Fine Italian Classics Case

Arborina is an outstanding south-facing vineyard in La Morra and Nadia is making Barolo of real charm and finesse. Wild-raspberry, pomegranate and rose aromas on the nose, with black-tea, red-apple, and gentle eucalypt notes coming through on the beautifully balanced palate.

From a high-altitude vineyard in the heart of Classico country, this is fine and elegant with enchanting aromas of ripe red plum and cherry, leather, and dried spices. The palate shows a beautiful balance of fruit richness and finesse, with well-integrated, silky tannins and a juicy acidity. This finishes long and mineral.

The wines from this producer never fail to impress. Here, in a lovely vintage, the wine is beautifully scented with rose, black tea and orange bitters that open up on the palate. Barbaresco is closer to the Tanaro River river and the valley floor than the Barolo hills, so tends to be hotter and more humid. It also has richer soil, so vines are more vigorous and ripen a week earlier, making wines that are a little more approachable than Barolos when young.

From Fabio Alessandria's oldest barbera vines, this is a powerful succulently spicy Italian wine, well balanced by lovely ripe fruit acidity. In this promising vintage there is great concentration and richness.

Each year this really feels like a miniature Brunello, offering an excellent stepping stone to fine wine sangiovese from Montalcino. The perfume develops in the glass with cherry, cranberry and leather notes, medium-bodied with dusty tannins and tart red-berry freshness that lasts on the finish.

This wonderful nebbiolo has a scented perfume of rose, violets, cherry and red apple. Bright and full of energy, this well structured Italian wine will develop more spice and forest-floor flavours as it ages.