Italy

Since acquiring the property in 2009, Virginie Saverys has worked to convert all 162-plus hectares of vineyards to organic and biodynamic practices. In 2015 the Sangiovese was harvested relatively early, between 10-28 September. Hints of dried rose petals, violet, pepper and black tea add complexity to fragrant red cherry and strawberry. (MM)

Rose, mint and a whiff of forest floor accent primary aromas of ripe red berry on the gorgeous 2021 Capalot from rising star Cristian Boffa. Made with grapes grown in the Capalot MGA in La Morra, the elegant, vibrant palate delivers ripe raspberry, succulent red cherry, cinnamon stick and licorice accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced and loaded with energy. (KO)

Finding a properly aged Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of this pedigree is a rare thrill. While visiting one of the region’s most historic, traditional estates—a family famous for holding their top wines back for a decade or more before release—I was offered a tiny allocation of this magnificent 2011 from their personal library. The 2011 vintage was warm and generous, yielding a wine of immense concentration that has now softened into absolute elegance after years of perfect cellaring. The nose is incredibly complex, offering layers of baked blackberry, dried plum, cured tobacco, leather, and a signature hint of dark cocoa. On the palate, the once-massive tannins have melted into a velvety, seamless texture, carrying savory notes of balsamic and earth through a remarkably long, persistent finish. It is a profound, soul-stirring expression of mature Abruzzo that is fully ready to drink tonight, offering an unforgettable experience of aged Italian wine without the typical premium.

"This is a very special library release. The 2016 vintage is one of the greatest of our lifetime. A forward-thinking family estate, known for their impeccably balanced and polished Barolos, agreed to release a small parcel of their classic 2016 from their cellars for us. Now with years of perfect cellaring, this wine is entering its prime. The tannins have resolved into silk, revealing complex notes of dried cherry, tar, leather, and cocoa. It is a harmonious, complete, and utterly classic Barolo that is ready to drink tonight. A rare chance to enjoy a perfectly aged wine without having to wait."

The compelling Conti Costanti 2021 Brunello captivates with pronounced aromas of fragrant purple flower, eucalyptus, Mediterranean brush and perfumed berry. All about class and extreme finesse, the elegant palate delivers succulent wild raspberry, crushed Marasca cherry, spiced orange zest and star anise set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance and great intensity. Year after year Andrea Costanti turns out what are among the very best wines from Montalcino, and the 2021 is no exception, it’s an absolute stunner with great aging potential. (KO)

The 2025 Tenuta Roveglia “Limne” Lugana is a fresh white with real flesh on it, and that combination is the whole point. The nose is clean and clearly drawn: crunchy apple, citrus and white flowers, with almond underneath adding a quieter, savory note. Then the palate fills out through the middle in a way that would surprise anyone expecting a lean, austere lake white. What makes Limne interesting is how that supple texture and its nervous energy work together: the freshness keeps the fruit defined without stripping the wine of substance. It is 100% Turbiana — genetically a Verdicchio, not a Trebbiano — from vines averaging 25 to 35 years old, and it spends four to five months in stainless steel, so nothing from a barrel gets between you and the fruit. The best cross over into Italian wine if you like Sauvignon Blanc!

Just bottled, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, cedar, pipe tobacco and crushed flowers are beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, classy Langhe Nebbiolo is all charm. (AG)

This wine comes from one of the benchmark estates in Montepulciano, a pioneer of biodynamic farming with a reputation for producing elegant, pure, and age-worthy Sangiovese. For this bottling, we were able to secure a few barrels from the generous 2020 vintage. The nose is a stunning expression of Prugnolo Gentile: ripe red cherry, plum, and violet, with the sweet spice and vibrant energy that is a hallmark of this iconic producer. The palate is polished and seamless, with silky tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. It’s a sophisticated and deeply authentic Vino Nobile.

Alluring aromas of dark exotic spice, black-skinned berry, violet and juniper waft out of the glass on the gorgeous 2021 Fontalloro. Elegant and structured, the chiseled palate is incredibly focused, delivering ripe Morello cherry, cassis, star anise and cake spice alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it beautifully balanced and energized. While it’s tempting now, this is still in its infancy and needs time to fully develop so give it a few more years.

