Piedmont

94 Points! Tasted about three weeks after bottling, the Pecchenino 2019 Barolo Bussia opens to a beautiful ruby color that shines from inside the glass. There is a subtle note of candied cherry or fragrant rose, but once that lifts, the wine reverts to characteristic Nebbiolo aromas of tar, licorice and blood orange. Bussia delivers a classic progression of aromas that are elegantly reinforced by the extra intensity and concentration of the 2019 vintage. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

93 Points! A fresh, juicy red highlighted by cherry, plum, tar, grass and eucalyptus flavors. Gains support from vibrant acidity and pliable tannins as this cruises to a long aftertaste of fruit, vegetal and mineral notes. - Wine Spectator

93 Points! Intense nose of fresh and dried red berries, together with dried leaves and dark, clove-like spice. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a concentrated bead of bright fruit and minerals. The tannins pull hard on the finish for now, so wait for this one. It’s structured and layered and definitely built to last. Hold until 2024. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! Pure and focused, offering violet, cherry, raspberry and mineral aromas and flavors. Shaped by vibrant acidity, this red persists with a lingering, resonant aftertaste. - Wine Spectator

From the importer: Fabio’s Coste della Sesia Nebbiolo grapes are entirely grown within the Lessona appellation, but due to an archaic technicality, it’s not labeled as such because the winery it’s made in sits only fifteen feet over the border of Lessona and primarily in Coste della Sesia appellation, so it can only be labeled as a Costa della Sesia; it’s obvious that a wine should be labeled by the origin of their grapes, not the location of the cellar it was crafted in. (I apologize for the repetition of this paragraph if you've read Fabio's profile as well.)

The details: Fermentation in stainless steel for over three weeks, followed by aging in old 225 liter barrels for thirteen months. Fermentation is spontaneous and the use of sulfites is kept to a minimum—only 30ppm at bottling, which is near half the average for handcrafted, boutique fine wine. The vines are a mix of young and old, with the average close to twenty-five years.

93 Points! This red combines cherry, plum, tar, iron, licorice and eucalyptus aromas and flavors, backed by a firm, refreshing profile. Dense and tight for now; however, the long, resonant finish and lingering fruit and white pepper accents show its potential. - Wine Spectator

96 Points! The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is darkly concentrated and among the richest wines in this series of single-vineyard Riservas. Montestefano is angular, textured and bold with dark fruit aromas, dried blackberry, toasted almond and cured tobacco. With this vintage, you get an age-worthy wine that offers brawn and power for drinking in the medium term, but it will become increasingly silky and slender with time. Dusty tannins and crushed stone appear on the long finish. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

93 Points! Part of the Scarrone Vineyard was replanted in 1989, and these younger vines give rise to the Vietti 2020 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Scarrone. This wine is also thick and darkly concentrated but not to the same degree as the version made with fruit from old vines. Indeed, it's fun to try these two bottles side by side. Dark fruit, baked plum and sweet spice give extra dimension and volume to this wine. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

93 Points! The 2020 Barbaresco has developed beautifully over the last year. It marries lovely fruit purity with classic structure. A pretty appealing combination in my book. Readers looking for an affordable Barbaresco to drink now should jump all over the 2020. It's a gorgeous wine in every way. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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! The 2020 Barbera d’Alba Vigna Serraboella is bright, effusive and full of character. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit, spice, rose petal and pipe tobacco makes a strong first impression. Ripe, silky tannins add to the wine’s considerable appeal. The Serraboella is such a delicious wine. It spent 18 months in cask and neutral oak. - Antonio Galloni , Vinous Media

94 Points! Bright with cherry, berry, mint, leather and tar aromas and flavors, this red possesses a matching structure for balance and poise. Well put together at this young stage, its harmony and length bodes well for the future. Best from 2022 through 2040. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! Really extracted aromas of ripe strawberries with some cedar and tea undertones, following through to a medium body with round, creamy tannins and a wonderful finish of ripe strawberries and citrus peel, as well as a hint of honey. Subtle and refined. Better after 2022. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The 2016 Barolo Bussia Cascina Dardi is a terrific wine from brothers Alessandro and Gian Natale Fantino. Wonderfully deep, layered and nuanced, the 2016 has so much going on. As always, there is something incredibly personal about these wines. The 2016 is not a perfect wine (there is some volatile acidity), but it is beguiling and compelling in every way. Menthol, spice, dried herbs and a whole range of balsamic-infused notes wrap around a core of dark fruit as this mysterious, enthralling Barolo gradually shows off its considerable charms. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

This is one of the most under the radar wines in all of Piedmont. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94 Points! A rich and round style, this red boasts plum, cherry and black currant flavors, with accents of earth, iron and menthol. Well put-together, even if the tannins are dense and assertive on the finish. Delivers earth and spice notes that linger. Best from 2025 through 2045. - Wine Spectator

93 Points! This wine is always released much later than its peers. The Cocito 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Baluchin draws its fruit from a cool and high-altitude growing site in Neive where obtaining acidity and fruit brightness is never a problem. These conditions also suggest a longer cellar-aging window. The fact that the 2013 vintage was spared major temperature spikes during the summer months further reinforces these impressions. This Riserva presents dark cassis and plum, with some spicy elements of crushed clove, balsamic herb or rosemary essence. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

94 Points! Packs pretty aromas of rose, raspberry, kirsch and a hint of truffle, confirming the bright fruit flavors on the palate. Reveals accents of hay and mineral, which add depth and detail as this builds to a firm, lingering aftertaste. Shows fine balance and overall elegance. Best from 2024 through 2040. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! So beautiful to smell with subtle dried flowers, ripe strawberries, cedar and sandalwood. Medium-to full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are fine-grained and firm. Succulent acidity at the finish for such a ripe year. Give this three to four years to come together. Better after 2022. - JamesSuckling.com