Pillastro Nero is a true ‘black red’ – from the ornate label to the deep, dark wine inside. Angelo Maci (winner of three Vinitaly Winemaker of the Year titles) crafted it from Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Primitivo (40%) grown on his 80-year-old alberello-trained bush vines in Puglia, Southern Italy. These gnarled heirlooms yield precious few grapes, meaning each one is a knot of intensely concentrated flavour. In the winery, Angelo treated it to six months’ barrel ageing, imparting toasty oak and sweet spice notes to the wine’s lusciously ripe, black- and bramble-fruit flavours. This is a stunner. Enjoy.

This is beyond Super Tuscan. This feels like Ultra Tuscan. A wine of such immeasurable complexity, power and dynamism that we’ve heard whispers it’s going to star in a Marvel movie all of its own. A wine with such long-term potential that, rumour has it, cellars themselves give in to time before it does. Immediately cutting-edge, but imbued with the feel of timeless tradition. This wine is also a favourite amongst our mofo’s, and even though we promise ourselves that we’ll save a bottle for later- we never do. Guess it’s time to stock up!

Antinori Solaia is an intense ruby red colour. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, it delivers aromas of ripe fruit, spices, black pepper, chocolate, coffee and vanilla.

The Marcarini winery is located in the village of La Morra. Established in the 1700s, it is one of the regions historical estates and was one of the first to designate single vineyards on the labels in the 1950s. The Marcarini wines can be described as classic. They come from great vineyards sites, are farmed organically (not certified) and the wines are aged in large oak.

It’s no coincidence Pillastro is one of our bestselling Italian reds – customers love all that richness, warmth and bold, ripe fruit. Pillastro comes from Puglia, in Italy’s deep south, best known for big, smoky wines made from prized local varieties Primitivo and Negroamaro. It is made by Angelo Maci, a leading figure in the quality revolution of the last two decades, whose cellar Cantine Due Palme has twice been named Winery of the Year. Angelo made this wine purely from Primitivo, which produces rich, powerful reds with plenty of ripe fruit. A period of oak ageing has infused the wine’s generous plum and damson character with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy with hearty casseroles, pasta with a rich tomato sauce, or garlic roasted lamb.

Nero di Troia is named after the city of Troia in northern Puglia, which Greek hero Diomedes is said to have founded after helping to defeat the city of Troy with the famed Trojan Horse. There, outside the city walls, he planted vine cuttings, which flourished and were named Nero after their dark skin grapes and the deep coloured wine they produced. Rich, warming, full-bodied Corsiero is rich and velvety with intense black fruit and spice flavours … just perfect served with full-flavoured pasta and rich meat dishes.