100

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2015 La Ricolma confirms its place as one of the greatest wines ever made at San Giusto. Powerful and ripe, with tons of backing structure, the 2015 will thrill readers lucky enough to own it for many years to come. A rush of super-ripe dark red fruit, blood orange, mint, chalk, truffle and dried flowers builds into the huge, resonant finish. Next to the 2016, the 2015 has firmer tannins that are going to require time in bottle to soften. 07/2019

98

Monica Larner

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Wow, the 2015 La Ricolma is wine that leaves you speechless—quite literally—because you'll want to focus all your attention on drinking it. This pure expression of Merlot from one of Italy's most blessed growing sites is an outstanding wine. There's so much beauty and intensity here, it's hard to know where to begin. The bouquet bursts open with black fruit, spice and leather. The combined effect of the wine's extreme integration is so smooth and silky to the palate. That Merlot softness wraps over and caresses the senses with care and grace. This is a medium to full-weight wine, but ultimately, its texture is lighter and more streamlined than you might expect. This is a crucial key to what makes this wine so profoundly attractive. Only 5,780 bottles were made. 10/2018

96

James Suckling

James Suckling

This shows huge intensity on the nose with pressed violets, eucalyptus, cedar, tobacco and five-spice powder, but there’s also an unmistakable edginess of citrus, candle wax and orange rind. Full-bodied with really fleshy plums, supported by honed-in tannins and driven acidity. Long, muscular yet elegant. Drink in 2022. 07/2018