The NV Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Bosco di Gica punches well above its price point, boasting an intensely smoky and mineral expression on the nose that pulls you close to the glass. Beneath, I’m finding notes of pear and sweet herbal tones. It’s soothing and creamy yet balanced by brisk acids, as ripe orchard fruits satiate the senses, leaving a salty twang that resonates through the finale. Wow. This is a pleasure to taste. This was bottled in September of 2020.

Made with organically farmed grapes, this offers enticing aromas of camphor, blue flower, new leather and dark spice. The smooth, delicious palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and tobacco framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2027.

This is a very fruit-forward syrah with crushed blackberry and raspberry and hints of cloves. Medium body with firm, fine tannins and a spicy, lightly meaty aftertaste. Drink or hold.

Some sweet-vanilla notes now to the savory oranges, tar and cranberries. A full-bodied nebbiolo that feels expansive, yet it’s ethereal on the palate with lots of firm, sandblasted tannins. Long and juicy. Needs two years to allow the tannins and the oak to integrate more. Will shine with time. Drink from 2024.

The 2017 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana takes its time opening in the glass, at first dusty with dried cherries and only a hint of dusty rose. Yet this is worth the wait, as its berry fruit transforms into crushed plums and raspberries, complemented by sweet herbs, hints of animal musk and flowery undergrowth. It washes dark elegant waves of mineral-tinged blackberries across the palate, offset by a twang of sour citrus, as hints of cocoa and tobacco build toward the close. This is structured and noble in feel, yet with enough primary concentration to nearly mask its grippy tannins, as touches of mint and dark chocolate linger through the medium-length finale. The balance that Capezzana has culled from this torridly hot and dry vintage is remarkable. That said, the 2017 is already drinking beautifully today after a good decant. This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese to 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Snappy acidity creates a clean-cut frame for the creamy mix of poached apricot, chamomile, salty mineral and mandarin orange peel aromas and flavors in this well-meshed, light-on-its-feet white. Drink now through 2027. 1,100 cases made, 200 cases imported.

The 2019 Syrah La Monaca is dark and intense, with crushed black and hints of blue berries complemented by balsamic spices and hints of cocoa, yet it gains lift through a wave of mentholated herbs. This is silky and refined with medium-bodied weight, casting mineral-tinged black fruits and nuances of mocha and licorice across a core of brisk acidity that does a fantastic job of maintaining balance. The 2019 La Monaca finishes long and potent with sweet tannins that frame the expression well, as violet-tinged inner florals slowly fade. Another year or two of cellaring is recommended to help tame this sexy Sicilian Syrah.

Gorgeous scents of cherry, raspberry, rose hip and white pepper are augmented by leather, tobacco and chalky, mineral flavors in this detailed, complex red, which starts out fresh and inviting, before the dense matrix of tannins puts a lock on the finish. Nonetheless, this has length, harmony and stellar potential.