Italy

96 Points! Superb...These are the best Barbarescos I have tasted from Dave Fletcher. It is not easy for an outsider to establish themselves in Piedmont, which makes these wines doubly impressive. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

96+ Points! The 2009 D'Alceo is quite a bit firmer and more structured than the Sammarco. An exotic melange of dark cherries, plums, grilled herbs, cassis and new leather emerges from the glass, backed up by tons of structure. Over the last few months, the 2009 d'Alceo has softened a bit, releasing expressive, floral aromatics and brighter shades of fruit. This is a wonderfully deep, resonant d'Alceo. The 2009 will drink well with minimum cellaring within the context of prior vintages. According to Luca di Napoli, the trick to 2009 was harvesting on the early side. Judging by this effort, I would say Rampolla nailed the vintage. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, 2013

92 Points! Aromas of cherries and raspberries, dried flowers, chocolate, cedar and dry earth. Medium-bodied with round texture and dusty tannins. Ripe and velvety with a flavorful, slightly salty finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! This latest vintage of one of Italy's most important wines has an almost choreographed delivery with dramatic pause and high crescendos as it unfolds over the palate. The Montevertine 2020 Le Pergole Torte feels initially shy, but that is a fleeting impression because its all-around intensity builds beautifully upon dark cherry, blackcurrant, spice, iris root and warm earth. Those notes are followed by a delicate floral interlude, and the wine builds upward again with a very bright and lively mouthfeel fueled by fine tannins and lovely freshness. It is fleshy and rich. This is one of the best wines from this vintage in the region for sure. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

96 Points! This latest vintage of one of Italy's most important wines has an almost choreographed delivery with dramatic pause and high crescendos as it unfolds over the palate. The Montevertine 2020 Le Pergole Torte feels initially shy, but that is a fleeting impression because its all-around intensity builds beautifully upon dark cherry, blackcurrant, spice, iris root and warm earth. Those notes are followed by a delicate floral interlude, and the wine builds upward again with a very bright and lively mouthfeel fueled by fine tannins and lovely freshness. It is fleshy and rich. This is one of the best wines from this vintage in the region for sure. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

96 Points! Notes of red berries, crushed herbs and orange blossom with hints of lilac and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied. Meaty and mouth-filling with polished tannins that are a little chewy at the end. Refined and sleek. Hints of bitter spices in the finish. - JamesSuckling.com

95+ Points! Quite robust and powerful on first nose, the 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris needs more time in bottle to flesh out and move past this current youthful phase. This wine is definitely poised to give more to those who wait. It opens to a dark garnet hue and ripe aromas of cherry skin, plum, rose and orange peel. Within the span of a few minutes, it starts to show additional spice and nutmeg. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

96 Points! Intense aromas of black cherries, lavender and spice, such as nutmeg. Some sandalwood and bark, too. Full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins for the vintage. Rather chewy, suggesting that additional bottle age is needed. Try after 2026. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Depths of dark, balsamic-tinged black cherry, plum sauce and autumnal spice make the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impossible to ignore. This is velvety to the core, nearly opulent in feel, with a dense wave of ripe red fruits complemented by nuances of sweet lavender and tobacco. It leaves the palate clenched with fine tannins and primary concentration, creating a classic sensation that transcends the vintage. Nearly a minute goes by, and hints of cocoa and sweet herbs continue to resonate. Wow! Production at the Pertimali estate was down by 20% due to the spring frost, and the decision was made to place all of the juice usually intended for the Riserva into the straight Brunello, the result being one of the top wines of the vintage. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

91 Points! A pure expression of Aglianico, the Stefania Barbot 2019 Irpinia Campi Taurasini Ion is thick and darkly concentrated with a powerful 15.5% alcohol content. That brawn and muscle proves distracting, especially on first impact. However, the overall quality of dark fruit, with pressed blackberry and dark cherry, gives the wine pretty vertical lift and inner energy. On the palate, the wine is more streamlined and elegant than you might initially expect. Ion pulls itself nicely together at the end. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

92 Points! Lots of focused crushed-berry and cherry character. Very fresh. Medium body. Fine and delicate tannins and a delicious finish. Sort of Beaujolais mouth-feel to this. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! Taut and linear in profile, this red delivers black currant, black cherry, vanilla and peppery spices. Tightens up on the finish, where the chalky tannins linger. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. - Wine Spectator

91 Points! Some wet herbs to the peppery berries and cherries. The juicy, medium-bodied palate is coated with fine, even tannins. Good, medium-long finish to close with a peppery edge at the end. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! Aromas of black cherries, orange peel and some fresh herbs. Medium body, medium round tannins, and a soft and creamy finish. Light jammy character at the end. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

96 Points! Readers should note that with the 1997 Brunello di Montalcino, the label has changed to emphasize the proprietor's name, Livio Sassetti, rather than the estate name, Pertimali. Always a top-notch Brunello, the 1997 is staggering in its aromatic fireworks and concentrated, long, intense flavors. Sumptuous aromas of dried Provencal herbs, roasted meats, soy, spice box, asphalt, truffles, and black fruits linger in the air. Flavors of new saddle leather are added to jammy black fruit characteristics. Opulently-textured, full-bodied, and gorgeously pure, this wine creates an olfactory overload. Its low acidity, high glycerin, and huge fruit reserves suggest drinking it now and over the next 12-18 years. Mamma mia! - Robert Parker, robertparker.com, 2002

