2021 Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo Piedmont Italy

2021 Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo Piedmont Italy

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Renato Ratti

Marcenasco Barolo
Piedmont, Italy 2021

2021 Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo Piedmont Italy

In the hills of La Morra, where Nebbiolo finds its most articulate voice, Renato Ratti Marcenasco stands as both history and living expression. Long before “cru” entered Barolo’s common vocabulary, Ratti was mapping the Langhe with conviction, arguing that each hillside possessed a distinct identity. Marcenasco became the clearest proof of that belief.

 

The vineyard itself carries documented depth, its name appearing in records that trace Nebbiolo cultivation here back centuries. From these rolling slopes, Marcenasco expresses La Morra’s defining signature: aromatic precision, measured authority, and a tensile structure that lingers well beyond the first impression. It is elegance anchored by underlying strength.

 

In the cellar, tradition sharpens rather than softens that identity. The 2021 matures for about two years in oak barrels before an additional year of bottle refinement, building structure while preserving aromatic detail. The aging shapes the wine without imprinting upon it. What remains is unmistakably Marcenasco, a Barolo rooted in place, lineage, and disciplined craft.

Renato Ratti
Marcenasco Barolo
Piedmont, Italy 2021

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“Assertive aromas of graphite, violets, mint and chalky minerality. A stunning, precise wine focused on elegance, with citrus flavors, a full body and lavish, velvety tannins supported by freshness. Long, youthful and savory aftertaste. Try from 2026, but best after 2030.”

97 Points

2019 La Magia Brunello Di Montalcino Italy

2019 La Magia Brunello Di Montalcino Italy

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La Magia

Brunello Di Montalcino
Montalcino, Italy 2019

2019 La Magia Brunello Di Montalcino Italy

From one of Brunello’s most celebrated vintages emerges a wine that feels inevitable—2019 La Màgia, a vivid reflection of its origins, moment, and intent. Tucked into the southern folds of Montalcino, La Màgia occupies a storied landscape once held sacred by the Etruscans. Its name—magìa—hinting at its mysticism. Since the late 1970s, the Schwarz family has tended this estate with a deep respect for the land and an understated commitment to its potential.

At the heart of La Màgia lies a striking 37-acre amphitheater of Sangiovese, a seamless expanse of 40-year-old vines. Perched high and facing east, the vineyard is sculpted from stony, sandy loam atop water-holding clay—soil that challenges the vine and lends refinement through adversity, where the wild grace of nature transforms into something extraordinary.

Matured for 36 months in French oak, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino balances poise and strength. Its palate is lively yet polished, with smooth tannins and bright acidity that captivate now and promise a decade or more of evolution. Earning mid to high 90s scores universally, I welcome you to discover the enduring magic of La Màgia for yourself.

La Magia
Brunello Di Montalcino
Montalcino, Italy 2019

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“The nose opens fresh and cool, with aromas of eucalyptus, wild mint and fennel, before the tang of raspberries and pomegranates arrives. The palate brings richer fruit notes of candied cherry and blood orange, but also more of those refreshing herbaceous elements, leaping on the back of athletic tannins and searing acid.”

96 Points

2020 Romitorio Brunello Di Montalcino Italy

2020 Romitorio Brunello Di Montalcino Italy

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Romitorio

Brunello Di Montalcino
Montalcino, Italy 2020

2020 Romitorio Brunello Di Montalcino Italy

The 2020 Brunello from Castello Romitorio captures the essence of Montalcino with striking clarity, reflecting both the region’s storied past and the unwavering vision of its creators. Since its inception in 1984, the winery has remained a guardian of tradition, tirelessly exploring and refining the potential of Sangiovese. This flagship Brunello embodies their dedication—a wine celebrated by critics and collectors alike for its layered depth, poised refinement, and vivid connection to its origins.

Born in a year that tested the world’s resolve, the 2020 vintage radiates intensity and vitality, distinguishing itself with uncommon grace. While much of the world paused, the vineyards flourished under the attentive hands of those who sought refuge in their craft. This quiet strength echoes through the wine, revealing itself in waves of dark cherry, wild herbs, and crushed violets that unfold with mesmerizing complexity.

