Intense aromas of black cherries, lavender and spice, such as nutmeg. Some sandalwood and bark, too. Full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins for the vintage. Rather chewy, suggesting that additional bottle age...

The 2018 Tenuta Degli Dei is dense, juicy and wonderfully inviting. Silky tannins wrap around a core of inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather. In the glass, the 2018 is intensely aromatic and...

A tight, polished red with a very beautiful texture of firm, polished yet integrated tannins. Full-bodied with plenty of subtle dark-berry and chocolate character. Hints of walnuts, too. Flavorful finish. A little tight...

Floral aromas of rose and iris mingle with red berry and tilled earth on this perfumed red. Elegantly structured, the vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise before a savory, almost salty...

The 2018 I Sodi di San Niccolò is the most elegant Sodi I have ever tasted, and I have tasted them all. Sodi can be quite the bruiser in its youth, as the tannins are often imposing, but the 2018 is impressive because...

Bright and lifted aromas of cranberries, raspberries, lemon peel, cherry blossom and fresh nutmeg. Sliced chilis, too. Unfolds into delicious red and crunchy fruit on the palate, with a full body and bright acidity...

To my palate, the 2018 vintage sometimes feels a little too ripe or baked. I was reminded of those characteristics when tasting the Fèlsina 2018 Fontalloro. There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also...

Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry...

Lots of blue and sweet berry fruit with heady rose and floral notes on the nose, alongside hot chocolate, sandalwood, toffee and nutmeg. It’s full-bodied with ripe, muscular tannins that are superbly integrated. Powerful...

Forest berries, underbrush, rose and menthol aromas lead the nose along with a potpourri of varied spices. Hailing from La Morra in one of the denomination's top sites, the palate is a stunning combination of structure...

The 2018 Barolo Gramolere is the most linear and intensely aromatic of the three 2018 Barolos in the range. It offers up an exciting mix of bright red fruit intermingled with scents of leather, iron, dried herbs and white...

A blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles, the Castello di Ama 2018 Haiku is a very interesting and somewhat unexpected expression that delivers big richness and lovely concentration...

The sanguine, umami nose is all slow-cooked meat, as stones and hot tar provide structure, but pop comes from just enough strawberries and balsamic. Although cherries join the strawberries on the palate, savory flavors...

The 2018 Barolo Castelletto is another compelling wine in this range from Manzone. It exudes vertical intensity, not to mention tons of character, right out of the gate. Sweet red/purplish fruit, rose petal, dried herbs...

The nose seems like a dreamy island getaway, with passion fruit for breakfast, prickly pear cocktails by the pool, violets on the dinner table, and rosewater candy waiting on the nightstand. The palate brings candied...

This Amarone showcases the wine style's depth and finesse. Aromas of dark plums and blackberries are knit together with fresh and dried floral notes. The palate is well structured. A solid core of dark fruit is balanced...

The 2018 Rosso de Veo is exotic, mixing crushed stone mineral tones with blackberries and dusty dried flowers. This is cool-toned and racy, sleek and slender, impressing with its vibrancy and saline-tinged wild berry...

A tight but complex nose of mixed berries with sweet, creamy spice and turkish delight. Some herbs in the mix, too, even a hint of wild onion. Medium-to full-bodied with a dense, silky palate that’s full of flavor...

Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with earthy whiffs of forest floor, new leather, cedar and wild berries on this elegant, full-bodied red. The tight, linear palate is delicious and loaded with personality, delivering...

Matured for 24 months in 2,500L Slavonian oak, with a small portion in barrique, this wine from the Rio Sordo MGA has a dark berry aroma lifted with hints of dried fruits, lavender and herbs. In the mouth it has a floral...

This is the most high-toned of Gaja’s three 2018 Brunellos, a portion of the fruit coming from the Torrenieri vineyard in Montalcino’s cooler northeastern corner. Hints of oregano and citrus peel accent the tangy red...

The 2018 Lessona is a wild, distinctive wine that captures all the exotic beauty of Nebbiolo in this appellation. Sweet dark cherry, orange peel, cinnamon, blood orange, sage and rose petal build effortlessly as this...

Dense nose with licorice-tinged, crushed raspberries and blackberries. Full-bodied and full-fruited palate, then there’s a steady, velvety-tannin build through the long finish. Really well structured and polished. Showing...

The 2018 Barbaresco Pajore is quite closed. It shows all the translucent elegance of all the wines in the range. Spice, mineral, melted road tar, rose petal, leather and lavender bring out the darker, more balsamic...

A rich, juicy red with cherry and dried-berry aromas and flavors. Some pepper and spices. It’s medium-bodied with soft tannins and a delicious finish. Drink or hold.

The 2018 Balifico, Volpaia's Sangiovese/ Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is fabulous. Rich and inky, the 2018 offers up a compelling mélange of dark berry fruit, dark spice, licorice and espresso. I especially admire the wine's...

Siepi, Fonterutoli’s Merlot/Sangiovese blend, is absolutely gorgeous in 2018. Rich, pliant and creamy, Siepi offers all of the seductiveness of Merlot with the bright acids and grip of Sangiovese. Inky blue/purplish...

A pretty red with density and richness, offering cherry and chocolate aromas and flavors, as well as hazelnuts. Yet, it’s tight and so fine and focused. Very polished tannins run the length of the palate. Drink or hold.

The 2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis pours a deep ruby and has spiced and enveloping aromatics of cigar box, leather, pure red cherry, and turned earth. This medium-bodied red is approachable and graceful, with moderate tannins...