($60, Taub Family Selections):  This big but not boisterous wine shows that Sella & Mosca is equally capable with the so-called international grapes as with local ones.  Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, the Marchese di Villamarina delivers succulent black fruit, plenty of savory notes all wrapped in firm, not hard, tannins. … Read more

($17, Taub Family Selections):  Sella & Mosca, despite their size — the largest estate on Sardinia — makes excellent wines.  This juicy mid-weight Cannonau, the local name for Grenache, delivers crunchy red fruit combined with a hint of spice.  Not a fruit bomb by any means, it actually has an engaging hint of bitterness in its long finish. … Read more

($28):  Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s emblematic grape, produces wines that vary and light and fruity to more substantial and robust.  Put this one in the latter category.  Earthy notes support dark fruit character.  Fine tannins lends support and balance so it doesn’t come across as a “fruity” wine, although there is no lack of black fruitiness. … Read more

($60, Dalla Terra Winery Direct):  Ghiaie della Furba, a Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah from Capezzana, Carmignano’s top producer, is a robust wine when young.  Even at eight years of age, this tightly wound beauty reveals its glories slowly as it sits in the glass. … Read more

($31, Dalla Terra Winery Direct):  Carmignano, Tuscany’s smallest DOCG, is unique because it requires the use of Cabernet, either Sauvignon or Franc, in the blend with Sangiovese. Capezzana makes the benchmark Carmignano.  Their 2016, from a spectacular vintage and still widely available retail, is a great introduction to the DOCG. … Read more

($28):  Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s emblematic grape, produces wines that vary and light and fruity to more substantial and robust.  Put this one in the latter category.  Earthy notes support dark fruit character.  Fine tannins lends support and balance so it doesn’t come across as a “fruity” wine, although there is no lack of black fruitiness. … Read more

($35):  Light and fresh, Le Cesolina is just what you want with Valpolicella.  Don’t misinterpret the light and fresh moniker to mean vapid.  Not at all.  Though this juicy red wine weighs in at a mere 12.5 percent stated alcohol, it delivers plenty of enjoyment with juicy red cherry-like flavors. … Read more

($15, Gonzalez Byass USA):  When you run across a wine at this price that’s this enjoyable, it makes you smile.  This bright and juicy mid-weight wine has an engaging mix of red fruits accented by a hint of spice.  Mild tannins allow immediate enjoyment.… Read more

($19, SM USA):  In my opinion, CampoFiorin was Masi’s greatest gift to the world of wine.  Basically, Masi created a wine with more oomph and character than Valpolicella, but without the weight and massive profile of Amarone.  In short, a mini-Amarone that’s approachable now. … Read more

($61, SM USA):  Masi’s Costasera Amarone is a big — 15 percent stated alcohol — bold, wintertime wine.  Amarone is made using only dried grapes, in contrast to their CampoFiorin, which leads to a higher finished alcohol and more power.  There is a hint of sweetness in the finish that balances the wine’s intensity. … Read more

($17, SM USA):  Masi, one of the leading Valpolicella/Amarone producers, makes a wonderful range of wines.  Made from the usual Valpolicella grapes, Corvina, Rolindella, and Molinara, Masi’s mid-weight Bonacosta, their “regular” (though there’s nothing regular about it) Valpolicella Classico delivers juicy bright cherry flavors. … Read more

($19, SM USA):  In my opinion, CampoFiorin was Masi’s greatest gift to the world of wine.  Basically, Masi created a wine with more oomph and character than Valpolicella, but without the weight and massive profile of Amarone.  In short, a mini-Amarone that’s approachable now. … Read more

($61, SM USA):  Masi’s Costasera Amarone is a big — 15 percent stated alcohol—bold, wintertime wine.  Amarone is made using only dried grapes, in contrast to their CampoFiorin, which leads to a higher finished alcohol and more power.  There is a hint of sweetness in the finish that balances the wine’s intensity. … Read more

($82, Palm Bay International):  In addition to making very fine single vineyard Baroli, Batasiolo makes this Riserva from grapes grown throughout the delimited Barolo region.  Indeed, some of the grapes that could have gone into their single vineyard bottlings are used in the Riserva to maintain consistency and quality. … Read more

($17, Disaronno International):  Consumers unfamiliar with Nerello Mascalese, the signature grape of Sicily’s Mount Etna, should grab this bottle.  Lava-like mineral notes complement the sour cherry like ones in this mid-weight red.  A long an explosive finish reminds you this is a wine to sip and savor. … Read more

($12, Palm Bay International):  Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s most main red grape, is worth getting to know because it can deliver an appealing combination of fruitiness mixed with non-fruit elements.  Take this one, for example.  Its initial delivery is heavy on the fresh, black cherry-like notes. … Read more

($17, Disaronno International):  Consumers unfamiliar with Nerello Mascalese, the signature grape of Sicily’s Mount Etna, should grab this bottle.  Lava-like mineral notes complement the sour cherry like ones in this mid-weight red.  A long an explosive finish reminds you this is a wine to sip and savor. … Read more

($12, Palm Bay International):  Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s most main red grape, is worth getting to know because it can deliver an appealing combination of fruitiness mixed with non-fruit elements.  Take this one, for example.  Its initial delivery is heavy on the fresh, black cherry-like notes. … Read more

($35):  Cupole is the second wine of Tenuta di Tinoro, a “Super Tuscan” that commands a three-digit price tag — and the first digit is not a one.  Like the first wine, Cupole is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot that varies year to year to years depending on how the individual varieties fare during the growing season. … Read more

($23, Palm Bay International):  Gavi is one of the unsung stars of Italian white wines.  This one, from Batasiolo, a top Barolo producer, is made entirely from Cortese grape grown in the village of Gavi, from which the DOCG takes its name.… Read more

($35, Vinifera):  Brigaldara, a family-owned estate since the early 20th century, is one of the leading lights in Valpolicella.  The make a stunning array of wines linked by a gracefulness that belies their power.  Take this Valpolicella Superiore.  It shows a mixture of red and black fruit flavors, but with a healthy dose of savory, non-fruity ones — spices and herbs — that add tremendous intrigue. … Read more