Category Archives: Italy

Sella & Mosca, Sardegna Alghero Rosso DOC (Sardinia, Italy) “Tanca Farrà” 2019

($32, Taub Family Selections):  Regulations for the Sardegna Alghero Rosso DOC allow the inclusion of any Sardinian red grapes except for aromatic ones.  Sella & Mosca use a seamless, fifty-fifty blend of Cannonau and Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve this beauty.  Juicy black fruit enrobed with fine tannins make this suave, muscular wine a pleasure to drink now. Read more

Another addition to the Chianti quality pyramid: tasting Rùfina’s Terraelectae wines

Federico Giuntini Masseti, president of the Chianti Rùfina Consorzio, says that the purpose of Terraelectae – Chianti Rùfina’s new top-tier category- is to highlight the special character of the Sangiovese-based wines from Rùfina’s unique terroir. The producers hope the category will allow Chianti Rùfina to emerge from Chianti Classico’s shadow and be considered a top Tuscan DOCG, like Brunello.… Read more

Vini Franchetti Tenuta di Trinoro, Toscano Rosso IGT (Tuscany, Italy) “Le Cupole” 2020

($35):  Cupole is the second wine of Tenuta di Tinoro, a “Super Tuscan” that commands a three-digit price tag — and the first digit is not a one.  Like the first wine, Cupole is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot that varies year to year to years depending on how the individual varieties fare during the growing season. Read more

Brigaldara, Valpolicella Superiore DOC (Veneto, Italy) Case Vecie 2020

($35, Vinifera):  Brigaldara, a family-owned estate since the early 20th century, is one of the leading lights in Valpolicella.  The make a stunning array of wines linked by a gracefulness that belies their power.  Take this Valpolicella Superiore.  It shows a mixture of red and black fruit flavors, but with a healthy dose of savory, non-fruity ones — spices and herbs — that add tremendous intrigue. Read more

Brigaldara, Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva DOCG (Veneto, Italy) “Cantina di Brigaldara” 2012

($210, Vinifera):  This decade-old Amarone has developed beautifully and demonstrates the rewards of aging.  I suspect Brigaldara’s 2016 Case Vecie Amarone will develop along these lines, which is why I suggest cellaring it.  This 2012 Amarone leads with dazzling aromatics.  Then, additional complexity — mature flavors along with fresh and dried dark fruit ones — emerges. Read more

Brigaldara, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG (Veneto, Italy) 2017

($75, Vinifera):  Weighing in at 16.5 percent stated alcohol, this broad-shouldered wine is remarkably elegant.  Indeed, it’s the elegance you notice, not the power, although that’s hard to ignore.  As much as I liked Brigladara’s Valpolicella Classico Casa Vecie, their Amarone just conveys more complexity — a mix of fresh and dried fruit — and power without sacrificing gracefulness. Read more

Fattoria Selvapiana, Chianti Rùfina Riserva DOCG (Tuscany, Italy) Vigneto Bucerchiale 2015

($48, Dalla Terra Winery Direct):  Chianti Rùfina, along with Chianti Classico, is the best subzone of the greater Chianti denomination.  Selvapiana is one of Rùfina’s top producers and Vigneto Bucerchiale is their top wine.  So, this wine is a “no-brainer,” especially since it has seven years under its belt and has just hit its drinkable window. Read more

Villa Rosa, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) “Ribaldoni” 2018

($15, Volio Imports):  The 2018 Ribaldoni Chianti Classico comes from Villa Rosa’s youngest vines.  Lighter than the similarly priced Primocolle from Villa Cerna, it displays the same seamless balance of bright juicy fruit, spice, and good depth.  Not overdone, it is lively and direct, with just the right tannic structure, exactly what you would expect from Chianti Classico. Read more

Valdo, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Veneto, Italy) Brut “Numero 10” 2019

($30, Taub Family Selections): Made using the Metodo Classico (classic method, a.k.a. Champagne method), this Prosecco is, like few — if any — others.  With the classic method, the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle, a labor-intensive and expensive proposition.  But the results are worth it because the wine develops additional complexity from the yeast and aging. Read more