Neroametà emerges from the white vinification of the Aglianico grape, showcasing an age-old family vision that highlights the exceptional adaptability of this venerable vine. This wine is a homage both to the varietal heritage of the black Aglianico grape, which reveals a distinctive elegance when vinified in white, and to the wine's geographical and cultural roots, reflecting the harmony and contrast of its landscape. It features an elegant bouquet, rich in expansive and intricate floral notes, including lily of the valley and citrus, seamlessly integrated with subtle fruity and mineral nuances. On the palate, it presents a fresh, savory, and bold profile, leading to an intense mineral-laced finish, encapsulating its refined complexity and depth.

Established in 1869, this family-operated winery stands as one of the most venerable estates in Alto Adige. Now run by Elena Walch and her two daughters, their name is synonymous with quality. Made from 100% Lagrein, a grape indigenous to the area, is one of the most tannic grapes in all of Italy. The wines produced from this grape are characterized by their freshness and elegance, offering notes of berry, spice, and cocoa, complemented by firm tannins. Try with meat heavier meats, such as wild game, bison and beef steak.

~mjh

Casa Raia was purchased in 2006 by Frenchman Pierre Jean Monnoyer who restored the old vineyards and began producing natural wines with three labels, the "supertuscan" Bevilo, a Sangiovese Rose and this Brunello di Montalcino. Made with 100% Sangiovese (as required by law) this ageable beauty is elegant with a nose of cherry, cinnamon, thyme and hints of pencil shavings and earth. Certainly one of the best "natural" wines out there.

Nebbiolo in Italy's most northern region of Val d'Aosta is known here as Picotener or Picotendre. Difficult to ripen in this cold climate, the grapes have the advantage of altitude sunshine. This light, fresh example has all the rose, cherry and rasperry notes of Nebbiolo, but with an intense acidity. If you've never tried Nebbiolo before, this may be a great place to start!

Not just Barolo, but single vineyard Barolo which makes these wines even more special. The typical flavours of roses and dried cherries is evident in this powerful Nebbiolo and of course these wines will age for decades, into 2040. On the nose, the wine exhibits rich, intense aromas of red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, alongside hints of licorice, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm tannins, a great structure, and a long, persistent finish. The wine has a complex flavor profile that includes dark berries, plums, and black pepper, with subtle hints of vanilla and spice. The oak aging process adds a layer of complexity and depth to the wine, while the high acidity gives it a vibrant freshness. This is a well-balanced wine that showcases the elegance and power of the Barolo region. It can be enjoyed now or aged for several years to come.

In the commune of La Morra, Sergio Molino vinifies wine from only 2.5 ha of Nebbiolo vines. The Molino family vineyards, bottled under the Ernesto Molino label is an homage to Sergio's father. Like many micro-wineries, it's a "hands-off" approach, allowing the terroir to speak for itself. Cranberry, violet, hints of vanilla and even an iron note, put this one away for a while to let those austere tannins settle down. Best after 2027.

Antinori is one of the four oldest winemaking families of Italy. With 26 generations of experience, more than nine estates in Italy, one in the US and one in Chile, they are leaders in quality and their name is sought after the world over.  From ‘Tuesday night pizza wine’ to collectible, ageworthy wines from Chianti Classico and Bolgheri, there is a wine for everyone’s budget in the Antinori portfolio.

From one of the three oldest families of Italy, spanning 26 generations, one of their luxury brands, Solaia is located on the sunniest slope of the Tignanello vineyard. Here, the best grapes of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Franc make this aromatic, complex wine with notes of raspberries and mulberries with additional, distinct notes of coffee beans, chocolate, and licorice. The palate is well-balanced and structured with spicy undertones that give way to an exceptionally long. This wine is only produced in exceptional vintages.

A fruity nose with tart cherries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. After some time in your glass the fruits settle, though are still prominently featured. Slight hints of earthiness, eucalyptus, and green bell pepper tone down the fruits, but keep to the background. Try slightly chilled.

Rich in red and blue flowers giving pleasure in the notes of lavender, passionflower, magnolias and gardenias. A lot of citrusy hints describe the secondary scene. Medium to full bodied, extremely light, gentle tannins of very fine grain and a harmonic, balanced finale with a smooth, progressive closure.

