Month: May 2023

The lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep, a cunning father once grunted angrily to his ne’er-do-well scion. For some reason the words echo in my head as we climb sheer Italian mountain roads, furiously working the F1-inspired, eight-speed/dual-clutch paddles like a PS5 controller.

And while Tywin Lannister may have been discussing the diabolical machinations of Game of Thrones while he cleaned a freshly killed stag with surgeon-like precision, the words now seem to take on a stronger meaning—a direct result of gripping the wheel of Ferrari’s latest ode to über-performance: the Purosangue.

Because we’re not just passing luxury SUVs on the Dolomites as if they’re standing still, we’re doing it as we zoom uphill—making short work of Porsche Macans and Audi Q5s as we climb some of the steepest mountains known to man.

There’s an embarrassment of riches to fall hard for with the Purosangue. Ferrari’s first lifted performance crossover—don’t dare call it a “Sports Utility Vehicle,” or face the admonishment of Maranello’s execs—boasts two singular elements that particularly shine in these harrowing circumstances, and a third when you arrive wherever you’re going. No doubt the reason Ferrari flew us all the way here to these unique roads to experience it all first-hand.

First the most salient: under the long hood before us the furious explosions of a Ferrari-crafted V12 engine load power up like an earthmover. The 6.5-liter naturally aspirated powerplant could very well be one of Maranello’s last blazing a dozen cylinders, and it’s been tweaked to boast a ludicrous amount of pull from nearly zero—unloading 80% of its torque from only 2,100 rpms.

There is no other high-performance SUV—sorry, Ferrari Utility Vehicle—on the planet equipped with a V12, nor any other engine, that can eclipse 62 mph from a standstill in just 3.3 seconds, and keep going all the way till it taps the 199 mph top speed. It not only sounds glorious bouncing off the mineral-heavy dolostone that lines these vertical roads, its delicious, deep low-end torque helps swallow traffic like a competitive eater.

The space-age chassis constructed of high-strength aluminum was white-sheet designed for the Purosangue. The body fuses three types of aluminum, high strength steel and carbon fiber—including a one-piece carbon roof for rigidity, lightness and lowering the center of gravity for the tallest Ferrari ever (there’s also an optional electrochromic glass roof). With its massive V12 placed entirely behind the front axle, the overall architecture helps engineer an impeccably balanced 49/51 front/rear weight ratio.

The second tectonic attribute the Purosangue boasts is its Ferrari Active Suspension Technology (FAST)—a 48-volt active suspension system featuring quad electric motors, one on each wheel (along with a radiator on each to dispense heat), that actively responds to road conditions every 0.50 milliseconds.

While extremely complex, the sui generis system not only adjusts absorption rates with varying stiffness, but its four electric motors can also actively push down on each wheel independently. This adds another dimension to the Purosangue’s ability to minimize body roll and maximize rubber contact.

Active versus reactive performance, optimizing elasticity, eschewing roll bars and lowering ride height by almost half an inch at speed; FAST keeps the Purosangue planted to the road like oak roots—while balancing dynamics and performance with shocking levels of comfort (on more forgiving driving modes, of course).

Overall the symphony of AWD, rear-wheel steering, eDiff and FAST guarantees heart-fibrillating, truly supercar-worthy cornering. Only an hour later we’re sitting by the giant panoramic windows of a remote ski lodge perched on the upper peaks of the Dolomites. Wistfully scanning the Alpine ski pistes below, a colleague approaches complaining about traffic at certain points of the route.

Odd, because I have zero recollection of any blockage. Perhaps it was there, sure, but it never entered the stage of frustration because the Purosangue so easily dissolved these clots and left them in the rear view.

Again, the Lannister patriarch’s words ring in my head: The lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep.

And that’s sort of the glory of the Purosangue, isn’t it? It’s clear that as Ferrari has done with its halo F-Line (288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, LaFerrari) they’ve left nothing on the table here, intent on crafting as flawless a machine as possible, costs be damned. Which brings us to the name: Purosangue, Italian for “pureblood,” or “thoroughbred.”

