Italy

95 Points! The effusive sliced-pear and white-peach aromas introduce you to this extraordinary, contemporary interpretation of this grape, which is so often dismissed as old-fashioned. The abundant fine tannins remind me of natural wines, but there’s a level of brightness here that’s totally Alpine and gives it remarkable drive at the very long wet-stone finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Delicate and perfumed, with floral hints of white pepper and raspberry, then on to a palate of refined red fruit and spice. - Decanter World Wine Awards

From the importer: 'Mai sentito’ means ‘unheard of,’ and this sparkling Verdicchio, bottled before the second fermentation is finished, is certainly the first of its type I’ve had. It’s not some random hipster experiment, though, it’s an intentional, thoughtful, delicious bottle of wine. The Verdicchio variety supplies the green apple and herbal notes you’d expect, along with lovely fresh acidity; the maceration of the yeast in the wine as the fermentation finishes adds texture and background notes. Excellent aperitif, would pair perfectly with all manner of antipasti. Nice job, Riccardo.

96 Points! This is very structured and linear with currants, blackberries, dried citrus, chocolate and some smokiness. It’s full-bodied, but very tight and structured. Flavorful finish. Try after 2024. - James Suckling

A white wine made from Trebbiano Romagnolo grapes, an indigenous variety of the Valmarecchia Valley.
Vinified in red with skin contact in quevri, where it is aged for 6 months.
Spontaneous fermentation, indigenous yeasts, no filtration.

93 Points! This is a robust and unflinching red wine with a succulent core of ripe cherry fruit. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Montosoli is more restrained and elegant compared to many of its peers from this hot vintage. Those scorching summer temperatures have been expertly absorbed, and the wine never feels jammy or heavy. The mid-weight finish is fine and graceful. Only 2,493 bottles were produced. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

96 Points! With vines planted in 1992 in a cozy and protected position within the folds of hills above Gattinara at 400 meters in elevation, the Molsino vineyard is known to produce extra fruit weight, concentration and power. This is definitely the case with the Conterno Nervi 2018 Gattinara Vigna Molsino. Of the two single-vineyard wines made at this estate (the other being the Vigna Valferana), I'm giving the aging edge to this bottle and have extended the drinking window as a result. During my tasting with Roberto Conterno, he described this wine as having "broader shoulders" and "more bite to the mouthfeel." Those are exact descriptions, and I would add that Molsino shows special dimension, in terms of both width and depth, with red and purple fruits that spread evenly over the palate. The wine's finish is powered by tarry smoke and campfire ash that add vertical lift and length. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

97 Points! A dense, layered white with sliced apple, pear and crushed stone that follow through to a full body, yet it’s linear and fresh at the end. Very flinty and steely. Wonderful finish. It goes on for minutes. A new wine from here and a blend of chardonnay and a dash of friulano. Single vineyard and made in 25-hectoliter tanks. April 2022 release. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! A rich and round style, this red boasts plum, cherry and black currant flavors, with accents of earth, iron and menthol. Well put-together, even if the tannins are dense and assertive on the finish. Delivers earth and spice notes that linger. Best from 2025 through 2045. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! This is an organic blend of fruit from six MGA sites: Terlo and Liste (in Barolo), Ravera di Monforte and Mosconi (in Monforte d’Alba) and Gabutti and Baudana (in Serralunga d’Alba). The 2018 Barolo Via Nuova is fermented in steel and aged in oak according to time-tested local tradition. This mid-weight blended Barolo has a more prominent herbal or balsam signature at the back of red and purple fruits, licorice and pressed violet. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

98 Points! Not made since the 2011 vintage to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the winery and before that not since 1964, the Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Riserva is gorgeous. Made with a selection of the best grapes from the estate’s historic vineyards, it’s intensely fragrant, boasting multifaceted aromas of forest floor, iris, ripe woodland berry, camphor and brown exotic spice. Combining power and finesse, the delicious palate offers cherry marinated in spirits, raspberry compote, licorice and tobacco set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and energized. Still primary and youthfully austere, it needs a few more years to unwind and develop. Drink 2028–2046. - Kerin O’Keefe

98 Points! Dark red/magenta in color, the 2016 Barolo Riserva is remarkable, offering loads of kirsch, polished leather, balsamic, dark chocolate, and crushed violets. The list goes on and on as it opens and begins to show more mineral aromas of graphite and truffle. Medium to full-bodied, it’s an exquisite red, with ripe, polished tannins, a seamless structure, and a long finish. It retains wonderful purity and ripeness and leaves a haunting sensation as it tapers ever so slowly. This stunning wine from the Scavino family is built for the long haul. Drink 2026-2056.-Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com

98 Points! Though still a bit shy in aroma, this red offers a deep well of ripe cherry, strawberry, raspberry, mint, mineral and tobacco flavors. Intense and vibrant, combining finesse and power, with terrific tension and a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2042. - Wine Spectator

96 Points! Le Lucére is a single vineyard of 3.5ha planted in 1996 below Salvioni and La Cerbaiona in Montalcino and producing about 13,000 bottles annually. Gentle fruit handling and a short maceration contribute to the graceful style of this Brunello. It ages in a combination of big oak casks and small barrels for a total of two years. What, in my opinion, could explain the exceptional freshness and the unwavering elegance of this Brunello is the eastern exposure of the vineyard on the northern side of the village. The dried cherry fruit is lifted with thyme and blood orange, a touch of wax and deep hints of smoky woodland. The palate is dense and velvety, with greatly refined tannins and predominantly floral flavours. Organic. - Decantyer Magazine

The organic Col di Corte 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Anno Uno has some fresh, grassy aromas on first nose with field flower and chamomile. It delivers a lean approach to the palate and takes on more volume along the way with candied fruit, lime and crushed stone, finishing lively and zesty.- Monica Larner, robertparker.com

94 Points! The Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Monvigliero offers dried rose and smoky notes with crushed stone and peppery spice. This is a steady and careful production of 4,800 bottles, and the wine has a lean or compact mouthfeel and a special personality with rigid pinpoint aromas that rise tall from the glass. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com