Ronchi Barbaresco Red 2012

92
Ronchi Barbaresco
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Piedmont
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: Fresh berries and minerality up front with light tannins at the rear. For the price, it is hard to imagine a better example of barbaresco. Perfect with a cheese and charcuterie platter.
Ronchi Barbaresco Red 2012

Saladini Pilastri Montetinello Rosso Piceno Superiore Red 2015

92
Saladini Pilastri Montetinello Rosso Piceno Superiore
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: Bing cherry and raspberry dominate the nose and palate, accompanied by notable leather and spice notes. This wine hits well above its weight class with a lot of power and a smooth-as-could-be texture that is my favorite thing about it.
Saladini Pilastri Montetinello Rosso Piceno Superiore Red 2015

Il Fauno di Arcanum Red 2014

93
Il Fauno di Arcanum
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: This is a Bordeaux-style blend: 72% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 4% cabernet sauvignon and 4% petit verdot. The palate is soft with elegant tannins and textures. The nose explodes with bright raspberries and wild berries, with some floral tones of lavender. The slightly higher-than-usual acids firmly frame a potpourri of blueberry and sour cherry. The fruit slowly subsides, giving way to exotic spice, and finishes with sweet black licorice. 
Il Fauno di Arcanum Red 2014

La Serena Toscana Rosso Red 2015

94
La Serena Toscana Rosso
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $35

Tasting Notes: Intriguing aromas of wild berries, cherry and spice with inviting flavors of cherry, mocha and vanilla giving way to hints of black pepper and exotic spice. Full-bodied and well balanced. A lot to like for the price.
La Serena Toscana Rosso Red 2015

Il Pollenza Red

97
Il Pollenza
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Marche IGT
Retail Price: $124

Tasting Notes: You can think of this as a “Super Marche,” produced from the central eastern region of Marche. A touch of merlot and petit verdot are part of the cabernet sauvignon-dominated blend. Exceptionally deeply colored in the glass, the nose is composed of dark fruit and touches of spice. In the mouth the wine has plenty of weight — and fruit. The finish lingers on and on, showcasing the wine's complexity and quality.
Il Pollenza Red

Banfi Centine Rosé 2016

91
Banfi
Fanciful Name: Centine
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Tuscany
Retail Price: $10

Tasting Notes: A blend of sangiovese, merlot and cabernet. Medium bodies and packed with lots of rich, succulent strawberry aromas and flavor. Nice crisp finish. Try it with a nice bowl of pasta with shrimp.
Banfi Centine Rosé 2016

Montaribaldi Sigiuja Rosato Nebbiolo 2016

94
Montaribaldi Sigiuja Rosato
Varietal: Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Piedmont
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Much darker in the glass then most, almost ruby-red grapefruit in color. Made from nebbiolo, this is tight when first released. A year later and this wine has released some great dark berry and plum notes. Bone dry and rich lasting finish make this perfect for a chilly spring day.
Montaribaldi Sigiuja Rosato Nebbiolo 2016

Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno 2015

89
Saladini Pilastri
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $14

Tasting Notes: Vibrant red cherry and blueberry gently paired with hints of savory herbs. The varietal pairing provides both acidity and polish.
Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno 2015

Rocca Felice Langhe Rosso Arbat 2015

90
Rocca Felice Langhe
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $18

Tasting Notes: A graceful pairing of barbera and nebbiolo. Fresh red cherry, crushed flowers and licorice combine with the soft tannin and bright acidity. An elegant beauty.
Rocca Felice Langhe Rosso Arbat 2015

Villa Cavarena Valpolicella Ripasso 2015

91
Villa Cavarena
Varietal: Corvina
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Subtle and Intense. Luscious cherry and strawberry are complimented by smoke and hints of leather. Finishing with a soft tannin.
Villa Cavarena Valpolicella Ripasso 2015

Antica Corte Valpoicella Ripasso 2015

92
Antica Corte
Varietal: Corvina
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: This wine expresses power and concentration of the Ripasso method. The wine showcases flavors of black cherry, blueberry and oak tones. It’s framed with a fresh acidity providing a long length and excellent food compatibility.
Antica Corte Valpoicella Ripasso 2015

Gran Appasso 2015

92
Gran Appasso
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: A remarkable blend of negroamaro and primitivo grapes from Puglia. Deep rich color with dense cherry notes. A slight raisiny character with soft vanilla oak tones. Overall medium balanced fruit and oak body with a lasting dried fruit finish. Great when paired with lasagna and tenderloin roast.
Gran Appasso 2015