Northern Italy
(excluding Piedmont & Veneto) 96 Tenuta Stella, Riserva Ribolla Gialla, Collio 2018 (12.5%) (12.5%) Sparkling white
Friuli Venezia Giulia
GOLD
White 96 Vidussi, Sauvignon, Collio 2019 (13.2%)
Generous, almost unctuous, fresh papaya and mango framed by chalky minerality and oak spice. Compelling palate with meticulous texture. Full but balanced, long and enticing. Irresistible drinking.
95 Amandum, A Grey, Friuli Isonzo 2018 (13%)
Toasty oak, honeyed apple, floral, plum and spicy nose. Delicate floral character and opulent flavours of ripe pear, stone fruits and crème pâtissière, with a long and textured almond finish.
95 La Roncaia, Pinot Grigio, Friuli Colli Orientali 2020 (13.5%)
£20.50 Winery Classic
Dry with a bright green/yellow
apple and citrus nose. Toasty notes round out the pure, lightly tropical flavours. Stately yet reserved, with a lightly chewy texture. Its length is impressive.
95 Meroi, Zitelle durì Malvasia, Friuli Colli Orientali 2019 (14.5%)
$69.99 Mister Wright
Chalky citrus, yellow/red apple bouquet. Super-mineral palate, nutty, nuanced and the epitome of restraint. The apple fruit has great intensity and length, with poised acidity, not to mention a reverberating aftertaste.
95 Specogna, Identità Roche Bernarde, Friuli
Colli Orientali 2020 (13.5%)
POA £ Liberty Wines
Great floral, lime zest, apricot and peach nose. Textured, rich and concentrated, yet poised, with lively acidity and plush texture. Highly nuanced palate, long mineral-salty aftertaste. A class act.
GOLD Orange
£57 Pandemonio
Dried apricot, quince, honey, marmalade, beeswax and golden raisin aromatics, with lavender, mint and quince on the palate. Textural grip, concentration, lifted and complex with a long, smoky and peppery finish.
GOLD Red 96 Petrussa, S Elena Schioppettino di Prepotto, Friuli Colli Orientali 2019 (13%)
POA $ Friuli Italian Wines
An elegant wine with tobacco, liquorice, plum, cherry and liquorice aromas. Great fruit concentration on the palate; integrated oak, a silky texture, big tannins and balanced structure. Flows mellifluously.
GOLD
Sweet white 95 Dorigo, Picolit, Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit 2019
£36/50cl Vin Cognito
Bright, zesty and enticing, with fresh mango, honey, orange skin and lifted floral and grassy nose. Very intense; an unctuous texture, figgy pineapple palate, silky texture, lovely definition. More, please.
Lombardy GOLD 95 Cantina Primavena, CL, Vino Spumante di Qualità 2005 (12.5%)
Lots of character, with nice tertiary aromas, delicate minerality and polished, scented red apple and smoky notes. A powerful palate with a vibrant, refreshing bone-dry finish. Still lots of freshness and plenty still to give.
95 Derbusco Cives,
Crisalis Blanc de Noir Brut, Franciacorta 2016 (12%)
Beautiful brioche and red berry fruit on the intensely aromatic nose. Lemon curd, hazelnuts and biscuit on the palate, finely poised, bright acidity and a nice mid-palate weight. Long and layered on the savoury finish. A racy, complex wine.
95 Lo Sparviere, Brut, Franciacorta 2015 (12.5%)
Lifted nose of perfumed citrus; herbal and floral inflections. Balanced and developed palate with an understated biscuity richness. Ripe orchard fruit on the zesty palate with a long, toasty finish. In tip-top shape.
GOLD Red 95 Rivetti & Lauro, Uì Riserva, Valtellina Superiore 2016 (13.5%)
£21.99 Italyabroad
Complex aromas of redcurrant and plum, herbs, cigar, leather and dried rose petals, with the palate starting to show nice tertiary development, but with pure red fruit underneath. Finishes lengthily.
95 Triacca, San Domenico, Sforzato di Valtellina 2017 (15.5%)
Fresh and almost floral-toned, with blue fruit and Madeira cake aromas. Round and juicy with concentrated black cherry flavours and glorious acidity. Subtle finish comes back with a crescendo. Compelling.