Casa Maté is the more masculine of Grassos two regular Barolos, showing darker fruit, more tar and a more robust tannin profile. The fruit comes from a south-facing 3 ha plot within the Ginestra vineyard, 300-350 meters above sea level, on relatively loose-packed, slightly clayey, calcareous soil. Driven by rigorous attention to detail in the vineyard and picking at optimum phenolic maturity, Grassos Vigna Casa Maté is a contemporary expression of traditional Barolo underscored by immaculate winemaking. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and typically spends 30 days on skins followed by 30 months maturation in 2500L Slavonian oak casks.

AZIENDA AGRICOLA SORDO GIOVANNI Parussi, Barolo DOCG

Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice Barolo According to winemaker Valter Fissorehusband of Elvio Cognos daughter Nadia, this plot is the heart and soul of the mighty Ravera cru. Exposed due south to the full brunt of afternoon light, Bricco Pernice is also protected from the wind. This dynamic conspires to create a mesoclimate considerably warmer than the rest of the cru. White soils heavy in solid limestone service strapping wines that are ferrous, pungently mineral, brooding and evocative of truffles, macerated cherry, liquorice, leather and iodine. As with Vigna Elena, these are candidates for long ageing, seeing three-years in botti for tone and poise. 'the estate of Elvio Cogno has unequivocally thrust itself into the pantheon of top Barolo makers.'Ned Goodwin MW Shop Elvio Cogno

An elegant more mid-weight Pauillac, Chateau dArmailhac is classically structured claret that is slightly earlier drinking than some of its Pauillac counterparts. The grapes are handpicked, de-stemmed and vinified using traditional methods before undergoing maturation in 30% new oak and 70% second fill barrels.

Aromatically it's extremely floral and spicy, while the palate is medium-to-full-bodied with layers of blackberry, plum, and spice, balanced by fresh acidity. It's just a beautifully poised and delicious, modern Yarra Syrah, and great from the get-go or in the cellar for up to a decade.

Castello di Volpaia Il Puro Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico DOCG Il Puro or, The Pure, is so named as its made from 100% Sangiovese from the celebrated vineyard Casanova between similarly lauded vineyards of Coltassala and Balifico. Situated at an altitude of 500 metres on south-facing slopes of Volpaia above the sea level. The vineyard is organic and is home to 25 clones of 60-plus-year-old Sangiovese vines indigenous to Volpaia. The number of clones doesnt just give the wine complexity, it preserves the genetic diversity and health of the vines.