Vinous (94+)

The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is a bit marked by oak today, but behind that lies a wine of striking purity, depth and freshness. Dark red-fleshed fruit, crushed rocks, white pepper, spice and blood orange are some of the notes that meld together. There's a beautiful, layered wine waiting to emerge here.

Vinous (91+)

The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is a bit slender than some recent years, but makes up for that with its strong aromatic presence. In 2019, Rancia leans into the more vegetal side of the spectrum. That quality can work for Sangiovese, especially with age, but in a young wine it is also somewhat distracting.

James Suckling (96)

A fresh and crunchy Fontalloro with currants, orange peel and hints of peaches and cedar. Medium body, firm and fine tannins and a crisp and bright finish. Lots of energy and verticality to this! Drink after 2025.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro is a lovely expression with deep layers of dark fruit and savory spice that are woven tightly together to form a solid core of primary and secondary flavors. This vintage is especially tight and concentrated, showing terrific balance and freshness and impeccable fruit ripeness that is generous and full. There are no green elements in this vintage. Instead, the fruit is beautifully rich and velvety.

Produced in the rich volcanic soils of Sicily, the Fessina Etna Musmeci 2019 is a work of intimate craftsmanship by Tenuta di Fessina, a winery renowned for its commitment to terroir expression. An exceptional vintage from the northern slopes of Mount Etna, this wine is made from 80-year-old Nerello Mascalese vines, honoured as a vestige of Etna's ancient wine tradition. At Fessina, grapes are hand-harvested, ensuring only select, mature clusters are used. Each bottle embodies a unique minerality, an alluring, earthy bouquet and a complex palate of black cherry, cranberry, Mediterranean scrub, and liquorice.

Following fermentation in small steel vats, the Fessina Etna Musmeci 2019 matures for 18 months in oak barrels, imparting depth without compromising innate characteristics. The result is an elegant, well-structured, and long-lasting wine that deftly reflects the native character of Etna's spectacular terroir. Drinking the Fessina Etna Musmeci 2019 is an unforgettable journey through Sicily's winemaking history.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

Lovely aromas of violet, iris and perfumed berry lift out of the glass. Firmly structured and focused, the linear palate shows refinement and finesse, with taut, refined tannins framing juicy red cherry, strawberry compote and star anise. Fresh acidity keeps it vibrant and balanced. Best 2029-2039

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Truffle, camphor violet and ripe berry aromas come together on this fragrant red. Full-bodied and full of flavor, the delicious palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, raspberry compote, baking spice and star anise while firm, refined tannins provide support. Bright acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2027–2039.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Truffle, camphor violet and ripe berry aromas come together on this fragrant red. Full-bodied and full of flavor, the delicious palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, raspberry compote, baking spice and star anise while firm, refined tannins provide support. Bright acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2027–2039.

Indulge your palate with the exquisite Fontanabianca Langhe Nebbiolo 2019. Hailing from the heart of Piemonte, Italy, this fine wine is produced by the esteemed Fontanabianca winery, renowned for preserving authentic traditions in winemaking. Grown on south-east facing vineyards situated on mountainous terrains, the Nebbiolo grapes yield complex, powerful, yet delicately balanced wines.

Fontanabianca Langhe Nebbiolo 2019 undergoes alcoholic fermentation for 11 days in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrels, accentuating its luscious character and depth. Displaying a vibrant ruby-red hue, it entices with rich aromas of dried fruits, spices, and subtle floral notes of rose. On the palate, the wine lavishes you with intense, harmonious flavours, paired with well-integrated tannins and a pleasingly persistent finish.

Trust Fontanabianca's commitment to producing wines of unparalleled quality to offer you the noble essence of the Langhe terroir condensed into a bottle of their splendid 2019 Nebbiolo.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

Editors' Choice. Delicate aromas recalling scorched earth and truffle mingle with mocha and botanical herbs on this 100% Sangiovese. Elegant and enveloping, the supple palate features fleshy plum, orange zest and baking spice before an espresso finish. Soft tannins offer supple support. Drink through 2024.

Vinous (91)

The 2019 Chianti Classico Filetta di Lamole is fruity, open-knit and delicious, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. The mix of forward fruit and freshness from this high altitude site works so well. Bright red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and spice linger. This is such a classy wine.

Vinous (91)

The 2019 Chianti Classico Filetta di Lamole is fruity, open-knit and delicious, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. The mix of forward fruit and freshness from this high altitude site works so well. Bright red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and spice linger. This is such a classy wine.

Decanter (96)

Fontodi’s brand spanking new Terrazze San Leolino Gran Selezione is a stunner. San Leolino was recognised locally as a cru site 200 years ago. The recently renewed terraces sit at 450 metres in Panzano but - unlike Fontodi’s Vigna del Sorbo, which is characterised by Galestro - the soil here is calcareous Alberese. Though recently bottled, this is forthright in its earthy, stony, mineral-like aromas. Elegant yet profound, the palate demonstrates decisive rose, red cherry and long-chained, enveloping tannins, finishing with a tangy salinity. It is still very buttoned up but has so much promise.

