Recommended Vintages, with Tasting Notes, from the Wine growing regions of Italy – available in Phuket at Luca Cini
RED – Antinori Tignanello 2021
• GRAPES: 79% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8% Cabernet FrancTasting
• TASTING NOTES: Ripe red and black fruits:
cherries, morello cherries, plum blackberry,
nutmeg, tobacco and licorice. Tannins are
supple yet vibrant: there’s structure, but
also elegance and polishptus & red cherry notes
• SUMMARY: Antinori is one of the oldest wine producing families in the world, with records going back to 1385. Tignanello was one of the first wines to break the traditional Chianti rules by removing white grapes and aging in small oak barrels
RED – Giacomo Conterno Barolo “Francia”
• GRAPE: 100% Nebbiolo
• TASTING NOTES: Bright ruby colour with a fine garnet rim. Fresh roses, raspberry, with truffle in the background; herbal / menthol / leather / mineral touches appear, giving complexity. Full-bodied, structured, with dense tannins
• SUMMARY: Giacomo Conterno is one of the pillars of traditional Barolo. The estate is deeply rooted in a philosophy of letting the nobility of Nebbiolo shine through. Known for long aging, slow extraction, patience and wines that demand time in the cellar
RED – Rinaldi Barbera d’Alba 2019
• GRAPE: 100% Barbera d’Alba
• TASTING NOTES: Deep ruby-red with purple nuances. Dark cherries, plums, blackberries; hints of violet, some earthy/mineral tones; spices, licorice and herbal hints. Juicy & vibrant fruit up front; strong freshness/ acidity; tannins are not harsh
• SUMMARY: Giuseppe Rinaldi is part of a highly respected family tradition of Barolo/ Barbaresco producers. The winery is well-known for traditional winemaking: aging in large neutral oak and avoiding excessive modern techniques
RED – Ornellaia 2020
• GRAPES: 50% Cab Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 13% Cab Franc & 5% Petit Verdot
• TASTING NOTES: Deep ruby-red, intense colour. Ripe red and darker fruit – blackberry, black cherry, plum, vanilla, tobacco, hints of licorice. Tannins are dense yet elegant, and the structure is strong
• SUMMARY: Ornellaia was founded in the 1980s with a vision to make top-level Bordeaux-style wines in Bolgheri. It stands out for experimenting with blends and vineyard sites, focussing on aging and a flair for integrating art and wine culture
RED – Mastroberardino Taurasi Riserva “Radici” 201
• GRAPE: 100% Aglianico
• TASTING NOTES: Deep, intense ruby red – dark fruit (blackberry, cherry), also tobacco, dark chocolate, licorice, earthy / smoky notes, some balsamic hints. Full-bodied, structured, with pronounced tannins that are well integrated
• SUMMARY: Founded in 1878 in Campania, the Mastroberardino family has been deeply involved in ampelography (study of grape varieties) and the preservation of native Campanian grapes like Aglianico, Fiano, Greco
RED – Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021
• GRAPE: 100% Sangiovese
• TASTING NOTES: Ripe cherry, plum, violets, and dried herbs; layered with balsamic notes, tobacco and cedar. Elegant yet structured, with firm tannins.Long, persistent finish with a savory edge
• SUMMARY: From vineyards surrounding the ancient Benedictine abbey of Badia a Passignano this red is aged in oak barriques for about 12–14 months. The vineyards sit in one of the most prestigious areas of Chianti Classico
WHITE – Planeta Chardonnay 2022
• GRAPE: 100% Chardonnay
• TASTING NOTES: Rich light gold with good depth. Ripe yellow peaches, acacia honey, marzipan; one picks up toasted / cereal / toasted oak and some mineral / slightly smoky / peaty touches. Soft creamy texture
• SUMMARY: Rich light gold with good depth. Ripe yellow peaches, acacia honey, marzipan; one picks up toasted / cereal / toasted oak and some mineral / slightly smoky / peaty touches. Soft creamy texture
WHITE – Mastroberardino Greco Di Tufo “Novaserra” 2023
• GRAPE: 100% Greco Di Tufo
• TASTING NOTES: Nose: aromas of apricot, pear, peach, lemon and green almond. On the palate: fresh with good acidity; delightful fruit ripeness; elegant structure; distinct salinity. Aging potential, some suggest it can go 20 years
• SUMMARY: Mastroberardino is a historic winery founded in 1878 in Avellino, Campania. The Greco grape is ancient, brought from Greece in antiquity; its name is even found in Roman texts
WHITE – Zenato Lugana “San Benedetto” 2023
• GRAPE: 100% Trebbiano di Lugana (Turbiana)
• TASTING NOTES: Fresh cut grass, white peach, green apple; there are also notes of pear, citrus peel, and floral hints. Juicy and fresh, with very good acidity but a slightly bitter, citrusy lingering finish. Well balanced between fruit and freshness
• SUMMARY: he Zenato family has played a key role in the “rebirth” or popularisation of Lugana as a high-quality white wine appellation. San Benedetto is one of their historic parcels in Lugana, and the wine works best with fresh, delicate dishes
WHITE – Santa Cristina Antinori Vinsanto
• GRAPES: Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia
• TASTING NOTES: A sweet dessert wine, curated by drying the grapes on mats for several months before pressing. Sweet but balanced, with dried fruit richness, nutty layers, notes of toffee and honey
• SUMMARY: Santa Cristina is one of the historical brands of Antinori, created in 1946 and originally linked to Chianti. A “vin santo” wine, this is one of Tuscany’s most traditional vintages: the name means “holy wine”
WHITE – Villa Sparina Gavi 2023
• GRAPE: 100% Cortese
• TASTING NOTES: Ripe stone-fruits (peach, nectarine), yellow fruit, touches of citrus. Floral notes (white flowers), herbs / garden herbs, and some savoury/mineral edge. Mouth-filling but not heavy; vibrant, clean with a lingering finish
• SUMMARY: Owned by the Moccagatta family, the winery is located in the Gavi DOCG region. The villa and cellars date back to the 18th century; the cellars include large vaulted spaces underground. Distinctive bottle shape
For more information and to place an order, with free Phuket delivery, contact LUCA CINI via WhatsApp here:
RESTAURANT LOCATION: HERE