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Reviews
2019 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-23-2026
While their Rosso is our go-to for immediate gratification, the Zannoni family's flagship Brunello is the reason Tenuta La Fortuna remains an absolute cornerstone of our direct import Montalcino portfolio. They have mastered the art of traditional, terroir-driven winemaking, and in a historically great vintage like 2019, that expertise results in something truly profound.
The 2019 vintage is already spoken of in hushed tones across Tuscany—a year that delivered wines of immense power, structure, and flawless balance. La Fortuna's 2019 captures every ounce of that potential. It pours a deep, commanding garnet and slowly unwinds in the glass to reveal a stunning, classic Montalcino bouquet of dark wild cherry, baked plum, sweet tobacco, worn leather, and savory underbrush. On the palate, it is full-bodied and beautifully muscular, with firm, perfectly ripe tannins and a driving core of acidity that promises a long life ahead.
This is serious, old-school Brunello built for the long haul. While it is undeniably impressive right now with a few hours in the decanter and a rich piece of roasted meat, this is a brilliant candidate for the cellar. It is a phenomenal showcase of the 2019 vintage and an unbelievable value for top-tier, direct-imported Sangiovese Grosso.
2022 Podere 29 "Gelso D'Oro" Nero di Troia
Review Date: 07-23-2026
We head far south to the sun-baked, wind-swept coast of northern Puglia to discover Podere 29. Situated in the Daunia region near the Adriatic Sea, this organic estate is fiercely dedicated to elevating the local, historic grape of the area: Nero di Troia. The name "Gelso D'Oro" translates to "Golden Mulberry," paying homage to the ancient mulberry trees that dot the estate and symbolize the deep agricultural heritage of the land.
While Puglia is famous for producing massive, jammy reds from Primitivo further south, Nero di Troia in this northern coastal pocket behaves differently. The vineyards here thrive on sandy, mineral-rich soils that are constantly ventilated by salty sea breezes. This maritime influence is crucial; it mitigates the intense Southern Italian heat, allowing for a long, slow ripening season that preserves the grape's natural acidity and complex aromatics.
"Gelso D'Oro" is the estate's crown jewel. In the glass, it pours an inky, impenetrable ruby. The nose is a profound sensory journey into the Mediterranean scrub, exploding with the grape's signature aroma of crushed violets, followed by dark blackberry, dried figs, and roasted cocoa. On the palate, it is enveloping and powerful, yet held together by a surprising coastal freshness and velvety tannins. It is a magnificent, soulful red that demands rich, slow-braised meats or aged Pecorino cheese.
2024 Cascina Alberta Nebbiolo Langhe
Review Date: 07-23-2026
Nestled in the high-altitude hills of Treiso—one of the four prestigious communes of the Barbaresco appellation—Cascina Alberta is a brilliant example of Piedmontese revival. The estate is dedicated to organic viticulture and the meticulous restoration of its historic vineyards, prioritizing biodiversity and ecological balance. Treiso is renowned for having some of the highest elevations in the Barbaresco zone, which is the absolute key to understanding the sheer elegance of this wine.
The vines plunge their roots into classic Sant'Agata fossil marls, a pale mix of calcareous clay and sand. Because of the cooler microclimate and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts, the Nebbiolo grown here eschews the heavy, brooding tannins often found in warmer parts of the Langhe. Instead, it leans fully into ethereal aromatics and nervous, high-toned energy.
This Langhe Nebbiolo serves as a pristine, unmasked snapshot of the Treiso terroir. In the glass, it shines with a translucent, classic garnet hue. The nose is incredibly lifted, offering a perfumed bouquet of crushed roses, wild strawberry, and a dusting of white pepper. On the palate, it is vibrant and vertical, wrapped in fine, chalky tannins with a bright, mouth-watering acidity. It is a sophisticated, terroir-transparent red that acts as a fantastic introduction to Barbaresco's terroir, pairing beautifully with a mushroom risotto or an elegant veal roast.
2023 Michele Chiarlo "Cipressi" Nizza
Review Date: 07-23-2026
If there is one producer responsible for transforming Barbera from a simple, rustic "farmer's wine" into a world-class, cellar-worthy masterpiece, it is Michele Chiarlo. He is a titan of Piedmontese viticulture, and his visionary work in the Asti region fundamentally changed the landscape of Italian wine. The "Cipressi" bottling is a profound testament to that legacy, hailing from the magnificent Tenuta La Court estate in Castelnuovo Calcea.
More importantly, this wine comes from the heart of the Nizza DOCG. For years, this small, sun-drenched enclave was just a sub-zone of Barbera d'Asti, but its terroir is so exceptional that it was recently elevated to its own independent appellation—effectively becoming the "Grand Cru" zone for the Barbera grape. The secret to Nizza lies in the Astian sands: a unique geological mix of calcareous marl and magnesium-rich sand. This well-draining soil stresses the vines just enough to produce low yields of incredibly concentrated, aromatic fruit.