Decanter (97)

At an elevation of 400 metres, Vigna del Sorbo boasts Chianti Classico’s classic Galestro soil. The warm southwest-facing vineyard typically yields a powerful, intense wine in need of ageing. The 2019 demonstrates all the wild, penetrating characteristics of this site but it comes into harmony quickly, revealing its balance and precision. Wood-driven top notes of smoke and vanilla meld into pressed violets, rosemary and liquorice. Luscious red cherry and dark plum flesh are wrapped in long, layered chalky tannins. Across the palate there's an energetic beam of unwavering acidity, giving the wine a linear feel. The finish reverberates with fennel and crushed stone.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stunning wine that sums up the character of the vintage and reflects the sun-drenched beauty of its quintessentially Tuscan surroundings. Giovanni Manetti and his team have two new important wines in the works, but Flaccianello remains an old love and a wine that hits the highest marks for quality consistency vintage after vintage. I tasted this wine next to the 100-point 2016 vintage for friendly comparison, and perhaps the main difference is that the tannins are finer and more accessible in this bottle. It offers rich concentration and layers of dark fruit that wrap thickly over the senses. Tannin management is an active pursuit. Time in barrique has been reduced over the years in favor of a final six-month resting period in larger oak casks. In fact, the barrel room was recently enlarged to give more room to these bigger vessels. The 2019 vintage recalls the balance of 2001 with the freshness of 2013. However, 2019 is more profound.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stunning wine that sums up the character of the vintage and reflects the sun-drenched beauty of its quintessentially Tuscan surroundings. Giovanni Manetti and his team have two new important wines in the works, but Flaccianello remains an old love and a wine that hits the highest marks for quality consistency vintage after vintage. I tasted this wine next to the 100-point 2016 vintage for friendly comparison, and perhaps the main difference is that the tannins are finer and more accessible in this bottle. It offers rich concentration and layers of dark fruit that wrap thickly over the senses. Tannin management is an active pursuit. Time in barrique has been reduced over the years in favor of a final six-month resting period in larger oak casks. In fact, the barrel room was recently enlarged to give more room to these bigger vessels. The 2019 vintage recalls the balance of 2001 with the freshness of 2013. However, 2019 is more profound.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stunning wine that sums up the character of the vintage and reflects the sun-drenched beauty of its quintessentially Tuscan surroundings. Giovanni Manetti and his team have two new important wines in the works, but Flaccianello remains an old love and a wine that hits the highest marks for quality consistency vintage after vintage. I tasted this wine next to the 100-point 2016 vintage for friendly comparison, and perhaps the main difference is that the tannins are finer and more accessible in this bottle. It offers rich concentration and layers of dark fruit that wrap thickly over the senses. Tannin management is an active pursuit. Time in barrique has been reduced over the years in favor of a final six-month resting period in larger oak casks. In fact, the barrel room was recently enlarged to give more room to these bigger vessels. The 2019 vintage recalls the balance of 2001 with the freshness of 2013. However, 2019 is more profound.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stunning wine that sums up the character of the vintage and reflects the sun-drenched beauty of its quintessentially Tuscan surroundings. Giovanni Manetti and his team have two new important wines in the works, but Flaccianello remains an old love and a wine that hits the highest marks for quality consistency vintage after vintage. I tasted this wine next to the 100-point 2016 vintage for friendly comparison, and perhaps the main difference is that the tannins are finer and more accessible in this bottle. It offers rich concentration and layers of dark fruit that wrap thickly over the senses. Tannin management is an active pursuit. Time in barrique has been reduced over the years in favor of a final six-month resting period in larger oak casks. In fact, the barrel room was recently enlarged to give more room to these bigger vessels. The 2019 vintage recalls the balance of 2001 with the freshness of 2013. However, 2019 is more profound.

Indulge in eternal elegance with the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Brunate 2019 — an exquisite showcase of Italian winemaking craftsmanship. Crafted in the historic family-owned vineyards located in the heartland of Barolo, this exquisite wine is a testament to Francesco Rinaldi's unparalleled emphasis on quality and tradition. A carefully selected blend of Nebbiolo grapes define its unique character that's brimful with layers of red cherries, exotic spices, and delicate rose petals. These rich nuances eloquently project Barolo's typical aromas, making the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Brunate 2019 truly unforgettable.

This extraordinary vintage has spent two years in oak barrels, lending it an unmatched finesse and longevity, allowing it to evolve and improve in the bottle for years to come. A consummate companion for hearty meals, it truly embodies the timeless charm and sophistication of Barolo wines. Rejoice in - the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Brunate 2019, a poetic symphony of flavours.

Experience the enveloping purr of the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi 2019, a sophisticated emanation from the renowned vineyards of Cannubi. This vintage gem, painstakingly produced in the heart of Italy's esteemed Piedmont region, is a testament to Francesco Rinaldi's unparalleled dedication to depth and distinction. Born under the watchful care of winemaker Luciano Rinaldi, each bottle is curated from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, culminating in a sublime fusion of black cherry, rose petal, and crushed mint.

