Italy

94+ Points! Scavino's 2007 Barolo Monvigliero is by far the most concentrated, rich and structured Barolo I have ever tasted from this historic vineyard in Verduno. Firm yet polished tannins frame an explosive core of dark red fruit, rose petals, mint and spices. The Monvigliero shows marvelous focus and intensity. It is one of the most tannic wines of the vintage, but also one of the most promising. Sweet, floral notes leave a lasting impression on the vivid, textured finish. Scavino's Monvigliero will be a fascinating wine to follow, although I fear it may require significant patience. This is a marvelous debut vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com

96 Points! A beam of fresh cherry and strawberry permeates this graceful red, driven by a vibrant structure. Flashes of sun-kissed hay, iron and mint add depth as this cruises to a lingering conclusion. Very harmonious, with a chalky sensation on the long, complex aftertaste. Best from 2028 through 2050. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! One of the appellation's classic wines, the Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy 2020 Barbaresco Martinenga delivers a soft entry to the palate with subtle cherry and sweet raspberry. Those fruit tones are laced with dusty mineral and white licorice. The wine delivers medium-weight texture, but the finish remains long and polished over time. The tannins will soften with a few more years of bottle age. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

From the importer:

Made entirely of organically grown Teroldego grapes, picked around the end of September; bunches are entirely destemmed, 50% of the berries are left whole; fermentation is sometimes carried out with indigenous yeast, sometimes with cultivated yeast, depending on the vintage. Fermentation and maceration take place in both wooden and unlined cement fermenters, for a total of up to 40-50 days. The wine is aged in French oak barrels of between 2,500 and 4,000 liters capacity and in unlined cement tanks for about 10 months. About 2,500 cases are produced.

Color is a gorgeous opaque violet-tinged purple; on nose and palate the wine makes me think of cooler-climate Syrah with hints of Cabernet Franc, very berryish, meaty, some Assam tea notes, some herbal notes, rusty/meaty hints, big but not at all bitter. Fresh palate, long finish with almond note.

96 Points! The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Casanova dell'Aia is a picture-perfect example of Radda. Sage, mint, white pepper, crushed rocks, mint and dried herbs give the 2021 its intensely floral/savory/mineral style. Readers will find a Gran Selezione endowed with tons of tension and pure mineral drive. This has really come along since I tasted it last year. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

96 Points! The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Cavarchione is a polished, sensual wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, sage, menthol and licorice build effortlessly in a Gran Selezione that captures all the textural richness that is typical of this sector in Gaiole. Ripe, finessed tannins wrap it all together. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Packed with cherry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors, this red is also succulent and verging on racy in profile, with a deep vein of mineral and peppery spice notes that intensify on the extended finish. Shows superb balance and grace, with the best yet to come. - Wine Spectator

96+ Points! The Barone Ricasoli 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Gaiole Colledilà opens to dark fruit, but perhaps more significantly, you get a slate-like mineral note that adds focus. That mineral note appears in all these beautiful Gran Selezione wines from vintner Francesco Ricasoli, but in the case of this bottle, it adds a dark or slightly brooding personality. The finish is absolutely savory and salty. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

Prosecco who? This delightful vintage-dated sparkler from Friuli is your new Prosecco replacement. Bright, effusive, not too sweet, not too dry, just a perfect pour for the holiday and beyond. Mix it, chug it, pour it over heads in joyous celebration, this bad boy does it ALL.

La Ginestraia was founded in 2007 in the small village of Cervo, in the province of Imperia, Liguria – by Marco Brangero. It is one of the Brangero family wine estates. 

La Ginestraia is located on top of a little hill which faces the Mediterrenean Sea- here called Mar Tirreno, under the appellation Riviera Ligure di Ponente, covering the northwest Italian coast from the border of France to the city of Genoa. They produce around 40,000 bottles (divided between 6 labels) sourced from their terroir and to the indigenous grapes of Liguria

From the importer: From 100% Merlot grapes grown at the foot of the inactive Amiata volcano, the San Vito wine exudes an aromatic and intricate character. Sumptuous black fruit aromas unfurl into notes of tobacco, graphite, and oriental spices, enticing the senses. On the palate, it is rich and silky, with well-integrated tannins that linger through a long, persistent finish. Dense in color, the wine showcases a captivating garnet red hue that releases sumptuous fruit aromas to the nose. Prominent notes of blackberries, cassis, and violets stand out, gradually unraveling into more complex nuances of blond tobacco, graphite, and a melange of oriental spices. The sip is impressive yet rich in finesse, with a silky body enriched by well-smoothed tannins that stretch towards a persistent, aromatic finish.

99 Points! The 2020 L'Apparita will soon take its place among the great Apparitas. Unctuous and layered in the glass, the 2020 possesses exceptional balance and tons of character right out of the gate. Exotic scents of blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, licorice and smoke are so alluring. Imposing tannins need time to soften, but once that happens readers will be treated to a spectacular Apparita that captures all the best the vintage had to offer. Marco Pallanti waited until mid-September (late for the year) to bring in this fruit. That decision paid off handsomely. - Antono Galloni, Vinous Media

96 Points! Floral and fresh with lots of roses and spices with hints of ripe fruit. Love the nose! Full and chewy with polished tannins and a balanced finish. Caressing and beautiful on the palate. - JamesSuckling.com

94+ Points! The 2008 Barolo Monvigliero flows from the glass with layers of silky, textured fruit. This is one of the more feminine wines in the Scavino lineup. Floral, minty notes develop in the glass, adding complexity, nuance and personality. The expression of fruit is very Scavino, while the aromatics and structure are pure Monvigliero. This is another intriguing Barolo from Scavino. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com