Valpolicella Superiore, Dal Forno Romano 2016

The Dal Forno Romano 2016 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a wine of characteristically dark intensity and rich extraction. If there's one thing this estate knows, it's making big wines with soaring intensity that strike a balance and have complexity all the while. The Dal Forno production is always an artful expression, as these are wines that can be made in no other hands. This is because of the unique qualities of the Lodoletta Vineyard, which has alluvial clay soils, and the proprietary technology used during fermentation and winemaking. This classic vintage reveals black fruit, olive, dark tar, mahogany and sweet barbecue spice. The wine is soft and rich in terms of texture with tight tannins, but it finishes relatively dry with a contained 14% alcohol content. The blend is 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina and 5% Oseleta, aged in new French and American barrels for 24 months. This is a 30,000-bottle release.

A new addition to the Place de Bordeaux. Crushed stone minerality on the nose, this smells pure with a nice, clean fragrance. Crisp and clean on the palate too, this has some lovely crunchy green apple fruit - mouthwatering, with peach juiciness and some nectarine elements. A touch of bitterness adds nuance and there is also a bit of spice around the edges as well as some oyster shell aspects, a salinity and minerality that is appealing leaving a clean palate at the end. It's not the most complex but delivers a characterful and charming glass of wine perfect for warm summer days. Ageing six months in steel tanks on lees and 10 months in bottle.

Carricante is Etna's signature white grape, and this unoaked example – just the second vintage, from legendary winemaker, Carlo Ferrini and his daughter, Bianca – captures the unique character of place and grape: Bright and saline, it showcases lemon, lime and apple aromas and flavours. Textured and ripe, it's also very fresh; a stony, salty wave rushes forth followed by subtly creamy lemon posset. The finish is very long, fine and herbal. Glorious.