Because Barbera naturally possesses high acidity and very low tannin, the sandy Nizza terroir amplifies its elegance rather than adding heavy weight. The 2024 Cipressi pours a brilliant, glowing ruby. The nose is an intoxicating, pure expression of ripe red cherry, wild raspberry, and a delicate dusting of sweet spice. On the palate, it is electric, savory, and wonderfully silky, avoiding heavy oak in favor of terroir-driven freshness. It is a brilliant, sophisticated red that pairs flawlessly with traditional agnolotti pasta, mushroom risotto, or roasted pork.
2020 Amista Nizza DOCG (1.5L) 1-Pack in OWC
Review Date: 07-23-2026
It is a rare event to see a true Nizza DOCG hit the shelf at twenty dollars. When you consider that the 2020 Amista is positioned at fifty dollars in every other market, the proposition becomes undeniable. Nizza is Piemonte’s answer to structural Barbera, yet so many modern examples fall victim to syrupy extraction, burying the grape's identity in heavy-handed cellar tricks. The Amista, sourced from the chalk-dominant soils of the Bricco subzone, stands as a direct refutation of that lazy, spoofed-up style.
Do you like Cabernet? You need this. Do you like Barbera? Again, you need this. What a deal!
2020 Amista Nizza DOCG (Barbera)
Review Date: 07-23-2026
It is a rare event to see a true Nizza DOCG hit the shelf at twenty dollars. When you consider that the 2020 Amista is positioned at fifty dollars in every other market, the proposition becomes undeniable. Nizza is Piemonte’s answer to structural Barbera, yet so many modern examples fall victim to syrupy extraction, burying the grape's identity in heavy-handed cellar tricks. The Amista, sourced from the chalk-dominant soils of the Bricco subzone, stands as a direct refutation of that lazy, spoofed-up style.
Do you like Cabernet? You need this. Do you like Barbera? Again, you need this. What a deal!
2025 San Lorenzo "Vigna di Gino" Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico
Review Date: 07-21-2026
Named for Natalino’s father, Gino, this is the freshest expression of the estate, but it’s far from simple. It carries the signature San Lorenzo texture, with vibrant notes of green almond, citrus pith, and a sharp, saline kick on the finish. It’s a stunning introduction to the house style and one of the best value whites we carry.
Price:
$14.99
2023 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barbera d'Alba Superiore
Review Date: 07-20-2026
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.
Price:
$19.99
2024 Fattoria Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano
Review Date: 07-17-2026
When Elisabetta Geppetti took the reins at Le Pupille in the late 1980s, southern Tuscany was largely viewed as a viticultural wild west, prone to producing heavy, alcoholic reds devoid of structure. Geppetti single-handedly rewrote that narrative. While her flagship Saffredi proved the region could yield world-class depth, it is this baseline Morellino di Scansano that cements her legacy.
Geppetti understands that the maritime warmth of Scansano can easily yield flabby, spoofed-up wines if left unchecked. Her genius lies in her vineyard management and precise picking decisions, capturing a fierce nervous energy that defies the Mediterranean sun. By keeping the winemaking entirely transparent and focusing on the grape’s natural, crunchy red fruit, she has maintained a benchmark that has remained unchanged in its intellectual focus for decades.
Geppetti has spent nearly forty years ensuring that even her most accessible wine possesses the same vertical spine, architectural grip, and marine-inflected saline snap as her top crus. It remains a foundational reference point for the region, proving that true territorial typicity doesn't require a massive price tag—just an uncompromising vision.
2022 Frank Cornelissen "Magma" Etna Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
This is the apex of the estate. Magma is only produced in exceptional vintages, sourced exclusively from ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines in the legendary Barbabecchi contrada. It is a wine of monumental concentration and profound spiritual depth. Expect a kaleidoscope of dark cherry, dried herbs, iron, and visceral volcanic smoke. It is seamless, infinite on the finish, and stands comfortably among the greatest wines produced in Italy today.
2022 Frank Cornelissen "Munjebel VA" Terre Siciliane Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The 2022 "Munjebel VA" (Vigne Alte) is the high-altitude master blend of his highest parcels, offering a laser-focused, high-acid, and wildly elegant expression of the mountain's upper limits.
Price:
$99.99
2022 Frank Cornelissen "Munjebel CS" Terre Siciliane Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The 2022 "Munjebel CS" (Chiusa Spagnolo) is sourced from ungrafted vines rooted in a solid amphitheater of lava rock, producing a dense, brooding, and radically concentrated red.
2022 Frank Cornelissen "Munjebel CR" Terre Siciliane Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The 2022 "Munjebel CR" (Campo Re) sits at a high elevation, delivering an ethereal, floral, and wildly aromatic profile that feels almost weightless.
Price:
$99.99
2022 Frank Cornelissen "Munjebel CD" Terre Siciliane Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The 2022 "Munjebel CD" (Calderara Sottana) is grown on purely rocky, stony soils, resulting in a wine of searing tension, sharp tannins, and profound mineral depth.