Amarone della Valpolicella is made from grapes dried before fermentation, a traditional process known as appassimento. The Classico designation on Villalta’s 2017 “XIX” identifies its origins in Valpolicella’s historic production zone northwest of Verona, connecting this Veneto red to a more narrowly defined area within the wider appellation.

A well-balanced, seductive and lively red with aromas of forest berries, red currants, warm herbs and some crushed peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy berry character with a lift of spices bringing energy and vitality on the palate and onto the tactile finish. Drink now. (KD)

The 2025 Il Rosato mixes vivid nectarine and navel orange with hints of tarragon and sweet smoke to form its compelling bouquet. It's soft textured with a stimulating core of acidity and sour citrus tones to balance, as a saline mineral saturation adds salivating tension toward the close. It tapers off with excellent length and clarity, leaving flinty notes and a lemony concentration that has me looking back to the glass for more. The magic of Nebbiolo Rosato is on full display. (BN)

Aromas of violets, lavender, licorice, nutmeg and potpourri. Full-bodied with layers of fine tannins that are crunchy and silky, showing freshness and bright fruit at the end. Caressing texture. An excellent example of the vintage. Needs time to come together, but is very pretty and satisfying. Try after 2028. (JS)

After the smoking success of the 2022, we were thrilled to secure another small allocation and bring you the highly anticipated 2023 vintage. We returned to our friends at one of Piedmont's most legendary estates for this bottling. They continue to treat this Barbera with the exact same reverence and meticulous care as their top-tier Barolos—and it absolutely shows in the glass. Simply put, the wine is fantastic. The 2023 brings incredible energy and vibrancy, pouring a deep ruby and offering gorgeous aromatics of dark cherry, ripe blackberry, and a dusting of sweet spice. It is lush and velvety on the palate, yet perfectly lifted by that classic, mouth-watering Barbera acidity that makes it so incredibly food-friendly. It’s another rare opportunity to drink blue-chip pedigree juice at a phenomenal, everyday price.

The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Stielle is dynamic and complex in the glass, a wine that shows everything Gaiole is capable of. Dark-toned fruit, lavender, mocha, licorice and cloves soar from the glass as the 2020 showcases its pedigree and sheer allure. Hints of floral and savory overtones blossom with aeration. What a wine! (AG)

A single-vintage (Millesimato) Prosecco that highlights the precision and purity of Glera from a standout harvest year. This Brut is drier and more mineral-driven, with crisp acidity and layers of citrus, acacia blossom, and stone fruit. A state-of-the-art, delicate Prosecco that pairs superbly with seafood and sensitive dishes.

Italian bubbles for Eleven bucks, what did we just step back in time? Nope just another Great bargain wine from K & L! This is the perfect wine for all your parties all year long, for there is nothing better than Prosecco, for crowd pleasing and value. This has a light straw yellow hue and has a fine mousse and delicate, with a long-lasting bead. On the nose you will find generous fruit, releasing hints of pear and nectarines. The palate has wonderful balance and elegance, dry & crisp, but admirable fullness and length, closely mirroring the nose. The perfect party wine all year long. Don't forget to grab a bottle of Aperol Aperitivo for your Spritz's.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a jeweled ruby hue and is strikingly pure and transparent from the start. The aromatics are lifted and detailed, with raspberry liqueur, crushed wildflowers, orange oil, bergamot, and a cool, stony mineral edge. Medium-bodied, it has a weightless feel yet tremendous depth, with polished, velvety tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, seamless finish that carries with quiet power. It should evolve beautifully with time and offer exceptional drinking over the next two to three decades. (AF)

Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the Tenuta San Guido 2023 Bolgheri Sassicaia. Tasted both before and after its January 2026 bottling, this is a wine that feels uncannily open and generous in its youth, a rare trait for Sassicaia, which is famously inscrutable at this stage. The 2023 vintage was marked by a cold winter and above-average rainfall followed by a severe outbreak of downy mildew that damaged leaves, forcing brutal fruit selection and resulting in a 20% reduction in yields. Only the estates willing to make these sacrifices succeeded, and the best wines rank among the most compelling and elusive of recent years. (ML)