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Arguably the most controversial vehicle in Ferrari’s 75 years of existence, it was absolutely imperative that this not-an-SUV honor the sacred bloodline—that it drives like a Ferrari sports car, as Ferraristi expect and demand. Remember we don’t have to go that far back, only to 2016, when the marque’s then-CEO Sergio Marchionne answered reporters querying about a possible SUV model with this memorable retort: “You’d have to shoot me first.”

Therefore one can understand Maranello’s hesitation to utter the phrase, almost spitting on the ground every time some absent minded journalist stammers “SUV.” Hence their dedication to crafting a utilitarian vehicle that never forgets it’s a Ferrari. As the first Prancing Horse with four doors, plus four adult-size seats, it is easily Maranello’s most practical model ever.

Add a 125-gallon (473-liter) trunk, and there’s never been a vehicle remotely like it in Ferrari’s stable. It is disorienting to drive a Ferrari this livable, with so much space and luxury, and still be throttling a fire-breathing V12 with more catapult launch than many motorcycles.

Sure a handful of über-SUVs offer roominess with SpaceX acceleration, but none can match the handling that Ferrari’s FAST matches to its peerless Italian powerplant. “Without this component [Ferrari Active Suspension Technology] we cannot achieve our target performance goals,” as Vehicle Dynamics Performance Engineer Jacopo Canestri told us after the drive.

“The suspension is critical into allowing Ferrari to build a fourdoor, higher clearance vehicle,” adds Product Marketing Manager Pietro Virgolin. “A central engine, gearbox in the rear, the classic Ferrari layout—but with extra space, and that still gives to every Ferraristi the same feeling that they have throughout the range. That was not negotiable.”

All of which make the Purosangue truly unique in the automotive landscape, justifying its celestial $400,000-plus price tag for those who demand a singular experience. Ferraristi and those who aspire to join their hallowed ranks, in other words—which includes plenty of deep pockets as the marque has reportedly nearly sold out the Purosangue’s entire initial production run.

In France’s Northern Rhone Valley, a dash of Viognier is added to Syrah wines for a number of reasons. It stabilizes the color of Syrah, softens the tannins, and adds a lush, floral note to the nose. 

And while the Trapiche Iscay Syrah—Viognier isn’t made on the steep slopes of the Côte du Rhône, it certainly has the softness and silkiness younger wines from the roasted coast offer. 

Welcome to Argentina, where this Rhone-ish mine is made with mainly Syrah and a touch of Viognier. The blend comes from fermenting Syrah and Viognier in new French oak before further aging for 15 months in similarly new French oak.

For a Syrah, it’s light on its feet — floral and silky on the palate with notes of white pepper, blackberry, and long, soft tannins. $80

Kate Dingwall is a WSET-trained sommelier and spirits writer. Her work has appeared in Wine Enthusiast, Eater, Forbes.com, and Food & Wine, and she pours wine at one of Canada’s top restaurants.

I run into the same problem every time I go on vacation: I make sure to pack my favorite heels and sneakers but seemingly always forget a pair of beach sandals. While I do believe that you can wear sneakers for basically any occasion, they tend to look a little out of place in the sand. 

There are a couple of ground rules when it comes to finding the ideal pair of beach sandals. They need to be lightweight and fuss-free and need to look great with just about any swimsuit in my collection. They also need to look fashionable enough for me to wear when I’m not on the beach. I tend to prefer either an elevated pair of flip-flops or comfy-looking slide sandals.

Luckily, I have tons of options to choose from this summer. Ahead, shop some of the best sandals of the season.

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Despite having grown up in Chicago before moving to New York, I actually really love warm weather. Summer is, without a doubt, my favorite season. And while lounging in the sun, eating outside, and not having to layer are all viable reasons for my loving it so much, there are but two things that make summer the all-time greatest: walking everywhere and wearing sandals. 