Price:
$99.99
2022 Frank Cornelissen "Munjebel MC" Terre Siciliane Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The 2022 "Munjebel MC" (Monte Colla) comes from a steep, terraced vineyard on sandy clay, yielding the most broad-shouldered and powerful wine in the lineup.
2024 Frank Cornelissen "Munjebel" Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
This is the benchmark "Classico" of the estate. It is a master blend of several high-altitude contrade in the Northern Valley. The 2024 is soaring and aromatic, offering a crystalline expression of sour cherry, blood orange, and that unmistakable smoky, pumice-stone minerality. It is the perfect introduction to the serious, structured side of Cornelissen's cellar.
Price:
$44.99
2025 Frank Cornelissen "Susucaru" Rosso
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The Rosso, predominantly Nerello Mascalese, is the quintessential "glou-glou" volcanic red—bright, peppery, and intensely juicy. Both are meant to be served with a slight chill and practically evaporate from the glass.
Price:
$29.99
2025 Frank Cornelissen "Susucaru" Etna Rosato
Review Date: 07-17-2026
The Rosato is a co-fermented field blend of white and red grapes, offering a salty, watermelon-rind, and volcanic ash crunch that makes it impossibly drinkable.
Price:
$29.99
2022 Tenuta di Biserno "Biserno" Toscana
Review Date: 07-17-2026
Following the phenomenal success of our previous offers, I am thrilled to announce we have secured another remarkable close-out deal on the newly released 2022 vintage.
The wine beautifully showcases the estate's unique terroir in the Alta Maremma and the ingenuity of Bordeaux varietals, where it is grown. In the Bolgheri region, "Biserno" is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, all beautifully combined.
The 2022 vintage, characterized by its brilliant sunshine and warmth, has yielded a wine of incredible depth. The nose is spectacularly rich and expressive, bursting with notes of ripe blackberry, dark plum, and crushed cherries. With hints of roasted espresso, cedar, tobacco, and graphite, it is incredibly plush and polished on the palate. Velvety, fine-grained tannins and a lively acidity keep the wine remarkably fresh and vibrant, carrying dark fruits, chocolate, and a touch of savory Mediterranean herbs through a lengthy finish.
For those who appreciate the ingenuity of great Super Tuscans, the 2022 Tenuta di Biserno is a superb wine that combines Antinori's cultural heritage with the sun-drenched character of the Tuscan coast. It is a masterpiece that belongs in the cellar of any avid collector. Maybe the most underrated of the Antinori's line up.
2023 La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
The Zannoni family at Tenuta La Fortuna has been one of the quiet, ultra-consistent anchors of our direct import Montalcino portfolio for years. While their classically styled Brunellos are absolute staples for the cellar, their Rosso di Montalcino is always our secret weapon for immediate, high-quality weeknight drinking.
The 2023 vintage perfectly plays into exactly what makes a great Rosso so appealing: it is marked by incredible energy, bright aromatics, and a wonderfully fresh fruit profile. This pours a brilliant, translucent ruby and immediately offers up gorgeous, inviting aromas of crushed red cherry, wild strawberry, baked earth, and a touch of sweet Tuscan spice. On the palate, it is vibrant and remarkably pure, with supple, easy-going tannins and that mouth-watering Sangiovese acidity that makes it so insanely versatile at the dinner table.
This is classic, unpretentious Sangiovese with serious estate pedigree. It perfectly captures the charm of the 2023 vintage and delivers unbelievable value for anyone looking to drink fantastic Montalcino fruit without having to wait a decade.
2022 San Lorenzo "Campo delle Oche" Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Natalino Crognaletti is an absolute legend in Le Marche, and his biodynamic estate, Fattoria San Lorenzo, produces what are undeniably some of the most profound, age-worthy expressions of Verdicchio in all of Italy. "Campo delle Oche" (The Field of Geese) is his masterpiece. If you are under the impression that Italian white wine is strictly light, simple, and meant for the patio, this bottle is going to completely rearrange your perspective.
Thanks to Natalino's meticulous organic farming, old vines, and absolute mastery of extended lees aging, the 2024 Campo delle Oche is a massive, highly textured white wine—what we often call a "red wine drinker's white." It pours a deep, glowing golden-yellow and bursts from the glass with intoxicating, wild aromas of baked yellow apple, dried chamomile, raw honey, toasted hazelnut, and bruised peach.
On the palate, it is incredibly dense, waxy, and expansive, coating the mouth with rich orchard fruit. Yet, for all its sheer weight, it is perfectly propelled by a brilliant, saline acidity that cuts right through the richness. The finish is savory and lasts for minutes, leaving a classic Verdicchio note of bitter almond and crushed sea salt. While it is mind-bendingly complex right now alongside roasted poultry or rich seafood, this has the architectural structure to evolve in the cellar for another ten to fifteen years easily. It is an absolute must-have for any serious collector of Italian wine.
Price:
$29.99
2024 San Lorenzo "Vigna di Gino" Marche Rosso (Montepulciano - Sangiovese)
Review Date: 07-16-2026
The red counterpart to the Gino Verdicchio, this is a rustic and soulful blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese. It’s full of savory dark cherry, wild herbs, and earthy notes, all framed by honest, grainy tannins. This is the kind of authentic, delicious red wine you want on your table every night.
