(2024) Schiava is one of the oldest cultivated varieties in Trentino.  In the Middle Ages, farmers invented a technique to control the growth of the vines by tying young plants to a rigid support.  This gave rise to the expression ‘Cum Vineis Sclavis’, literally ‘enslaved vines’, later shortened to schiava, meaning 'slave'.  Vines for this wine are at least 30 years old, planted at 250-350m altitude. It spent 10 months on the fine lees, 40% in stainless steel and 60% in concrete vats. It has a delicate, medium-pale garnet colour moving into orange. Made in a leafy, mellow and light style (only 12% alcohol) there's a soft, easy drinkability with very mellow tannins and a nip cherry acidity. One to please the Pinot Noir or Beaujolais drinker perhaps, but with its own Italian twist of bittersweetness in the finish.

(2022) From a band of limestone soil hillsides on the slopes of Mount Baldo, vines grow at an altitude of around 450- to 600 metres. Fruit is destemmed, vinified in stainless steel, then matured in French oak barriques for 20 months. A slightly muddy edge to the colour here, but clear cherry and herb-infused fruit on the nose, then a cool, firm palate, the oak adding a bit of polish to spicy and dark fruit flavours, with a refreshing liquorice twist in the finish.

(2022) Introduced in 2014, certain blocks for Pinot have been indentified, and the wine is given some bottle age before release, so this is the current vintage. The wine does see some 225-litre barrel ageing, but very little oak is new and toasting is light. More elegance here than the 2017 tasted recently , though some development with an autumnal feel to the fruit, a little forest floor and mushroom character, cherry-ripe fruit coming through on the mid-palate. The spice and light toast of the oak sits well against the crisp, light- to medium-bodied style of the wine, with spicy notes into a finish balanced by clean tannins and acidity.

(2022) There are more than 20 varieties grown in Trentino, but among the native grapes, Lagrein has developed a small international reputation. It is a member of the Syrah family, and here gives a very deep, vibrant colour, a touch of smokiness and violet, the palate very smooth, with a buoyancy of ripe, sweet fruits, almost strawberry notes of sweetness among more tart and linear berry flavours. Nice spice and firmness of tannins, and very good acidity, add up to a very drinkable red.

(2020) Masi makes this wine for the Bossi Fedrigotti family, who ancient vineyard estate has been around for more than 300 years. 30% of the grapes were given a light appassimento - the drying technique used for Amarone - and the components blended and aged in barriques for six months. Deep, vibrant crimson colour, the nose has the lift and lightly ash and incense quality so often found in such wines, with cherry and a touch of vanilla. In the mouth firm, juicy fruit, cherry again and taut, just ripe plums, edged with liquorice and blueberry tartness, a savoury, rather firm finish.

(2003) This has a huge, spicy, exotic nose of incense and camphor, with cherry fruit and a deep damson and blueberry core. It has a rich, silky mouthfeel, with sweet oak tannins and bitter-edged cherry fruit. There's a supporting depth of ripe oaky flavours and good acidity. Perhaps lacks a touch of flesh on the mid-palate, but very impressive.

(2003) Very dense purple/black colour. Quite Indian inky on the nose, with dried cherry fruit, herbs and a slightly medicinal note. There is good depth, with a blueberry character to the fruit. Quite smooth and full on the palate, this is dry and distinctive, with cherry and leathery, sinewy character and lip-smacking acidity. Well balanced.

(2003) Deep purple colour and bright, focused nose of vanilla-tinged berries with some chocolate and cherry notes. Bold, thick fruit on the palate, with lots of fine, savoury tannins and a chocolaty depth and softness. As a bit of a merlot sceptic, I found this to be delicious and well-made.

(2003) Fine, schisty, dark, liquorice nose with a perfume of cedar and cloves, with cherry notes. It has a fine mouthfeel, with tight-grained tannins and a velvety texture. Lots of good red fruit quality, that is crisp and cherryish, with good acidity and balance.