Proof that Lazio can do serious Merlot—and that some of the best values come from the regions nobody’s watching. Made by celebrated winemaker Riccardo Cotarella on his home turf outside Rome, this is grown in volcanic soils and given the kind of attention usually reserved for far flashier addresses. With a decade of bottle age behind it, the 2015 has landed right in its sweet spot. Ripe black cherry and plum lead on the nose, then slowly unfurl into cocoa, sweet pipe tobacco, dried herbs, and a savory note of forest floor that only comes with age. The palate is plush and velvety with mature, silky tannins and a mocha-tinged depth from the volcanic terroir, all kept balanced and lifted by a line of fresh acidity. The finish is long, savory, and gently spiced. Drinking beautifully now—give it a 30-minute decant and pour it with braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, or anything off the grill. A sophisticated, mature Merlot from an unexpected corner of Italy.

For our classic Barolo, I turned to a rising-star estate whose meticulous vineyard work in the stunning 2021 vintage produced a wine of incredible purity and elegance. This is the definition of a "discovery." The wine offers soaring aromatics of pure red fruits—crushed raspberry, cherry, and rose petal—with a vibrant, energetic palate supported by fine, silky tannins. It’s a beautifully transparent and fragrant Barolo that captures the finesse of the vintage. It’s a chance to get in on the ground floor with a future star of the region.

Perfumed with sweet berry, fresh flower and cedar aromas that follow through to a medium-bodied palate with firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very classy and structured. Extremely long. Give it time to open. Drink after 2026. (JS)

Bid on this bottle of 1997 Castello Banfi "Poggio all'Oro" Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (96WS, 93WE, 92W&S, 91ST). Wine Spectator: "Dark ruby red. Aromas of blackberry, dried flowers and cherry. Very intense and concentrated nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long flavorful finish. Lots of light vanilla and crushed dark fruits on the finish. Solid now, but better with age. (Web-2007)" (12/2007)

Aromas of rose, camphor, wet stone and botanical herb form the alluring nose on the 2021 Comune di La Morra from Cristian Boffa. Aged in large Slavonian casks, the taut, full-bodied palate offers dried cherry, blood orange and star anise alongside tightly wound, fine-grained tannins. (KO)

Delightful and juicy red fruit with lots of floral notes of rose petals, citrus blossoms and a touch of crunchy white peach. Medium-bodied with succulent, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Finishes with an appetizing, zesty aftertaste. Beautifully harmonious. Drinkable now, but give it another three to five years to show its best.

Crushed blackberries combine with rosemary, crushed stone and hints of olive as the 2024 Rosso di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is cool-toned and silky with sleek red berry fruits and crunchy mineral tones. A web of fine tannins frames a tart raspberry resonance on the long, classically dry finish. This is easily one of the most enjoyable Rossos I've tasted from Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona. (EG)

This wine opens with aromas of sour cherry, raspberry, rose and roasted earth giving way to a palate that is elegant and refined. Mixed red fruits dance with savory spice, herbs and underbrush finished by fine tannins and balanced acidity. (JP)

My favorite wine of the flight, the Barale Fratelli 2021 Barolo del Comune di Barolo hints at some of the savory notes (like cured meat and dried tobacco leaf) that we saw in the rest of the range; however, this wine has a stronger and fresher fruit side with cherry and blackberry. It is fermented in stainless steel and matured in French botti for 30 months. (ML)

Lugana’s vineyards stretch across the southern end of Lake Garda, with the appellation spanning Lombardy and Veneto. Tenuta Roveglia’s 2022 “Vigne di Catullo” carries the Lugana Riserva designation, which requires at least 24 months of aging, including six months in bottle—a distinction that emphasizes maturation within this northern Italian white-wine appellation.

Restrained, fresh and sleek, showing watermelon, mints, potpourri and deep embers with vibrant strawberries and blood oranges. Incredibly elegant on the palate, with smooth, graceful tannins despite the full body, density and tense acidity. Dried-flower flavors are persistent and savory. Harmonious. October 2026 release. Drink then or hold. (AF)

I’ve long admired a particular estate in the heart of Bolgheri, known for its powerful and structured Bordeaux blends. In the hot 2022 vintage, their meticulous vineyard work resulted in fruit of incredible concentration and balance. We worked with them to create this special cuvée, which has all the hallmarks of a top-tier Bolgheri red. It’s rich with notes of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is full-bodied and intense, with powerful but polished tannins and a freshness that defies the vintage. A true taste of Bolgheri's "magic mile" at a fraction of the price.

