The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is a relatively new addition to the range from the southeast in Sesta. It pours a rich ruby hue, with aromas of perfumed red raspberry, herbes de Provence, wild strawberry, and a light note of cinnamon. It offers elegance and purity, with a refined texture, vibrant red berries, and beautiful notes of fresh blood orange, tea leaf, a fine tannic structure. and. This is a vintage with a lot of finesse as well as a more transparent nature that is refreshing. Drink 2024-2044.

Lushly textured, fresh and harmonious, this red features cherry, plum, sanguine, mineral and herbal aromas and flavors. The finish is persistent, leaving a savory impression. Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo. Best from 2024 through 2032. 2,100 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Tenuta Nuova hails from Casanova di Neri’s Le Cetine vineyard in Montalcino’s south. With a full southern exposure from east to west, it is a sun soaked, Mediterranean expression of Brunello. The 2017 takes a bit of coaxing at first but then cherry bark, cinnamon, liquorice root and gardenia arise from the glass. Upfront, gritty tannins dissolve slowly into a fine dusty powder, revealing supple, round black currants. Citrussy acidity keeps this lively while dark chocolate and mint notes linger. Drinking Window 2023 – 2029

Here's an exciting new submission from Vietti. The 2018 Barolo Cerequio is lovely, sporting a broad and enriched bouquet that paints a panoramic vision of this MGA that straddles the villages of La Morra and Barolo. Despite that wide vision, this wine also excels at showing pinpoint details of wild cherry, crushed stone and black licorice. Cerequio is a wine of latitude and depth. Tight tannins help to stitch it together into a comprehensive whole. Only 4,925 bottles were made in this inaugural release. Congratulations.

Made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo and Colorino, this has aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, camphor and French oak. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate offers steeped prune, cherry marinated in spirits and licorice framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2026.

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is spicy and intense, wafting up with a wild mix of sweet herbs, cloves, dried citrus peels and crushed red plums. This is darkly elegant and refined, with polished red and black fruits elevated by hints of lavender and mint; yet beneath, a web of fine tannins slowly saturates the palate. Hints of cranberry and tangerine mingle with lavender through the long and structured finale, as the 2018 finishes beautifully balanced and classic in feel. With maturity, this may deserve an even higher score.

EDITOR'S CHOICE Savory and inviting, this has alluring scents of wild berries, citrus, Mediterranean brush and sea breeze. It's crisp, dry and delicious, delivering juicy Morello cherry, pomegranate and dark spice notes set against crisp acidity.  

The 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone is intense with a bouquet of stone dust, dried violets, black currants and cocoa powder. This is elegance exemplified, velvety and soothing, yet energetic, with a dense wave of polished red and black fruits that wash across the palate, leaving minerals and sweet tannins to mingle toward the close. A subtle layer of sour citrus helps enliven the otherwise-structured finale as minty herbal tones slowly fade. The 2019 is a total darling and has the balance to mature beautifully in collectors’ cellars.