Price:
$14.99
2024 San Lorenzo "Le Oche" Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico
Review Date: 07-16-2026
A benchmark for the entire region. "Le Oche" is a single-vineyard bottling known for its incredible depth and complexity. Richer and more powerful than the Gino, it offers layers of ripe stone fruit, hazelnut, and an intense, stony minerality. This is a profound white wine that will age effortlessly for a decade or more.
Price:
$19.99
2021 Casanova di Neri "Giovanni Neri" Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
This is the newest jewel in the crown, a tribute to the founder of the estate. Sourced from a unique vineyard in the Sesta zone with vines that are over 50 years old, the "Giovanni Neri" offers a completely different expression than the Tenuta Nuova. If Tenuta Nuova is the power of the south, Giovanni Neri is the soul and history of the estate. It feels more "classic" in its profile, focusing on high-toned aromatics and finesse. The nose is soaring and complex, with notes of wild strawberry, blood orange, rose petal, and white pepper. On the palate, it is incredibly tense and vibrant, with a distinct, stony minerality that speaks to the old vines. The tannins are fine-grained and chalky, providing a vertical structure that drives the finish on and on. It is a profound, intellectual Brunello that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the region's absolute best. A rare and special wine.
2021 Casanova di Neri "White Label" Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
The 2021 is sleek, defined, and incredibly pure. The nose offers a precise beam of dark cherry, black raspberry, and the estate’s signature balsamic note—a mix of wild mint and savory herbs. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with a texture that is pure silk. The tannins are polished to a high sheen, supporting a core of vibrant fruit that lingers on the finish. It’s a Brunello of immediate pleasure that will also age effortlessly for a decade. A smart, sophisticated buy.
2023 Casanova di Neri Rosso di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Giacomo Neri has built Casanova di Neri into one of the most celebrated and critically acclaimed estates in all of Montalcino, famous for producing incredibly polished, high-scoring flagship Brunellos. While those top-tier bottlings command serious prices and demand decades in the cellar, their Rosso di Montalcino is the ultimate insider's play—a wine that delivers the estate's signature luxury and precision in a much more immediate, purely joyful package. The 2023 vintage in Montalcino is marked by fantastic energy, resulting in Sangioveses with incredibly vibrant aromatics and fresh, lifted fruit profiles. This Rosso pours a brilliant ruby-red and bursts from the glass with immediate aromas of crushed wild raspberry, bright red cherry, fresh violet, and just a hint of sweet baking spice. On the palate, it is beautifully textured and sleek, with Casanova di Neri's hallmark silky tannins perfectly balanced by a mouth-watering, energetic acidity. This is exactly what "Baby Brunello" should be. It offers the aristocratic pedigree and meticulous winemaking of a blue-chip estate, but it is wonderfully open, expressive, and ready to drink tonight. It is an absolute steal for this level of Montalcino royalty and a must-buy for weeknight drinking.
Price:
$29.99
2021 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
The 2021 CastelGiocondo is a masterclass in power and elegance. It pours a brilliant, deep garnet and leaps from the glass with complex, commanding aromatics—crushed black cherry, ripe plum, Mediterranean scrub, sweet tobacco, and a beautifully savory streak of leather and crushed stone. On the palate, it is expansive and muscular, driven by dense, finely-knit tannins and a vibrant, mineral-laced acidity that keeps the sheer weight of the fruit perfectly in check.
This is a serious, aristocratic expression of Sangiovese Grosso. While its impeccable balance makes it tempting to open right now with a long decant and a rich cut of meat, this has the architectural framework to evolve beautifully in the cellar for the next fifteen to twenty years. It is an absolute benchmark for the vintage and a towering achievement from one of Tuscany’s most legendary families.
2021 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Castello Banfi is a name that needs no introduction—they are the visionary pioneers who fundamentally helped put Brunello di Montalcino on the global map. But what sometimes gets lost in their fame is the sheer, relentless quality and precision they manage to achieve year after year. Their classic Brunello is a masterclass in consistency, and in a powerhouse, deeply structured vintage like 2021, it absolutely over-delivers.
The 2021 vintage in Montalcino is already being hailed as legendary, marked by ideal conditions that produced wines of incredible depth, tension, and aromatic complexity. Banfi’s 2021 captures that magic perfectly. It pours a deep ruby and opens with generous, inviting aromas of ripe dark cherry, wild plum, baked earth, and a signature hit of savory Tuscan herbs and sweet spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied and beautifully textured, with dense, polished tannins that provide serious architecture without being aggressive.
This is classic, benchmark Brunello. It offers immediate, undeniable pleasure with a good decant, but has the serious stuffing to age effortlessly for another decade. For anyone looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that still delivers true Montalcino typicity and pedigree, Banfi has knocked it out of the park once again.
