Pinot Noir from young vines planted some 470 metres above sea level, planted with massale selections from both their ‘PNT’ vineyard and their friend Yann Durieux in Burgundy, blended with a touch of Syrah. The grapes were fermented as whole bunches for a month before a year of aging in old casks. A charming wine that offers the best of both varieties, with the Syrah seasoning Pinot’s red berries and sois bois with a little turn of pepper. A wine as uplifting as it is unique.

Le Coste

Le Coste is a fascinating project started in 2004 by Gian Marco Antonuzi and Clementine Bouveron. The couple are winegrowers in the Lazio region, about halfway between Pisa and Rome, who farm 6.5 hectares of vines near the village of Gradoli, overlooking Lago di Bolsena, and work biodynamically. The soils are volcanic, rich in iron and minerals.

The primary red grape here is Greghetto, which is the local version of Sangiovese. White varieties include Procanico and Malvasia. Half their vines are sourced, half are owned. Winemaking is natural, fermentation occurs spontaneously due to indigenous yeasts, and wines are made with no additions, including sulfur. Production is very small.

These are some of the most natural wines of Italy. Extremely pure and expressive, they are a joy to drink.