Fermented in stainless steel to safeguard the fruit’s luminous purity, then matured for 24 months in oak, this Brunello strikes a delicate equilibrium between vigor and finesse. Time has softened its contours, blending its elements into a fluid, silken whole that showcases Sangiovese at its most refined. With its profound depth and elegance, the 2020 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino is a tribute to the artistry and resilience that define exceptional winemaking.

Romitorio
Brunello Di Montalcino
Montalcino, Italy 2020
Retails at: $70

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“This is a remarkable Brunello from a COVID-19 vintage that launched many curveballs at producers. The Castello Romitorio 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is noticeably a step above its peers thanks to its seamless mouthfeel, its bright fruit concentration and its balanced freshness. It ages in oak for 24 months, and the grapes are picked from a site with cool clay soils. The finish is soft and polished. If you were to buy one village Brunello from the accessible 2020 vintage, let me direct your attention to this wine…”

96 Points

2018 Figli Luigi Oddero Convento Barolo Piedmont Italy

2018 Figli Luigi Oddero Convento Barolo Piedmont Italy

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Figli Luigi Oddero

Convento Barolo
Piedmont, Italy 2018

2018 Figli Luigi Oddero Convento Barolo Piedmont Italy

Convento Barolo intertwines the rich legacy of tradition with the profound influence of its terroir, yielding a wine that blends Barolo’s innate nobility with a remarkable value rarely encountered in bottles of this stature. Crafted under the expert guidance of Dante Scaglioni—whose 25 years as winemaker shaped the illustrious Bruno Giacosa wines—this creation draws from a deep well of heritage and masterful artistry.

Barolo has long been revered as the “King of Wines and the Wine of Kings,” a distinction earned through its commanding structure, vibrant acidity, and firm tannins, which ensure a graceful evolution over decades. The 2018 Convento Barolo upholds this heritage with distinction. Its complexity unfurls in layers of dark cherry, crushed violets, and the earthy aroma of forest floor, interwoven with subtle hints of anise, leather, and a hint of truffle.

Figli Luigi Oddero is more than a winery; it is a custodian of Piemonte’s past and a beacon for its future. Since the early 1800s, the family has tended the land that would come to shape Barolo’s very identity. Drawn primarily from La Morra, one of the region’s most celebrated terroirs, the 2018 Convento Barolo achieves a rare balance of lineage, craftsmanship, and accessibility. Priced under $50, it offers an effortless opportunity to enjoy one of Italy’s most treasured wines with confidence.

Figli Luigi Oddero
Convento Barolo
Piedmont, Italy 2018

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“The Figli Luigi Oddero 2018 Barolo “Convento” opens with inviting aromas of dried rose petals, red cherries, and ripe strawberries, with hints of licorice, tar, and dried herbs. On the palate, flavors of black tea, leather, and sweet spices emerge alongside subtle earthy undertones. The wine is vibrant and structured, with firm, refined tannins and a lively acidity that carries through the finish. While already approachable, this wine will continue to develop over the next decade or more.”

94 Points

2020 Giulia Negri Cru Borolo La Tartufaia La Morra Piedmont Italy

2020 Giulia Negri Cru Borolo La Tartufaia La Morra Piedmont Italy

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Giulia Negri

Cru Barolo 2020
La Tartufaia, La Morra
Piedmont, Italy

2020 Giulia Negri Cru Borolo La Tartufaia La Morra Piedmont Italy

Since the 1880s, the Diatto-Negri family has crafted exceptional Barolo from the renown slopes of Serradenari. Today, Giulia Negri carries on this noble tradition, producing wines embodying this celebrated terroir’s depth, complexity, and finesse.

Serradenari, the highest Cru of La Morra, is known for its expressive, elegant Nebbiolo. This unique microclimate, characterized by high altitude and Tortonian soils rich in clay, loam, and sand, imparts remarkable acidity and elegance to the wines. The vineyard’s proximity to Alba’s white truffle grounds adds an intriguing earthy dimension.

Giulia’s 2020 La Tartufaia Barolo is a testament to this terroir and its truffle-laden heritage. Each vine is meticulously tended, and the grapes are harvested at the peak of ripeness. The wine is crafted with a gentle touch, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged for 24 months in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. The result is a harmonious blend of power and refinement, with layers of red fruit, spice, and earthy truffle notes.

