Open and pretty with black-cherry, mushroom and orange-peel aromas that follow through to a medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Fine and delicious now. No need to wait. Drink or hold. -J.S.
Super classic Brunello from a classic vintage, being released now. The perfume to this is really something, with cherries, flowers, lead pencil and light hints of graphite. Then it moves to raspberries and black cherries with some sandalwood shavings. You just want to smell it. Clear and transparent. Full-bodied with very fine and succinct tannins that fill the mouth and show super tension and form. Extremely long and structured. Beautiful now, but this will age for decades ahead. Drink or hold. -J.S.
...This shows both richness and precision, with pronounced lemon and grapefruit flavors that are mouthwatering and rich. Reveals a citrus-edged bitterness that adds nice contrast, while crushed mineral elements impart a chalky texture. Packing a lot of stuffing in a linear frame, this is definitely one for the cellar... -K.B.
Starts off aromatic and pretty, with honeysuckle, apricot, grilled pineapple and singed orange peel notes that take a savory turn on the palate, revealing fresh herbs, salt and smoke. Offers creamy roundness supported by a zingy acidic beam. Packs generous zesty spice details through the harmonious, wet stone–lined finish. -K.B.
Offers a rich, fleshy profile, with an attractive mix of steeped yellow plum, jasmine tea and earthy undertones of white mocha and marjoram. Well-cut, with juicy acidity adding balance through the fleur de sel–flecked finish. Finely meshed, with impressive mineral depth and power.... -K.B.
A rich, creamy style, with nice roundness to the peach, sun tea and subtle tropical notes. Offers good concentration on the palate, with verbena-laced acidity and crushed flint echoing through the steely, persistent finish... -K.B.
For a wine with ample bottle age, this shows impressive freshness. Still tightly wound, with razor-edged acidity cutting through crisp apple, melon and peach flavors. Briny, pure and crackling through a vibrant, lengthy finish marked by saline and petrol... -K.B.
The 2018 Sito dell'Ulmo opens with a classic Merlot profile. Chalk dust and sweet herbs accentuate wild berries and blueberries. It's round and soothing to the senses. Its core of tart red fruit penetrates deeply, and black licorice hints add contrast toward the close. The 2018 lingers incredibly long, leaving the palate saturated in primary concentration as edgy tannins add a chewy sensation. -E.G.
The 2020 Santa Cecilia, a varietal Nero d'Avola, lifts from the glass with a dark and brooding mix of crushed plums, cloves, stone dust and a lifting hint of camphor. This is round and supple with juicy acidity that maintains lovely energy, and bright red and blue fruits cascade across the palate. The 2020 finishes with a bitter tinge of savory spice and hints of sour citrus while leaving a coating of fine tannins to resonate. The 2020 is quite pretty and balanced for mid-term cellaring. -E.G.
Sweetly seductive, the 2020 Passito di Noto captivates with a rich blend of spiced blood orange and lemon curd complicated by savory herbal tones and white smoke. This soothes with its weighty, silken textures while mixing sweet and sour through a blend of saline-tinged acids, sour citrus and sweet tropical melon. While long and potent, the 2020 remains impossibly fresh, leaving candied lime and Sour Patch green apple to linger on and on. -E.G.
The 2019 Maroccoli is impossible to ignore. It blossoms in the glass with a mentholated mix of dried strawberries, dusty rose and autumnal spice. This is sleek and racy in style, with cooling minerality and brisk acidity that lifts its dark red berry fruits. A coating of fine tannins adds youthful poise as nuances of red plum and inner earth tones slowly fade. The Maroccoli, a varietal Syrah, is gorgeous yet geared for the cellar...-E.G.
The 2018 Mamertino is dark and earthy, grumbling up with suggestions of plum sauce and grilled herbs complicated by flowery undergrowth. It's soft and round yet quite mineral in style, taking on a crunchy sensation as tart wild berry fruits cascade across the palate. Blackberry hints linger through the licorice-tinged finale. The 2018 finishes grippy and long. -E.G.
Wild herbs and wet stones give way to crushed blackberries as the 2021 Nero d'Avola La Segreta opens in the glass. It's soft and round on the palate, with herbal-tinged wild berry fruits and saline mineral tones that add grip toward the close. The 2021 finishes staining and long with grippy tannins that stick around. Freshness is maintained through a bump of residual acidity. La Segreta Nero d'Avola will perform best alongside a hearty meal. -E.G.
The 2022 Frappato is remarkably pretty, with a perfumed display of wildflowers, lavender, wild strawberries and wet stones. This is juicy and pure in style with pepper-tinged wild berries and sour citrus nuances. It finishes with a gentle grip yet lively and fun, tempting the taster back to the glass for more. The 2022 is an absolutely lovely Frappato. -E.G.
A blend of licorice and rose gives way to crushed red plums as the 2021 Etna Rosso comes to life in the glass. It's soft and round with depths of black cherry and wild berry fruit offset by a savory suggestion of liquid stone. This tapers off structured with a primary concentration coating, and tart cranberry tones resonate. -E.G.
The 2019 Nerello Mascalese Eruzione 1614 is delicate and floral in the glass, with pretty rose tones and spice hints complementing dusty black cherry. It washes across the palate with ease, soft and juicy in feel with tactile mineral tones that add grip toward the close. A coating of fine tannins lingers as the 2019 finishes remarkably fresh yet youthfully structured.... -E.G.
