Red Wines

*Barbera d'Asti DOC 2003 (Boeri Alfonso)

Barbera is a grape which undoubtedly has premier status amongst Italian varieties and here is a version which means it can also be drunk as an every day wine.  Soft and clean it has a delicious berry fruit and is well rounded on the palate.

£81.00 per case (equiv £6.95 per bottle)

Code: 243

*Syrah Sicilia IGT, 2006 (Athesia)

Smooth, fruity and eminently gluggable.  Look out Oz.  This has old world character too!

£99 per case (equiv £8.25 per bottle)

Code: 239

Nero D'Avola Sicilia IGT 2006 (Athesia)

This moves the status of Nero d'Avola beyond that of good 'trat plonk'.  This wine is unpretentious but the distinctive Nero d'Avola character comes through consistently.  We really like the textured finish which is quite remarkable for a wine of this price.

£99 per case (equiv £8.25 per bottle)

Code: 240

Salice Salentino DOC 2003 (Vecchia Torre)

From the heal of Italy where the local grapes – in this case Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera - produce soft easily approachable wines with excellent fruit. A seductive deep red colour  matches the deep aroma with hints of black pepper and tobacco alongside the berry fruit. Unusually good balancing acidity and structure for a wine of this price.

£92.40 per case (equiv £7.75 per bottle)

Code: 256

Sangiovese di Romagna Ceregio, 2005 (Zerbina)

Emilia Romagna has some wonderful wine makers of which Zerbina run by the dynamic Christina Geminiani is one of the best. Ceregio is named after the cherry blossom and is a beautiful example of Sangiovese showing excellent fruit but also unique Italian style. Juicy and sharp in the mouth with lip-smacking loganberry fruit, elegant and well structured - a bit of a revelation.  This is Val's current favourite wine (that's Andrew to those of you who prefer transparency).

£95.40 per case (equiv £7.95 per bottle)

Code: 251

Lagrein Trentino DOC , 2004 (Avio CS)

Lagrein is an indigenous grape of Trentino / Alto Adige in Northern Italy with a wonderful deep colour and, when handled well as here, richness and fruitiness.  The Avio Coop is one of our faves and this falls into the 'everyday drinking' category (who are these people - and how are their livers?).  It's a bit like a sophisticated version of Marzemino, another under-rated variety in our view.  This now has lovely maturity too.

£104.40 per case (equiv £8.70 per bottle)

Code: 257

*Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2006 (Masciarelli)

We are very sad indeed to announce the death of Sgr Masciarelli.  This was a great winemaker and to those who knew him a great friend.  His was the first wine we ever listed and the new 2006 vintage has just  come in and been tasted - we can say this is a fitting wine to conclude a life that put the region of Abruzzo and the Montepulciano grape among the greats.

This wine has great depth and complexity that develops over hours and even overnight. We can honestly say that is probably our desert island wine.  Salute, Gianni.

£105 per case (equiv £8.75 per bottle)

Code: 279

*Valpolicella, Il Valpolicella 2006 (Buglioni)

At last, a new Valpolicella for Val and Polly (as we call ourselves to friends).  And what a wine this is.  More Ripasso than valpol, we are keen that you try this soon.  Body, complexity and depth.  We like it and are confident you will too. Discard all pre conceptions about light cherry like wines: this one is a serious number and worth pausing over.  It is likely to stay in our mixed case for some time to come if you prefer to get it that way.  Really cheap for a wine of this quality, but do give it 2 hours open.  Mmmmm.

£119.40 per case (equiv £9.95 per bottle)

Code: 265

*Pinot Nero Alto Adige DOC: Meczan, 2004 (Hofstätter)

Hofstätter is the acknowledged Italian master of Pinot Nero.  This is his standard version and already shows off the elegance and class.  Lovely light summer fruit but with a depth which belies its lightness of colour and texture.  This has all the character of Pinot Nero but with an immediately recognisable refinement which will tell you why Hofstätter is so respected the world over.

£129 per case (equiv £10.75 per bottle)

Code: 148

*Dolcetto D’Alba DOC, Vigna dei Grassi (Elio Grasso)

A modern style Dolcetto which drinks well young but will also keep for four or five years. Refreshingly drinkable on its own, the soft tannins and dark cherry fruit make it an excellent accompaniment to hearty fare such as meat-sauce pastas, casseroles and grilled meats. Grasso takes Dolcetto to unexpected heights at reasonable prices.

