The 2023 Chianti Classico RS Cultusboni is a very beautiful, elegant wine. Lifted aromatics and silky tannins exalt the vibrant freshness of Sangiovese fruit. Readers will find a Chianti Classico that exudes finesse from start to finish.

Grown via the historic pergola method this unique vineyard produces a Soave with aromas of fleshy yellow peach, jasmine, white tea and crushed stones. The palate is structured and built to age with flavors of tart green apple, citrus and a mineral edge on the finish. Drink now-2035.

The 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi is darkly alluring, as crushed black cherries blend with shavings of Baker's chocolate and sage. It is silken in feel, with a cascade of mineral-infused red berry fruits saturating the palate, all elevated by brisk acidity. The finish tapers off classically dry and gently tannic, leaving a pleasantly bitter tinge of cocoa and citrus that lingers. Don't be afraid of bringing this savory and sultry Amarone to the dinner table. Nicely done.

Choices, choices, choices... The Vietti 2021 Barolo Cerequio is another classic from this over-performing estate. This parcel was purchased in 2018 from the Chiarlo family (the Krause family acquired Vietti in 2016), and although the location is La Morra, the site behaves more like Sarmassa in Barolo, creating wines with a firm, tight entry and good structure. You could say that it has a nervous character now in its adolescence, and of course we expect it to smooth out and find harmony with time. Fruit was harvested on September 30th, and the wine sees 27 days of extended skin maceration. Compared to Brunate, which is always darker in character, the Cerequio is lighter and brighter with pretty primary fruit. Production is 4,890 bottles.

You could argue that this is the wine with the fasting growing quality trajectory because this vineyard site is one of those rare places in the appellation that appears to improve despite (or more likely because of) a changing climate. Ravera enjoys an open panorama (at 400 to 440 meters in elevation) that extends to the snow-capped Alps and benefits from cooler air currents, coupled with an amazing quality of light that you notice with the naked eye. The 2021 Barolo Ravera saw its fruit harvested later than the other wines, on October 11th, and continued with a classic Vietti-style fermentation with 20-plus days of skin contact. Simply put, what Ravera offers is complexity (and strength) with hints of bergamot, citrus, herbs, mineral and salt over a tightly concentrated mouthfeel. The quality of the tannins and the freshness of this 2021 are impressive, and that citrusy note continues with tangerine skin and kumquat.  Production is 8,700 bottles.

The 2020 Brut Alta Langa Oudeis opens in the glass with an herbal tinge that gives way to notes of crushed stone and yellow apples. It possesses an inner sweetness and creamy bead of bubbles contrasted by crisp mineral tones and tart orchard fruits. This displays a lovely balance, finishing fresh with hints of almond custard and zests of lime that fade slowly.

The 2019 Montebello is a blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Malvasia Nera. Dark, ample and quite potent, the 2019 packs a pretty intense punch. Black cherry, dried herbs, leather, incense and pipe tobacco saturate the palate. This full-bodied Sangiovese-based red has a lot to offer.

A smoky, oaky style with a nose dominated by graphite minerality, stunning blood oranges and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, it’s velvety, almost silky, showing grace and balance. The savory finish is vibrant and fruity yet not without firm structure. Sustainable. Drink or hold.