2021 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Altesino is without question one of the benchmark, historic estates of Montalcino, and their classic Brunello is a wine we look forward to every single year. Located in the cooler, northern sector of the appellation, Altesino's hallmark has always been sheer elegance, grace, and aristocratic balance—and in a blockbuster vintage like 2021, that style reaches absolute perfection.
The 2021 vintage in Montalcino is already being hailed as a modern classic, delivering wines with incredible structure, soaring aromatics, and pristine fruit purity. This is a stunning expression of Sangiovese that leaps from the glass with beautifully lifted aromas of wild red cherry, crushed raspberry, dried rose petal, sweet tobacco, and a touch of savory cedar. On the palate, it is remarkably polished and seamless, with fine-grained, silky tannins wrapped around a core of bright, energetic red fruit.
While it has the serious structure, tension, and pedigree to age beautifully in the cellar for the next decade or more, its impeccable balance makes it surprisingly approachable right now with a good decant. This is textbook, elegant Montalcino from one of the region's absolute masters, and an essential addition for any lover of great Tuscan wine.
2024 Fratelli Barale Langhe Nebbiolo
Review Date: 07-16-2026
If you want to experience the historic, old-school pedigree of Barale Fratelli without waiting years for their Barolo to soften in the cellar, this is your ticket. Sourced from the family's younger vines, their Langhe Nebbiolo is the ultimate "baby Barolo"—offering the traditional charm and aristocratic aromatics of the estate in a much more immediate, purely joyful package.
The 2024 vintage is all about vibrancy, freshness, and explosive aromatics. It pours a brilliant, translucent ruby and jumps out of the glass with classic Nebbiolo notes of crushed raspberry, wild cherry, fresh rose petals, and a hint of savory white pepper. Because it is built for approachability rather than decades of aging, the bright, primary fruit takes center stage. The palate is energetic and lifted, framed by fine, dusty tannins and a mouth-watering acidity that makes it dangerously easy to drink.
It is exactly what you want from a weeknight Nebbiolo: elegant, terroir-driven, and incredibly versatile at the dinner table. This is a phenomenal value and a beautiful, insider's look into one of Barolo's great old-guard families.
Price:
$22.99
2021 Fratelli Barale Barolo
Review Date: 07-16-2026
We are beyond excited to offer the 2021 Barolo del Comune di Barolo from Barale Fratelli—a historic, old-guard estate located right in the heart of the village of Barolo. Founded in 1870, this is a family that has quietly and steadfastly preserved traditional winemaking, continuing to age their wines in large oak casks and letting the terroir speak for itself. The 2021 vintage in Piedmont is an absolute classic, renowned for its structure, precision, and soaring aromatics—and Barale has captured that vintage magic perfectly. This is a wonderfully fragrant, traditional Barolo that opens with classic Nebbiolo scents of wild woodland berry, crushed red cherry, dried rose petals, and a touch of savory cedar and white pepper. On the palate, it is beautifully focused and elegant, with fine-grained tannins and a bright, nervous acidity that gives the wine fantastic energy and lift. For those who love terroir-driven Barolo with an old-school soul, this is a must-have. While it has the structure to rest gracefully in the cellar for years, an hour in the decanter will have it singing right now. It is incredibly rare to find this kind of deep-rooted pedigree and history from the commune of Barolo at such a compelling price.
2011 Bibbiano "Vigna Capannino" Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Pure Castellina in Chianti alberese translated directly into the glass. . Bibbiano’s staunch refusal to mask their top site with small, toasted oak preserves a profound nervous energy that slices right through the natural density of the fruit.
It delivers a distinctly crunchy profile of dried blood orange, tart wild cherry, and crushed iron. Everything here is anchored by a rigid vertical spine.
Price:
$34.99
2011 K&L Discovery Series Italy Montepulciano D'abruzzo (Vintage Release)
Review Date: 07-16-2026
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.
Price:
$22.99
2021 Petrolo "Boggina B" Trebbiano Toscana
Review Date: 07-10-2026
The fruit is Trebbiano Toscano in purity, drawn from old material originally selected in the Valdarno and planted in the 1970s in the Poggio parcel, since replanted below the historic Bòggina vineyard using the same clones. Farming is organic, the harvest manual and sorted by hand. What follows is where the wine earns its seriousness: natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts in French oak tonneaux, then better than fifteen months sur lie, with bâtonnage tapering off through the early months and no racking until bottling. It's a Burgundian playbook applied to a grape most people still associate with dilute cooperative whites — and the gap between that reputation and what's in the glass is the whole point. Valentini level at a 1/4 of the price.