£135 per case (equiv £11.25 per bottle)

Code: 274

*Barbera delle Langhe VDT : Vigna Grivo, 2003 (Elio Perrone)

Barbera pops up all over Italy, but this wine is from its true home in Piemonte.  It is a superb example: silky, with full and satisfying fruit and a long liquorice finish.  Perrone's response to the difficult 2002 harvest was to forego production of his top-priced 'cru' wine and to concentrate everything into this, his everyday Barbera.  The result is a wine of some power and elegance that can be drunk now but will develop for some time yet.  Good with lamb, richer more fatty meats and game.  This price is a steal, we promise you.

£141 per case (equiv £11.75 per bottle)

Code: 202

*Cabernet Trentino DOC Riserva, 2001 (Letrari) *low stock*

One of our most popular wines.  A lovely colour, this wine has blackcurrant, and what we can only describe as green peppers, on the nose.  And then it tastes like it smells - delightfully refreshing, with a smoky background.  Try this one on your friends at dinner parties, we bet they don't get it.  We think it is rather nice slightly chilled, but try it the conventional way first.  The cabernet, by the way, is cabernet franc, not sauvignon. 

£143.40 per case (equiv £11.95 per bottle)

Code: 115

Teroldego Rotaliano DOC, 2006 (Foradori)

We have been wanting to list this for ages, but had problems finding it at the right price..  If you like indigenous varieties (and we love them) this is just the wine.  We first drank it many years ago in Modena and came back to this country and started asking around for it.  "You what?" was the commonest response.  Earthy, magnificent stuff.  Made for the rich flavours of the porkiness of the Emilia Romagna cuisine although it actually comes from Trentino area.  Elisabetta Foradori is the undisputed mistress of this grape - by the way, she is related to the Forardori's of Hofstatter (qv Pinot Nero and Pinot Grigio).

£147 per case (equiv £12.25 per bottle)

Code: 259                                                                  

*Chianti Classico DOC, Ceppeto 2000 (Mannucci Droandi) *low stock*

A thoroughbred of a Chianti.  When we first tasted this we were bowled over by the richness and exquisite background floral notes which make this one of the outstanding wines in a market already heavily supplied with good Chianti.  What makes it even more special is the price.  Don't think you've bigged this up enough (ed) OK: BUY IT!!  If you like this try its sister, Campolucci, below.

£150 per case (equiv £12.50 per bottle)

Code: 114

Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2003 (Piancornello)

A beautiful example of this wine from the best region of Tuscany.  This small family run estate in Montaclino has only been producing its own wine for little over 10 years and is fast gaining a reputation for excellence.  This wine is made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes and aged for one year in French barriques.  An enticing nose followed through with the typical qualities of rich fruit, depth and gentle notes of oak.

£164.40 per case (equiv £13.70 per bottle)

Code: 201

*Gavarini Nebbiolo Langhe DOC 2006 (Elio Grasso)

A shining example of affordable Nebbiolo, the grape of that quintessential Italian red Barolo.  This has characteristic flavours on the palate and if you can savour it long enough before glugging you will be rewarded with some fine subtle notes of that indefinable mix of violets and other stuff that goes to make up the neb experience. Nice one.

£167.40 per case (equiv £13.95 per bottle)

Code: 258

*Langhe Rosso DOC, Cadò 2000 (Abbona)

The flagship wine of Anna Maria Abbona is a blend of Barbera and a small proportion of her best Dolcetto. The wine is intense on the nose with hints of blackcurrant and oranges with more complexity than richness. Cadò means ‘gift’ and this is a bit of a giveaway price for a wine of this quality.

£179.40 per case (equiv £14.75 per bottle)

Code: 276

Pinot Nero Alto Adige DOC: Riserva 2001 (Hofstätter)

Hofstätter is the acknowledged Italian master of Pinot Nero.  Wine maker  Martin Foradori always produces wines of elegance and class.  An intriguing nose draws you in:  on the palate there are wood tones, with some vegetable and fruit notes, along with depth and refinement.  It also develops over the hours it is open.  Probably best decanted, or allowed about 90 minutes breathing after opening.  Quite unlike its French and New World cousins, this wine explains why Hofstätter is so respected.

