2023 Stefano Lubiana 'Sasso' Pinot Noir

96 Points - Dave Brookes, Wine Companion

“A single-vineyard pinot noir that is a blend of three different terroirs in the Lubiana estate – Il Giardino, Ruscello and La Roccia. 100% whole bunch, 12 months' maturation in seasoned French oak barriques. Pure wild strawberry, dark cherry and raspberry fruits suffused with exotic spice, hanging game meats, amaro herbs, crushed rock, tamari, dried shiitake, dried meadow flowers and earth. Balanced and fruit pure with a gentle gamey facet, tight, chalky tannins and briny acid cadence. Fades off slowly with grace and style.”

96 Points - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

“Deeply perfumed and lifted, with aromas of dark cherries, wild blackberries, rhubarb and orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of cranberries, dried herbs, graphite and blueberry bush. Quite austere and focused, coming from 50% whole cluster in a cool vintage. Delicious. Drink or hold.”

94 Points - Tom Kline, Inside Burgundy

“A heady opening of ripe red plum, pomegranate molasses and sweet red rose to start before a welcome foil of cassia bark, nutmeg spice and savoury au jus bring a sense of completeness. Some tilled earth notes pop out with air. The palate is round, intense and powerful with ripe red plum, pomegranate molasses and red florals again, followed by dark cherry, nutmeg and subtle undergrowth. There's firm structure here, with assertive chalky tannins framing the wine's power nicely and adding a gentle cocoa bitterness through a long finish. Some latent dark cherry acid freshening it up. There's some power and roundness here, but it's nicely controlled. Drink from 2025-2033. Tasted Feb 2025. Overview: We have three unique blocks of Pinot Noir (II Giardino, La Roccia & Ruscello). The fruit from these blocks are specifically chosen for this wine as they produce fruit of the highest quality. This wine is medium weighted, with soft savoury tannins and well-balanced acidity. A style in which I have always enjoyed making and drinking - Steve Lubiana. Variety: 100% Pinot Noir Vineyard: Derwent Valley, single vineyard Vineyard Management: 100% certified biodynamic Geology: Mix of three terroirs – grey gravelly loam over clay, mix of black clay & grey gravelly silt with clay under and classic terra rossa of red clay loam over marl limestone”