2022 Luigi Coppo e Figli "Pomorosso" Barbera d'Asti (Winery Direct)
Review Date: 07-10-2026
The 97-point "Best in Show" distinction at the Decanter World Wine Awards is not just another shiny badge; it is a validation of the Nizza DOCG's site potential. For Barbera to capture this honor—the first time a Barbera has ever achieved "Best in Show" status—is a tectonic shift in how the trade views the variety. It proves that the saline snap of the Nizza subzone, helps wine stand toe-to-toe with the most prestigious crus in Piedmont. To be placed in the "Top 6" Italian wines of the year in such a competitive, global tasting isn't an accident of climate; it’s a victory for technical precision. The judges didn't reward it for being "big" or "opulent." They rewarded it for its athleticism—that rare ability to balance concentrated black fruit with a vertical spine of acidity that holds the wine together under pressure. It signals to the market that Pomorosso is no longer just a regional reference point; it is a structural benchmark that proves Nizza’s ability to produce unmanipulated, age-worthy wine even in the face of warming vintages. Maybe one the most interstesting buy of the year. With us directly from the winery.
2021 La Gerla "La Pieve" Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 07-09-2026
While most collectors know La Gerla for their elegant "Vigna gli Angeli" from the northern slopes, the "La Pieve" is the insider’s secret weapon—a single-vineyard Cru that showcases the powerful, brooding side of the estate. Sourced exclusively from their holding in Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the warm southern sector of Montalcino, this wine offers a striking counterpoint to the ethereal style of the north. The 2021 vintage is nothing short of majestic here. The vines, planted in 1997, have reached a level of maturity that translates into incredible depth and complexity. The nose is intense and captivating, offering layers of dark wild cherry, black plum, and blood orange, all framed by the signature savory herbs and balsamic notes that define the Castelnuovo terroir.
2024 Contrada Soarda Vespaiolo
Review Date: 06-23-2026
Nestled at the foot of the Asiago plateau in the Veneto region lies the Breganze DOC, an area rich in volcanic history and home to the spectacular Contrà Soarda estate. The name translates to "hamlet on the slope," which perfectly describes the Gottardi family’s breathtaking operation. Pioneers of sustainable viticulture, they constructed a gravity-fed, bio-architecture winery built entirely inside the volcanic hillside to blend into the landscape and naturally regulate temperature.
Their vineyards are planted on ancient volcanic tuff and basalt, which provides the ultimate stage for the rare, indigenous Vespaiolo grape. For centuries, Vespaiolo—named after the wasps (vespe) that swarm the vineyards to feast on the sugar-rich berries—was primarily dried to make the famous sweet wine, Torcolato. However, the Gottardi family are masters at showcasing the grape's thrilling potential as a dry white wine.
Because Vespaiolo naturally retains sky-high acidity, the volcanic soil acts as a perfect counterweight, adding texture and a profound, savory backbone. In the glass, it shines with a brilliant golden-yellow hue. The nose is a striking blend of acacia flowers, white peach, and citrus zest, anchored by a deep, smoky flintiness. On the palate, it is electric and commanding, with a laser-focused mineral tension and a classic bitter-almond finish. It is the ultimate pairing for the region's famous white asparagus from Bassano, or an elegant seafood risotto.
2025 L'Autin "Gemma Vitis" Bonarda
Review Date: 06-23-2026
If you want to discover the hidden, rugged side of Piedmontese viticulture, you have to leave the famous rolling hills of the Langhe and head west toward the jagged peaks of the Cottian Alps. Here, in the Pinerolese appellation just outside of Turin, you will find L’Autin. The name translates to "the little vineyard" in the local dialect, an apt title for an estate that champions tiny, high-altitude plots of native grapes. The terroir here is defined by the mountains: it is cooler, dramatically steeper, and the soils are packed with crushed stone and minerals. (In fact, the estate is so tied to the local geology that they age their sparkling wines deep inside an abandoned talc mine!).
The "Gemma Vitis" is a celebration of the local Bonarda grape, specifically adapted to this cool, alpine-adjacent climate. Because of the extreme diurnal temperature shifts, the grapes develop thick skins and brilliant natural acidity.
This isn't a heavy, brooding red. The mountain terroir translates into a wine of incredible crunch and energy. It pours a vibrant, deep purple, offering bright, rustic aromatics of wild blackberry, crushed raspberry, and a distinct, graphite-like minerality derived from the rocky soil. On the palate, it is juicy, vertical, and refreshing, with a mouth-watering finish that begs for a plate of rich, local tajarin pasta or a spread of cured alpine meats.
2017 Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli 'Siepi' Toscana
Review Date: 06-17-2026
Siepi is the ultimate proof that you can blend Sangiovese and Merlot without losing your Tuscan soul.
The nose has an incredibly playful interplay between the two varieties, Sangiovese and Merlot. The Merlot provides a brooding, savory wave of dark chocolate, crushed blackberry, and roasted earth, but the Sangiovese cuts straight through it with a fiercely high-toned, "crunchy" core of dried blood orange peel, wild mint, and iron. It smells profoundly serious and firmly anchored to the dirt.
You might expect a 50/50 blend to sit wide and plush across the mid-palate, but it drives straight down the center with a razor-sharp, vertical spine of acidity.
A top Supertuscan offered at 50% off—what more could you ask for?
