94+ The 2016 Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Cruà takes things to a more serious level, as musky black currants, plums, flowery underbrush, wild scrub and herbs smolder up from the glass. This splashes across the palate...

Showing a decisive primary note with generous fruit, the Podere Sapaio 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Volpolo has dark berries and black cherry, with hints of pie crust, a strong theme of purple fruits and a sharper note that is not...

(94+ points) The 2020 Magari is floral with a perfume of violet, wild raspberry liqueur, candied black cherry, and cedar. The wine is full-bodied but without weight and offers a silky texture. Pure and inviting, with a...

The 2020 Barbaresco Cottá is another fabulous wine in this range from Sottimano. Dark and super-classic in bearing, the 2020 has tremendous stature along with a darker and more somber personality than usual. The balance...

Black cherries, blackberries, earth, dark chocolate and a hint of orange peel and anise on the nose open onto a lush and indulgent palate, but with pepper and an almost bracing fresh mintinness at the back that creates...

The 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Il Bugiardo displays an inviting mix of blackberries, sage, roses, chalk dust and hints of camphor. This is full-bodied with depths of silky textures and a dense core of...

The 2018 Barolo Gramolere is the most linear and intensely aromatic of the three 2018 Barolos in the range. It offers up an exciting mix of bright red fruit intermingled with scents of leather, iron, dried herbs and white...

Aromas of bark, dark cherries and flowers, too. It’s medium- to full-bodied with purity of fruit that runs the length of the wine. It goes on for minutes. Very fine tannins. From organically grown grapes. Needs three or...

This is a beautiful, fresh 2017 Brunello with fine tannins and a medium body of cherry, bark, cedar and pine-needle flavors. It’s long and polished with ultra-fine tannins and fresh acidity. Nicely done for the vintage...

Sweet berries and cherries with some vanilla and cedar character. Medium body and creamy, juicy tannins. Tangy acidity. Plum, citrus and vanilla undertones. Drink or hold.

The 2018 Sammarco is brilliant. Bright and explosive, with tons of linear drive, the 2018 is exceptionally polished. Cabernet Sauvignon is up to 80% of the blend, and that very much comes through in a wine endowed with...

The 2017 Barolo Rapèt is bright, juicy and absolutely delicious. This fruity Serralunga Barolo offers tons of immediacy in the open-knit style that is typical of parts of this Serralunga vineyard. Silky, impeccably...

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino offers a full and generous personality with layers of dark fruit, cola, rosemary and balsam herb. This is a medium to full-bodied Sangiovese with lots of ripe fruit, soft tannins and rich...

Cherries, dried flowers and slate on the nose with some fresh mushrooms. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a juicy, chewy finish. Lots of structure and freshness to this. Extremely serious as always. Tight...

The 2018 Barolo Castelletto is another compelling wine in this range from Manzone. It exudes vertical intensity, not to mention tons of character, right out of the gate. Sweet red/purplish fruit, rose petal, dried herbs...

The 2018 Darmagi is elegant, delicate and refined. It shows the mid-weight structure of the year in Barbaresco, with lovely varietal character and exceptional textural finesse. Bright red/purplish fruit and lifted floral...

Pouring a rich ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino offers an attractive nose of cherry candies, sweet herbs, polished leather, and orange oils. It moves seamlessly to the palate with equally harmonious structure...

Showing enormous precision and direction, the 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo (with 25,000 bottles released) is a generous expression of Sangiovese that boasts singular intensity. This organic wine...

The 2018 Lessona is a wild, distinctive wine that captures all the exotic beauty of Nebbiolo in this appellation. Sweet dark cherry, orange peel, cinnamon, blood orange, sage and rose petal build effortlessly as this...

This is aromatic with blueberries and black cherries, as well as hints of blue flowers, spices, dark chocolate and crushed stones. Full-bodied with layers of firm, fine-grained tannins and deep blue fruit. Structured and...

Camphor, forest floor, wild berry and dark spice aromas lead the way. Full-bodied and supremely elegant, the delicious palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly woven...

The 2016 Camalaione is a worthy follow up to the 2015. For Camalaione, proprietors Luca Orsini and Valeria Viganò blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, an approach that works so well here. The 2016 is...