Giuliano Rosati Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry and boysenberry with supporting notes of black tea, plum, and mineral. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black fruits, earth, baking spices, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with ripe, yet firm classic Montepulciano tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a juicy texture. $9.99 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Saladini Pilastri Pecorino Offida DOCG 2018
Brilliant, medium green/gold color. The nose is wonderfully intense offering fresh scents of white peach, citrus zest, and baked apple with supporting notes of mineral and Meyer lemon. The palate confirms the nose delivering an orchard fruits-driven core with accents of citrus and ripe green apple. The finish is long and lingering with bright acidity. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple yet vibrant texture. Made with 100% Pecorino grown in the Southern Marches. $14 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Tenuta Bellafonte Collenottolo Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2015
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, leather, and mineral with supporting notes of cedar, black cherry, anise, forest floor, and cigar box. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, bramble, baking spices, and black tea. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a chewy texture. $45 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Santa Maria La Palma Aragosta Vermentino di Sardegna 2020
Brilliant, pale green/yellow color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of green apple, lemon grass, and white flowers with supporting notes of orange peel, red grapefruit, honeysuckle, and green tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of ripe green melon, blanched almonds, and citrus zest. The finish is crisp. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $13 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Tenuta di Ceppaiano Bianco IGT Toscano 2020
Brilliant, light straw color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of spring flowers, citrus zest, and cantaloupe with supporting notes of lemon curd, honeysuckle, and chamomile. The palate confirms the nose delivering a tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, lychee, green melon, and citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety, yet vibrant texture. Made with a unique blend of 70% Traminer and 30% Trebbiano (in some vintages Viognier is also included). $15 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Milani 1985 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry and black currant with supporting notes of dried herbs, bramble, slate, and black tea. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, baking spices, mineral, and smoked meat. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a silky texture. $19.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Zenato Alanera Rosso IGP Verona 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, boysenberry, and five spice with supporting notes of black plum, cigar box, hibiscus flower, and leather. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, mocha, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with a classic Veneto blend of 55% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, 5% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. $18 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso 2018
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry and cassis with supporting notes of baking spices, hibiscus flower, boysenberry, and forest floor. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black currant, dark chocolate, leather, and hints of pink peppercorns. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety texture. $30 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Zenato San Benedetto Lugana 2021
Brilliant, medium gold/green color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of lemon curd, honeysuckle, and kumquat with supporting notes of tropical fruit, slate, jasmine, and green apple. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, green melon, citrus zest, and candied ginger. The finish is long and lingering with citrus accents. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety yet vibrant texture. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Castello Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina 2016
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of violet and balsamic with supporting notes of black plum, forest floor, black tea, and baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, and dark espresso accents. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $32.99 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
