Italy

90 Points! Showing a darkish ruby hue, the Campogiovanni 2021 Rosso di Montalcino has bold fruit flavors and lots of dark cherry on immediate offer. This is a nicely saturated Sangiovese with enough texture on the mid-palate to match a hearty bean soup or roast pork. Fresh acidity seals the deal. This is a good value offer, with 9,000 bottles released. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

90 Points! A sleek red highlighted by blackberry, black cherry and violet flavors, with hints of iron and black olive tapenade lingering on the dusty finish. Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028. - Wine Spectator

90 Points! Lifted, peppery berries with some red plums and flowers. Juicy and light- to medium-bodied on the palate with fresh, firm tannins. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

From the importer: La Staffa's Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi is grown organically in limestone-rich clay soil at about 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level, close to the altitude at Colle Stefano, which is about an hour away (and much closer as the crow flies). High altitude vineyards preserve acidity during the growing season, and La Staffa has almost the same lip-smacking, fresh, green-apple zing as Colle Stefano.

The grapes are picked into small boxes, pressed immediately, and fermented using indigenous yeasts at cool temperature in a mixture of stainless steel and cement tanks with temperature control for about 15 days. The wine is bottled in the spring following the vintage after aging on the fine lees for about six months. The wine in tank is left outside during the winter for a mild natural cold stabilization, and is roughly filtered (not sterile filtered). 

Verdicchio bears the color of pale straw. Distinctly aromatic (almond, citrus, green apple, herbal notes on both nose and palate); medium weight, fresh acidity; long finish. Makes a delicious dry aperitif, or drink it with most any seafood dish, seafood pastas, or roast chicken.

90 Points! Vibrant nose with spiced cherries, plums, dried herbs, cloves and some bark. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and juicy cherries. Fruity and caressing mouth-feel, before a medium finish. - JamesSuckling.com

90 Points! A complex mix of cherry, plum, leather, iron and tobacco flavors align with a firm structure in this balanced version, which combines fruity and savory elements in an appealing way, with fine length. Best from 2023 through 2027. - Wine Spectator

90 Points! Fresh, clean and fruity pinot grigio with aromas of lemons, peaches and fresh pears. Crisp and medium-bodied, with a fresh and gentle finish. Drink now. Screw cap. - JamesSuckling.com