£185.40 per case (equiv £15.45 per bottle)

Code: 216

Dolcetto di Dogliani DOC: Maioli, 1997 (Abbona)

Anna Maria Abbona is a serious winemaker and part of the young vanguard now working with Dolcetto in modern ways.  This is exceptional, as Dolcetto is wine that is normally drunk young.  It is made from low production old vines producing a densely coloured and fruited wine with an intense sweet nose. Good grip and tannins, with a fine finish. Serious stuff for big food (we have to confess to enjoying it with fish and chips).   

£203.40 per case (equiv £16.95 per bottle)

Code: 209

*Sangiovese di Toscana IGT, Campolucci 1999,  (Mannucci Droandi)

From the same stable as our Chianti Classico a Supertuscan - Sangiovese + Cabernet Sauvignon + Merlot - which is a glorious experience.  Full berry fruit nose, followed by luscious blackberry and cinnamon in the mouth.  Will keep for many years, stands proudly alongside 'name' Supertuscans at double the price.

£205.80 per case (equiv £17.15 per bottle)

Code: 230

*Schioppettino 2004 (Bressan)

Also known as Ribolla Nera, the altogether more poetic sounding Schiopettino is another native of Friuli which has warm, velvety texture overlaid with berry fruit with a distinctive old world structure. Good with roast meats of all the red kind. Delicious!

£240 per case (equiv £20 per bottle)

Code: 288

Barbaresco DOCG 2004 (Cantina del Pino)

Like Barolo, Barbaresco is produced from the princely Nebbiolo grape and is often considered to be more approachable than its often austere big brother. This is a sumptuous vintage for this excellent maker which led to the accolade of 'Tre Bichiere' from Italy's authoritative Gambero Rosso guide. Elegant and ripe with intense fruit and a structure to last a decade.

£249 per case (equiv £20.75 per bottle)

Code: 275

*Barbera delle Langhe DOC, Mongovone, 2004 (Elio Perrone) 1 litre

This is just fantastic.  Do you like rich liquorice tones with some burn on the tongue from the intensity of flavour and a lingering finish.  No? Go buy some supermarket wine then.  When you've finished come back and try this.  Remember it's a litre bottle: More to Share, as they say on those extra large packs of fat. It's only £18 odd per bottle if you work it out.  Nothing for a wine of this quality.

£294 per case (equiv £24.50 per bottle)

Code: 267

*Barolo DOCG, 2000 (Rocche Costamagna)

This is somewhere between the modern styles-for-immediate-drinking and the keep-it-for-10-years-before-trying brigade.  There is sweetness and a closed but enticing quality on the nose, with some crushed fruit and wood.  In the mouth it is subtle and light, yet complex, leading to a long finish with refinement and richness.  One for you Barolo connoisseurs, we think - and not hugely pricey for this kind of wine.

£273 per case (equiv £22.75 per bottle)

Code: 266

Brunello di Montalcino DOC 1999, (Piancornello)

The great thing about Brunello is that there are so many high quality small producers to choose from.  This one has a rich dark fruit and butterscotch nose which follows through in the mouth with smooth elegance and a touch of oak.  will carry on improving and not too pricey for this priciest of wines.

£329.40 per case (equiv £27.45 per bottle)

Code: 234

Rosso Alta Valle della Greve IGT: II Carbonaione 2000 (Podere Poggio Scalette)

The creation of the renowned Italian winemaker Vittoria Fiori from his estate in Greve, Tuscany which was purchased as recently as 1991.  Parker has consistently scored this wine over 90 points.  From sixty year old vines and an original clone of the famous 'Sangiovese di Lamole'  variety in Chianti Classico.  An integrated soft Sangiovese nose, leads to a palate full of fruit with balancing acidity and tannins, continuing through to a beautiful finish.  Superb and unmistakably Italian 'supertuscan' wine.

£420 per case (equiv £35 per bottle)

Code: 220

*Amarone della Valpolicella DOC, Campo San Paolo 1996 (Villa Monteleone) *phone for availability*

We admit it - this is not one of our best sellers, but we just can't bring ourselves to take it off the list.  This is quite simply one of the best wines you are ever likely to drink.  All the lists talk about savouring Amarone at the end of a good meal, but we think this stands on its own, or with the meal too.  This has butterscotch on the nose (a mark of its concentration) and in the mouth it is fully integrated with notes of wood, fruit and floral qualities.  The finish is incredible.  It just goes on and on.......and on, and on.  And it develops all the way.  Oh yes, it's money all right, but how many wines like this will you drink in your life?  If you want it, do phone first, as we might just have drunk it all ourselves.

£564.60 per case (equiv £47.05 per bottle) price subject to review

Code: 175