Italian Red Wine

Nebbiolo from the foothills of the Alps in Lombardy gives a prettier, more accessible, delight than the stern wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. As you’ll taste here in a wonderfully ripe and silky expression of Nebbiolo with... Read More

Owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini since 2003, Altesino has been one of Montalcino’s leaders since the zone exploded into international prominence in the 1970s. The wine style is traditional, with all large, Slavonian oak,... Read More

Organic/Bio This more or less natural wine estate in Tuscany focuses on biodynamic farming of non-traditional grapes for the region. Like here, a wild blend of Alicante Nero, Mourvedre, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet done -... Read More

From the only producer with 100% of their vines in the Grand Cru of Montosoli and one of the original 13 Brunello estates, a wine tempting now and drinking through 2040. As Wine Advocate says, Baricci's wines are some of the... Read More

Organic/Bio As Vinous says, Gilberto Bonipert is one of the rising stars of Alto Piemonte, the region above Barolo and Barbaresco that reaches into the foothills of the Alps. This is his all-steel Nebbiolo and it’s a treat... Read More

Coco Chanel used to advise that the last thing a fashionable person should do before walking out the door is take off one accessory - less is more. Here, despite a brief stay in barrel, the winery left the oak at home and lets... Read More

Usually when you see 100% Sagrantino, you are in for a tannic ride; however the team at Cantine Fratelli Pardi have managed to make their Sagrantino into an elegant work of art. Moving from stainless steel to Austrian oak cask... Read More

Lower ABV Founded in 1908, forty families contribute the fruit from their tiny plots of Nebbiolo to this very traditional co-op winery in northern Piedmont. The bright, fresh, fruit ferments and macerates 30 days with native yeast... Read More

West of Montalcino, Monteccuco balances inland Tuscany warmth with altitudes of more than 1,000 feet. That balance of sunny ripeness with freshness shows nicely here in this blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Ciliegiolo and 15% Montepulciano... Read More

Lower ABV No, we’d never heard of Pelaverga either. It’s an old grape from the Barolo region that today is still hanging on here and there in the hills to the north. Gian Luca Colombo makes this alongside his Barolo... Read More

Lower ABV A lovely rose of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that's dry, soft, and welcoming with building intensity through the spiced cherry finish. As Wine Enthusiast says in the 93 point review, The nose is fresh and floral,... Read More

Built to age, this is Pecorino of enourmous presence and potential. As Vinous says in the 91 piont review, understated and a bit backward in the glass, with nuances of savory herbs, wildflowers and crushed green apples. It opens... Read More

Organic/Bio Since its debut in the 2003 vintage, Ciacci’s Brunello “Normale” has established itself as one of Montalcino’s greatest values – and finest wines! The fruit for this bottling comes from... Read More

Organic/Bio Wine Advocate's review of the 2020 captures this delicious, all-purpose, Sangiovese Grosso perfectly. Hits all the right buttons, especially if you are looking for an easy-drinking Tuscan red to pair with you next... Read More

Organic/Bio What to Brunello di Montalcino winemakers drink on a Tuesday night with some grilled chicken and a bit of pasta marinara on the side? Pretty much this – a blend of mostly Sangiovese plus Merlot, Cabernet and... Read More

The makers of our all-time best selling Piemonte Arneis have turned out a winning red companion in this juicy, ripe, no-oak, Barbera d'Alba. It has the dark black cherry fruit and richness you expect in Alba with a chunky... Read More

Lower ABV The debut release from Francesco, Lorenzo, and Caterina Cordero—the grandchildren of Luciana Vietti and Alfredo Currado – after departing Vietti is very impressive. Even the label – done by the Cordero... Read More

Always built to show well on the early side, the 2020 Barolo Lecinquevigne benefits from Damilano's plump and nicely fruit-filled house style. As Wine Spectator says in their 94 point review, Stitched with pure cherry and... Read More

Nebbiolo in the foothills of the Alps in northern Lombardy is more beautiful than powerful and widly food-friendly. As Vinous says in the review of this village release, attractive, if a touch ethereal. Crushed red berry fruit,... Read More

Organic/Bio Year-in, year-out, one of our very favorite Rosso di Montalcino... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV No way you try this blind and guess it sells for <$20. Because it shouldn’t and only does because importer Lia Banville-Tolaini owns the vineyard and winery and uses it to craft this “door... Read More

Tuscany’s Sangiovese grape gives a different wine in Brunello than in Chianti to the north: darker, fleshier, richer, more perfumed and, often, needing many more years to really be delicious. At Donna Olga, winegrower Olga... Read More

Ready now, especially in half-bottle! As Vinous says in the 91 point review, A brooding mix of red plum, brown spice and crushed rocks is nicely offset by a flourish of violet florals as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens in... Read More

Taurasi is probably the most important Italian red wine you almost never (just “never”?) drink. When people call Aglianico the “Barolo of the South,” they’re thinking of what Campania’s top... Read More

Lower ABV This San Gimignano producer makes a lovely, light, and delightfully fun to drink Sangiovese. Vinous’s description of the 2020 applies here: “racy and exuberant in the glass. A rush of black cherry fruit,... Read More