90+ Point Wines: Italian

The vintage offers vibrant aromas of white peach, honeydew melon, and a touch of elderflower. The palate is dry and refreshing with a lovely minerality, displaying flavors of citrus, pear, and a subtle herbal note.

A blend of 44% Sangiovese, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, the 2019 Modus is a very contemporary wine with soft extraction, lots of dark fruit and gentle tannins spread over a full-bodied style. You get sunshine and warm... Read More

This crystalline Kerner from Valle Isarco is a stunning beauty. Aromas of green melon, mint and a whisper of white pepper evoke a rushing river over polished stones. These captivating scents give way to flavors of cucumber, lime... Read More

Luminous straw-green. Honey, white flowers, crushed rocks and lemon oil all come alive in this nicely chiseled, creamy yet vibrant Prosecco. Showcases gorgeous balance and plenty of early appeal, but also offers plenty of richness... Read More

A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. Best from 2025... Read More

Though well-marked by new oak, there's a vibrant quality to this Barolo, along with cherry, raspberry, iron, tar and tobacco flavors. Supple, almost elegant, with a long, spicy aftertaste, this shows plenty of detail and energy.... Read More

All-encompassing ripe black fruit infused with clove, liquorice and cinnamon provides allure and intrigue. Impactful and muscular with a sweep of fine acidity and a luxurious finish.

A juicy and flavorful red with dried berries, chocolate and hints of walnuts and herbs, following through to a rich finish. Medium body. Drink now.

Ruby-red with a garnet rim, this wine's bouquet displays ample aromas of violet, wild berries, tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla. On the palate, Altesino Brunello is rich, full-bodied, and velvety.Winery.

The Altesino 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli has a rich and syrupy side that underlines the brightness of the fruit in this vintage. That core of dark fruit is framed by mineral notes of black slate and crushed river... Read More

Quite gold and intense in color. A powerful nose of quince, broom flowers and mint. Muscular palate for a white, with an almost tannic structure, a medium body, crunchy acidity and a tight finish.

The '2022 Rosato di Ampeleia is like a spice box on the nose, full of incense, dried citrus peels, blood orange, cinnamon and baked apple. It's soft upon entry yet quickly delivers a zesty burst of sour berries and tropical... Read More

On the nose, savory top soil, espresso and black pepper balance blackberries and black cherries. The cohesive palate is simultaneously spicy and dense with ripe but still tart and snappy fruit, and has a finish of spicy pepper,... Read More

Here's a nicely balanced Brunello that boasts bright cherry fruit intensity despite the many years of cellar aging required by the appellation. The Argiano 2020 Brunello di Montalcino offers a robust layer of red and purple... Read More

The 2018 Montefalco Rosso Riserva, a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot, is remarkably pretty and lifted in the glass. Here I’m finding sweet violet and lavender tones that give way to crushed blackberries... Read More

Bright and fruit-forward with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as sweet spices, chocolate and candied orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with deep, succulent fruit and firm, tightly packed tannins.

Expressive, this boasts pure cherry, strawberry, rose and anise flavors. Elegant, turning more structured as this winds down on the vibrant finish. Gains complexity from tar and wild herb details. Best from 2026 through 2043.... Read More

Deep ruby in color when young, turning garnet with ageing. Intense and complex bouquet with hint of plum. The flavor is round, nicely tannic, balanced, intense and persistent.
Food pairings: grilled meats, pasta dishes, aged cheeses.... Read More

Notes of waxed lemon, peach skin and beeswax with some walnut and earthy undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and oily with a polished, slightly salty center palate. Hints of pine resin. Creamy finish. A blend of chardonnay,... Read More

A lovely blend of Merlot and Refosco, the Bastianich 2015 Vespa Rosso is a beautifully layered and generous wine that starts off with ripe cherry and blackberry and segues to spice, campfire ash and baker's chocolate. There... Read More

A mix of ripe cherry, plum, licorice, tar and eucalyptus highlights this dense, savory red. Balanced and persistent, with a line of gum-coating tannins marking the finish. Drink now through 2032.

Juicy red and black cherry notes burst on the palate alongside spicy and earthy undertones. Well-structured with a lively freshness and persistent sapidity.Winery.

A mix of spicy floral and herbal tones waft up from the 2017 Molino del Piano Rosso di Montalcino, joined by ripe strawberry and rich balsamic tones. On the palate, soft textures give way to ripe cherry-berry fruits, framed and... Read More

Flavors of cherry, strawberry, sanguine, iron and Mediterranean scrub are supported by a solid structure in this red, which is balanced overall, with dusty tannins and a resonant finish. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.... Read More

This is mineral and dialed-back on fruit, but is flavorful nonetheless, with plenty of blanched-almond, crushed-stone and citrus-pith aromas. It’s medium-bodied, cool and compact.

