The Curious Case of Douglas Blyde, part II

Recognised by The Spear’s 500 as one of the most influential wine personalities in the UK, Douglas Blyde, drinks writer for ES magazine, Annabel’s Club, and the author of Wine List Confidential, has drunk deeply with Tim McLaughlin-Green of Sommelier’s Choice so your evenings may be brightened with uplifting tastes of Tuscany…

Fattoria I Collazzi

The villa, rising from the old road to Volterra, was designed by Michelangelo, and overlooks ancient olive groves and a limestone-rich amphitheatre of sun-kissed Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Fiano.

Otto Muri 2018

Evoking peach, mango, quince and lightly-roasted hazelnuts, this mineral Fiano is named after the steady walls shoring up some eight terraces of vines.

Liberta 2018

The seventh vintage of Liberta, an amalgam of supple Merlot, spicy Syrah and cherry-fragrant Sangiovese, honours in name the donation the City of Florence made to Collazi’s owners who fought for nearby Florence’s freedom in 1376.

I Bastioni 2019

From the neighbouring town of San Casciano, home to Antinori’s cellars, this ruby, black cherry compote-scented Chianti Classico is dominated by crisp Sangiovese and tempered by Merlot. 

Michele Satta

One of the founding fathers of the Bolgheri appellation, Michele Satta and two of his six children, Giacomo and Benedetta, tend immaculate vineyards close to those of Micheletti, Enrico Santini, Guado al Tasso and Argentiera.

Costa di Guilia 2018

Bursting with Maremma richness, this verdant, textured blend of Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc brims with a heady perfume of apricot, mint and ripe lemon.

Bolgheri Rosso 2018

This naturally fermented Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and, even more exotically, Teroldego, conjures flavours of vivid red berries, sun-dried herbs, ground pepper and cinnamon.

Syrah 2013

A particularly polished, poised, suave Syrah, with upfront blueberry notes, then clove and star anise in its long, undulating finish.