovese purchased from several properties in Chianti Classico, with the energy of Sangiovese very much driving the feel in this vintage.

Wine Advocate (100)

Here it is: A quintessential Sassicaia that represents the excellence of the vintage and also respects the unique taste profile of this distinguished Tuscan blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. The Tenuta San Guido 2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia offers impeccable balance, excellent freshness and absolutely no signs of over-ripeness. The fruit balance is ideal with a hint of crunch and lasting tension from pulp and skins. The tannins are deftly managed with firm grip and enough velvetiness to add volume and length. There is no greenness on the bouquet that instead offers mulled herbs and spice, with cinnamon and clove, layered delicately between mostly red and some purple berry fruits. Redcurrant, blueberry, sweet pomegranate and Rainier cherry run strong in this vintage. A fragrant hint of heritage rose emerges with time. The oak tones are geared toward gingerbread, hazelnut, cigar, sandalwood and something like a grilled sweet red pepper. To the palate, it offers nice weight with no heavy glycerin, and a rinse of acidity that adds to the wine’s natural energy, brightness and viscosity. That marked freshness opens the wine up to long aging potential, but you still need to give it more time in bottle.

Wine Advocate (100)

Here it is: A quintessential Sassicaia that represents the excellence of the vintage and also respects the unique taste profile of this distinguished Tuscan blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. The Tenuta San Guido 2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia offers impeccable balance, excellent freshness and absolutely no signs of over-ripeness. The fruit balance is ideal with a hint of crunch and lasting tension from pulp and skins. The tannins are deftly managed with firm grip and enough velvetiness to add volume and length. There is no greenness on the bouquet that instead offers mulled herbs and spice, with cinnamon and clove, layered delicately between mostly red and some purple berry fruits. Redcurrant, blueberry, sweet pomegranate and Rainier cherry run strong in this vintage. A fragrant hint of heritage rose emerges with time. The oak tones are geared toward gingerbread, hazelnut, cigar, sandalwood and something like a grilled sweet red pepper. To the palate, it offers nice weight with no heavy glycerin, and a rinse of acidity that adds to the wine’s natural energy, brightness and viscosity. That marked freshness opens the wine up to long aging potential, but you still need to give it more time in bottle.

Crafted in the verdant vineyards of Veneto, Italy, the Speri Valipolicella Classico 2021 is a unique blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes. Speri, a historic Italian winemaking family since 1865, consider their winemaking an art form, employing traditional, organic viticulture and letting nature dictate the rhythm of production. This 2021 vintage embodies their underlying ethos of respect towards nature and tradition, with grapes handpicked from the oldest vineyards. The result is a refined wine that veers away from the standard Valpolicella form.

The Speri Valpolicella Classico 2021 is a true expression of its terroir, offering a rich, full-bodied palette with bright cherry notes meeting a charming, earthy finish. Its harmonious, fresh acidity and finely structured tannins make it elegantly balanced. Commanding and vibrant, this wine reflects the distinctive Speri heritage. The Speri Valpolicella Classico 2021 is an extraordinary wine that complements any discerning wine collection.

Wine Advocate (98)

First made in 1971, this legendary Italian wine now celebrates its 50th birthday. Happy Birthday, Tignanello! The Marchesi Antinori 2021 Tignanello (made with 79% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc) pulls on all the heartstrings. To be released in May, the wine shows a quintessentially pretty taste profile with tart fruit flavors, redcurrant, tea leaf, heritage rose, crushed white pepper, licorice, nutmeg, clove and chopped mint. It opens slowly to reveal more richness and exuberance with time, becoming downright voluptuous and heady a short while later. The through line, however, remains the bright freshness and minerality of Sangiovese. Compared to the 2018 vintage (which I also loved), this vintage has more overall fruit weight and volume.