Assuli Lorlando Riserva Nero d'Avola is a well-balanced Sicilian red wine, characterized by intense aromas of ripe red fruit, a smooth texture, and soft tannins, with notes of blackberry, plum, and a hint of licorice.

Another little gem from the oldest family winery in Italy. Since 1141, Ricasoli has been producing wines of great character and quality. Made from 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino, the wine is aged for 9 months in used tonneaux.

The nose begins with floral and fruity notes, gradually transitioning to umami with hints of balsamic vinegar and tar, blending with violets, roses, figs, and plums. The palate combines juiciness and earthiness, with gritty, almost sandy tannins enhancing the earthy profile.

The Marion Farm, located in the unspoiled Marcellise valley east of Verona, is a small family run property managed by Stefano Campedelli, his wife Nicoletta and her brother Marco and their two sons. Under the guidance of the ex-cellar master at Guiseppe Quintarelli and current adviser to Romano dal Forno, Marion was born. The wine presents a pale cherry-garnet hue and an aromatic, almost floral bouquet with hints of spice, dried cherry, cranberry, and seasoned wood. On the palate, it offers round and ripe flavors of fresh, juicy red fruits, displaying balance and finesse. This wine is elegant with a long, lingering finish, showcasing Campedelli's expertise and dedication to quality winemaking.

Eucalyptus, woodland berry, rose and baking spice aromas take shape in the glass. This is all about finesse and energy, doling out flavors of juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and licorice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Still young and tightly wound, it will benefit from more time in the cellar. Kerin O’Keefe

Classically crafted, this opens with earthy aromas of forest floor, woodland berries, leather, violet and crushed black olive. Savory and elegantly structured, the lithe palate features ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise, truffle and the same black olive note from the nose. Taut, polished tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced.

Winemaking
After a pre-fermentative cold maceration, the fermentation of the must with the skins takes place at a controlled temperature for 12 days, followed by malolactic fermentation. Then the wine is aged for 6 months in tonneaux and 6 months in stainless steel tanks and 4 months in a bottle.

Tasting Notes
The wine takes on a pale ruby colour. Intense aromas are jampacked with blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and a slight peppery note. On the palate, it is dry, medium-bodied, has well-ripened soft tannins, elegant with plenty of acidity and a touch of spice.

With their winery located with the National Park area of Gran Sasso, this family owned winey began their estate in the early 1900's when the first vineyards were purchased but it wasn't until two generations later, the family decided to bottle wines under their own label. When the first grandchild was born, she had flaming red har just like her grandmother, so the label created was "Testarossa" (redhead). This 100% Montepulciano has aromas of plums and cherries with nuances of violet. On the palate it's full-bodied with ripe red cherry, cocoa, licorice, tobacco, leather with smooth tannins and a long finish. The bottle boasts a leather label on this 1.5 L.

From the Bolgheri DOC, the Poggio Al Tesoro is owned by the Allegrini family of Valpolicella fame. The Sondraia is the flagship wine made with a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Full bodied and intense with aromas and flavours of black currant, blackberry and spice, it's an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats and wild game.

This wine is known for its intense aromas of red fruits, roses, and spices, with a complex and elegant flavor profile that includes notes of cherry, licorice, and tobacco. The tannins are firm and well-structured, providing a long and persistent finish. This wine is aged for at least two years in oak barrels, which adds depth and complexity to its flavor. Rinaldi Barbaresco is a perfect wine to pair with rich and flavorful dishes such as roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

Passopisciaro is a small area (the name of a town) on Mt.Etna's north face on the property of the late Andrea Franchetti. Soils from this active volcano provides resulting wine with a vein of minerality that speaks of the terroir of this prestigious region. Contrada Sciaranuova is located at 850 m.In Sicilian, "sciara nuova" means "new lava flow", deposits from the relatively new lava flow from the 1600s that has turned into thick gravel.The wines produced from this site are bright, aromatic, and have a rich taste of fermented hay and a dusty herbal quality. The wine is structured, yet fresh with a youthful concentration.