Giulia Negri
Cru Barolo 2020
La Tartufaia, La Morra
Piedmont, Italy
Retails at: $80

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“This wine is deeply rooted in terroir, exuding a tapestry of forest floor, tar, earthy clay, and a range of medicinal herbs. Crushed cherries and raspberries move between the more savory note gently lifting the wine. Structured with vibrant acidity that lifts the tart red fruit flavors across the palate as fresh herbs and pine needle accents add to the complex nature of this wine. Drink 2026 – 2045”

94 Points

2020 Idi Di Marzo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Italy

2020 Idi Di Marzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Italy

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Idi Di Marzo

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Abruzzo, Italy, 2020

2020 Idi Di Marzo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Italy

The Idi di Marzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from De Cerchio is more than a wine; it’s a testament to the Abruzzo region’s rich viticultural heritage. Crafted from sustainably farmed Montepulciano grapes, this wine embodies the essence of the region’s rugged landscape, where vines flourish between the Adriatic coast and the Apennine Mountains. Each sip reveals the terroir’s mineral-rich soul, imparting a depth and complexity that is truly remarkable.

For four generations, the De Cerchio family has refined the art of winemaking, each vintage building upon the passion and knowledge passed down. Their commitment to excellence is evident in the 2020 Idi di Marzo, which has garnered acclaim from renowned Italian wine critics James Suckling and Luca Maroni.

The 2020 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo showcases a perfect balance of tradition and innovation, offering layers of dark fruit, spice, and earthy undertones. This wine is not merely a reflection of the land but a testament to the De Cerchio winemaking team’s passion and expertise poured into every bottle.

Idi Di Marzo
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Abruzzo, Italy, 2020

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“The nose is savory, but in a warm, comforting way, like a mountain cabin in autumn, with aromas of chocolate, berries, leather, soil and herbs. On the palate, grilled, peppery meat underscores the herbaceousness, but lingering berries bring brightness and levity. Great value, especially considering this wine bears the top sustainable certification.”

90 Points

2019 Diego Conterno Barolo Monforte D'Alba

2019 Diego Conterno Barolo Monforte D’Alba

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DIEGO CONTERNO

BAROLO 2019
MONFORTE D’ALBA

2019 Diego Conterno Barolo Monforte D'Alba

Under the mentorship of Piedmontese luminary winemaker Beppe Colla, Diego Conterno honed his winemaking skills at the Prunotto Winery. In 1982, he and his cousins started their winery, where Diego worked for nearly two decades, further developing his winemaking signature. 

In 2000, Diego began a winemaking journey all on his own with a five-acre plot in Ginestra, one of Barolo’s named cru growing sites. Today, Diego and his son Stefano run the winery, holding an esteemed reputation for producing Nebbiolo wines. 

The 2019 Barolo comes from a selection of fruit from estate vineyards in Bricco San Pietro, San Giovanni, and Ginestra, each vinified separately and aged to perfection in a combination of traditional botti and cement tank for 30 months. 

DIEGO CONTERNO
BAROLO 2019
MONFORTE D’ALBA

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“Lifted with blood orange citrus, the 2019 Barolo Del Comune Di Monforte D’Alba is spiced with clove, menthol, and cherry. It is medium to full bodied, with fine tannins, a fresh spine of acidity, and raspberry, dusty earth, and fresh peach. I love the balance of its structure and its refined texture. This is an outstanding effort to drink 2024-2044.”

95 Points

2018 Diego E Damiano Barale Barolo Piedmont Italy

2018 Diego E Damiano Barale Barolo Piedmont Italy

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DIEGO E DAMIANO BARALE

BAROLO 2018
PIEDMONT, ITALY

2018 Diego E Damiano Barale Barolo Piedmont Italy
Brothers Diego and Damiano Barale are a viticultural and winemaking powerhouse after spending valuable time learning the tricks of the trade. Working together, they use their combined education and practical knowledge to produce outstanding wines. Though their company is relatively new, the land they inherited from their father in Barolo and Monforte d’Alba has historical roots in the heart of superior grape-growing regions in Piedmont. 
 
