($27): Giampaolo Motta acquired the 67-acre estate located in the Conca d’Oro in Panzano, the heart of Chianti Classico.  Instead of making Chianti Classico, he opted to blend traditional Bordeaux grapes with the native Sangiovese.  Some would call his wines Super Tuscan. … Read more

($121): Tenuta Luce, originally a joint venture between wine icons Robert Mondavi and Vittorio Frescobaldi, is now solely owned by the Frescobaldi family.  Located in Montalcino and though it does make a Brunello, Tenuta Luce is distinct from Castelgiocondo, another Frescobaldi estate. … Read more

($111): Giampaolo Motta named this flagship wine after his grandfather and son.  With more structure and less flesh that the 2020 La Massa, the stellar 2019 Grigio Primo needs considerably more time in the bottle for its true grandeur to show. … Read more

($20):  Frescobaldi, a name synonymous with quality in Tuscany, has established this estate in Montepulciano.  It’s really a return to Montepulciano for them since Leonardo Di Niccolò Frescobaldi was the town’s mayor in 1390.  The exquisite 2020, their second vintage, is, in a word, gorgeous, melding black fruit that borders on tarriness with minerals. … Read more

($46, Total Beverage Solution):  Pugnitello, a grape whose name means “little fist” based on the appearance of the bunches, is a relative newcomer to Italian wine, having been studied and developed by San Felice in the 1980s.  So, it is not surprising that their rendition should be outstanding. … Read more

($22):  A massive bottle plus a 15 percent stated-alcohol accurately predicts the style of the wine before you pull the cork.  Mild and suave tannins lend needed support to the fruity richness.  The level of alcohol and the ripe dark fruit quality explains a hint of sweetness in the finish. … Read more

($89, Wilson Daniels):  The label says Rosso, but the wine says Brunello.  That’s Biondi-Santi for you.  Firm, sleek and minerally, this mid-weight Rosso has more elegance and stature than many producers’ bottlings of Brunello.  Fine tannins surround tightly coiled power and exquisite austerity. … Read more

($35):  Nero d’Avola, a grape indigenous to Sicily, makes a wide wine across a wide gamut of styles.  The muscular 16 Filari, from Case Alte, lies towards the massive side of the spectrum — sort of a Nero d’Avola on steroids. … Read more

($33):  Frescobaldi, the iconic Tuscan producer whose homebase is Chianti Rùfina, has recently expanded into Chianti Classico with their Perano estate.  Just as they make exceptional wine in Rùfina, they have done the same at Perano.  As expected from a Riserva, their 2018 has more weight and depth than their straight Chianti Classico. … Read more

($52):  Grapes for a Gran Selezione bottling, which sits above Riserva at the pinnacle of the Chianti Classico quality pyramid, must come the estate’s own property — no purchased grapes allowed.  Perano’s comes from a single vineyard, Rialzi, located at about 500 meters above sea level, which is a real advantage in these days of climate change. … Read more

($33, Vintus):  Sometimes described as the “third” wine of Ornellaia, Le Volte is and it isn’t because it addition to estate wine that did not make it into either Ornellaia or Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, Le Volte contains grapes that have been purchased from other sources. … Read more

($33):  Frescobaldi, the iconic Tuscan producer whose homebase is Chianti Rùfina, has recently expanded into Chianti Classico with their Perano estate.  Just as they make exceptional wine in Rùfina, they have done the same at Perano.  As expected from a Riserva, their 2018 has more weight and depth than their straight Chianti Classico. … Read more

($52):  Grapes for a Gran Selezione bottling, which sits above Riserva at the pinnacle of the Chianti Classico quality pyramid, must come the estate’s own property — no purchased grapes allowed.  Perano’s comes from a single vineyard, Rialzi, located at about 500 meters above sea level, which is a real advantage in these days of climate change. … Read more

($73, Vintus):  Sauvignon Blanc was among the initial plantings at Ornellaia and initially they made a wine exclusively from that variety.  Over time, Viognier, Vermentino, and Verdicchio have been added and now the current blend includes those four in proportions that vary from year to year depending on the weather. … Read more

($30, Vineyard Road, Inc):  Freisa, a grape related to Nebbiolo, typically has a significant tannin structure, much like Nebbiolo.  Just as there are many examples of Langhe Nebbiolo that are approachable when young, here is a seductive Friesa Langhe DOC that is delightful to drink now. … Read more

($20):  There is no better producer of Vermentino than Lunae.  And this light — 12.5 percent stated alcohol — and fresh IGT Vermentino, their so-called “entry level” wine, shows Lunae’s talents.  A hint of minerals buttressed by saline-acidity gives this bright and zesty wine a bit of depth. … Read more

($24):  Anyone who wants to see the potential of Vermentino just needs to uncork one from Lunae.  This one, which translates as Grey Label, is stunning, even though it is not their top-of-line bottling (that would be the Black Label, or Etichetta Nera. … Read more

($42):  Ok, forty plus bucks for a Vermentino is a big ask.  Trust me, this is likely the best Vermentino you will ever taste.  This tightly wound wonder (identified as “Etichetta Nera” or Black Label) has great power coupled with extraordinary grace. … Read more

($19):  New discoveries, interesting wines from place you’ve — or at least I’ve — never heard of, is one of the things I love about Italian wines.  Here is yet another DOC I am unfamiliar with.  You too could be excused if you are unfamiliar with Monreale, a tiny DOC comprising about 70 acres just west of Palermo. … Read more