100% Carignano, Santadi Carignano del Sulcis “Grotta Rossa” DOC is intense crimson color, lovely, fruity bouquet with a licorice finish, elegant palate, good depth, structure and texture.

from the famed Valdicava winery, this single vineyard wine is only produced in the most excellent vintages. 2007 was a stellar year with perfect conditions for ripening of the Sangiovese grape. Beautifully knit together, this wine has deep, concentrated notes of blueberries and blackberries, leather, and tobacco. Deeply textured, yet with smooth tannins, and layers and layers of flavour. This will undoubtedly just get better in the bottle. If drinking now, decant or hold until 2030-2035.

Sangiovese, aka Brunello is grown all over Italy, but most prevalent in Tuscany. Valdicava wine estate produces some of the highest quality wines in the world by showing different expressions of this opulent grape variety. Located in the valley of Montosoli, to the north of Montalcino, the winery only produces two wines: a Rosso and Brunello, with the single vineyard, Madonna del Piano only produced in the very best vintages. This 2016 has attractive aromas of cherry nib, violet, tomato leaf, walnut, and orange rind. Full bodied with dusty tannins and a long, linear finish. 

The renamed Lunae winery located in Liguria produces this spectacular red wine with the DOC Colli Luini certification. This wine is made by 33% Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo and Canaiolo grapes. The Auxo Colli Luini DOC is an excellent quality wine, refined and prestigious suitable for convivial and representative moments and it is also round and soft. The cultivation method is the Guyot with a density of 4000 units per hectare according to the technical policy of production. The vineyards are located in Castelnuovo Magra and in little portion also in Ortonovo and Sarzana in the La Spezia province. The vineyards are around 30 years old. The manual grape harvest takes place in the second half of September. Firstly there is the fermentation in stainless steel tanks with 10 days on peels, then the racking off and late the malolactic fermentation always in steel tanks. Finally the aging period of 6 months in big oak barrels. In the first process the must and the wine are kept at 18°C.

The Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva (produced at the Tenuta Tignanello estate) is a prestigious, fruit-forward Tuscan red wine. Often referred to as the "baby Tignanello", it is a rich blend of predominantly Sangiovese with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, prized for its silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and elegant flavor profile.

The Giribaldi Dolcetto d'Alba DOC is a vibrant, dry red wine from Piedmont, Italy, characterized by an intense ruby-red color with violet hints and aromas of violet, cherry, and blackberry. On the palate, it's full, fruity, and structured with soft tannins, offering flavors of raspberry and blueberry, finishing dry and clean, making it versatile for appetizers, meats, and local pasta dishes like agnolotti al plin.

Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico is a vibrant, ruby-red Italian red known for its deep fruit (black cherry, plum, dark berries), floral notes (violets), and complex spice (sweet spice, sandalwood, tobacco), offering a fresh, savory profile with balanced acidity, fine tannins, and a long, fruity finish, reflecting its high-altitude Tuscan vineyards and often a blend of Sangiovese with small amounts of Cabernet/Merlot or organic grapes.

The Castelgiocondo Ripe Al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a full-bodied, elegant, and complex Italian red wine known for its brilliant ruby color and long, persistent finish. On the nose, it presents a rich mix of fresh fruit (like black and red cherries, wild berries, and pomegranate), floral notes, and tertiary aromas such as graphite, tobacco, and coffee. It has a balanced, silky yet firm palate with well-integrated, fine tannins and a minerally or chalky undertone.

F NEGROAMARO shows a very deep and deep purple red color. The scent is rich and complex, with notes of spices, berries, and cherry jam. A full-bodied wine, soft and harmonious, rich in noble tannins, with a pleasantly persistent finish.

GABBIANO BELLEZZA CHIANTI GRAN SELEZIONE is a premium Chianti Classico wine from Castello di Gabbiano, known for its intense expression of the Sangiovese grape. It boasts a deep ruby red color and offers a complex bouquet of red berries, citrus, and spicy notes with hints of vanilla. The wine is characterized by fresh acidity typical of Sangiovese, elegant tannins, and a full-bodied, well-structured palate.

Castello di Gabbiano Alleanza Toscana is a red wine blend from Tuscany, Italy. It's known for its intense red color with purple hues, and offers a balanced palate with ripe fruit notes, delicate savory characteristics, and well-integrated tannins. The wine also features aromas of black pepper, cloves, and ripe fruit, with a vegetal finish.

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.

The nose starts floral, with aromas of roses, vanilla and cherry, then turns earthy, before spiced undertones of cloves and bergamot float to the surface. The cherries return on the palate, with more bitter citrus and earth tones, while finely grained tannins tickle the back of your tongue.

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, with hints of floral notes and a touch of spice.