The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino has a beautifully inviting, multi-dimensional nose, with black raspberries, tea leaf, violets, rosemary, and subtle smoky accents that give way to brighter red cherry fruit with air. Medium to full-bodied, it comes across as one of the more approachable, immediate vintages from the estate in a relative sense, offering more early charm while still staying true to Biondi-Santi’s signature tension and freshness. It has ripe tannins, a sense of quiet structure, and a savory youthful grip on the finish that keeps it honest and age-worthy. This is a wine I would love to revisit with more bottle age. Drink 2027-2047. (AF)

Orange blossoms, flint and pears with hints of apples. It’s medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a caressing finish. Pretty minerals and flowers at the end, with just a hint of bitter lemons. Drink now. (JS)

Light and delicate, with crunchy fruit and flint, cranberry and raspberry aromas and flavors. Light-bodied and spicy at the end. Crunchy, crisp and bright. A joy to drink everyday. Drink now. (JS)

The Massolino 2021 Barolo reveals a shiny ruby color and a core of dark fruit. Beyond the plummy fruit is tar, licorice, pressed flower and campfire ash. This wine has a pronounced savory side, yet it all fits squarely into a very delicate and finessed delivery. This is a pretty example of the vintage. (ML)

From one of Ischia’s most historic and revered producers, the 2025 Casa d'Ambra “Frassitelli” is a benchmark expression of high-altitude, volcanic Biancolella. Sourced from the island's most famous, steeply-terraced cru, this is a stunningly pure and mineral-driven white. The nose is bright, precise, and intensely aromatic, with notes of lemon zest, green apple, and white flowers, layered over a powerful core of crushed flint, smoke, and a distinct sea-spray salinity. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, taut, and energetic, with a vibrant, almost electric acidity that frames the pristine citrus and orchard fruit flavors. The finish is exceptionally long, clean, and resonant, echoing with notes of Mediterranean herbs and that unmistakable volcanic, stony quality. A magnificent and singular white that perfectly captures the essence of Ischia’s heroic viticulture.

The 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva is classic Fèlsina to the core. A blast of dark plum, game, incense, licorice, tobacco, and scorched earth makes a strong opening statement. Bold and virile in bearing, the 2022 Riserva packs a pretty serious punch. I would give it a few years to soften, as the tannins are formidable today. This is impeccably done. There are many notable wines in this range, but for price, value, and accessibility, the Riserva is pretty hard to beat. The 2022 spent 18 months in 500-liter barrels. (AG) 92+

The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia is the first vintage in which Rancia moves from Riserva to Gran Selezione. More importantly, Fèlsina appears to be back on track after two years, during which Rancia underperformed because of the inclusion of a parcel that did not work in the blend and contributed a slight vegetal character. The 2021 marries power and finesse in the way only Rancia can. Black cherry, leather, game, spice, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs are all finely knit in a brooding yet elegant Gran Selezione that delivers the goods. Superb. (AG) 95+

At first this wine feels like walking past a flower shop before it opens, you catch hints of what's inside but need to wait for the full show. Once it opens up, it's like a stone fruit orchestra finding its rhythm, building to a crescendo before taking a refreshing dive into salty ocean waters. *Best Buy* (JP)

Pale to medium ruby-garnet hue. A very mineral nose with crushed stones, iron, some bitter oranges, wild herbs and savory berries. Huge tannins and high acidity on an austere palate with a full body and a mineral-driven finish. Lots of bones and tension here, but no heft. Drinkable now, but better in two years. A mineral and more Barolo-like Etna Rosso. (ZS)

The wine displays a super beautiful color, with a translucent ruby hue. Aromas of very pretty wild red berries, licorice and sweet and savory spice captivate the senses. The palate is truly delightful, with the fruit shining through initially, followed by earthy notes, such as truffle. Superfine tannins contribute to its overall elegance. Enjoy from now–2040. *Editors' Choice* (JP)

