Italy

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! 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

91 Points! The 2020 Barbera d'Asti Montebruna is a plump and rich red with ripe berry notes, toasted spice, cinnamon and grilled Mediterranean herb. Despite the heft and brawn of this wine, the mouthfeel is pushed along by fresh acidity and a powerful 15% alcohol content. This is perfect companion to a meal heavy in cheese or cream. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

91 Points! Aromas of cherry chocolate, dark licorice, hints of bark and moist earth. Full-bodied with velvety, supple tannin structure and some chalky texture in the finish. Juicy and flavorful. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! This is red-fruited and floral with notes of violets, spices and citrus perfume. Medium-bodied with broad, but rather ripe, well-integrated tannins. Balanced, even and fresh with some spicy herbal undertones to close. Very attractive. Try from 2025. - James Suckling

93 Points! The Gianfranco Bovio 2019 Barolo opens to a light garnet appearance with hints of plum and terracotta. It shows delicately measured fragrances of rose, earth, licorice and aniseed. It's classic Nebbiolo with the balance, elegant concentration and power that we see across the 2019 vintage. The blend represents a selection of fruit from La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. - Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

91 Points! The 2019 Barolo offers a compelling mix of early appeal with a classic sense of structure. Sweet dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, incense and crushed autumn leaves are all nicely lifted. I would prefer to drink this sooner rather than later, as the flavors are just a bit forward. Even so, this is a highly enjoyable wine, especially for its peer group. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93 Points! Intense nose with hints of coffee and black chocolate to the raspberry jam and dark cherries. Nicely dry and bitter with dark-chocolate character that extends to the long, polished finish with silky tannins. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

92 Points! When you buy something through our link, we may earn a small commission. Wine Enthusiast doesn't accept money for editorial wine reviews. Read more about our policy. Dark and intense in color, the wine has intense aromas of spiced black plums, blackberry pie and black cherries. Though the fruit is very intense, it is wrapped up by herbal and cocoa notes. The palate is lush and velvety, with fine tannins that give the wine the structure it needs to keep the fruit from being too dominant. This is a big, bold and beautiful wine. - Wine Enthusiast

91 Points! The 2019 Palazzo della Torre is simply stunning, with a perfumed mix of exotic spice, crushed cherries and vanilla bean. This is cool-toned and racy in style with silky textures contrasted by tart wild berry fruit and clove. Residual acids maintain a wonderfully fresh impression as this tapers off with traces of cocoa and rosy inner florals. The 2019 still shows a bit of its oak (about 20% new) when first opened, yet it comes together beautifully in the glass. Palazzo della Torre is a blend of traditional Valpolicella varieties and a 20% addition of Sangiovese, which takes this to the next level. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

Cabernet and Sangiovese blend from the folks that bring you Sassicaia!

91 Points! Aromas of papaya, pineapple, orange curd and chamomile. It’s ripe, fruity and fleshy with a medium to full body. Bright and delicious finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! Delicate cedary scents and earthy notes of leather over tarry dark fruit notes. Complex and multilayered with a spicy finish. - Decanter Magazine

91 Points! Dark cherries, roasted herbs, spices and tea leaves. Medium body, round and velvety tannins and a bright and medium-chewy finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! The Gavarini Chiniera vineyard is shaped like an amphitheater with thick forests at the back (which protects from cold air currents) and sandy chalk soil at 380 meters in elevation. This is a special site, and the Elio Grasso 2018 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is always one of Grasso's most easily recognized wines. This vintage is exceptionally bright and vibrant with lifted tones of cherry, plum, blue flower and sweet blood orange. Those primary notes are framed by sensations of dusty white mineral. This mid-weight wine exhibits the deep elegance that was achieved in this vintage. Production is 12,000 bottles. - Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

95 Points! Dried-cherry, strawberry and tar aromas follow through to a full body with intense, chewy tannins that frame the wine nicely. Flavorful finish. Juicy. Not a big wine, but shows structure and class for the vintage. Try after 2026. - James Suckling

91 Points! The 2018 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a gorgeous, elegant wine that offers fine depth for the year. Silky and pliant, with terrific resonance, the 2018 has a lot to offer. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice, blood orange and rose petal all build effortlessly in the glass. All the Gavarini signatures are present, but naturally in miniature in this vintage. - Antonio Galloni

91 Points! The 2020 Coda di Volpe is sweetly scented and very pretty with green melon, spring flowers and hints of vanilla bean. This soothes with its silky textures and ripe orchard fruits, coming across as almost creamy in feel, yet wonderfully balanced and full of energy. Nuances of sun tea and candied lime linger through the wonderfully fresh and mouthwatering finale. This is simply a pleasure to taste. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

Direct from the source! Mondoca is one of the finest sub-crus within the famous Bussia Vineyard in Barolo's Monforte d'Alba zone. Germano's is an outstanding example from a shining vintage, a warm year that produced lush, powerful wines with loads of fruit capable of extended aging. While starting to 'show' this wine has many years ahead of it...!

Tasted (consumed) recently, absolutely gorgeous! 2010 was a watershed vintage for Nebbiolo in Piedmont and this wine is a prime example hitting its peak drinking window, fresh, vibrant packed with cherries, tar licorice, spice. A joy...and a heckuva deal....

91 Points! This shows notes of chocolate and hazelnuts with ripe wild berries and sweet spice undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with dusty tannins and a bitter chocolate character. Tense with a fruity finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com