Taste: Rich and velvety on the palate, with flavors of blackberries, plums, and a subtle earthiness. Well-balanced acidity and smooth tannins.

Palate: Full-bodied and elegant, with a long and persistent finish. Notes of dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla add complexity to the wine.

Nose: Intense aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and violets, with hints of tobacco and earthiness.

Taste: Rich and velvety, with flavors of ripe red fruits, blackberries, and plums. Subtle notes of vanilla and spice add complexity.

Palate: Well-structured with firm tannins and a balanced acidity. The wine has a long, persistent finish with a touch of minerality.

Candied cherries, wild herbs and darker flowers, with subtle violet notes, create a very pretty aromatic profile. Well-structured, it showcases a great balance, with supple tannins and lifted acidity. While it can be enjoyed now, a bit more time in the cellar would be beneficial.

Guado Al Tasso is from the famous Antinori family from their estate in Bolgheri, the famed appellation on the upper coast of Maremma. The label features the crest and initials of the Della Gherardesca, former owners of the estate. Produced since 1990, the wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot to best represent the complexity and elegance of the Bolgheri terroir. The palate is intense and complex with captivating aromas of currants, blackberries and blood oranges followed by undertones of spices, tobacco, licorice, and roasted coffee. The palate is mouth filling and persistent, bursting with vibrant silky tannins. A powerful yet graceful vintage with outstanding aging potential.

This classic bottling showcases the variety with effusive red fruit, wild herb, and tar notes in both aroma and flavor, finishing with slight and elegant tannins!

Truffle, underbrush, new leather and chopped herb aromas slowly emerge in the glass. The bright, elegantly structured palate delivers tart cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside vibrant acidity and tightly wound noble tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it time to develop. 

Showing its Etna pedigree and loaded with finesse, this gorgeous red has inviting aromas of camphor, crushed red berries, blue flowers and Mediterranean brush. Full-bodied but boasting an almost weightless elegance, the enveloping, delicious palate delivers raspberry compote, ripe strawberry and baking spice alongside a flinty mineral note that lends depth. Enveloping, polished tannins provide lithe support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's already showing beautifully so there's no need to wait. Drink through 2029. Kerin O’Keefe

Plush and softly textured, this modern expression of Brunello boasts generous tones of black fruit, cherry, tobacco, leather and cola with smooth, silky tannins. You could age this wine many more years, or drink it sooner thanks to the inherent softness here.

One of the original producers that grows Trebbiano Abruzzese, one of the few quality grapes of the Trebbiano group. There is not much of this exported and even fewer bottles of the Montepulciano. Francesco Valentini and his son are the only humans allowed in the cellar as Francesco never wants to introduce foreign microbes or yeasts to interfere with the ageing of the wine. These are some of the most ageable white wines in the world and in fact, could be considered “unicorns” as they are hard to find here in Canada.  Truly collectible.

Located in Loreto Aprutino in the province of Pescara, the Valentini winery boasts of a centuries-old winemaking tradition. Francesco Paolo Valentini is a more than well-known figure in the wine world. The winery covers 65 hectares of vineyards dedicated to the production of Trebbiano, Montepulciano and Cerasuolo d' Abruzzo. Annual production is around 50,000 bottles. It is not possible to identify the production method as Organic or Biodynamic since the approach in the vineyard is unique and artisanal. Montepulciano is a powerful and impetuous wine. It is characteristic of bewitching with its important body and intriguing bouqet of aromas.

This super-interesting blend from Liguria is made from Sangiovese, Merlot and the rarely seen Pollera Nera, native to Liguria. The wine is very aromatic, perfumed with wild berries, fresh herbs and dried flowers. The vibrant palate highlights classic Sangiovese tart-cherry notes and lively acidity. Merlot contributes a softer edge while the Pollera Nera adds background notes of herbs and spice.

The enchanting Montepulciano d'Abruzzo casts its spell with a timeless blend of crushed rocks, violets, lavender, delicate hints of blood orange, and nuanced strawberry notes. Its textured, ripe wild berry flavors embrace the palate, leading to a delightful mineral essence that adds a satisfying crunch towards the finish. The wine maintains its elegance throughout, concluding with a lightly structured yet concentrated profile, accompanied by captivating floral aromas that linger astonishingly long. This is unquestionably a stunning and impeccably balanced Montepulciano. For optimal enjoyment

Exhibiting pure elegance, Potazzine Rosso di Montalcino unfurls gradually, initially presenting notes of red plum and dusty rose. With some gentle coaxing, it reveals violet florals, cedar, and crushed stone aromas that come to the forefront. The palate is captivated by a dynamic blend of succulent wild berries and contrasting saline mineral undertones, all complemented by a refreshing acidity. A lingering interplay of citrus and cranberry adds a delightful tension, leaving a pleasant pinch on the cheeks and enticing the taste buds for more, while gentle fine tannins slowly emerge, providing a delicate coating. This wine is truly stunning, but it is advisable to decant it or cellar it for the next five to eight years to fully appreciate its beauty.