Cerbaiona began when former Alitalia pilot Diego Molinari purchased the estate in 1977, replanting its small vineyard with cuttings from Biondi-Santi and committing to traditional Brunello methods. Early bottlings in the 1980s quickly earned cult status, driven by the site’s historic reputation, cool microclimate, and low-yield Sangiovese. A major transition came in 2015, when Molinari sold the property to a group led by Gary Rieschel and Matthew Fioretti, who immediately converted the estate to organic farming and began replanting with site-specific Sangiovese clones. From 2016 onward, Cerbaiona undertook a radical reconstruction of its winery, adding a second subterranean level supported by 1.5 km of micropiles. The new facility functions as a “wine atelier,” with cobalt-blue resin-lined vinification rooms, custom steel vats, a laboratory overlooking the cellar, and a vaulted barrel room designed for long aging. Production remains intentionally small: 10,000–15,000 bottles of Brunello and 3,000–5,000 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino per year, with occasional small Sangiovese IGT lots. Fioretti’s team has refined the cellar approach—shorter macerations and increased use of 350-liter French barriques, followed by extended rest in unlined concrete tanks—aiming for polished wines that still express Cerbaiona’s distinctive terroir.

Famoso is the Ravenna plain's own aromatic grape, a historic variety that had all but vanished before a group of growers around Bagnacavallo recovered it, had it entered in the national register in 2009 and gave it back its dialect name, Rambëla. Randi has made wine in Fusignano since the early 1950s, and under Massimo Randi it has become the variety's standard-bearer: four organically farmed hectares planted in 2007 on the sandy clay of the Bassa Romagna, cordon-trained at a modest three thousand vines per hectare, with the Bianca vinified in steel alone so that the perfume arrives unedited. In the glass, it pours a pale straw with green glints. The nose is elderflower, sage, white peach and orange blossom, with a cool, chalky note beneath the fruit: a Traminer-like perfume without Traminer's weight. On the palate it is dry and light-bodied, with fresh acidity, a soft saline undertow and a faint bitter-almond grip that gives the finish its shape.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova pours a deep red hue and opens with an exceptionally layered bouquet of suede, cigar box, tobacco, black cherries, and plum. Full-bodied, it’s packed with youthful tension at this stage, but it has a seamless, weightless feel, with polished tannins, refreshing acidity, and a flinty mineral edge that keeps the finish lifted and long. It’s a gorgeous Tenuta Nuova that has everything working in harmony and will only improve with time in bottle. (AF)

Poggiarellino’s 2024 Rosso di Montalcino is a masterclass in raw site transparency. Rooted in the calcareous-clay soils of their small estate, this vintage is fiercely unmanipulated, reflecting the quiet, hands-on ethos of traditional Sangiovese production. It opens with an austere, cold-toned aromatic strike of wild Mediterranean macchia, dried pomegranate, and crushed terracotta. On the palate, the fruit profile is intensely crunchy—brimming with sour red cherry and tart wild strawberry skin, a classic old school Rosso that as a lot to offer at this price point.

The 2021 Brunello Helicrhysum is stunning wine with energy, structure and finesse. Made with organically grown grapes, it opens with heady aromas of new leather, lavender, dark spice and dark-skinned fruit. Firmly structured and showing great intensity, the palate delivers succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and dried mint alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. It’s still youthfully austere, with bright acidity. (KO)

Fattoria di Scannano is the Calì family’s farm at Rapolano Terme, on the eastern edge of the Crete Senesi, where Chianti drops the word Classico along with a good deal of its price. 90% Sangiovese with 10% Ciliegiolo, the old Tuscan companion grape that softens Sangiovese and adds the cherry, grown organically, fermented in steel, a few months in oak, lightly filtered, bottled fresh. In the glass, it pours a bright ruby with violet edges. The nose is open and frank: black plum, sour cherry, wild myrtle, a touch of violet and dried herb. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and juicy, with round tannins, lively acidity and a clean, savoury finish that asks for food rather than attention.

The aromas to this are really impressive with crushed berries, dried flowers, walnuts and roses. Metamorphoses all the time. Full to medium body, characterized by a fantastic mouthfeel of ripe and round tannins that are always polished and beautiful. Magnificent harmony and purity.