The NV Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Rosé is a blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay. It exhibits a pale pink color that has evidently been studied and carefully executed. That same attention to detail is applied... Read More

Vivid copper color. Restrained on the nose with strawberries and leaves and a well-integrated toastiness. Medium-bodied and very fresh. The palate is precise and tightly knit with superfine bubbles, crisp acidity and an amazing... Read More

The non-vintage Franciacorta Cuvee Prestige is packaged in a transparent, squat bottle. You can admire the color of the wine, with its deep golden highlights, from afar. But only once the cork is popped, will you appreciate the... Read More

This Chardonnay opens with aromas of crisp apple and zesty lemon, accented by a delicate floral lift. It's fresh, fruity, and delightfully easy to enjoy. The finish brings it all together with a solid, tart snap that leaves... Read More

A mouthwatering, elegant Barbaresco that has aromas and flavors of cherry stones, dried flowers, lemon rind and tea leaves. Medium- to full-bodied, crunchy and lively. All in balance. Drink from 2025.

On the nose this classic Pinot Bianco scores with crisp notes of apple and pear mingling with aromas of raspberry and lime, plus a touch of camomile and lemon grass to round off the composition. Body and balance sum up the Pinot... Read More

An abundance of zippy primary fruit embellished by a squeeze of lemon and lime juice which oozes onto the palate and enlivens the smart oak frame.

Aged in large oak barrels for up to 10 months. Aromas of fresh black and red berry fruit with notes of licorice and forest underfloor. Elegant and delicate on the palate with soft tannins and mineral notes.

Aromas of fresh grass, limes and stone follow through to a medium body with bright acidity and a creamy texture. Intense, with plenty of length and flavor. Tight and polished.

Flavors of melon, grapefruit sorbet, lemon curd, chive blossoms and pickled ginger glide across the palate of this creamy white, showing good length and focus. Expressive without excessive weight, while the mineral-driven finish... Read More

Priore is a vigorous and important Barolo, aged for 28 months in oak barrels. With a ruby red color with garnet reflections. The bouquet is intense and evolves from violet and withered rose to goudron. The taste is dry, warm... Read More

The Casanova di Neri 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows thick fruit fabric with stitchings of underbrush, pressed rose, bright cherry, tobacco and balanced oak spice. This wine definitely has a special groove. It offers a ripe,... Read More

Maraschino cherry, pomegranate, smoked meat, earth and rosemary flavors highlight this sleek red, which is defined by vivid acidity and solid tannins, with a dry, sinewy finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot..... Read More

A blend of (organic and biodynamic) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, the 2019 Sammarco is more austere and even robust compared to the punchier style prized throughout this portfolio. This is a firmly grounded wine,... Read More

Subtle aromas of black cherries, tar, mushrooms, black truffles and dark earth. Medium- to full-bodied with refined and linear tannins that give tension and focus to the wine. Delicate finish. From organically grown grapes. Lovely... Read More

A juicy and salty red with plums and cedar with light sawdust and hints of dried meat. Medium to full body. Savory. Nice tension at the end. Some chocolate powder. Drink now or hold.

This luscious, dense red is packed with cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and violet flavors. Its tannins are ripe and refined, while the vibrant acidity keeps everything focused. An iron streak weaves through the long, energetic... Read More

This red draws you in with the purity and depth of its cherry, raspberry, iron, tobacco and black tea aromas and flavors, while the dense structure lends support. Balanced, yet needs more time to really shine, with juicy acidity... Read More

A delicious, well-rounded and velvety Chianti Classico with aromas of strawberries, raspberries and mild spices. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins and texture. Juicy and velvety with elegance and a pure character. Fresh... Read More

Attractive aromas of ripe cherries, dried strawberries, dried orange peel, spices and crushed stones, following through to a medium to full body with compact tannins that are firm and finely grained. Smooth and textured with vivid... Read More

Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges and sweet spices on the nose, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, jammy and lightly sweet-sour palate. Ripe tannins.

Showing richness, dark fruit, bold cherry and blackberry, the Castello Romitorio 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with exactly 7,456 bottles made) embraces the exuberant character of the vintage, its warmth and its sunshine.... Read More

The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Colto is spicy and deeply perfumed. This displays raspberries, dried violets, spiced orange peels and hints of smoke. The 2020 washes across the palate with undeniable elegance, contrasting a salty... Read More

This is a very interesting wine that tests a cool growing site in a hot vintage. The Castello Romitorio 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta comes from a high-altitude vineyard with dark soils and pockets of slate and shale.... Read More

A blend of Petit Verdot and Syrah, the 2016 Il Toro is a muscular animal that boldly exposes dark fruit, blackberry preserves, dried cherry, spice, leather and spicy cedar. The blend is unique because it pairs the volume and spicy... Read More