2022 G.D. Vajra "Bricco delle Viole" Barolo
Review Date: 06-01-2026
The undisputed flagship. Situated at one of the highest elevations in the entire Barolo zone, it effortlessly defies the warmth of the vintage. It is a masterpiece of elegance, offering soaring violet aromatics, pristine red fruit, and supreme longevity.
2022 G.D. Vajra "Coste Di Rose" Barolo
Review Date: 06-01-2026
Sourced from a steep, sandy vineyard, this is the most immediate and fragrant of the trio. It delivers explosive notes of wild roses, mint, and bright red cherries, all wrapped in exceptionally silky tannins.
2022 Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva
Review Date: 05-27-2026
Fèlsina is the undisputed king of Castelnuovo Berardenga, and in a deeply warm, solar vintage like 2022, they are one of the very few estates in the southern reaches of the appellation that completely retained their nerve.
It leaps from the glass with a fiercely high-toned wave of crushed alberese rock, dried tobacco, scorched earth, and a deeply "crunchy" core of tart black cherry and dried blood orange peel. It smells intensely savory, cool, and firmly anchored to the dirt.
2018 Fèlsina Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (375ml)
Review Date: 05-27-2026
The process is a painstaking labor of love. A blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes are hand-harvested and then hung to dry (appassimento) in airy lofts for months, concentrating their sugars and flavors. The thick, sweet juice is then pressed and sealed in small oak and chestnut barrels, called caratelli, where it ferments and ages slowly for at least a decade in the vinsantaia—a process that exposes it to the natural temperature fluctuations of the seasons.
It is rich and lusciously sweet but with a vibrant, electrifying acidity that cuts through the richness, preventing it from ever feeling cloying.
This is a wine to be sipped slowly on its own at the end of a meal, or paired with the classic Cantucci (almond biscotti). A small bottle will last for weeks after opening, its flavors continuing to evolve.
This wine is immortal; you can keep it in the cellar for generations.
Price:
$34.99
2021 Federico Mencaroni Lacrima di Morro d'Alba
Review Date: 05-27-2026
Venture to the rolling hills of the Marche region, caught between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, and you will find the Federico Mencaroni estate. Located in the picturesque town of Corinaldo, this family-run winery is currently guided by its fourth generation. Federico Mencaroni took the reins from his uncle in 2009, combining modern precision with a deep respect for his family's agricultural heritage. His vineyards are planted in ideal clay and limestone soils, benefiting from a unique microclimate that marries continental mountain air with moderating coastal breezes.
While the Marche is famous for white Verdicchio, its greatest red secret is Lacrima. Indigenous to the tiny Morro d'Alba appellation, the Lacrima grape takes its name (meaning "tear") from the fact that its thin skin often weeps juice when fully ripe. Mencaroni ferments this entirely in stainless steel to preserve its astonishingly pure aromatics.
This wine is an absolute aromatic explosion. It pours a deep ruby with violet reflections, but the nose is what stops you: an intoxicating wave of blooming violets, wild strawberry, and sweet spice. On the palate, it is smooth, charmingly fresh, and unburdened by heavy tannins. Pair this floral beauty with a charcuterie board or a savory meat ragù.
2024 Bianchi "Il Rosato" Vino Nebbiolo Rosato
Review Date: 05-27-2026
The legendary Pasquero-Elia family, the visionary minds behind the historic Paitin estate in Barbaresco, have embarked on a thrilling new chapter with their "Bianchi" venture. While Paitin has been a cornerstone of traditional winemaking in Neive since 1796, the Bianchi project serves as a fresh, modern canvas for the family to explore vibrant new expressions of their beloved Piedmontese terroir.
This Rosato is a masterclass in the versatility of the noble Nebbiolo grape. While their Barbaresco demands years of patient cellaring, this wine is designed to capture the grape's youthful, immediate energy. Sourced from the Langhe's famous calcareous-clay soils, the fruit is harvested specifically for rosé production to maintain high acidity, undergoing just a brief, delicate maceration to extract a perfect kiss of color without the heavy tannins.
As the weather warms up, this is exactly what you want chilling in the fridge. It pours a brilliant, pale salmon hue. The nose trades Nebbiolo's brooding dark notes for a bright, springtime bouquet of wild strawberry, white peach, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, it is crisp, bone-dry, and electric, finishing with a savory, mineral snap. It is the ultimate seasonal aperitivo and a gorgeous pairing for fresh goat cheese or a vibrant spring pea risotto.
2023 Gianfranco Bovio 'Firagnetti' Langhe Nebbiolo
Review Date: 05-27-2026
When discussing traditional Piedmontese winemaking, the Bovio family holds a revered place in La Morra. Originally famous as local restaurateurs, the late Gianfranco Bovio revitalized his father's estate in the 1970s, establishing a winery that has become a benchmark for classic, terroir-driven Nebbiolo. Today, the third generation continues this legacy, deeply committed to preserving the historic style of the Langhe.
The "Firagnetti" Langhe Nebbiolo—named after a Piedmontese dialect term referring to a vineyard area with short rows—is the perfect introduction to the Bovio philosophy. Sourced from the estate’s younger vines, this wine offers the noble pedigree of Barolo without the prerequisite decade of cellaring. The vines thrive in the calcareous-clay soils of La Morra, known for yielding Nebbiolo with pronounced elegance and perfume rather than brute force.