Matured for three years in large Slavonian oak barrels, this wine showcases a superior harmony of power and purity, enhancing the palate with an engagingly robust character and impeccably balanced tannins. Its enchanting nuances and elegant finish evolves admirably with age, providing an exquisite encounter with every pour. A sip of the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi 2019 lingers as a splendid echo of the timeless excellence that defines the Rinaldi legacy.

The Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata 2019 is an extraordinary showcase of Italian viticulture hailing from the acclaimed Barolo region of Piedmont. Ennobled by the skilled hands of the Rinaldi family, this majestic red embodies traditions dating back to 1870. The Nebbiolo grapes are selectively handpicked from the historic, south-facing 'Annunziata' vineyard, honouring its unique terroir.

Complex, powerful, yet elegant, the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata 2019 offers a rich palate featuring distinct truffle, tobacco, and dried fruit notes enveloped by silky tannins. Meticulously vinified in oak casks followed by ageing in Slovenia oak barrels, it presents balanced harmonious flavours, ensuring its stature as a collector's gem.

This extraordinary Barolo showcases the mastery of Francesco Rinaldi, an esteemed producer with a splendid reputation for creating wines that endure time. A fantastic representation of quintessential Italian winemaking, the Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata 2019 is an elegant testament to its magnificent heritage.

Vinous (95)

The entrancing 2019 Munjebel Rosso FM (Feudo di Mezzo Sottana) blossoms in the glass, with a dusty mix of sweet minty herbs and bright cherry complemented by a hint of cinnamon sugar. Its textures are like pure silk slowly draped across the palate, creamy, smooth, yet lifted and refined, delivering ripe red and hints of blue fruit under an air of lavender and violets. A pleasant inner sweet lingers on, along with a coating of fine tannins, as residual acids and hints of sour citrus maintain a lovely balance. The word “radiant” comes to mind and stays with me throughout the entire experience. Bravo. The Munjebel FM is a 100% Nerello Mascalese produced from the lower elevations of the Feudo di Mezzo cru. This is pure class.

Vinous (89)

The 2019 Barbera d'Alba is a fabulous every-day wine. Floral aromatics and red berry fruit grace this airy yet flavorful Barbera from Fratelli Alessandria. The 2019 is not a powerhouse, but it is supremely delicious and very easy to like.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2019 Barolo del Comune di Verduno is a dark, brooding wine. Dark-toned fruit, spice, menthol and licorice lend tons of intensity to this decidedly potent Verduno Barolo. There's real density and mid-palate richness. This is far from an entry-level bottling, that is for sure. Patience is essential.

Kerin O'Keefe (95)

Fragrant and refined, Fratelli Alessandria’s 2019 Barolo del Comune di Verduno opens with enticing scents recalling dog rose, perfumed forest berry, cedar and eucalyptus. Lithe and elegantly structured, the savory palate reveals juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry and star anise accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins. It’s well balanced, with fresh acidity.

Kerin O'Keefe (95)

Fragrant and refined, Fratelli Alessandria’s 2019 Barolo del Comune di Verduno opens with enticing scents recalling dog rose, perfumed forest berry, cedar and eucalyptus. Lithe and elegantly structured, the savory palate reveals juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry and star anise accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins. It’s well balanced, with fresh acidity.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2019 Barolo Gramolere, tasted from barrel, is the most elegant wine Vittore Alessandria has made yet from his family's holdings in Monforte. Medium in body and transparent, the 2019 offers up black cherry, lavender, spice, licorice, dried herbs and menthol are all laced together in a layered, mysterious wine that captures the essence of Nebbiolo in Barolo. The classically austere finish is a thing of beauty.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2019 Barolo Gramolere, tasted from barrel, is the most elegant wine Vittore Alessandria has made yet from his family's holdings in Monforte. Medium in body and transparent, the 2019 offers up black cherry, lavender, spice, licorice, dried herbs and menthol are all laced together in a layered, mysterious wine that captures the essence of Nebbiolo in Barolo. The classically austere finish is a thing of beauty.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero, tasted from barrel, is fabulous. Silky and elegant, with tons of energy, the Monvigliero is showing beautifully today, even as a sample from tank with low SO2 typical of this stage pre-bottling. Even so, all the translucent finesse of Monvigliero comes through loud and clear. Crushed red berry fruit, chalk, blood orange, mint and white pepper lend brightness. The 2019 is shaping up to be a real beauty. It's one of those young wines that is very hard to spit.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero, tasted from barrel, is fabulous. Silky and elegant, with tons of energy, the Monvigliero is showing beautifully today, even as a sample from tank with low SO2 typical of this stage pre-bottling. Even so, all the translucent finesse of Monvigliero comes through loud and clear. Crushed red berry fruit, chalk, blood orange, mint and white pepper lend brightness. The 2019 is shaping up to be a real beauty. It's one of those young wines that is very hard to spit.