News — Italy

Full-Throttle Nobility
2019 Brovia Barolo Rocche di Castiglione

Out of Brovia's consistently stunning line-up of single Crus, Rocche is always the stand out.

Back Up The Truck - Piedmont Edition:
2018 Produttori di Carema Carema Riserva

Carema is about an hour's drive from Barolo and amounts to its alpine cousin. It's one of the most riveting and most versatile wines around.

Piedmont:
Brovia, Canonica, Cappellano, Giacosa, Mascarello, Rinaldi, Roagna & More

The Sweet Spot:
2017 Roagna Barolo La Pira

Roagna's 2017 Pira is jaw-droppingly good. It boasts an incredible spectrum of layered red fruits, game, earth, tar, herbs, and spice. All of this is backed up by a beautiful finesse and verve. 

Perfectionism Paying Off:
2018 Giacamo Conterno Barolo Cerretta

In 2018, Cerretta rivals Francia in a vintage where no wine was earmarked for Monfortino. This is no simple feat. 

"The 2019 Le Pergole Torte is all class and refinement."
2019 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte

Few wines are so nuanced and complicated that the more you taste them the more deeply you become obsessed with them.

"One of the finest recent editions..."
2020 Giacamo Conterno Barbera Cascina Francia

Roberto Conterno's work with Barbera is without peer.

Magnificence in Montefalco
2017 Bea Montefalco Sagrantino Secco Vigneto Pagliaro

Few wines deliver the mysterious depth and sheer soulfulness that Pagliaro does.

Utterly Captivating: Back-Vintage Conterno
2006 Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia

The Barolo Francia comes from one of Serralunga’s top sites. The commune is renowned for the density, texture, and heft of its wines.

"Simply Stunning"
2016 Pian dell'Orino Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante

"The 2013 Barbaresco Pajè will leave readers weak at the knees"
2013 Roagna Barbaresco Pajè

When they were released, we felt that the 2013 Roagnas represented the high-water mark for this well-established estate.

Cult Mountain Nebbiolo
2017 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca

In short, Carema is an alpine Nebbiolo of breathtaking grace.

"The 2013 simply has it all" -Antonio Galloni
2013 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo

Don't Miss Under-The-Radar Barolo Traditionalist
2016 Cascina Fontana Barolo del Comune di Castiglione Falletto

Italy 1982-2019

Castell'in Villa, Conterno, Ferrando, Montevertine, Roagna, Valentini & More

Stand Alone Barbera:
2018 Castello di Verduno Barbera d'Alba Bricco del Cuculo

Even though much of the trip was spent tasting the great 2016 Barolos and Barbarescos, the 2018 Barbera Bricco del Cuculo was the revelation of my tastings. I immediately asked the importer how much I could buy. 

"A wine of total finesse" - Antonio Galloni
2016 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose

Barolo at an Accessible Price Point

Wine of the Year #1: Ian's Pick
2014 Roagna Barbaresco Albesani

"Lovely classic Brunello" - 2013 Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino

Val di Suga drives homes what's essential about Brunello.

Red Earth, Untamed Brilliance:
2016 Zidarich Teran

In his hands, the obscure, complicated, and somewhat unruly grape reaches a level that's without peer. There's nothing quite like Teran and Zidarch elevates the seriously noteworthy grape.

Bea Grand Cru:
2012 Bea Montefalco Sagrantino Secco Vigneto Cerrete

Bea's importer, Neal Rosenthal, calls Cerrete: "Perhaps the greatest combination of height and exposition in the appellation."

"What a wine!"
2016 Brovia Barolo Brea - Ca' Mia

In recent vintages Brovia established themselves as one of the great traditional estates of Piedmont. In the 2016, they leaped into an even greater level of quality. The wines are more refined, purer, and more detailed.

"Some of the most viscerally thrilling, breathtaking wines I have ever tasted here, or anywhere"
2017 Montevertine Rosso di Toscano

While Le Pergole Torte is the pinnacle of the estate, the Rosso di Toscano represents incredible value. It's one of the smartest buys that we know and there are vintages where the gap between Pergole Torte and the Montevertine bottling narrows considerably. The 2017 is such a year. 

"Like stepping back into Piedmont's past"
2016 Serafino Rivella Barbaresco Montestefano

The wines of Serafino Rivella possess such honesty and precision that it's hard not to be wowed by them. There's something mysterious and special about the wine. They have plenty of finesse and feel devoid of artifice.