91+ Points! The 2007 Barbaresco Asili speaks eloquently to the silkiness and elegance of this great site. Freshly cut roses and berries of all sorts make a positive first impression. The Asili shows gorgeous freshness and depth in a classic, mid-weight expression of this vineyard. There is a wonderful sense of harmony that flows through to the finish, as the fruit and tannins remain composed and nicely integrated. With time in the glass the Asili closes in on itself. I am not sure it has the warm radiance that is typical of so many wines in this vintage, but it is nevertheless a strong effort. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com

96 Points! A layered and rich red with a light prune, plum and berry character, as well as hints of walnuts. Full-bodied, chewy and tannic yet showing polish and refinement. An almost iodine undertone. Better in 2016. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Talenti's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino sees fruit sourced from the Sant'Angelo in Colle subzone of the appellation. This is a very satisfactory expression with pretty mineral tones of ash and crushed stone that form sharp contours against ripe fruit, prune and blackberry. The wine is linear and extremely well defined. The high quality of fruit happily comes through with confidence and intensity. Talenti offers the best of both worlds: This is a wine that can age or you can opt to drink it sooner with red meat or game dishes. I love the energy and acidity on the finish. Riccardo Talenti's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a standout wine. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

97 Points! Intense aromas of dried citrus and meat with hints of rose bush and fresh rosemary. Full body with full, velvety tannins and a decadent, rich finish. Fascinating flavors of spice, citrus and meat. Loads of fruit. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better in 2016. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points, Wine Spectator's #13 Wine of the Year 2015! Mint and eucalyptus aromas give way to dried cherry and soy flavors in this firmly tannic Brunello. Sweetness and acidity drive the long finish of fruit, spice and mineral. Should be a great bottle in time. Best from 2019 through 2036. - Wine Spectator

97 Points! Costanti's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is stunning. Dark, powerful and mysterious in the glass, the 2010 captivates all the senses with its breathtaking beauty and layered, multi-dimensional personality. Lavender, violets, savory herbs, smoke, plums and graphite flow through to the rich, explosive finish. There is a prism-like sense of transparency allied to pure power in the 2010 that is impossible miss. Readers who can find the 2010 should not hesitate; it is a must-have. While many 2010s are approachable today, the Costanti's 2010 is not; it is a wine for the cellar. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

96 Points! The 2004 Barolo Riserva Runcot offers up an intriguing array of licorice, tobacco, spices, plums and prunes. The purity of the fruit here is beyond striking, and the wine shows great intensity as well as superb overall balance. The Runcot saw 45 days of maceration on the skins and spent 36 months in 100% new French oak, all of which it has absorbed with impeccable elegance. I imagine the 2004 Runcot will continue to gain weight in bottle, but even if it doesn’t, it is pretty special today. What a beautiful wine! Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

95 Points! A wine with purity and integration, offering black-cherry, blueberry and orange-peel aromas and flavors. Hot stone, too. Full-bodied and very tight with integrated tannins that go on. Needs time to show it all. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! This red is opulent and bursting with cherry, raspberry, rose and earth flavors, and an underlying spiciness from the new oak. Harmonious and long, refined tannins detail the finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. - Wine Spectator

96 Points! With fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the 2019 Barolo Villero is graceful and light with a beautifully silky approach to the palate. It is pleasing to the eye, thanks to the shiny ruby color that is characteristic of this vintage, and to the nose, thanks to a graceful bouquet with redcurrant, spice and blue flower. It shows similar traits to the mouth, thanks to a very sharp or linear element. Oddero's Villero knocks it out of the park across this portfolio of new releases. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

96 Points! The Domenico Clerico 2019 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin (with 5,500 bottles made with fruit from vines planted in 1978) is a bit closed initially. This is a trait I found across a vintage that gives us good reason to bet on long bottle-aging potential. There is dark fruit and spice with licorice and grilled herb. Rusty mineral nuances also emerge slowly from the bouquet. This wine needs a double decant if consumed on the young side, but you're better off waiting. I came back to my open sample 24 hours later, and the wine was singing beautifully. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

96 Points! Aromas of raspberries, cherries and orange peel follow through to a medium to full body, with firm and very fine tannins that are chewy but fine grained. Bright acidity, too. Try after 2027. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! The front of this bottle now lists its MGA provenance, Ginestra. The Domenico Clerico 2019 Barolo Ginestra Pajana shows a more open initial impression (next to the Ciabot Mentin) with soft black fruit. The wine makes a bigger impact in terms of texture with firm structure and silky tannins. It is just a little more open-knit and accessible. Some 5,000 bottles were released, and for the first time, Pajana is aged only in large oak casks (measuring 5,000 liters). - Monica Larner, robertparker.com