In the glass, it reveals a brilliant, translucent ruby color. The nose is incredibly expressive, offering a classic bouquet of dried cherries, crushed roses, and the subtle hint of leather and spice that defines the grape. On the palate, it is vibrant and approachable. Instead of gripping tannins, it delivers a lively freshness and a graceful, spicy finish, making it a dream pairing for agnolotti del plin or roasted poultry.
2022 Tenute Silvio Nardi Rosso di Montalcino
Review Date: 05-26-2026
To understand the modern history of Montalcino, you have to look at Silvio Nardi. In 1950, long before Brunello became a global luxury icon, Nardi—a successful agricultural equipment manufacturer from Umbria—purchased the historic Casale del Bosco estate. He was an outsider with a bold vision, becoming one of the very first to bottle Brunello and a founding member of the local Consorzio. Today, his daughter Emilia leads the estate, pushing the boundaries of precision viticulture.
While Brunello is built for decades in the cellar, the Rosso di Montalcino is designed to capture the immediate, vibrant energy of the Sangiovese Grosso grape. Sourced from the estate’s younger vines across different exposures in Montalcino, this wine benefits from the region's classic galestro (friable shale) and alberese (limestone) soils, which impart an unmistakable chalky tension.
In the glass, it is a masterclass in Tuscan elegance. It trades the heavy, brooding tannins of Brunello for a bright, vertical energy. The nose offers a pure expression of sour cherry, violet, and a hint of dusty earth. It is lively, savory, and incredibly versatile—the perfect "baby Brunello" to pair with a springtime lamb ragù or a simple, rustic Margherita pizza.
2023 Tua Rita "Rosso dei Notri" Toscana Super Tuscan
Review Date: 05-26-2026
The story of Tua Rita reads like a Tuscan fairytale. In 1984, Rita Tua and her husband Virgilio Bisti purchased a small, rustic property in Suvereto, a medieval town in the Maremma on the Tuscan coast. What started as a peaceful retirement project to farm a little land and make wine for friends quickly blossomed into one of Italy’s most iconic cult wineries. They were pioneers in realizing that the Maremma coast was capable of producing world-class Bordeaux-style blends.
The secret to Tua Rita’s magic is the soil of the Colline Metallifere (the metal-bearing hills). This unique coastal terroir is packed with iron, clay, and a rich array of minerals, swept daily by the salty breezes of the Tyrrhenian Sea. "Rosso dei Notri" is their brilliant, energetic introduction to this terroir.
Typically blending Sangiovese with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, this Super Tuscan translates the warmth of the coast into a wine that is generous and plush, yet incredibly fresh. It bursts with dark coastal fruit—blackberry and ripe plum—underscored by a distinctive, iron-like minerality and a hint of Mediterranean scrub. It is a powerful, yet elegant coastal red perfect for welcoming the warmer grilling season.
2021 Masseria Setteporte Etna Rosso
Review Date: 05-26-2026
Welcome to the volcano! Mount Etna in Sicily is currently the most thrilling wine region in Italy, offering what many call "the Burgundy of the Mediterranean." The Portale family of Masseria Setteporte has been farming the southwestern slopes of Etna, near the town of Biancavilla, for generations. While most of the famous Etna estates are on the northern face, the southwestern slope offers a distinct terroir: higher sunlight hours balanced by staggering altitudes (up to 700 meters above sea level).
Winemaking here is defined by the earth beneath the vines. The soils are pure volcanic ash, pumice, and ancient lava flows. The native Nerello Mascalese grape (blended with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio) acts as a sponge for this terroir. It has the pale color and aromatic finesse of Pinot Noir, but the wild, smoky heart of Sicily.
2024 Piccolo Goccio Sangiovese
Review Date: 05-26-2026
Sometimes, the most compelling wines come from the most humble philosophies. "Piccolo Goccio" translates to "Little Drop," a name that perfectly encapsulates the artisanal, boutique approach behind this wine. In a world where Sangiovese is often blended, heavily oaked, or polished to meet international tastes, this project is a refreshing return to the grape's unadulterated, rustic roots in central Italy.
This wine is a tribute to the rolling, sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, where Sangiovese has thrived for centuries. By sourcing fruit from small, dedicated plots and utilizing a gentle, low-intervention approach in the cellar (often leaning entirely on stainless steel or neutral vessels), the winemaking steps out of the way to let the raw terroir speak.
The result is a wine that captures the nervous, joyful energy of Sangiovese. It pours a brilliant, translucent ruby, offering immediate aromatics of crunchy red cherries, wild strawberry, and a savory hint of wild thyme. It is light on its feet, with that signature mouth-watering acidity and a dusty, earthy finish. It’s an honest, "glou-glou" style of Sangiovese that demands a spot on your picnic blanket alongside hard pecorino cheese and finocchiona salami.