This Barolo is a selection of old and young vineyards, matured for 20 months in oak and another 18 in the bottle before being released to the market. The 2018 growing season was a fertile vintage with no drought concerns, resulting in vines developing healthy canopies of balanced fruit, noticeable in the wine’s acidity-to-alcohol ratio and the mature, supple tannin structure.
 
DIEGO E DAMIANO BARALE
BAROLO 2018
PIEDMONT, ITALY
Retails at: $55
 
 
 
“Just mid ruby with orange tinges. An amplification of their very pretty Langhe Nebbiolo, with more inherent richness but the same minerality, but now wrapped up in sweetly perfumed raspberry fruit. Supple, long and persistent, the fruit on the finish is carried by a fine, long tannic trail. Long, finely balanced and with real depth and with just a touch of oak.”
17++/20
2018 Bruna Grimaldi Camilla Barolo Piedmont Italy

221118 2018 Bruna Grimaldi Camilla Barolo Piedmont Italy

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BRUNA GRIMALDI

CAMILLA BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY 2018

2018 Bruna Grimaldi Camilla Barolo Piedmont Italy
Bruna Grimaldi and her husband Franco Fioriono grew up in the hills that join Grinzane Cavour to Serralunga d’Alba, where grape growing and high-quality wine production are a big part of family traditions. The Camilla Barolo is made in a classic style with extended maceration to gently extract color, tannins, and the aromatics essential for high-quality Nebbiolo wines with long aging potential.
 
The fruit comes from specially selected vineyards, including the famed Badarina in Serralunga that belonged to Bruna’s mother, the Bricco Ambrogio site Bruna and Franco purchased in Roddi, and the Grimaldi family’s original property in Grinzane Cavour. The regional blending incorporates harmony and balance in the wine, aged in large Slavonian oak barrels and French oak tonneaux for a minimum of 30 months before being further matured in the bottle before release. These techniques create a compelling wine with an impressive range of diverse flavors and complexity.
 
BRUNA GRIMALDI
CAMILLA BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY 2018
Retails at: $50
 
Your Price: $42
 
 
“This is an ambitious, all-encompassing blend that is especially accessible in 2018. It offers a harmonious bouquet with wild berry and rose. The tannins are soft and yielding, and you can start enjoying this Barolo without waiting too much longer.”
91 Points
2016 Patrizia Cencioni Solaria Brunello Di Montalcino

2016 Patrizia Cencioni Solaria Brunello Di Montalcino

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PATRIZIA CENCIONI SOLARIA 

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
MONTALCINO 2016

2016 Patrizia Cencioni Solaria Brunello Di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino was one of the first regions in Italy to receive DOCG status in 1966 and is one of the most sought-after Italian wines. Fifty years later, the Wine Spectator ranks Brunello’s 2016 vintage as one of the highest-rated vintages in the region’s history, earning an overall vintage rating of 99 Points and noting a “Textbook growing season resulting in wines of finesse and elegance, balance and harmony.”
 
Winemaker Patrizia Cencioni knows Montalcino’s best wines are born in the vineyard and developed in the cellar. Solaria Vineyard, planted in 1989, sits 300 meters above sea level on a natural plateau composed of coarse tuff and clay soils, contributing to the wine’s incredible depth. Patrizia ages this wine for 30 months in a cask to fully integrate the flavors, and now, after extended time in the bottle, the wine is singing brilliantly.
 
PATRIZIA CENCIONI SOLARIA 
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
MONTALCINO 2016
Retails at: $60
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino holds your attention with a gorgeous bouquet of lavender giving way to cherry, blackberries, earthy minerals and white smoke. This is dark in character and silky in feel with a savory, almost-salty display of polished black fruits and minerals. Brisk acids provide grip and lend a cheek-puckering tension. Fine tannins add to the 2016’s already-youthful poise, yet they don’t get in the way. A mix of sweet violet florals and lingering ripe fruit satiate the palate. I love the balance here. The 2016 almost tricks you into thinking that it doesn’t need time in the cellar to show its best. But don’t be fooled; this will only get better with time.”
93+ Points