Of course, walking up to 20,000 steps a day can’t be done in just any shoes. For that, you need a pair with cushioning, soft straps that won’t pinch, and heels (yes, I walk in heels) that are made with support in mind. After a fair share of trial and error, I’ve discovered a handful of brands that successfully do all three—and then some. 

Keep scrolling to shop fashion’s most comfortable sandals. Bonus: They don’t look too shabby either. 

I couldn’t write a story about comfortable sandals without putting Birkenstock at number one. Crafted with comfort top of mind, Birkenstocks make it possible to live in a world without pain—well, foot pain at least. 

I’ve yet to slide on a pair of ATP Atelier sandals and discover something I didn’t like. Every pair is made of the softest leather and often features padding for added comfort. But it’s not just about how the brand’s footwear feels. It also looks incredible and elevated. What more could you ask for?

I understand that some people would rather stay home than walk 10,000 steps in heeled sandals, but I’m convinced that those with that mindset simply haven’t found heels that can withstand the miles. If that sounds like you, testing out a pair from Dear Frances will change your mind. 

There’s a reason why Kate Middleton adores Castañer wedges so much. They’re wildly comfortable, and when styled with anything from a sundress to denim cutoffs, they’ll make you look straight off a boat in the Mediterranean. 

Mid-range prices, trend-forward designs, and quality-driven comfort combine in the form of Porte & Paire. Essentially, the brand checks off every box. But if you don’t believe me, why not try a pair for yourself? 

Barbara Borghini’s Florence-based shoe brand might be a favorite among celebrities and influencers for its array of sculptural footwear, but Gia Borghini isn’t just beloved for aesthetic reasons. Thanks to super-soft materials and added padding, many of the Italian brand’s styles are perfect for walking long distances in style. 

Fellow Who What Wear editor Yusra Siddiqui has refused to walk in anything else ever since she got a pair of Tevas. 

Another one of my Who What Wear co-workers, Anna LaPlaca, suggested a different brand: Ancient Greek Sandals. According to her, Christina Martini and Nikolas Minoglou’s footwear brand makes some of the best walking sandals in the game thanks to its beloved comfort soles, which she says are “a dream.” 

Vince might specialize in silk slip skirts and cashmere sweaters, but let me tell you—don’t sleep on its footwear. Made from high-quality, extremely soft leather, Vince’s shoes are a frequent walker’s dream, and they only get better with age. 

Disclaimer: I refuse to wear flat flip-flops in New York City for obvious reasons. But the second that I land a safe distance away from the city, my Tkees become my feet’s best friend. Cushy and soft, they’re perfect for beach days spent walking along the water or hopping from seaside restaurant to seaside restaurant. 

Italian footwear brand Nomasei doesn’t just make your feet feel good. It makes you feel good, too. With sustainability at the forefront of every step in the supply chain, you can go to bed after a long day of walking with the knowledge that the shoes that accompanied you didn’t leave a mark. 

This L.A. brand really does it all, from bags to ready-to-wear to shoes—all three of which are consistently met with happy customers. What makes the brand’s shoes particularly great, though, is how sneakily comfortable they are. You see, from the looks of them, you’d never know how easy they are to walk in. But once you slip them on, well, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

You don’t even want to know how many miles I’ve walked in Wandler’s heels. If I had to guess, it’d be in the hundreds—and that’s on New York City concrete. This is what I’ve learned: No matter how high their heels are or how architectural the styles appear, they never hurt. It’s practically a miracle. 

I didn’t expect Nordstrom’s in-house and extremely well-priced brand Open Edit to make shoes that could keep up with me on a long day of press appointments, sample pick-ups, and evening events. Yet I’ve test-driven multiple pairs without a single issue. 

Sometimes, you slip on a pair of shoes expecting them to completely destroy your feet five minutes in, but rather, they surprise you. Yeah, well, that’s pretty much the case every time I put on a pair of sandals from Elleme. 

Up Next: I’m Over “Basic” Sandals—Here Are the 5 Trends I’m Into Instead