Italy

Named after one of Maria Sole’s grandfather’s favorite horses, “Noble Kara” claims its rightful place in the proud tradition of “real” rosé wines—rosés made from fully ripe, healthy grapes trusted to ferment on their own and allowed to express a natural depth of color (think great Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo here). Pure Sangiovese from three different parcels on the property—Ficomontanino, Melogranino, and Campo Cavalli—this vivacious wine spends 24 hours macerating on its skins before pressing and fermentation, which takes place in stainless steel via naturally occurring yeasts and with no temperature control. As with all her wines, Maria Sole bottles “Noble Kara” without fining or filtration, and with a minimum of sulfur.

93 Points! The 2020 Coste della Sesia Ca' du Leria is seriously impressive. Deep, layered aromatics lead into an expansive core of dark red-toned fruit. Readers will find a wine of notable dimension and class. The 2020 opens beautifully with time in the glass. Clerico at his finest. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

94 Points!  The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a bright red hue and opens with citrus-tinged aromatics of tangerine, red cherries, dried herbs, and pressed flowers. Medium-bodied, it has a focused, linear feel on the palate, with well-defined tannins, brisk acidity, and a salty, mouthwatering finish. Drink this vibrant, classic effort over the coming 15 years. Drink 2026-2041. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

95 Points! A lively Brunello with aromas of plums, ripe cherries, cedar and teak that follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a crisp finish. Crunchy and linear. Lovely energy at the end. - JamesSuckling.com

98 Points! Dense aromas of red cherries, bark, mushrooms and plums follow through to a medium body with tangy acidity and juicy flavors. It’s very long and quite chunky, with velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Savory and tangy at the end. Drinkable now, but better in three or four years, Try after 2028. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! Proprietor Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini has important holdings in this special cru, and if you're after Montosoli, this is one of the best expressions around. Fruit comes from a five-hectare plot with friable galestro soils at a sweet spot perched at 350 meters above sea level. The Altesino 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli flaunts an especially sharp profile with enhanced minerality and focus. There is wild cherry and dried currant, but ultimately more impactful are the elegant aromas of crushed stone. These give the wine brightness and vertical lift. The mouthfeel is medium- to full-bodied in texture with fine, powdery tannins that are well integrated. It is matured in Slavonian oak casks. You can cellar this wine longer, but you can also enjoy it in the medium term to take advantage of that pretty fruit freshness. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

97 Points! Balsamic flavors of eucalyptus, tomato leaf and mint mingle with cherry, strawberry and rose in this taut, detailed red. On the elegant side, with midpalate presence and vivid acidity. A layer of chalky tannins lines the finish. - Wine Spectator

95 Points! A reductive and restrained wine with flint, subtle apricots, lemon leaves and smoky minerality on the nose, Very citrusy on the palate, it’s zesty, tight and vibrant, with tingling acidity and an energetic finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

98 Points! Pouring a dark magenta, the 2021 Grattamacco is fruity and floral with aromas of lavender oils, plum, mocha, incense, and sweet earth. Full-bodied, it has refreshing acidity, defined, ripe tannins, and a good finish. It has a lot of potential and should improve and stand the test of time. It’s fantastically detailed. Drink 2026-2050. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

97 Points! This is at a different level, with blackcurrants, blueberries and Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary and sage. Also tobacco and coffee bean. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a persistent finish. Sophisticated and thought-provoking. A new quality level with this wine. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! Blueberry, black currant and pomegranate flavors are accented by oak spice, graphite and rosemary notes in this fresh, long red. Taut and vibrant, with terrific balance and a fine-grained band of tannins lining the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. - Wine Spectator

95 Points! The 2020 Lessona is a classy, polished wine. Macerated cherry, mint, rose petal, pomegranate and tangerine peel lift from the glass. The 2022 is wonderfully fresh and translucent, with relatively soft contours that make it an absolute joy to taste today. I especially admire the wines vibrancy. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

From the winery: Nebbiolo is the queen of Piedmontese reds — and El Dolfo is our humble tribute. Grown in Barge, where clay and calm light give finesse, this Nebbiolo ripens gently, preserving its fine aromas and taut structure. It’s a wine that knows restraint, but never lacks expression.

95 Points! The 2022 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne is more savory than sweet, with a burst of crushed stone and raw almonds giving way to dusty dried flowers and apricots. This is texturally thrilling, soft and enveloping yet pure in style, with juicy acidity and masses of mineral-laced pit fruits, mixing nectarine with young peach. It tapers off long and with a pleasant inner tension, leaving a sensation of sweetness, yet clean and perfectly managed. The 2022 is drop-dead gorgeous. This wine results from an extended, relatively cool season with a good amount of rain. - Eric Guido, Vinous

97 Points! Fascinating aromas of blanched almonds, salt, dried apples, dried pears and some candied fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of fruit, but it remains tight and layered. Focused finish of dried lemons and lime tree. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! Darkly alluring, the 2022 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne Casa Pepe opens with a perfumed bouquet, mixing wilted violets and wet stone with blackberries, dried cherries and incense. This is round and cool-toned in feel, with a supple wave of ripe red and blue fruits flowing across a core of vibrant acidity. The 2022 saturates the palate with primary concentration and a web of fine-grain tannins that wrap the senses in youthful poise. A tart twang of citrus-tinge black currants lingers on. The 2022 is embryonic, yet it displays an inner harmony that will guarantee a long and fruitful evolution. Bury this deep in the cellar. - Eric Guido, Vinous

97 Points! Lots of caramel and honey on the nose and palate, together with biscuits, dried lemons and mangoes. Full-bodied with a freshness that frames the wine nicely, giving it form and energy. Fantastic chardonnay. Best one from here in a long time. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! A tense, minerally yet perfumed wine. The nose shows vibrant stone fruit such as peaches, subtle smoke, ferns, lemon peel, seaweed and chalk. Medium- to full-bodied and smooth, with weight and concentration, a silky texture and vibrancy. Focused and slightly peaty finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

92 Points! A restrained wine that’s typical for this grape, with aromas of dark fruit, chocolate and graphite. Medium-bodied with crisp yet slightly lifted acidity and firm, chalky tannins that are well balanced in the finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! A well-balanced red, combining Amarone power with a sense of approachability. The black, lightly dried fruit is packed into a tight core that runs through the wine, picking up spicy and oaky notes as it goes. The aromatic complexity is not huge at present, but the tannins are deeply embedded and allow for a largely unhindered flow through the full-bodied palate. Long finish. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! A serious and reliable Ripasso with complex aromas of fresh berries and multiple savory nuances, from minerals to dried flowers and perfumed bark. Medium- to full-bodied with an intense and vibrant palate, brimming with the same fruit and savory notes. The tannins are firm but not angular. This will even out and gain complexity with a another year or two in bottle, but it’s hard to resist now. - JamesSuckling.com