2018  

"The 2018 Barolo Arione is an imposing wine. It's presence alone is impossible to miss. Arione is a wine that demands attention. There is something wild and exotic - almost animalistic - about the Arione and the way it asserts itself. Time in the glass brings out scents of sage, menthol, white pepper and orange peel. A generous kick of Serralunga acidity and tannin punctuates the finish. It's still early days for Roberto Conterno's Barolo from Arione. I can't wait to see how this ages." - 95pts Antonio Galloni

2017  

"The 2017 Barolo Francia is dense, rich and explosive right out of the gate. There is virtually no feeling of tannin, as the creaminess of the fruit is so expansive. Bright red cherry fruit, blood orange, kirsch, sage and menthol gradually appear as the 2017 starts to open in the glass. In 2017, Francia is decidedly exotic, not to mention such a thrill to taste." - 97pts Antonio Galloni ---- "I tasted the Giacomo Conterno 2017 Barolo Francia shortly before bottling. Like Roberto Conterno's other wines from this controversial vintage, this wine shines with brilliant and unexpected purity and intensity that is harder to find in its peers. It shows a deep understanding of the potential of a warm growing season, and the Nebbiolo is supple, velvety and uncharacteristically exuberant (for a grape whose elegance starts famously with understatement). Francia in Serralunga d'Alba evokes power and profound depth, with black and purple fruit highlights, rusty nail, crème de cassis, grilled rosemary and reddish rock or baked terracotta. The wine carries its considerable fruit weight with grace, and at the end of the day, it offers a complete portrait of vintage, variety and vintner." - 97pts Wine Advocate

2018  

"The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here." - 95+pts Antonio Galloni

2016  Brunello di Montalcino

"The wines of Donatella Cinelli Colombini are always something of a homecoming for me as I vividly remember my first sips almost 20 years ago. It is a great honor to witness their evolution over all these years. The estate's winning card is consistency, with steady results delivered year in and year out, although the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino takes the game up a notch. This wine offers purity and brightness to a degree I don't remember seeing in past vintages. This Brunello fully embraces the sharpness and linearity that this classic vintage will be celebrated for. Red cherry fruit and fresh plum follow to earthy tones, leather and balsam herb." - 95pts Wine Advocate

2013  

2001  

"A rich, concentrated wine bursting with black cherries, smoke, tar and underbrush. This is normally a more restrained wine, but this particular bottle was especially rich and dense. Pepe’s Montepulciano’s are legendary for their ability to age beautifully and I have no doubt that will be the case here as well. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2031." - Wine Advocate

2000  

97pts WS

2010  

2014  Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

"The 2014 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne totally captivates with an exotic mix of musky red currants, allspice, dusty rose and a touch of forest floor that I find wildly attractive. It’s soft and enveloping on the palate, without a hard edge in sight, casting citrus-tinged berries across a core of brisk acids. Savory herbal tones come forward toward the close. This finishes structured and long, yet the tannins are sweet. The mouth is left watering for more as a mineral tinge and wild strawberry hints slowly taper off. The cool and rainy vintage helped produce a unique expression of Emidio Pepe Montepulciano, but one that is overdelivering at the moment." - 94pts Vinous

2002  

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

2015  Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

"Beautifully aromatic, with a nose of honey, ripe fruit and spice, this graceful white offers a range of baked nectarine, lemon thyme, honeycomb and jasmine flavors, set on a finely knit, medium-bodied frame. Mouthwatering acidity and a chalky edge lend definition to the plush texture of the lasting finish." - 93pts WS

2001  Merlot

"The 2001 Montiano, 100% Merlot, offers the luxuriously sweet and expansive nose which has always characterized the wine. Full of plum, raspberry, and dark chocolate scents, along with a dense, deep, and velvety palate, it is full and round, with the super-polished tannins which make it one of Italy's touchstone Merlot bottlings. Drink: 2005-2018." -Wine Advocate