Fattoria del Pino Brunello di Montalcino 2019 is an elegant and expressive Tuscan red made from 100% Sangiovese grown near the renowned Montosoli hill in Montalcino. The wine offers vibrant aromas of ripe cherry, wild berries, dried rose petals, orange peel, herbs, and subtle earthy spice. The palate is medium-to-full-bodied and beautifully structured, with juicy red fruit, bright acidity, fine-grained tannins, and savory notes of leather, licorice, and dried herbs. Traditionally matured in large Slavonian oak casks, it finishes long, balanced, and mineral-driven, with excellent potential for further aging.

Fattoria del Pino Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is an elegant and traditionally styled Tuscan red made from 100% Sangiovese grown in the Montosoli area of northern Montalcino. The wine offers aromas of ripe cherry, red berries, dried flowers, citrus peel, tobacco, and earthy spice. On the palate, it is refined and well balanced, with fresh acidity, fine-grained tannins, and layers of red fruit, leather, herbs, and subtle smoky notes. The finish is long and savory, showing the freshness and mineral character typical of the cooler Montosoli terroir. With its combination of structure and finesse, the 2018 is approachable now but can continue to develop with additional bottle age.

Gulfi is a family-owned winery located in southern Sicily, with grand cru vineyards located in Pachino: 100% Nero d’Avola that grows in sandy soil close to the sea and has adapted to the hot climate. Here, the resulting wines are complex and elegant, and the benchmark for what these wines should taste like. Undoubtedly, one of the world’s greatest wine estates and producers of Nero d’Avola. Although one might think the wines taste the same, each single vineyard or ‘cru’ showcases the great terroir of Pachino and the subtleties of each area.

Maccarj is a dense and powerful wine with a perfumed nose of ripe black cherry, garrigue, iron notes and eucalyptus. The tannins are firm and powerful with lingering flavours of blackberry fruit and juniper along with a meaty, black olive quality, typical of this cru.

As the winery's most important and awarded wine, Sor Ugo represents the elegance and strength of Bolgheri. A "Super Tuscan" Bordeaux-blend created by the prominent enologist Tibor Gal, it is named after Ugo, the first Pellegrini family member who started to work with grapes and wines a century ago

Roeno Enantio Valdadige is a red wine produced by the Roeno winery located in the Valdadige DOC region of Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy. This wine is made from the Enantio grape variety, which is grown on the winery's estate vineyards and undergoes a maceration process with the skins for about 12 days.

On the nose, this wine has intense aromas of red berries, with hints of spice and licorice. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a good balance of acidity and tannins. Flavors of red currant, black cherry, and a hint of tobacco are present, with a long and persistent finish.

The Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo is a full-bodied and elegant red wine produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Barolo subregion of Piedmont, Italy. It offers a deep ruby color and aromas of dark cherry, rose petal, licorice, and tobacco. On the palate, it is rich and complex with notes of red fruit, leather, and spice, balanced by firm tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long and persistent. This wine has received 93 points from Wine Spectator, which praises its "intensity and harmony," calling it "a modern-style Barolo, but still maintains its integrity and typicity." It is an ideal pairing with hearty meat dishes, aged cheeses, or simply enjoyed on its own. 

Beautiful, resolved nose, a touch of delightful oxidation, coffee and chocolate but still that cherry ripe red fruit clarity. In the mouth it is silky and dense, a flood of quite meaty and fleshy black fruit, super ripe tannins and lovely plum and cherry skin acidity giving length. A beautifully resolved and complete wine.

Cantina Girlan is a cooperative winery located in the Alto Adige (South Tyrol/Südtirol) region, dating back to 1923 with 23 winegrowers. Today the winery belongs to 200 winegrowing families on a total of 230 hectares; hence, each grower farms an average of 1,15 ha. Grapes are harvested by hand and sustainable methods are utilized to protect the soil and overall environment. Native grape varieties, such as Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir and Vernatsch (Schiava) are the focus.
Made from 100% Vernatsch, aka Schiava, this light bodied red wine has pretty notes of strawberries, ripe raspberries, lemon peel and rose petals.

85/100 Wine Enthusiast
"A ruby-colored sparkling dessert wine from northern Italy, Brachetto d'Acqui enjoys a long history rooted in Italian tradition, and it can be paired with sweet foods and savory ones alike. This is soft and round with notes of raspberry and candied cherry on the close."