"Potazzine" refers to colourful and vivacious birds which inhabit the Tuscany countryside. The property is owned by Gigliola Giannetti who created the winery in 1993 upon the birth of her first daughter and further expanded it another 2ha three years later after the birth of her second daughter.  Potazzine is also a term of endearment given to children by parents and grandparents and it was Gigliola’s mother who affectionately gave this nickname to the two girls.  These prestigious wines are made using natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, long macerations and ageing in Slavonian oak for 40 months resulting in wines with smooth tannins. The nose is fruity and floral with notes of red cherry, and violets, defined by savoury tomato leaf, balsamic and spice notes for a beautifully balanced wine.

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. Rampante sits at 1000m asl and produces one of the finest, most aromatic of the volcano wines due to the sandy content in the soil. Dried flowers, smoke, sour cherries, and exotic spices dominate. It is the winery's most rarified and ethereal expression of Nerello Mascalese. Stunning.

Colpetrone's Sacer Montefalco Sagrantino is a rich and intense wine that embodies the unique character of Sagrantino grapes grown in the Montefalco area of Umbria, Italy. It has a deep ruby color and aromas of dark fruit, blackberry, and plum, complemented by hints of leather, tobacco, and spices. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed now or aged for several years to further develop its complexity and depth.

We don’t often think about Nebbiolo outside of Barolo or Barbaresco, but the northern region of Gattinara is a quality region growing points-worthy Spanna, as it is known here. Elegant with aromas and flavours of dried roses, raspberry jam and hints of toasted nuts and vanilla. If you’ve never tried Nebbiolo from Northern Piemonte, this is a good place to start. 

Mazzolino Pinot Noir Oltrepo Pavese DOC  is a medium-bodied red wine with a ruby red color and an elegant bouquet of red fruits, cherries, and spices. On the palate, it is smooth and balanced with a long finish. The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for 12 months before being bottled. This Pinot Noir pairs well with roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

Clean mineral notes, spice, dried flowers, menthol and graphite all run through this potent yet super-refined Barbera that cries for cold weather and bold, lusty food on the table. When I think about what Asti Barbera should be, the Bionzo often comes to mind."

Attractive, sensual, balanced. A soft and persuasive Barbaresco. Velvety tannins and great body define this wine, that ends with a fruity finish and floral note.

Mocha and dark chocolate with dark spice on this robust Italian red wine made from the Appassimento method of drying the grapes for great concentration of flavour. Pair with grilled meats. Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico food pairings: pasta with a tomato sauce, roasted venison, beef and veggie stew, leg of lamb.

A firm, fine-grained red with plum, mahogany, iron and bark on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied with a dusty texture from the tannins. Flavorful finish. Needs time to soften, but a beautiful young Barolo.

92/100, Wine Enthusiast: "This wine offers a full, bright bouquet that is packed with notes of cherry, chocolate, exotic spice, leather, rum cake and a touch of cinnamon. The palate shows smooth, fine tannins and a long, fruit-driven finish."

Mature plum, vanilla, toast and toasted oak sensations lead the nose. The palate opens with juicy black cherry and plum layered with coffee, dense chocolate and bitter espresso that slightly diminish the impact of its Nebbiolo pedigree and purity. It's already accessible but should also age well.- Wine Enthusiast

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from the Asinone vineyard is the flagship wine of Poliziano. After years of continual experimentation, this particular vineyard was identified as the one with the best quality potential. Asinone is well ventilated and has poor soil that gives the Sangiovese just the right vigor. Though Vino Nobile requires only 70% Sangiovese in the blend, this wine uses 95% to showcase the excellence of the Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) from this vineyard.

The Vinchio Vaglio Vigne Vecchie 50 Barbera d'Asti is a vibrant, ruby-red 100% Barbera crafted from vines over 50 years old. Aged exclusively in stainless steel and cement, this fruit-forward wine offers bright acidity, ripe plum and cherry flavors, and a long, savory finish.

The Giribaldi Langhe DOC Merlot is a 100% Merlot, organic red wine from Rodello, Piedmont, offering red fruit, dark cherry, tobacco, and vanilla notes with a warm, full palate and hints of liquorice, ideal with red meats, game, and hard cheeses, served at 16-18°C. Produced by the family-owned Giribaldi estate, it's a taste of the rich Langhe terroir, showcasing elegance and balance.