(2024) Inama is a well-known name for Soave, but here we have 100% Carmenère grown onhigher, south/south-east slopes of iron-rich clay over limestone. It was matured in 35% new French oak barriques, plus second use barrels, for 12 months. It spends around 30 months in total being matured, before being released onto the market. There's a plush and sophisticated feel to this wine immediately, notes of violet and cassis over cedar with some tapenade notes. Velvety and smooth on the palate, the creamy black fruit is firmed by dusty tannins, and perfectly pitched saline acidity. Coffee and chocolate bottom notes complete a convincing picture.

(2023) Amarone is the epitome of special occasion wines for many people, so this blockbuster is my choice for the 2023 festive season. Composed of classic grapes of the region, all grown on calcium-rich Marl soils, it weighs in with a hefty 16.5% alcohol. It is of course made from fruit that have been dried, in which time the grapes lose around 30% of their weight, but gain in sugar and concentration. Once fermented, the wine spent three years in Slavonian oak barrels. It is pretty sensational stuff: aromatically, think of those dark chocolate enrobed cherries, liqueur-like and deeply flavoured. There's a wisp of smoke and vanilla, maybe a touch of somthing fragrant and floral. In the mouth it is silky and full, and despite the alcohol and richness of the wine, a real sense of freshness remarkably enough - even of lightness and delicacy. With hard cheese (maybe even Stilton), beef, game or perhaps dark chocolate dessert, it would be sensational. Watch the video for more information.

(2016) Ok, hold on to your hats for this 17.5% abv monster. Made by the passito (partially dried grape) method, it has a massively sweet and deep aromatic with a cocoa  richness to the plum, prune and cherry fruit. Super-sweet and textured, it is majestic stuff. How to judge it?  Tough, as you'll need to like this style, but undeniably well done and for me delicious. - perhaps with chunks of Parmesan or mature cheddar?'