E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Via Nuova is a red wine from the Barolo region of Italy. The wine is made from the Nebbiolo grape variety, which is known for its high tannins and acidity. The wine is aged for a minimum of 38 months before release, which is longer than the minimum aging requirement for regular Barolo wines. The wine has a complex bouquet, with notes of red fruit, cherry, rose and tar, it also has a spicy and balsamic aftertaste. 

Santa Cristina Le Maestrelle is a popular, modern Tuscan red wine (IGT) produced by Santa Cristina (Antinori). It is a smooth, medium-bodied blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah, characterized by intense ruby red color, soft tannins, and notes of red berries, plum, and spice. It is known for being balanced and versatile.

The Masi Costasera Amarone Lunar New Year Horse (2020/2026 edition) is a limited-edition Italian red wine celebrating the Year of the Horse. Featuring a stylized golden horse label on a red background, this \(15\%\) ABV Amarone (\(70\%\) Corvina, \(25\%\) Rondinella, \(5\%\) Molinara) offers a rich, velvety profile of stewed fruit, plum, cherry, coffee, and cocoa, with over 30 years of aging potential. 

Mamete Prevostini Botonero IGT is a bright, light-bodied, 100% Nebbiolo red wine from the high-altitude, terraced vineyards of Lombardy's Alpi Retiche region in Italy. It's characterized by fresh, clean aromas of cherry, strawberry, and violet, with a crisp, dry palate that offers flavors of red berries, rose petals, and a hint of minerality. The wine is unoaked, fermented and aged in stainless steel, and pairs well with light- to medium-bodied foods like vegetable appetizers, white meats, and tomato-based pasta sauces.

The Luce Brunello di Montalcino 2019 is a highly-regarded Brunello, praised for its elegance, concentration, and aging potential. It's described as a medium-plus-bodied wine with fragrant aromas of black cherry, blueberry, and toasted nuts, complemented by floral and lavender notes. The palate features fine, textured tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. Some experts say it's already enjoyable but will benefit from further aging. 3 bottles, in an elegant black wooden display case.

Argiano Rosso di Montalcino, a 100% Sangiovese wine, offers a vibrant ruby red color with aromas of cherry, red berries, and hints of spice and earth, presenting a fresh, fruity, and balanced palate with smooth tannins.

From the master himself, Mastroberardino, Campania's favourite winemaker, this might be considered "entry level", but with nothing lacking in flavour and quality. Made with a blend of aglianico and piedirosso, the aromas denote fruity sensations of plum, blackberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, strawberry and cherry with hints of cinnamon. On the palate it is medium bodied with rich notes of red fruits.

Crafted exclusively in exceptional vintages, Solana emerges from a terroir renowned for its unparalleled microclimate and soil composition, situated at an elevation of 500-600 meters above sea level. Born from a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah grapes propagated through mass selection, Solana embodies a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, undergoing a 40-day maceration period. Following an initial decantation, the wine undergoes refinement in stainless steel tanks before transitioning to first-pass oak barrels, known as "heart selection," representing the pinnacle of wood quality. Aging in barrels extends for 12 months, culminating in bottle refinement until reaching peak maturity. In the glass, Solana reveals an intense red hue with purple undertones. The aroma exudes elegance, characterized by persistent mineral, balsamic, floral, and fruity nuances, including jam and blackberry, intertwined with spicy and cocoa notes from wood aging. On the palate, it offers a broad yet balanced profile, supported by well-integrated acidity and pronounced flavors of prune, vanilla, and chocolate. The finish is enduring, accentuating the wine's soft tannins and leaving a lasting impression.

"Aromas of fragrant blue flowers mingle with perfumed berries and roasted coffee bean in this plush red. The supple palate reflects the nose, offering fleshy black cherry, star anise and espresso alongside velvety, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2028. Kerin O’Keefe" - 92/100, Wine Enthusiast

On the nose, hot, meaty, umami aromas hold court, but dark fruit and a sanguine, tangy metallic component prevent those notes of smoke, pepper and tar from becoming overpowering. Undertones of vanilla and chocolate lift the fruit on the palate, but unyielding tannins and energetic acid ensure the spicy earthiness endures.